You might expect a Grade I National Trust property to be a bit of a stuffy and impersonal place to stay for a weekend, but Bodysgallen Hall, a lovingly restored manor house on Pydew Mountain in north Wales, is quite the opposite.
The hotel provided us tired, post-hike guests with a stay so comforting that, despite its looming size, felt more like we were at the home of an impossibly wealthy relative than a high-end hotel. Swathed by crackling fires, good, tasty food and amiable staff, this place is primed for a properly restful weekend.
Why stay at Bodysgallen Hall?
If you don’t just want a break from your day-to-day life but some proper respite from the 21st century, this is the place to stay. Bodysgallen Hall’s Main House feels a bit imposing as you approach it, but there’s something undeniably old-timey and welcoming about the place once you’ve stepped inside.
It brags all the traditional quirks that a proper country estate should, with comically low ground-floor ceilings, dark wood-panelled walls, heartily-stoked fires and marshmallow-like armchairs throughout the reception area and jumbled hallways, and much of it was built around 600 years ago. Though modern elements (speedy wifi and high-pressure showers) have seeped through, a weekend here still feels like you’ve dipped back into a different era.
What are the rooms like at Bodysgallen Hall?
The Main House bedrooms could well remind you of a grandparent’s house, and I mean that as a compliment. The furnishings are (almost entirely) covered in roses and adorned with flouncy ruffles, there’s a landline phone, a pretty ceramic pot of cotton buds on the vintage dresser and an alarm clock that looks like it dates from the ‘80s.
But it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. A spacious double wardrobe and a sizable chest of drawers offer plenty of storage, and our en suite is warmly lit, toasty and large, housing a bath and a generous free-standing shower. They haven’t gone overboard with the freebies here: we’re granted body wash, lotion and shampoo as well as tea bags, biscuits and coffee pods in the room, but had everything we needed.
If you want a little more space, Principle Suites in the main building and Hall Cottages, which are dotted about the hotel’s award-winning grounds, are also available to book.
What are the best things to eat at Bodysgallen Hall?
Towering window pains, pristine white tablecloths and gentle candlelight are what you’ll be greeted with if you opt for dinner in The Dining Room and Bodysgallen Hall. The restaurant has some impressive accolades – three AA Rosettes, to be precise – and it’s a brilliant way to lap up even more of the old-fashioned appeal of this place.
The menu rotates here, but I’d recommend sampling whatever fish main is on offer – I had a piece of beautifully cooked sea bass with a vegetable and bean-filled stew, topped with a kale crisp – simple, tasty, and classy.
Fancy a sweet treat post-spa? The hotel also has a generous Welsh afternoon tea offering for £35 per person, and an option to add champagne.
What is the service like at Bodysgallen Hall?
As is only appropriate for the vibe of this place, the service here is warm and formal. We’re asked if we’d like a newspaper in the morning upon check-in, we’re referred to as ‘madame’ and ‘sir’, we have our knapkins placed on our laps for us at dinner where there’s multiple sets of cutlery. But the staff are far from stuffy, and it instead feels like an attentive and thoughtful way to operate.
What is the spa like at Bodysgallen Hall?
Hidden away towards the grounds’ entrance and just a two-minute walk from the Main House is the Spa, which you’ll need to avoid wearing your slippers to as the path is steep and a little uneven. However, it’s got all the good stuff – a large indoor pool, a sauna, steam room, gym and relaxation room, as well as six spaces for treatments, all in a quiet, warm, light-flooded building.
I went for a full-body aromatherapy massage and your masseuse will waft a few scent options in front of you, but select your favourite oil for them to use and relax. On offer there are also facials, neck, back and shoulder massages, scrubs and wraps.
What’s the area like around Bodysgallen Hall?
Bodysgallen Hall is tucked away in beautifully manicured grounds (with a fair few sheep wandering around) a few kilometres outside of Llandudno, a seaside town in north Wales, which has bags of classic beachy charm. There’s a Victorian-era pier and pretty houses lining the sandy seafront, brilliant curry houses (I’d recommend the Blue Elephant) and the Great Orme Tramway which ferries people up to the pleasing country park. Arriving by train? Options are either Llandudno Junction across the estuary from Conwy or Llandudo which will drop you slap-bang in the centre.
If you feel like venturing further afield, pen-y-pass, a car park which is the starting point for two paths up to the top of Mount Snowdon, is less than an hour’s drive away. Snaking roads will take you through north Wales’ mossy, moody hills and past several other parking options if pen-y-pass is full, and if the weather is set to be clear, the views are absolutely stunning. Hiking Snowdon takes around six hours, so wear proper boots and take lots of water.
Why you should you book a stay at Bodysgallen Hall
Bodysgallen Hall’s sleepy surroundings, homely charm and good-quality spa are primed for a soothing weekend stay, but I’d recommend it particularly highly if you’re heading to north Wales for some hiking. It’s precisely the kind of snug, restorative place that you’ll be grateful to head back to when you’re famished and your limbs are tired.
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