The North Wales hotel is on the doorstep of some of the region’s most thrilling, post-industrial attractions
Plas Weunydd reopened this Easter following a two-year refurbishment. It’s now up and running again as a 24-bedroom dog- and family-friendly hotel with a bar and restaurant that acts as a hub for the 2,000-acre site, which also offers glamping tents, shepherd’s huts and outdoor activities.
Popular with mountain bikers (the Antur Stiniog Bike Park with its 14 trails is directly opposite the hotel), walkers (there is access to Eryri National Park) and adrenaline junkies (Zip World Llechwedd is on site), the hotel is also within walking distance of the village of Blaenau Ffestiniog, where you can board the heritage Ffestiniog Railway line.
Plas Weunydd hotel in North Wales recently reopened after a huge refurb (Photo: supplied)Where is it?
Located within the historic Llechwedd slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales, Plas Weunydd is a design-led hotel with big rooms and even bigger views.
On the edge of the Eryri National Park (formerly known as Snowdonia), it’s an ideal base for active holidaymakers who want to hit the many bike and hike trails in the area. But its isolated location also makes it a great place in which to relax and unwind and admire those imposing, slate-heavy views.
What’s it like?
The hotel building was the family home of the former quarry owners. Today it is a bright and modern four-star hotel, with a sweeping staircase in the entrance hall, spacious bedrooms with views over the slate mountains and the national park, and a dog-friendly bar and restaurant area.
Hikes lead out from the door (or you can drive five to 10 minutes to pick up more trails) and hidden in the trees by the glamping pods is a secret sauna for guests’ use.
Big bedrooms and even bigger views are on offer at Plas Weunydd (Photo: supplied)
Despite everything being brand new, room rates are refreshingly affordable, starting from just £69 per night.
Our family room – with a king size bed and full single – was huge, and the bathroom was even bigger – you could fit a double bed in there. My husband worked happily from the room’s designated work-station-with-a-view with its fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Communal areas are all dog-friendly and the aesthetic is cosy modern – with a log-burning stove inside the bar and a huge patio area outside for warmer days.
Old photographs of the quarry and its workers are dotted about on the walls while the bar has an impressive – if eclectic – range of local drinks, including an orange marmalade gin from the Aber Falls distillery in North Wales, a Black Mountain brandy, and a Trulo coconut rum.
What’s the food and drink like?
The newly refurbished restaurant is bright and welcoming, with a locally-inspired menu (Photo: supplied)
The all-day restauran serves pub classics with a Welsh twist and puts an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients. Try the Sws y Ddraig Curry – a mild Welsh curry of chicken and leeks (£17) – or the Miner’s Burger (£17.50) made with Welsh beef. There’s also a Snowdonia cheeseboard (£16) and a fondue (£15) that uses a local cave-aged cheddar.
The glamping tents feature wood-burning stoves and barbecues, and guests can order pizza-making kits.
Over the road at Antur Stiniog, the on-site cafe Burrito Blasus Blaenau (open Thurs-Mon) serves a Mexican-inspired menu that can be enjoyed inside, outside or even on the roof terrace and it also hosts regular events and pop-up food collaborations.
What is there to do?
Zip World can be found on the same site as Plas Weunydd hotel (Photo: supplied)
Zip World Llechwedd is within walking distance of the hotel and offers a variety of adrenalin-fuelled activities, among them the Titan zip line, Europe’s first four-person zip wire. Underground, there are more zip wires, bouncy pillows and a crazy golf course. Quarry and cavern tours are also on offer and there is an on-site café too.
Some activities have age restrictions, but the underground golf is a great option for younger children who will love the cable car journey to get there and the neon lighting once you arrive.
How much?
Plas Weunydd Hotel offers doubles from £69. Accessible rooms and dog-friendly rooms are available