Hotel Portmeirion

Hotel Portmeirion is a quirky, romantic hotel set next to Portmeirion Village, an Italian-style tourist village in North Wales. Though the hotel isn't quite as unconventional-looking on the outside as the village is, it does look more Mediterranean than English, with its bright-white exterior, neon-turquoise trimmings, and riverside pool. The front entrance has two white-stone lions guarding it and a doormat stamped with the Portmeirion symbol -- a bare-breasted mermaid. Interiors are even more show-stopping. The black-and-white-checkered tile room beyond reception has a stone wood-burning fireplace with 12 black cat statues lined up on the mantel, which are surrounded by two armchairs and a couch all upholstered in Tiffany-blue and a large harp. 

There are other eclectic decor items scattered throughout the hotel, such as painted busts of Roman warriors, bronze cupid wall hangings, and a chandelier that resembles a crown. Other lounge rooms have almost a Victorian-like feel, with crystal chandeliers, parquet floors, and gilded mirrors. Because so much of the wallpaper and upholstery is that same Tiffany blue, it all seems to come together somehow. This hotel is a great choice for couples looking for a fun, romantic weekend away or families with older children who will appreciate the hotel's (and the village's) idiosyncratic charm. 

The hotel is located next to Portmeirion Village in northwest Wales, beside the Dwyryd River estuary. The main attraction here is -- of course -- the village, a five-minute walk from the hotel. The village was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1974. It's Italian-themed and was the setting for "The Prisoner," a cult '60s English TV show that was on air for one season. The village certainly feels like another world entirely (even for guests who haven't seen the TV show). Though words cannot do it justice, it is all at once sleepy, laid-back, colorful, eclectic, and a little bizarre. There is a central piazza and tons of little buildings tucked away all over the hillside for visitors to explore. Though the public does have access to the village, they must pay to park and take a shuttle bus into the village. They are also ushered out in the evenings, which means hotel guests get full access to the place without the hoi polloi milling about. 

Porthmadog, a town that is an 11-minute drive away, has other attractions such as beaches, a brewery, and a steam-train railway. The closest train station to the hotel is Minffordd, a six-minute drive away. Free parking is available at the hotel.

The upscale hotel rooms are found within the main hotel building, as well as scattered around the village itself. Rooms have different decor styles depending on where guests choose to stay, though most of the rooms in the main hotel have old-fashioned, Tiffany-blue floral wallpaper and beautiful views of the Dwyryd River estuary out of their windows. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, kettles with tea and coffee, ironing facilities, free cookies, and umbrellas. Suites add sitting areas and occasionally canopy beds.

Pristine white bathrooms have white-marble counters and shower/tub combos. There are L'Occitane toiletries, as well as slippers and bottled water. Some bathrooms have colorful murals on the wall and windows looking out onto the estuary.

The hotel has a pool that is a little removed from the building, but is surrounded by a turquoise fence so that those who are not hotel guests won't wander in. It's fairly small and shallow, but it offers one of the best views of the estuary and is surrounded by a handful of lounge chairs. There is also a large manicured lawn for kids to run around on. The on-site Mermaid Spa offers a range of body and beauty treatments, but there's no gym.

The Hotel Portmeirion restaurant is Art Deco-esque, with beautiful wooden parquet floors, large curved windows looking out onto the estuary, and chairs upholstered in that ever-present Tiffany-blue. The restaurant offers informal lunches Monday-Saturday and a three-course Sunday lunch with reservations required. Dinner is from a tasting menu, or there's also room service available. Other hotel amenities include free parking, free Wi-Fi, and meeting rooms for the rare business traveler.