Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Set in a gorgeous historic Victorian hunting lodge
Beautiful scenic views of Lake Vyrnwy and wooded hillsides
Rooms have flat-screen TVs, showers, and separate tubs
Upscale Tower Restaurant and casual Tavern Brasserie
ESPA day spa with a sauna, hot tub, and tiny gym
Free hot and cold breakfast buffet
Bicycles and fly fishing around the lake available for fee
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Some areas feel dated
Rooms over pub or kitchen can be loud
Restaurant food and service receive mixed reviews
Gym is tiny
The upscale Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa is a 52-room historic hunting lodge in North Wales, built in the 19th century on a hillside with breathtaking views of Lake Vyrnwy and the surrounding 24,000-acre national nature reserve. Classically styled rooms have flat-screen TVs, kettles, and separate bathtubs and showers. There is a fine-dining restaurant that offers upscale cuisine alongside beautiful lake vistas, and a gastropub for less formal meals. The hotel offers a full day spa and gym, though the latter is tiny. There aren't any kid-centric facilities, so it's best suited to couples seeking relaxation and fresh air. Note, however, that rooms over the pub or kitchen can suffer from noise.
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Scene
Victorian hunting lodge with beautiful architecture and great views
The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa is a historic Victorian hunting lodge overlooking the picturesque Lake Vyrnwy. The outside of the hotel looks like a set piece from "Downton Abbey," with its grey-stone walls, black-and-white timber framing, and numerous windows of all sizes. Adding to the natural setting is the smell of pine trees wafting through the air. One side of the hotel has a three-story-high trellis completely covered in climbing green vines, while the front entrance has a sign proudly proclaiming its date of establishment (1890). The lobby has an impressive wooden parquet floor and a wooden ceiling, plus an antique grandfather clock in the corner. The drawing room is even quirkier, with a bright blue patterned carpet, broken-in leather armchairs, and many taxidermied animals, including an otter and a pheasant holding a rifle. On the far wall, a scenic Victorian tapestry hangs over a grand piano. The overall design is classic and charming, though the blue carpeting and couches with sad cushions feel dated and in need of a refresh. This hotel appeals to outdoorsy guests (especially cyclists and anglers), as well as older couples and families who may enjoy afternoon tea while looking at scenic views.
Location
Good cycling and fishing near the lake, but not much else to do
The hotel is located in North Wales on a hillside overlooking Lake Vyrnwy. A 24,000-acre national nature reserve surrounds it. There are brown trout in the lake for anglers to catch and plenty of mountain roads (and an 11-mile flat road around the lake) for cyclists. For guests who didn't bring a bike, Artisans Bike Hire is a five-minute drive away with free parking. A clay pigeon shooting range a 10-minute walk from the hotel, plus guests can rent kayaks, canoes, and sailing boats at a boathouse on the lake. Besides nearby sporting activities, there aren't many attractions within a close driving distance. Snowdonia National Park is an hour-long drive away and the closest train station is Welshpool, a 40-minute drive away. This is mainly a place to come for scenic views and relaxation.
Rooms
Though old, rooms have flat-screen TVs and comfy beds
No two rooms out of the hotel's 52 are exactly alike, though most are classically styled with blue, beige, and red color schemes. Some of the furnishings, such as the colored carpet or patterned fabric headboards, can feel dated, though travelers may find it adds to the historic charm. Guests can expect comfy armchairs, desks, and large windows, while some of the premier rooms have balconies and canopy beds. All rooms come with Egyptian-cotton sheets, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen satellite TVs, hairdryers, and ironing facilities. Tea- and coffee-making facilities accompanied by free cookies, as well as free bottles of still and sparkling mineral water are also provided. Each room has a stuffed dog placed on the bed with a tag that instructs guests to place the dog outside the door as a sort of "Do Not Disturb" sign. Request a room away from the pub or kitchen when making a reservation, as those rooms can be loud around meal times. The bathrooms have gray slate floors with cream-colored walls and blonde-wood touches. They all have one bathtub and one shower stall (separate from each other) and Elsyl toiletries. The premier rooms have bathroom windows that look out onto the grounds of the hotel. There are three types of room: Garden View, Lake View, and Premier Lake View.
Features
Two restaurants and a full day spa
The hotel has two dining options on-site: The Tower Restaurant and the Tavern Brasserie. The Tower Restaurant is the more upscale of the two, featuring a dining room on the edge of the hillside with huge windows that provide scenic views of the lake and surrounding woodlands. The restaurant has over 100 wines available and offers a champagne afternoon tea on the terrace. The Tavern Brasserie is a gastropub that is a little more casual than the restaurant, but still has the same beautiful views out of its windows. Welsh locals tend to go here when they want to wet their whistles. A free hot and cold breakfast buffet is included in all rates. The restaurant's food and service receive mixed reviews however.A day spa has a hot tub, a sauna, and a tiny gym that consists of just a few machines. There are three conference rooms for the rare business guests. Room service, free parking, and free Wi-Fi are all available.
