A country home amid gargantuan piles of slate, Plas Weunydd sits atop a hill overlooking not just an old industrial town but the vast landscape of Snowdonia National Park. Needless to say, the hotel is all about its location: the location on a map, sure (it’s pretty much at the dead-centre of Snowdonia and surrounded by all manner of outdoorsy activities) but also its topographical location, with views galore.
For my visit to Plas Weunydd, the approach by car saw me wind my way past the hills and valleys of the national park, through old mining town Blaenau Ffestiniog and most of the way up a not-unsteep hill. The hotel is perched near the top, at the same turning as much-hyped adventure attraction Zip World and a mountain-biking course.
Why stay at Plas Weunydd?
If you’re in Snowdonia for an adventure or outdoorsy holiday (and this is very much a region famous for that), Plas Weunydd is extraordinarily well-located. Hiking, cycling, mountain biking, zip-wiring and more is almost literally on your doorstep – as previously mentioned, Zip World is across the road – while countless mountains, waterfalls, lakes or rivers in Snowdonia National Park are no more than a half-hour drive away.
The building itself was built in 1870 as the home of John Whitehead Greaves, the founder of nearby Llechwed Quarry. It was turned into a hotel in 2021, and it relaunched in April 2025 following further refurbishment. Plas Weunydd prides itself on being an adventure holiday base, but also for being both family- and dog-friendly.
What are the rooms like at Plas Weunydd?
For the most part, the rooms were functional and comfortable places to spend the night. Most (but not all, particularly on the top floor) had tall ceilings, inoffensive furnishings and were kitted out with most of the essentials you’d expect. Fan, kettle, teas, clothes-hanging space, hairdryer, safe, USB plugs, speedy wi-fi, a workspace and a solid shower were among the home comforts. As expected given the hotel is isolated atop a hill, the rooms (and area in general) were blissfully quiet after dark.
The better rooms at Plas Weunydd are those with a south-facing view, which overlooks Blaenau Ffestiniog and its slate quarries. These all boast tremendous vistas of the mountains of southern Snowdonia National Park. All rooms had nice touches like local artworks (of stormy valleys, mines, coasts) and slate keyrings.
The main downsides? For one, the room was only fairly clean. Plas Weunydd is proudly dog friendly and you can feel that in the room, with air fresheners unable to hide a stuffy musk. I also found a piece of dog kibble in the cupboard – which, while a bonus if you have a mutt, isn’t exactly a sign of thorough cleaning.
The basics were all there at Plas Weunydd, though there was little more than that – and nothing that amounted to luxury. The queen size bed was two soft singles pushed together, the loo roll was translucent-thin, there were generally a few scuffs around the place – several indicators that this isn’t really intended to be a Ritz-like establishment.
What are the best things to eat at Plas Weunydd?
Fittingly for a hotel pitched as a base for adventure, Plas Weunydd’s culinary offerings are hearty, and more fuel than fancy nosh. For dinner, burgers, chips and pies are the typical fare, alongside a few Welsh specific choices. The plates aren’t cheap but they’re all a decent size.
The breakfast buffet (served 8am to 10.30am) was very basic – baked beans, mushrooms, hash browns, sausages, bacon, toast and tomatoes – and despite getting down at 8am on the dot, it was lukewarm.
The highlight out of either breakfast or dinner was, far and away, the Snowdonia cheese fondue. A generous tub of gloopy cave-aged cheddar and crisp chunks of sourdough… when better to indulge in that kind of debauched cuisine than when you’ve just climbed a few mountains?
What are the best things to drink?
Plas Weunydd’s bar, which is downstairs and shares a desk with reception, features a diverse and well-priced range with a nice selection of local drinks. Wrexham lager, Aber Falls gin and Welsh whiskies were among the tipples on offer.
The inside bar was a nice enough place for a drink, but the terrace was truly spectacular. With the same slate quarry and mountain views as the south-facing rooms, it’s an awesome place to have a drink (weather permitting, of course). I was fortunate enough to enjoy wall-to-wall sunshine, though the bartender noted this was the exception rather than the norm.
What is the service like at Plas Weunydd?
The hotel’s staff are unfussy and straightforward, neither friendly nor unfriendly. Occasionally the mostly (but not entirely) young workforce came across nervous and abrupt, with speedy eye contact and curt advice. However, when I had some issues with the room – initially the safe did not work, though it was fixed by the second night – I received assistance from a much more helpful, eager staff member.
What are the facilities like at Plas Weunydd?
Plas Weunydd’s surrounding landscape acts as its own spa and gym, though there are alternative accommodation options beyond the hotel like the Barlwyd shepherd’s huts and Llechwedd glamping sites (the former has a sauna).
What’s the area like around Plas Weunydd?
Blaenau Ffestiniog is an adventurer’s paradise, and active holidaymaking is likely to be the main motivation for staying at Plas Weunydd. Zipworld Llechwedd, Antur Stiniog Bike Park and the Cwmorthin Waterfall are the main ‘active’ attractions immediately nearby. Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself is a short drive.
That said, adventure isn’t the only thing to do at Plas Weunydd. The hotel is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site; ‘The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales’, and the scenic Ffestiniog railway is in the town below, while picture-perfect town Portmeirion and the beaches of Cardigan Bay (Harlech, Criccieth and Black Rock Sands, in particular) aren’t far by car.
Car isn’t the only way to get to Plas Weunydd, but it’s the easiest. Blaenau Ffestiniog has train services to Llandudno, and an infrequent bus runs from the station to the hotel (it’s a 25-minute walk otherwise).
Why you should book a stay at Plas Weunydd
If you’re booking an adventure holiday in Snowdonia and you’re unfussy about the prim particulars of fancy hotels, Plas Weunydd is a basic but solid and well-located place to rest and fuel up. If you have a family and/or a dog, it’s especially worth considering.