Caer Rhun Hall Hotel

A Victorian Country House Hotel in the Conwy Valley

Set in its own grounds a few miles inland from Conwy, this is one of those places that makes you slow down on the drive in. The hall is a tall Victorian mansion of warm red stone, all gables, chimneys and mullioned windows, standing above wide lawns with the wooded slopes of the Conwy Valley rising behind it. Inside, the period detail has been kept and made comfortable rather than stuffy — a carved oak staircase sweeps up beneath a chandelier, and the bedrooms above have been brought up to date without losing the bones of the building. It is a genuine country house hotel, and one of the more characterful places to stay near Conwy.

The Rooms

Bedrooms run from comfortable doubles to family rooms, all with private bathrooms, and each is finished individually rather than to a single template. Some look out over the gardens through deep sash or mullioned windows; several of the larger rooms have a copper roll-top bath set right in the room, one of them framed by a tall arched bay window looking out across the grounds. Rooms come with a tea and coffee tray, a flat-screen television, a work desk, a wardrobe, and bathrobes and free toiletries in the bathroom. Family rooms make this a practical choice for a group as well as a couple.

Food, the Bar and the Grounds

There is a bar for a drink before dinner, and breakfast is served each morning — a continental buffet with juice, fresh pastries, pancakes, cheeses and fruit, and it can be brought to your room if you would rather not come down. Outside, a sun terrace and patio look out over the lawns, with outdoor furniture and a picnic area, so on a fine day you can sit out with the valley in front of you. Express check-in and check-out are offered if you are passing through, and parking is free and on site. Dogs are genuinely welcome here — the hotel promises them “treats and fusses” — which makes it a rare find at this end of the market.

At a Glance

• Victorian country house hotel in its own grounds in the Conwy Valley
• Individually decorated en-suite bedrooms, including family rooms
• Copper roll-top baths in several of the larger rooms
• Bar, sun terrace, gardens and outdoor dining area
• Continental buffet breakfast; breakfast in the room available
• Free private parking on site; step-free facilities for disabled guests
• Dogs welcome; all bedrooms non-smoking
• Rated 9.0 out of 10 by over 1,400 Booking.com guests

Exploring the Conwy Valley

The hall sits in the quiet middle of the valley, which is the point — you get the countryside, but the coast and the mountains are both a short drive away. Bodnant Garden, one of the finest gardens in Britain, is about four miles up the road, spectacular in May for its laburnum arch and again in autumn. The walled town of Conwy, with its castle, its town walls and the smallest house in Great Britain on the quay, is a ten-minute drive north. The Conwy Valley railway line runs up the valley from Llandudno Junction towards Betws-y-Coed, and the lanes and forest tracks around Caerhun are quiet enough for proper walking and cycling straight from the door.

Further Afield

Push west and you are quickly into Eryri (Snowdonia) — Betws-y-Coed, the Swallow Falls, the Ogwen Valley and the mountain passes are all within easy reach, and the Snowdon Mountain Railway at Llanberis is a straightforward drive. North, the coast opens up at Llandudno, with its pier, its Victorian promenade and the Great Orme, roughly ten miles away. East across the Menai Strait lies Anglesey, with Beaumaris and its castle. Staying here rather than in town means you can do all of it and still come back to somewhere quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of place is it? A Victorian country house hotel set in its own grounds in the Conwy Valley, with individually decorated en-suite rooms, a bar and gardens. It is also a wedding and private-events venue.

Are dogs allowed? Yes — dogs are welcome.

Is there parking? Yes — free private parking on site.

Is breakfast available? Yes — a continental buffet breakfast is served, and it can be taken in your room.

Is it suitable for families? Yes — there are family rooms with private bathrooms.

How far is it from Conwy? A few miles south of the town, up the Conwy Valley; Conwy Castle is about a ten-minute drive.

Book Your Conwy Valley Stay

Among hotels in Conwy and the valley behind it, this one trades the harbour for parkland, and gains a good deal of character in the process. If a grand old house with copper baths, gardens, a bar and a warm welcome for the dog sounds like the right base for exploring the castle, Bodnant and the mountains beyond, check availability and book using the options shown on this page.