The best castle hotels in Wales

One of Britain's most extraordinary Victorian seaside houses, this fish-scale-turreted mansion was built for Lady Sarah Hay Williams as a dower gift from her husband John (the name means 'ladies abode'). The design is based on five castles in the Loire Valley, a region the couple loved (the gates, right down to the ornamental nail heads, were copied from a drawing by Sarah and handmade in Birmingham). There are plenty of rooms to explore, including a music room, drawing room, cloisters and a wine bar, and everything from the ceilings to the fireplaces are mini works of art. On-site facilities include a sauna, hot tub, tennis courts and gardens. Views of the Snowdonian giants complete the picture. Read expert review

Fans of the cult Sixties TV series, The Prisoner, are always wowed by the nooks and crannies of the village backdrop to the series while non-telly addicts will simply marvel at the micro-climate position, set along a private peninsula on the Snowdonia coast amid woodlands and carefully manicured gardens. The hotel, like the village, has bags of personality with contemporary finish juxtaposed with the Gothic and Tudor influences of the restored building — think slate floors, froufrou plasterwork and an ornate fireplace guarded by a fearsome stone knight. Children in particular will love the idea of staying in a real castle. All Deudraeth rooms are tastefully finished with fold-out sofa beds, seaside-contemporary motifs and artworks featuring angels and mermaids. Read expert review

A key part of the appeal of staying here is the panoramic views from most of the rooms: far out to sea across St Brides Bay, and inland across the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside. The castle was constructed in the late 12th century, then rebuilt as a private dwelling in the early 1900s. Keith Griffiths, an eminent architect who grew up in the area, bought the property and gave its interior its current stylish, contemporary look. The Court Room – the main sitting room – has brown and purple suede sofas and black pouffes, lovely modern vases and a tapestry depicting the history of the castle; these are among examples of art commissioned for the property. Consider splashing out on Ap Gryffydd, one of the most expensive rooms, which has big windows looking out towards the sea. Read expert review

The Grade I-listed building is located right on Conwy’s main high street, just a short walk from the castle and quayside. The Castle makes for a homely base for popular events like the Gwledd Conwy Feast food festival or exploring the North Wales Coast. The décor manages to combine the Pre-Raphaelite paintings of John Dawson Watson in the entrance with more contemporary features in the refurbished bedrooms. While location and food are the main draws, the addition of Healing Hands, an upstairs treatment room caters for spa-break weekenders. The restaurant includes a chic champagne bar and lounge area. The Courtyard, a suntrap outdoor space with views of the 13th-century castle is popular for all-day food and local flavours. Read expert review

Cardigan is well placed for exploring the rugged coastlines of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and the castle has cracking views out across the River Teifi and the seven-arched stone bridge loping across it. The b&b and restaurant, shoehorned into the castle walls, are unexpectedly modern; pared-back in style, with large windows letting in lots of natural light. But there’s no denying the pervading sense of history: the minute you step out into the courtyard or gaze out across the mighty ramparts, you’re winged back to the Middle Ages when this was one of the greatest castles in all of Wales. In 1171, Lord Rhys moved his court here and rebuilt the castle in stone, trumpeting his triumph by hosting the first Eisteddfod in its walls in 1176. Read expert review