Where nature, history and simple pleasures come together.
We stayed for two nights at this wonderful hotel while fly-fishing on the River Dee in Llangollen, and what a spectacular place it was. Its location is quite simply magical.
From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming, friendly and accommodating. The hotel itself was clean, comfortable and perfectly adequate, with plenty of lovely spaces to sit and relax — whether enjoying a Welsh scone with clotted cream and jam and a cup of tea or coffee, having an evening meal or breakfast, or simply sitting quietly and soaking up the atmosphere and the beautiful surroundings.
The riverside views from the hotel are exceptional. Looking across the river, you can see the old suspension bridge leading to the quaint Berwyn railway station, sitting on the opposite hillside. What makes the setting even more magical is watching the Llangollen Heritage Railway's steam trains chug their way up the track. As the train arrives at Berwyn Station, its whistle echoes through the valley before it slowly disappears into the lush greenery of the hillside, leaving plumes of smoke and steam floating above the treetops. It is a scene that feels almost timeless.
Our room on the second floor had a balcony overlooking the river and Berwyn Station. Sitting there and watching the river, the railway and the surrounding countryside was both serene and almost melancholic in the most beautiful sense of the word. It is a view and an experience I will never forget.
There is something very special about places where life is kept simple and where the surroundings and nature are allowed to speak for themselves. This hotel does exactly that, and for us, it ticked every box.
I will remember our stay here for as long as I live. A truly beautiful location, wonderful atmosphere and a place where nature, history and simple pleasures come together perfectly.
Highly recommended.