The Blurb
On reaching the entrance to Bodysgallen Hall, you may be tempted to simply stop and stare; the view is so breathtaking. Nestled in 200 acres of impeccable parkland, terraced gardens give way to the Snowdonian mountains and historic Conwy (with its famous Castle) in the far distance. We arrived in driving rain (which gave way to blissful sunshine over the next few days) and can attest that literally nothing can dampen the splendour of that view. But of course, if you stare too long, that would be to miss one of the warmest welcomes I can remember and some of the very best country house hospitality North Wales can boast.
One of three National Trust owned hotels (restored sympathetically by Historic House Hotels Ltd, and in NT hands since 2008), Bodysgallen is a Grade 1 listed 17th century hall, whose name means either “house among the thistles” or “house of Cadwallen” depending on who you ask. Rich in history, stunningly situated, with 15 individually decorated rooms (plus another 16 external cottage suites), excellent fine-dining, spa facilities and extensive private grounds, Bodysgallen is not just a retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s a must-visit-much-more-than-once home from home.
Sleep
31 rooms are spread between the main house and the external cottages, but all have been restored sympathetically, uniquely, and cosily in the country manor house style. As they are so unique, you may find yourself sleeping in a romantic four-poster bed or (as in my case) snuggling into a window seat with a good book and an even better view over the parkland. Beds are king-sized, bathrooms are stocked with Penhaligon Quercus toiletries, and Nespresso machines come as standard. The Wi-Fi is fast and responsive. Bodysgallen Hall has a genuine old-world cosiness and charm, which makes you feel very much at home and certainly helped us relax over a long weekend. And for the canine-obsessed among us, many of the cottage suites are dog-friendly, so the whole family can join!
Out & About
As secluded as Bodysgallen Hall feels, it is perfectly positioned for days out. The beautifully preserved Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno is only a short 10-minute drive away, as is the town of Conwy (with its eponymous castle). We took the chance to visit Aberfalls distillery just a little further down the coast (the barman at Bodysgallen gave us an impromptu whisky tasting, and I can highly recommend it to fans of ‘the water of life’). Snowdonia and all its excellent outdoor pursuits aren’t far away either for the serious hillwalker or adrenaline junky (white-water rafting, anyone?). But equally gentle walks (or guided tours) of Bodysgallen’s stunning grounds and parkland are an excellent way to while away the day. Not to mention a fully equipped spa, gym, swimming pool and steam rooms are on site for all those who’d rather take it easy than stretch their legs!
Dine
It is easy to see how Bodysgallen holds a double A rosette for its exquisite dining room, run by the creative brain of Head Chef Abdalla El Shershaby. We meant to venture out for our second evening, but enjoyed our first so much that we came back for more. Dishes such as the seared sea scallop (with caramelised cauliflower puree, sweet Peppadrop, cauliflower and raisin couscous) and the Creedy Carver duck breast (with roasted potatoes, sautéed leeks, salsify, glazed baby carrot, orange jus) may not seek to reinvent the wheel but were perfectly executed and plate-lickingly delicious. The set price for a selection of courses was very reasonable and the wine list was also excellent, so if, like us, to choose to ‘stay home’ for your whole stay, you won’t be at all disappointed.
As an extra special treat, you can also order a delightful afternoon tea, served in one of Bodysgallen’s many cosy nooks, window seats and plush sofas in front of (if you’re lucky) a cosy roaring fire!
Who goes there?
Who doesn’t? We met a honeymooning young couple, plenty of well-heeled retirees, travellers from all over the world (one feels hotels like Bodysgallen have a particular appeal to US travellers seeking a genuine touch of British old-world comfort), and we were a mother-daughter pair, so most demographics seemed present over breakfast. We even met a delightful couple who lived 10 minutes down the road, who had ‘always wanted to visit’ and had finally done so for their 40th anniversary. These international and local visitors felt like a lovely summation of Bodysgallen’s broad appeal, and all seemed delighted with everything.
The Worst Thing
Old-world charm means don’t expect cutting-edge luxury. Creaky floors and actual keys that must be handed in when leaving are par for the course (but I think they add to the charm).
The Best Thing
I have genuinely never enjoyed ‘public rooms’ in a hotel more than at Bodysgallen. Often, they feel like ornamental spaces that are nice to walk through but only to be used by the supremely confident (or those who have fallen out with their partner, and can’t face going back to their room). The deep sofas, hidden corners, roaring fires, window-seat nooks, libraries, and even writing desks all absolutely call to you from right around Bodysgallen Hall. I spent almost two whole afternoons reading, writing, drinking tea and staring out the window at the splendid vista (the closest I will get to my teen Jane Austen fantasy life), and enjoyed every lazy, sleepy moment. These corners of Bodysgallen stole my heart completely!
The Details
Both main house and cottage rooms are from £260 (including breakfast allowance)
Suites start at £710
The Royal Welsh Way, Llandudno, North Wales LL30 1RS
www.bodysgallen.com
