Review • Luxury Stay in North Wales at Palé Hall Hotel, Bala, Snowdonia

If you are dreaming of a luxury stay in Wales where the food is exceptional, the surroundings are historic and the service is second to none, look no further than Palé Hall in Bala. Set on the edge of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, this magnificent Victorian mansion offers elegance, comfort and the sort of culinary experience that makes you pause between bites just to appreciate what is happening on your plate.

This is not just a weekend break. It is a romantic escape into heritage and hospitality. Palé Hall is refined without being stuffy, lavish without losing its soul and just eccentric enough to keep you smiling.

Arriving in Style

Built in 1871 by railway magnate Henry Robertson and designed in a Jacobean style by Samuel Pountney Smith, Palé Hall carries its history beautifully. Queen Victoria stayed here. During wartime it served as a military hospital and a sanctuary for evacuated children. Today it is a five star hotel and part of the prestigious Relais and Châteaux collection.

On arrival we were greeted by David and Paul. Within five minutes they had taken our bags, shared the history of the house and made us feel like part of the Palé Hall story. Their warmth and knowledge elevated our stay from the very beginning.

If you want to start your stay with extra flair, the hotel can arrange for your car to be valeted while you settle in. You can also request a ride into Bala in one of the house supercars. This is where Monte Carlo meets the Welsh countryside and it works surprisingly well.

The Chef Caernarfon Suite

Our room was the Chef Caernarfon Suite. It was full of character and charm with tall windows, rich textures and views across the gardens. The bathroom came stocked with Penhaligon’s toiletries which I made full use of and a bottle of sweet Welsh mead was waiting to welcome us.

We spent a good amount of time just enjoying the room. It was peaceful, elegant and impossible to rush through. A robe was worn. A magazine was flicked through. The mead did not last long.

Dinner to Remember: The Six Course Tasting Menu

Dinner at Palé Hall is not just a meal. It is an event. Head Chef Laurence Webb has created a six course tasting menu that is thoughtful, inventive and full of flavour. Webb trained at Whatley Manor and brings a calm confidence to every dish. The focus is local produce, handled with precision and presented with flair.

We began with a small but mighty bite of Black Bomber cheddar served with pickled walnut. The cheese was deep and punchy, balanced by the tang and crunch of the walnut. It set the tone perfectly.

Next came smoked cod roe with apple. The apple brought freshness and sweetness to the smoky depth of the roe. It was light and clean and gone far too quickly.

Then came the crab with kohlrabi and yuzu. This dish was a standout. The crab was delicate and sweet. The kohlrabi added crunch. The yuzu brought brightness. It was like tasting the sea and a spring garden at the same time.

The duck liver with grape and brioche was rich and silky. The grape provided just the right sweetness. The brioche was soft and buttery. This was indulgent and comforting without being heavy.

The cod was served with leek and smoked pike roe. The fish was perfectly cooked. The leek was earthy and mellow. The roe added bursts of salt and umami. It was elegant and quietly complex.

The final savoury course was hogget with asparagus and black garlic. This was the kind of dish you remember for a long time. The meat was tender and flavourful. The asparagus added freshness. The black garlic gave everything depth and richness. We slowed right down for this one.

Dessert came in four parts. Yes, four.

We began with a sharp and herbal sorrel paired with crème fraîche and Arbequina olive oil. It was fresh and unexpected. A perfect palate cleanser.

Next was blood orange with white chocolate and almond. This was soft and citrusy with a gentle sweetness and nutty crunch.

Then came apple and lime. This was clean and zingy. A dish that lifted us up again.

Finally we finished with Guanaja 70 percent dark chocolate with miso. It was rich and intense with just the right amount of salt. Silky. Dark. Decadent.

We did not order the cheese course. Not because we did not want to. Because we physically could not. This tasting menu is generous in spirit and portion and worth every moment.

Evening Drinks at the Bar

We ended the evening in the Huntsman Bar, where Nicky perched himself by the carved wooden counter with a Macallan whisky in hand, gazing into his drink like a man plotting the next great invention. He said all he was missing was a cigar and a secretary to take notes. I, meanwhile, sipped a cocktail that tasted like summer in a glass and quietly imagined what it would take to move in permanently. If someone had handed me a key and offered me a tab, I wouldn’t have said no.

Mornings at Palé Hall

The next morning I woke to find Nicky already up, wearing the hotel’s white robe and slippers like he had always lived here. He had been to the door to collect the morning papers, the kettle was already on, and he was standing by the window with two cups and a look of smug domestic satisfaction. We listened to the birds and shared a quiet moment before breakfast. He’s a good one, that man. Especially when tea is involved.

Breakfast with a View

Breakfast was taken in a sunlit room overlooking the grounds. We sat at a round table dressed in white linen with fresh daffodils the table and silver coffee pots being quietly refilled.

I ordered eggs Benedict. Nicky had the kippers. The eggs were perfectly poached and the hollandaise was smooth and buttery. The kippers were rich and smoky. The coffee was strong and fresh and kept coming. The views were green and rolling. I was living my best Downton Abbey life and yes I was absolutely upstairs.

Quiet Moments and Royal Toys

After dinner we explored the house and found ourselves in the snooker room. A quiet space with dark wood and soft light. Next to the table sits Queen Victoria’s own rocking horse. Because of course it does. Every part of this hotel has a story.

Exploring the Grounds

Outside the house the grounds are just as impressive. We walked through gardens and woodland. We visited the resident Valais Blacknose sheep and the Highland cows who seemed completely unfased by their surroundings. There is even a small waterfall tucked away on the grounds if you are in the mood for a wander.

Or you can stay put. There are lounges to read in. A library to get lost in. Quiet corners with soft chairs and tall windows. This is a hotel designed for slowing down.

Final Thoughts

Palé Hall in Bala is more than a luxury hotel in North Wales. It is a place to rest. To indulge. To reconnect with yourself or with someone special. The food is extraordinary. The rooms are beautiful. The team are warm and brilliant.

It is rare to find a place that does this much this well. If you are planning a luxury stay in Snowdonia or looking for somewhere unforgettable to celebrate something special, this is the place. Say yes to the tasting menu. Say yes to the mead. Say yes to being driven into town in a supercar if someone offers.

And say yes to coming back.

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PR Stay - views are my own