If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path hotel in Brecon Beacons, Wales, look no further than Gliffaes Country House Hotel. My family and I were so lucky to have paid a visit last month while vacationing in the United Kingdom. Located on 33 acres on the eastern corner of Brecon Beacons National Park, the hotel offers a complete getaway. The Victorian style hotel is surrounded by beautiful foliage, rivers, woods, hedges and sheep fields and is near quaint villages like Knighton and Crickhowell to explore. While exploring the grounds, we even bumped into a few fisherman.
We were invited by James Suter, one of the co-owners, who have managed to keep the hotel running true to its original mission. The original owner decorated the hotel in Italian style, and they are keeping up its charm with its high ceilings, multiple fireplaces, shiny wood and antique furniture that fills the rooms, of which there are 23.
Why Visit Gliffaes Country House Hotel?
I have to admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect and the experience was far superior to anything I expected. To be honest, who wouldn’t love a few days experiencing the English countryside with their kids (sometimes not complaining!) kids? The rooms are cozy and spacious and offer an excellent respite at the end of a long, adventurous or relaxing day. There are several types of rooms so if you are worried about budget, you are likely to find a room that matches your needs. The rooms keep up the old-country charm with sweeping drapes, an old-fashioned bedside radio and lush carpets, a full tea set, traditional English paintings and all the amenities you can ask for including Welsh bath products and a coffee machine. But the best part? The smashing views of the English countryside, with its sweeping rivers and greener than green foliage.
We woke up to a full English breakfast, which included homemade eggs, a selection of cereals including muesli, pastries, Welsh yogurt, hand-roasted coffee, Black Mountain salmon and cooked menu options. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and the hotel also offers daily high tea and dinner, which is a bit more upscale than your average fish & chips, which is what we opted for in a nearby town.
My kids loved our stay at Gliffaes. They enjoyed the space and comfort, most definitely, but they also liked access to the outdoors. Even they were stunned by the magnificent views of the countryside, which we certainly don’t have back home. They liked that the hotel offers free Wifi. We took a long walk on the river and went bird-watching and reflected on our journey thus far. The hotel has a mile of left bank fishing, divided into three beats, so fishing is another option of a kid-friendly activity. We also took a short drive to explore Tretower, ruins of an 11th century castle. The hotel is also just 10 minutes to Crickhowell: the biscuit-tin village of the Brecons, where we walked around and dined. Other note-worthy kid-friendly activities include mountain biking and canoeing.
We certainly have plenty to do if we make it back again. If you’re headed to Wales, check out the hotel’s special offers and let me know what you think of your visit. Mention my name to James when you book and let him know where you found out about the Gliffaes Hotel.
Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay to facilitate this review and several others, but all opinions expressed are my own, as always.
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