Your Guide to Where to Stay in Wales (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Hotels to Stay in Wales | Places & Areas | Tips | Podcast | FAQs

I’ve lived in Wales most of my life and have stayed in places all across the country. It can be hard to decide where to stay since there are so many great options!

I recommend staying in Cardiff or Conwy if it is your first time venturing into Wales. Cardiff is a great base for exploring South Wales, and I recommend a stay at Voco St David’s Cardiff for its fantastic location and views. On the other hand, Conwy will serve you well when exploring North Wales. In Conwy, look no further than Y Capel Guest House, a beautifully converted Welsh chapel.

In this article, I’ll tell you about the top places and areas to stay for different activities, from mountain hikes to beach days. And I’ll share some top tips, including why you should check out some of Wales’ more unique places to stay, from treehouses to caves! 

Read on to discover what Wales could have in store for you.

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Best Hotels to Stay in Wales

If you’re short on time, these are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – St Brides Spa Hotel and Village Apartments
• 🗺️ Best Location – YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Voco St David’s Cardiff
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Y Capel Guest House
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Habititabities  
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Ty Glyndwr 

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each area of Wales: 

7 Best Places & Areas to Stay in Wales

Wales is a largely rural country with the most populous cities dotted around the beautiful coastline. There are many picturesque towns and villages across the country and plenty of rural getaways. 

Cardiff (Caerdydd)

👉 Best Area For City-Lovers and First-Timers | ✨ Best Cardiff Hotels: Voco St David’s Cardiff • The Lincoln House Hotel • Sleeperz Hotel 

Cardiff is Wales’ capital city and a great starting point for exploring South Wales. Cardiff has something for everyone, from an ancient castle and modern shopping centers to beautiful parks and quiet seaside spots. 

There are loads of great things to do in Cardiff plus awesome day trips. Cardiff has a good public transport network within the city and to nearby destinations.

The Voco St David’s Cardiff Hotel offers 5-star luxury with sea views from Cardiff Bay and is the ideal place for a relaxing city stay. 

👉 Check out my article on Where to stay in Cardiff for more recommendations.

Pros of Staying in Cardiff:

• Experience Wales’ Capital City
• Range of accommodation options 
• Well-connected by public transport
• Good food and drink scene

Cons of Staying in Cardiff:

• Can get busy 
• Further away from wild nature

Brecon (Aberhonddu)

👉 Best Area For Mountain-Getaways | ✨ Best Brecon Hotels: YHA Brecon Beacons • The Coach House • The Grange Guest House

Brecon is a small town in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Brecon or the surrounding national park is the ideal place to stay if you plan to do some outdoor adventures. I also recommend a stay here if you need a quiet and cozy mountain retreat!

The Grange Guest House is a friendly 4-star bed and breakfast in Brecon town center. Alternatively, stay out of town in the YHA Brecon Beacons, a hostel housed in a 19th-century farmhouse popular among hikers.

Although there are some bus connections in the area, I recommend hiring a car if you plan to stay in or explore rural mountainous places. 

Pros of Staying in Brecon:

• Gorgeous mountain views 
• Close proximity to outdoor activities and hiking routes 

Cons of Staying in Brecon:

• You’ll need a car to travel around flexibly 
• Fewer attractions for rainy days

Conwy

👉 Best Area For Relaxing Stays and First-Timers | ✨ Best Conwy Hotels: Y Capel Guest House • The Castle Hotel • YHA Conwy

I’d describe Conwy as a great ‘catch-all’ destination that gives a good flavor of what North Wales has to offer. Conwy is a small town that suits first-timers in Wales and those looking for a relaxing stay.

You’d be close to Wales’ biggest national park Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the fastest zipline in the world at ZipWorld Penrhyn Quarry. Conwy itself is a beautiful historic town with one of the best castles in Wales and gorgeous little shops.

For a memorable stay, check in to Y Capel Guest House, a converted Welsh chapel with stylish and modern facilities. The YHA Conwy offers more budget accommodation in a good location.

Conwy is connected by bus and train to destinations in England and across Wales, however, travel by car is more flexible. 

Pros of Staying in Conwy:

• Close proximity to a range of activities 
• Surrounded by beautiful nature
• More tourist infrastructure than other towns 

Cons of Staying in Conwy:

• Some nearby destinations are only accessible by car
• A popular tourist destination that can get busy 

Tenby (Dinbych-y-pysgod)

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Tenby Hotels: Habititabities • St Brides Spa Hotel and Village Apartments • YHA Manorbier

Tenby is a well-loved seaside town in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in West Wales. People from across Wales and the UK flock to Tenby every summer to enjoy the sandy beaches and charming seaside vibe.

If you venture a short distance from Tenby to nearby Saundersfoot, you could be checking into St Brides Spa Hotel and Village Apartments. This luxury hotel is perched on a cliff and overlooks the coast!

Tenby is a great destination for families. You can play on the beach, browse the local shops, or go on a boat trip! There are several family-friendly attractions nearby, such as Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo and Oakwood theme park. Many of these attractions are best accessed by car, however, Tenby does have regular bus and train connections. 

Check out Habititabities, a popular guest house in Tenby with free parking, family rooms, and great reviews!

Pros of Staying in Tenby:

• Beaches and coastal destinations 
• A bustling town with a holiday atmosphere 
• Multiple accommodation options 
• Proximity to many attractions

Cons of Staying in Tenby:

• Accommodation can be expensive in the summer 
• Busy during peak times 

Swansea (Abertawe)

👉 Best Area For City & Beach Vibes | ✨ Best Swansea Hotels: The Georgian Swansea • The Mirador Boutique Town House • Cwtsh Hostel

Swansea is a lively city in South Wales that combines city life with beach life. Swansea is a gateway to the beautiful Gower Peninsula, home to some of Wales’ most-loved beaches like Rhossilli Bay. 

There’s something for beach fans of all persuasions, whether you want to go surfing or stroll along an accessible promenade. And if the Welsh weather gets in the way of your plans, you can head into town and visit one of Swansea’s many cultural attractions!

Swansea offers a range of accommodation options for different budgets. The Georgian Swansea is less than a mile from the beach and has stunning 5-star rooms. Travelers on a tighter budget should head to Cwtsh Hostel, a central and well-equipped hostel. 

Swansea is well connected by train and bus, but you’ll need a car to venture to more remote beaches. 

Pros of Staying in Swansea:

• City and beach in one destination
• Close proximity to cultural attractions
• Good food and drink scene

Cons of Staying in Swansea:

• You’ll need a car to visit nearby beaches flexibly
• Can get busy 

Machynlleth

👉 Best Area For Escaping Off the Beaten Path | ✨ Best Machynlleth Hotels: Llety Brynawel Guest House • Bwthyn Llys Machynlleth Old Court House • Toad Hall Hostel

Machynlleth is a picturesque town in Mid-Wales with a lot of nature, history, and culture. Machynlleth would suit visitors looking for a rural and alternative destination off the typical tourist track. 

You can explore nature in the surrounding UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, see modern art in MOMA, discover future realities in the Centre for Alternative Technology, and visit Wales’ historic Parliament House. 

Machynlleth is quite a rural destination and travel by car would make it easier to explore. Machynlleth is pronounced ‘Mah-ckun-cleth’ or ‘Mach’, pronounced ‘Mack’, for short. 

Llety Brynawel Guest House offers guests a gorgeous, rural stay just 7km from the town center. The immaculate rooms are even complete with traditional Welsh tapestry!

Pros of Staying in Machynlleth:

• Quiet and rural town stay 
• Nestled in beautiful nature
• Proximity to cultural attractions

Cons of Staying in Machynlleth:

• Limited accommodation options 
• Limited transport options 

Caernarfon

👉 Best Area For History Lovers | ✨ Best Caernarfon Hotels: Ty Glyndwr • Ty Dre Town House • Meifod House

Caernarfon is a town in North Wales with an impressive medieval castle and city walls. Caernarfon and the surrounding area are steeped in history, from bitter wars between Welsh princes to the once second-largest slate quarry in the world. The nearby island of Anglesey also has an impressive array of Neolithic sites. 

Snowdon Mountain Railway, a heritage railway to the summit of Wales’s highest peak, starts its journey just 20 minutes drive from Caernarfon. 

Ty Dre Town House is a hotel with a slice of history – the reception for guests at this Edwardian building is in one of Wales’ oldest inns. I also recommend Ty Glyndwr Bunkhouse, Bar and Cafe, a cozy hostel in the heart of the town. 

Pros of Staying in Caernarfon:

• Proximity to great attractions
• Near lots of nature 
• Good nearby restaurants 

Cons of Staying in Caernarfon:

• Not so many attractions for rainy days 
• You’ll need a car to travel to remote destinations 

Tips for Staying in Wales

Check out the many unique places to stay in Wales

There are awesome places to stay in Wales. As well as location, choose where to stay in Wales based on the accommodation experience. 

Think treehouses, pod hotels, yurts… or even a converted railway carriage, or the world’s deepest hotel! I recommend looking for unique places to stay in Wales on Booking.com or VRBO. 

You can find even more unique experiences in my guide to the best places to visit in Wales!

Explore Nature safely and responsibly 

When exploring Wales’ beautiful nature, keep yourself safe and visit responsibly. Always wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the terrain and weather. Don’t litter, only park in designated places, and avoid climbing mountains in bad weather. 

Check Public Transport

Public transport is a scenic, low-cost, and eco-friendly way to travel in Wales. But public transport in Wales can be patchy and unreliable. Always double-check the timetables and familiarise yourself with the routes (and back-up options).

Check for major events  

Wales hosts several big events throughout the year. From international rugby matches to the national Eisteddfod (a celebration of Welsh arts and culture), places can suddenly become very busy. Big events can push the price of accommodations up and decrease availability. 

Learn some Welsh 

Welsh is an official language of Wales. Although English is widely spoken, you’ll see and hear Welsh on your trip. Dip your foot into one of Europe’s oldest languages and learn a few words of Cymraeg (Welsh) to impress the locals.

Consider buying memberships to organizations for discounts

There are some organizations you may come across multiple times on your trip. If so, consider buying a membership to benefit from discounts and support great organizations! 

I recommend Cadw Membership if you plan to visit lots of historical sites and castles in Wales. And YHA membership if you want to stay in multiple YHA hostels. 

Be prepared for the weather

The Welsh weather is famously changeable, wet, and windy. You can have all the seasons in one day! Always be prepared for the weather and take the forecasts with a pinch of salt.

Want More? Listen to My Wales Podcast Episode!

If you liked this post, you’ll love my Wales episode on the Travel Lemming Podcast. It’s available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts (just search “Travel Lemming Wales”). 

I talk about where to stay in Wales at minute mark 05:38. Here are the hotels we mention in the episode:

• Y Capel Guest House
• YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass (hostel)

The host, Betty, and I also discussed my favorite things to do in Wales (18:41), my favorite coastal towns (09:47), tips for traveling on a budget (10:49), why more people should visit Wales (02:22) and all the other common questions about travel to Wales. 

Download now and remember to listen to the entire episode before you arrive in Wales.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Wales for first-timers?

Conwy and Cardiff are the best areas to stay in Wales for first-timers. Cardiff is a great city to stay in to explore South Wales. Conwy is a gorgeous town that is an ideal base for exploring North Wales.

What are safe areas to stay in Wales?

Wales is a safe country and most visits are trouble-free. Across Wales, tourists need to take care, especially at night and when doing outdoor activities. Brecon and Tenby are quiet towns with low crime rates, but there are no ‘no-go’ areas in Wales. 

What is the best place to stay in Wales with Kids? 

Tenby is the best place to stay in Wales with kids. Tenby is a coastal town with great beaches and proximity to many family-friendly activities. 

What are the best parts of Wales to stay for hiking? 

Eryri National Park and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park are the best parts of Wales to stay in for hiking. Conwy and Caernarfon are good places to stay to explore Eryri National Park. Brecon is a great base for exploring Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

What are the best parts of Wales to stay without a car? 

Stick to main towns and cities if you are exploring Wales without a car. All of the places in this article are accessible by train or bus, making them easy to reach without a car.

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Still can’t decide where to stay in Wales? Check out my 7-day Wales itinerary which combines several of my top recommendations in one trip.