Not going to lie, but some of the reviews for this place are so far removed from the reality of this Quintessential Welsh Hotel. After booking Elen’s Castle without reading the reviews as a last minute ditch to get away what have I let myself in for? Faulty Towers eat your heart out I thought!
We pulled up and I could see what seemed to be a Family run establishment, hard at work outside trimming back the bushes. Appearances and all that….so straight away a thumbs up from us.
We were then met by the vicious guard dog that would rather lick you to death than anything else. Not a bad bone in its body. My daughter isn’t keen on dogs at the best of time due to a bad experience, however the beautiful staffy was soon getting a good pet from her. Another thumbs up and we haven’t even walked through the door yet.
I’d done a bit of research on the place once booked and then saw the reviews. From my point of view, what does anyone expect from an 18th Century property? I certainly didn’t expect the Ritz…if I had what was I doing in a typical Welsh Village with lots of history? I wanted something with character and run with love, which this place certainly is.
Helen and the family team have certainly make the continued effort to embed this place with the character it deserves. When you see locals coming in for drinks and catch ups it really sets the scene also and gives a good feel of such a traditional Village no matter where you are from.
I’ve been lucky enough to travel to quite a few countries in my time…..would I come back here again…..I wouldn’t look anywhere else in the area. Thank you. 🙌 🙌
And this is just the first evening…… you decide!!!
Pauline Morgan275 days ago
Booked 2 nights here for 5 of us in the family suite. We arrived in the afternoon and parked across the road in the private off road car park. We were greeted by Adam. It was a very hot day and Adam directed us into the very quaint and very cool snug where we had a nice cuppa and a few cold shandies along with some friendly chatter with Adam and his wife Helen. We could not fault our family rooms. 3 rooms with a separate shower and toilet. All rooms behind a lockable main door. The rooms were immaculately clean and with lovely quality white bedding which is always a winner. Every room had a kettle and tea/coffee making facilities etc Each room also had a TV. Plenty of hot water available all day too and a nice shower. The lovely "ladies" rest room was a pleasant surprise. Lovingly decorated by Helen and is so pretty with its delicate peacock wallpaper and the paintwork in hues of lilac and Heather was accentuated with pretty floral displays, and ornamental eau de cologne bottles. Breakfast was served between 8 and 9am in bright airy dining room with lovely views over the gardens and across the river valley. Again Spotlessly clean and nicely decorated. We had a lovely freshly cooked breakfast each morning served by Helen who was very attentive to our needs . Delicious bacon which was cooked perfectly along with lovely fresh eggs. As my mum said " I popped the yolk and the sun came pouring out!" There was an option for a cold breakfast and cereals and fruit juice etc. We really enjoyed our visit to Elens Castle Hotel . This is a lovely, homely , family run hotel. We loved it and we hope to return perhaps next year. We wish Adam and Helen the very best and thank them for allowing us to share their home. Diolch!
Fatama Molla Sheik275 days ago
The staff are racists and we were harassed by an old white haired lady that came with the dog and let the dog come up to the customers even when the customers were saying they are scared take the dog out from us. There was 2 kids with us and they were really afraid. Very awful service, it's a disgrace to see this kind of people. The lady could come up to us nicely and could have told us to leave because it is a private area. However she didn't, she let the dog out and get on top of everyone. Very ashamed! Very bad service! Very racist! DON'T GO THERE!! As the owner responded to me and said "I was simply with my dog letting him do his business" she is admitting she let the dog out even when the customers were saying take the dog, they were also 2 small kids with us. One that is 3 years old and another one that is 10 years old and we're saying please take the dog and this lady didn't do anything. Very ashamed of you!
Roger bennett306 days ago
Came for an evening meal restaurant being managed by owners who are very friendly and helpful. Ordered the garlic mushroom over load followed by the welsh black beef pie both were superb. I highly recommend This hotel for its meals.
Geoff Butler336 days ago
I stayed here in September with a mate on a long weekend motorcycle trip. We used the hotel as a base and enjoyed dinner each evening and a hearty breakfast every morning. There is plenty of onsite parking opposite and it felt safe for the bikes.
The rooms are basic but clean, comfortable and reasonably priced.
Tom Anney336 days ago
We stopped in the village but walked down to the hotel as the beer was good. We had 2 dogs and chose to sit outside as the sun was out. Ran by freindly, welcoming people and would stay there. Lovley views of the mountains and a proper welsh property. Will pop in again for a beer
Xxx x336 days ago
Lovely couple running this place - dog friendly (except for breakfast when dog needs to be crated in room or in your car). I booked this quite last minute around other accomodation. £100/ night for a single occupancy in a double bed, and shower/ bath room (extra for a dog/ night). The room was a bit tight on space and I could hear the family next door, but it was good enough. Felt safe as a single female traveller, and no issues with parking. Slightly overpriced I felt (£80 for single occupancy would have reflected for me, and not / night cost for the dog - surely the cleaning takes the same whether there for one night or more?!) Food is large portions (mind the lasagne - it'll burn your mouth - but tastes good when you let it cool for a long time!) and in season you need to make a reservation. About 10 mins drive from Betys. Thre are walks from the door here, so you don't need to drive.
Klaudia336 days ago
I had a pleasure staying in this place for 2 nights. Despite a very late arrival time we were warmly greeted by Adam who definitely is very customer centered and knows what hospitality means.
The room was very clean and cosy with a great view out of the garden, the room is adapted as much for 21st century conditions as possible. Please do not expect a modern hotel in 18th century historic building, the owners go an extra mile to adapt rooms as much as possible. In the room there was a kettle and tea/coffee making facilities, TV, hair dryer (a bit dated but it does its job), plenty of space to leave/keep your clothes (especially if you stay here for longer and take more things with you), free wi-fi. A private bathroom with a tiny shower however enough to move around, very hot water so be careful.
The private car park across the road, plenty space to leave your car or bike, free of charge.
The breakfast was served 8-9 a.m. with a few options (full English breakfast, yoghurt with fruit, milk and cereals, along with fruit, tea/coffee/ orange, apple juice etc.). Portions were enough to fill before a hike, very good food, freshly cooked. The breakfast was served in a beautiful bright dining room with amazing views over garden and river valley, cosy and chic decor.
We booked a table for an evening meal. The menu was various so everyone can find something for themselves. I had a beef pie and my partner had lasagna and garlic bread - both meals were served in good-looking way, both very good. Great choice of wines and other spirits.The highlight of the meal was exceptionally delicious Pavlova cake which is certainly the best Pavlova I have ever had.
The Elens Castle Hotel is a family-run lovely place to stay, historic building with its uniqueness in a beautiful area, heart of Snowdonia.
We pulled up and I could see what seemed to be a Family run establishment, hard at work outside trimming back the bushes. Appearances and all that….so straight away a thumbs up from us.
We were then met by the vicious guard dog that would rather lick you to death than anything else. Not a bad bone in its body. My daughter isn’t keen on dogs at the best of time due to a bad experience, however the beautiful staffy was soon getting a good pet from her. Another thumbs up and we haven’t even walked through the door yet.
I’d done a bit of research on the place once booked and then saw the reviews. From my point of view, what does anyone expect from an 18th Century property? I certainly didn’t expect the Ritz…if I had what was I doing in a typical Welsh Village with lots of history? I wanted something with character and run with love, which this place certainly is.
Helen and the family team have certainly make the continued effort to embed this place with the character it deserves. When you see locals coming in for drinks and catch ups it really sets the scene also and gives a good feel of such a traditional Village no matter where you are from.
I’ve been lucky enough to travel to quite a few countries in my time…..would I come back here again…..I wouldn’t look anywhere else in the area. Thank you. 🙌 🙌
And this is just the first evening…… you decide!!!
We arrived in the afternoon and parked across the road in the private off road car park.
We were greeted by Adam. It was a very hot day and Adam directed us into the very quaint and very cool snug where we had a nice cuppa and a few cold shandies along with some friendly chatter with Adam and his wife Helen.
We could not fault our family rooms. 3 rooms with a separate shower and toilet. All rooms behind a lockable main door.
The rooms were immaculately clean and with lovely quality white bedding which is always a winner.
Every room had a kettle and tea/coffee making facilities etc
Each room also had a TV.
Plenty of hot water available all day too and a nice shower.
The lovely "ladies" rest room was a pleasant surprise. Lovingly decorated by Helen and is so pretty with its delicate peacock wallpaper and the paintwork in hues of lilac and Heather was accentuated with pretty floral displays, and ornamental eau de cologne bottles.
Breakfast was served between 8 and 9am in bright airy dining room with lovely views over the gardens and across the river valley. Again Spotlessly clean and nicely decorated.
We had a lovely freshly cooked breakfast each morning served by Helen who was very attentive to our needs .
Delicious bacon which was cooked perfectly along with lovely fresh eggs. As my mum said " I popped the yolk and the sun came pouring out!"
There was an option for a cold breakfast and cereals and fruit juice etc.
We really enjoyed our visit to Elens Castle Hotel . This is a lovely, homely , family run hotel. We loved it and we hope to return perhaps next year.
We wish Adam and Helen the very best and thank them for allowing us to share their home. Diolch!
dog and let the dog come up to the customers even when the customers were saying they are scared take the dog out from us. There was 2 kids with us and they were really afraid. Very awful service, it's a disgrace to see this kind of people. The lady could come up to us nicely and could have told us to leave because it is a private area. However she didn't, she let the dog out and get on top of everyone.
Very ashamed! Very bad service! Very racist!
DON'T GO THERE!!
As the owner responded to me and said "I was simply with my dog letting him do his business" she is admitting she let the dog out even when the customers were saying take the dog, they were also 2 small kids with us. One that is 3 years old and another one that is 10 years old and we're saying please take the dog and this lady didn't do anything.
Very ashamed of you!
This hotel for its meals.
The rooms are basic but clean, comfortable and reasonably priced.
Despite a very late arrival time we were warmly greeted by Adam who definitely is very customer centered and knows what hospitality means.
The room was very clean and cosy with a great view out of the garden, the room is adapted as much for 21st century conditions as possible. Please do not expect a modern hotel in 18th century historic building, the owners go an extra mile to adapt rooms as much as possible. In the room there was a kettle and tea/coffee making facilities, TV, hair dryer (a bit dated but it does its job), plenty of space to leave/keep your clothes (especially if you stay here for longer and take more things with you), free wi-fi.
A private bathroom with a tiny shower however enough to move around, very hot water so be careful.
The private car park across the road, plenty space to leave your car or bike, free of charge.
The breakfast was served 8-9 a.m. with a few options (full English breakfast, yoghurt with fruit, milk and cereals, along with fruit, tea/coffee/ orange, apple juice etc.). Portions were enough to fill before a hike, very good food, freshly cooked. The breakfast was served in a beautiful bright dining room with amazing views over garden and river valley, cosy and chic decor.
We booked a table for an evening meal. The menu was various so everyone can find something for themselves. I had a beef pie and my partner had lasagna and garlic bread - both meals were served in good-looking way, both very good. Great choice of wines and other spirits.The highlight of the meal was exceptionally delicious Pavlova cake which is certainly the best Pavlova I have ever had.
The Elens Castle Hotel is a family-run lovely place to stay, historic building with its uniqueness in a beautiful area, heart of Snowdonia.