Going on a holiday is a time-honored tradition that many people look forward to each year. It’s an opportunity to step away from the daily routine and responsibilities and to relax and rejuvenate in an environment that’s either peaceful and tranquil or new and exciting.
Taking some time off can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, boost mood, and even lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Holidays in North Wales can be one of the most scenic and enjoyable experiences you can have. It has loads of beautiful landscapes and historical sites to explore.
However, it can be tough to decide on the best places to stay in Wales. A hotel? A holiday lodge? Today, we’ll look at the pros and cons of each option and some of the best places to explore.
Hotels Vs. Holiday Lodge
When considering a holiday in North Wales, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is where to stay. Both hotels and holiday lodges offer different types of lifestyles, and each has its own set of pros and cons.
Hotels in North Wales (like hotels anywhere around the world) typically offer a range of amenities and services, such as room service, fitness centers, and on-site restaurants. The ideal ones are usually located close to populated centers, providing easy access to local amenities, such as shopping centers and great restaurants.
However, they can be more expensive and less private compared to holiday lodges.
Holiday lodges, in general, offer extra privacy and space and are often located in more scenic and natural settings. They can also be a more cost-effective option than hotels, especially if you are planning to stay for more than a few days. In fact, it’s not just renting that’s cheaper.
If you are someone that likes the idea of having your own place to stay, the affordability of outright buying a Welsh Holiday Lodge might surprise you. While they may not offer all the benefits of hotels, the joy of having your own place to drop in anytime you like and live by your own rules can be worth it to many.
Living in a holiday lodge also puts you very close to nature, making walks and exploration of the Welsh countryside a smooth and seamless experience. If you weren’t already aware, Wales is a country that has such a rich history that you can find something fascinating almost anywhere you go.
What are the Main Trade-offs?
If you are still unsure of what you should choose, the table below should give you some idea about the benefits that each option offers. Remember that these aren’t rules. You will probably find a lot of holiday lodges offering hotel-like benefits and vice versa.
| Key Benefits of Hotels | Key Benefits Holiday Lodges |
| Room service | Kitchenettes or kitchen facilities |
| On-site Restaurants | More living space |
| Fitness centers | Outdoor spaces |
| Concierge services | Home-like atmosphere |
| Housekeeping services | Longer stays |
| Business facilities | Flexibility |
| Room amenities | Cost-effective |
| On-site staff | Privacy and Seclusion |
As you can see, both options can work depending on the kind of holiday experience you are after. If you want a more conventional holiday experience with all the amenities and privileges that hotels offer, then staying at a hotel might be for you.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more hands-on experience and crave a deeper connection to nature and the Welsh countryside, then the experience of a holiday lodge is your best option.
The Best Places to Visit in North Wales
By now, we hope you have a pretty good idea about the sort of accommodation that would suit you. Let’s now move on and look at some of the places you should absolutely visit in North Wales.
1. Snowdon: Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and is located in the Snowdonia National Park. It’s about 3,560 feet or 1085 meters tall and is a popular spot for hiking and climbing. There are several different routes to the summit, with the most popular being the Llanberis Path, which is the longest but least steep route.
This path starts from the village of Llanberis and takes about 7 hours to complete. The Pyg Track and the Miners’ Track are also popular routes, but they are steeper and more challenging.
For those who prefer not to hike, there is also the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which is a narrow-gauge railway that takes visitors to the summit. The train ride is a scenic journey that offers panoramic views of the national park, and it runs from the village of Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon.
Cwm Idwal: Cwm Idwal is a glacial valley located in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The valley is known for its stunning natural beauty, including a picturesque lake, towering cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. The lake, known as Llyn Idwal, is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating and an important breeding ground for several species of fish.
The Cwm Idwal valley is surrounded by rugged mountains and peaks, including Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, and Tryfan, which are popular spots for hiking and climbing. The valley is also known for its diverse flora and fauna, with a wide variety of wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife.
If you are looking for something more historically related, consider:
Tre’r Ceiri: This is an Iron Age hillfort located in the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. It is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 446 meters (1462 feet). It’s considered one of the best-preserved hillforts in Wales and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Britain.
The hillfort is believed to have been built around 2,000 years ago and was occupied until the Roman conquest. Tre’r Ceiri is comprised of a series of stone walls and ramparts, which enclose an area of around 5.5 hectares.
Within the fortifications, there are the remains of around 150 roundhouses, which would have housed the fort’s inhabitants.
Caernarfon Castle: This is a beautiful medieval fortress situated in the town of Caernarfon, North Wales. The castle was built in the late 13th century by King Edward I of England as part of his campaign to conquer and control Wales.
The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most impressive and well-preserved castles in Wales.
Wales truly has an insane number of castles (427, to be precise). If you love visiting medieval landmarks, you can’t go wrong with exploring as many of them as you can.
Whether you choose a holiday home or hotel, your holiday in Wales will be one of the most memorable experiences. Weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that best fits your needs.