Review of Palé Hall Hotel & Restaurant

Palé Hall Hotel & Restaurant is located in the Dee Valley – close to Welsh village of Llandderfel and near the town of Bala. The hotel sits on the very south-east edge of the magnificent Eryri National Park. 

It takes around 4 hours to drive from central London, a 90-minute drive from Manchester Airport or a 45-minute drive from Wrexham’s Ruabon Station. 

To get the proper Eryri experience, driving to Palé Hall is recommended – via the A490 and B4391 roads. Enjoy the drive in a comfortable car along the roads which connect Llanfyllin to Bala. Expect breathtaking scenery, sharp bends, rapid inclines & declines, sheer drops … and smiling sheep walking nonchalantly on the road! There are a plethora of photograph-opportunities … it’s one of the greatest drives in Wales.

With just 18 bedrooms in the main House and 4 garden suites, you can only expect to see fellow guests at mealtimes.

Most rooms are dog and child friendly, with sitting offered for both your two legged and four legged offspring!

There are several room types – Classic, Turret, Grand, Master, Superior and Barn. Most are named after Welsh towns & cities including Beaumaris and Powys, a few named after famous visitors to the Hall – (Queen) Victoria, (Duke of) Westminster and Churchill, plants – Bracken and Fern and the most sought-after, two-bedroomed, Harper’s Barn – named after the Hall’s owners.

The Garden Suites – Harper’s Barn, Bracken, Fern, and Hillside Cottage – were created by the Owners to accommodate families with children and most importantly, dogs. The hotel loves its canine guests and provides them with their owns blankets, beds, water bowls and even food – Michelin-starred, one hopes.

Each guestroom and suite is individually designed. Repeat guests either insist on “their” room or try them all, one by one. Room sizes vary, views vary – either garden, valley or Berwyn Mountains, designs vary, but what does not vary is the comfort, warmth, and character of the Palé Hall accommodation.

Some rooms boast a four poster bed and some freestanding bathtubs – but they are all light, bright, spotlessly clean, and airy … and just the right temperature.

Yes, there is complimentary high-speed Wi-fi and state of the art television screens framed to look like a mirror but these contemporary necessities are “hidden” from view.

Bottled water and a welcome gift of Welsh Mead (an acquired taste – a fermented honey drink) await your arrival.

Bathroom amenities are by the trendy Cheshire-based (80 kilometres from the Hall) Noble Isle. Noble Isle produces a superb whisky-scented bath gel.

Of all the guestrooms, the Victoria Grand Room is arguably the most special. Sleeping in her king-sized bed, bathing in her wood-surround tub – complete with unique waste-disposal system and brushing your teeth next to her wash-basin is quite memorable. The Queen was 70 years old when she stayed at Palé Hall. She chose the room carefully. Her husband, Prince Albert, had died of typhoid so she was very careful that every place she stayed had a plumbed bathroom … and a superb view. She got both here.

Queen Victoria was a great fan of Wales and in August 1889, she visited the northern part of the country, staying at Palé Hall as a guest of Mrs Robertson (Henry Robertson had died the year previously). The Queen had originally planned to stay at Palé for a couple of days but extended it to ten as she loved it that much. She obviously had great taste.

The garden suites are set a few metres from the main House. Three have one bedroom – which can accommodate Z-beds or cots for children but Harper’s Barn has two bedrooms, private garden, and hot tub (Hillside Cottage also features a hot tub). 

Palé Hall Hotel & Restaurant is remote but it attracts staff from far and wide, eager for the chance of working at this luxury property. You will find the service to be kind, gentle, humorous, genuine, casual - but still highly professional.

On arrival, your car is valet parked while you are treated to a glass of bubbles and a snack.

By the time you have got to your room, your luggage has been delivered and you are ready to enjoy your stay.

Palé Hall does not offer a spa, gym, or swimming pool - out of choice. It is just not that kind of hotel. The Hall is a fortress of calm, tranquility and is entirely relaxed.

The Hall boasts a “playground” at its doorstep - Eryri National Park. At over 2000 square kilometres, it is quite a playground! Here you can explore, walk, zipline, cave, swim, kart, ride, fish, shop, golf, mountain bike, climb or do absolutely nothing.

The nearest town to Palé Hall - Bala has a few shops, restaurants, and antique emporiums. But it also sits next to Wales’ largest natural lake – Llyn Tegis. The walk around the lake takes in excess of 4 hours (13.5 kilometres) and is “wonderful”! Guests at the hotel can also indulge in kayaking & canoeing, gorge walking, sailing, climbing, e-biking, and boating on the Lake – all arranged. The town also has an eighteen-hole golf course with stunning views. The hotel can book tee times. 

The Llangollen steam railway is worth a visit – and taking a chug through some of the most glorious landscape in the UK is must. The trip takes 40 minutes each way – from Llangollen to Corwen. Corwen is 10 miles from the Hall. 

There are around 600 castles in Wales and some of the finest sit in North Wales – including the mighty Harlech, Bangor, and especially Conwy Castle. It’s an hour’s drive but worth the visit. Take in a tour of the Penderyn Whisky Distillery in neighbouring Llandudno while you are there. 

Portmeirion is a unique conurbation designed in an “Italian Baroque” style – and constructed between 1925 and 1975. It’s colourful and crazy. A must on any visit to mid or North Wales. Journey time by car – 50 minutes. 

Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). The highest point in Wales at 1,085 metres above sea level. Yes, you can “climb” it – but there’s an easier way of reaching the summit. Take the 19th century rack railway. It climbs the 7.6 kilometres from Llanberis to the summit station. Open from March to October. Drive time – around an hour. 

In July 2021, Llwybr Llechi Eryri or The Slate Trail, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of only four in Wales. The trail is 83 miles long and takes hikers on a journey exploring the time when Snowdonia was the centre of the slate industry. Worth a look … but maybe not the whole walk! You can take a cute train journey to explore some of the Trail – for instance from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It is just 45 minutes from the Hall to Blaenau Ffestiniog. 

Palé Hall is your gateway to the amazing experiences that North Wales has to offer.

On check-out all guests are gifted a can of water and Welsh cookies for the onward journey. A fond farewell …

Palé Hall was completed in 1871 and until it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 2015, enjoyed many guises. Originally it was very comfortable home for the Robertson family. Architect Samuel Pountney Smith was instructed that 'no expense should be spared'.

The Hall was used a military hospital for 4 years (1914 to 1918) during the First World War and a school for evacuated children during the Second World War.

In the 1950s, the Duke of Westminster purchased the estate – mainly for shooting rights. The house was kept empty. Thankfully the hydroelectric power system which was installed in 1920 meant that it was kept warm & dry with fires blazing – the electricity is free after all!

In 1984 it became a hotel but slowly fell into disrepair and abandonment.

In 2015, current owners, Alan & Angela Harper, rescued, refurbished, renovated, restored, and have re-enlivened Palé Hall.

The Victorian-era main House displays the exterior architecture of the time. Ornate gables, large wraparound porches, almost Gothic rooftop finials, round/octagonal towers with turrets, the asymmetry – all very Victorian – all restored so sympathetically.

Inside, it’s a delight. High ceilings, decorative fireplaces, hardwood floors, rugs, wood panelled walls – ornate and carved, a geometric tiled entrance hallway leading to a main Hall – complete with huge fireplace and grand wood staircase. During the latest refurbishment, original Victorian stencilling was found in the Library and Entrance Hall. They have been gloriously preserved.

The furniture has been all carefully selected and many of the special pieces of art, books and glass come from the Harper’s private collection. Thankfully, they have great taste and everything fits perfectly.

The Hall has some special public rooms starting with Venice. Breakfast is served here. One wall is dominated by Palé’s original range oven. It’s massive. The Zoffany “Venice” wallpaper is mesmerising. The Venetian mirrors and chandeliers make this a magical dining room.

The Huntsman Bar & Bistro is where lunch/casual dining is served and features an actual wood-carved Huntsman Bar which is very Victorian and very ornate.

The Library is filled with books and comfy seating. It also has a small snooker table … although it looks rather underused!

Finally, the Henry Robertson Dining Room:

There are only 23 restaurants in the UK & Ireland that have been awarded a Michelin Green Star. Palé Hall is one of them – and indeed the sole recipient in Wales. It was first awarded a Green Star in 2021 (the year of its introduction) and has held it ever since. 

According to Michelin, a Green Star “rewards restaurants at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their sustainable practices and all our inspectors are looking for is a strong commitment to sustainable gastronomy”. 

Palé Hall has a new Executive Chef for 2023 - Sam Griffiths – who won the title Welsh Chef of the Year in 2021.  

The Hall has put its food & beverage offerings at the fore since its opening in 2016. That journey started when celebrated 2-Michelin star winning chef Michael Caines was hired to consult.  

While Palé is renowned for its fine dining – served in the exquisite Henry Robertson Room – it also offers a delicious breakfast – complete with Welsh laverbread (bara lawr), a tasty bistro menu – served in The Huntsman Bar & Bistro, a full Afternoon Tea, a very popular Sunday Lunch and on warm, sunny day, al-fresco dining too. 

The bistro menu offers “old favourites” including fish & chips and steak – Michelin-star quality, of course.

A full Afternoon Tea consists of a very filling 3-tier stand of cakes, fruit and plain scones, finger sandwiches – with all the necessary accoutrements. Champagne is an added delight. You can just opt for just a Cream or Welsh Tea – advisable if you have a big dinner planned. A lovely touch is the “tea menu” where you can choose from 10 teas from English Breakfast to Chung Mee Green & Vanilla Chai to Caravan … it’s an experience.

The main event though is the 4 or 7 course tasting menu served in the evening. 

The Henry Robertson Dining Room is the perfect setting for a meal of this quality. Huge floor to ceiling mirrors, chandeliers, marble fireplace and fantastic ceiling decorations sets the tone.  

The bread – especially the focaccia – sets you on your journey. You may find yourself eating focaccia with every course! It really is that good.

Starters and mains on both menus are a melange of fish, seafood, dark and light meats – with light smatterings of soup. Desserts are a triumph – with chocolate, fruit, and cheese prominent. 

Service – is as expected – faultless. 

Of course, each dish can be paired with wine selected by the Sommelier. 

The wine list is decadent without being pretentious. A special “by the glass” page is attractive as it offers very high quality wines at an affordable price compared to the cost of a whole bottle. 

Chef Griffiths and his Staff are very flexible. Every allergy, tweak of menu, like/dislike and request is catered for … 

As expected, dining – whether it is breakfast, afternoon tea or supper - at Palé Hall is superlative. 

The Huntsman Bar is where drinks are served – whether it be Champagne, gin or whisky. The hotel has an exclusive collaboration with Penderyn – the Welsh whisky distiller. This union was forged when Queen Victoria visited Penderyn in 1889 while staying at Palé Hall. The distiller has produced a 50 bottle limited edition for Palé Hall – a steal at £200 a bottle.  Penderyn (Pen – head, deryn – bird in the Welsh language) runs tours of its distillery in Llandudno, around 70-minutes’ drive from Bala.

Room Service is available with dishes from the Bistro menu the most popular. 

Palé Hall is one of the most sustainably-aware and environmental hotels in the United Kingdom.

All the electricity is “clean” and is produced from its 1920-installed HEP station. Any excess electricity is fed back into the national grid.

There is a complimentary electric vehicle charging station and Palé Hall has its own electric Porsche saloon house car.

Henry Robertson Dining Room has held a Michelin Green Star for three years. It has its own beautiful produce & herb garden – growing organic vegetables, herbs, and fruit. So, so delicious! All the produce used by the kitchen is sourced as locally – Keep it Welsh - and as sustainably as possible. The gardens use the kitchen’s composted waste. The restaurant Team wear recycled plastic uniforms.

In the rooms & suites, it’s glass bottles for water and sheets/towels are changed at the request of Guests. Although the windows are thin (no double glazing is permitted), the rooms stay warm as the heating is available freely.

The House is surrounded by 50 acres of land – including tended gardens. The fabulous Katy Ginty – Head Gardener – is at hand to offer tours of her domain. She explains how she and her Team keep the Estate so beautiful and thriving without fungicides, pesticides, or inorganic fertiliser …