Member of Relais & Châteaux since 2018
Awarded One Michelin Key (2024-Present) and the Michelin Green Star
Awarded Five AA Red Stars and Three AA Rosettes
Hidden amidst the hills of Bala is a beautiful estate, noted for hosting Queen Victoria, and now welcoming travelers as a luxurious country retreat. Palé Hall began in 1871 as the family manor of MP Henry Robertson, who is remembered for modernizing Wales with railway travel during the 19th century. Over a century later, his grand Victorian estate offers accommodations to people from all over the world looking to experience Gwynedd's rich culture and natural beauty. Each aspect of your stay reflects the distinctions Palé Hall has garnered over the years, such as the impeccable stay experience representing its Five AA Stars and One Michelin Key. The hotel's dining is also distinguished and has been awarded Three AA Rosettes.
Llandderfel, LL23 7PS Bala, United Kingdom
Nestled in the hills of Gwynedd and nourished by the River Dee is the idyllic village of Llandderfel, home of the beautiful Palé Hall estate. This grand Victorian country house was built for Scottish railway engineer and MP Henry Robertson. Realizing that much of his work was centered around the Dee Valley region, he sought to acquire a family manor in Llandderfel. Initially, Robretson wanted to restore the property he found, but soon decided to rebuild the whole thing from the ground up. He commissioned architect Samuel Pountney Smith from Shrewsbury to design his new home, which was constructed between 1869 and 1871.
Queen Victoria herself visited the estate in 1889, during her tour of North Wales. Her walk along the riverbank is still commemorated as the Queen’s Walk, while items from her visit, such as the bath and half tester bed, were preserved. The property installed its own hydroelectric system in 1920, which helped keep the manor warm and well-preserved even during periods when it was unoccupied. After World War II, the Duke of Westminster acquired the estate in the 1950s and used it for hunting and shooting.
It wouldn't be until 1984 that the hall would be restored and converted into a hotel. The hotel's distinctions, particularly the Five-AA Stars and Three-AA Rosettes, are credited to Alan and Angela Harper, who ran the hotel from 2015 until 2024. Palé Hall's current owners, Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, are also accomplished hoteliers and have diligently retained the hotel's One Michelin Key since 2024.
When Henry Robertson decided to replace the old manor of the estate with his very own, he sought the services of esteemed architect Samuel Pountney Smith to make his dream home a reality. The result was Palé Hall, a striking example of Victorian country house architecture, embellished with touches of Jacobean Revival and Gothic styles. Like many Victorian Gothic structures of the era, the Hall follows an irregular layout that gives it a dramatic silhouette that starkly stands out from the Welsh countryside. The exterior features ornate gables, towers, and turrets, reminiscent of imposing medieval cathedrals.
The interior architectural details are equally lavish, and fortunately also largely intact. Spaces are arranged around a bright gallery hall and boast high-quality finishes, including rich wood paneling, decorative plasterwork, elaborate fireplaces with sculpted mantels, and geometric tiled floors. Reception rooms feature Renaissance-inspired ornamentation in wood and stone, as well as stained glass elements and finely carved oak joinery.
As for the aesthetics of accommodations, modern updates brought about an overlap between the classical and contemporary. Rooms and suites retain their traditional layout, integrating antique furnishings with stylish present-day comforts. Also considered were accessibility features, particularly for wheelchair-friendly units. These come with mobility-assisted bathrooms that include lowered sinks, raised toilets, and grab rails.
Named in honor of Palé Hall's original owner, The Henry Robertson Restaurant is the hotel's award-winning dining venue, boasting accolades such as One Michelin Key, a Michelin Star, and Three AA Rosettes. Chef Partner Luke Selby leads the culinary team and formulates the restaurant's wonderful menus. Delight your senses with the sights, scents, and flavors of refined Welsh cuisine, as each dish is a work of art. Also available at the restaurant are daily Afternoon Tea services, inviting guests to savor fine finger sandwiches, sinful pastries, and fresh scones, served with the fabulous teas from all over the world.
Dress code: Smart Casual
Opening hours:
Lunch: 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Afternoon Tea: 3 pm
Dinner: Seatings at 6 pm and 8:30 pm
Reservations are recommended and can be made via their website.
What was once the original family kitchen of Palé Hall is now a warm and cozy private dining venue, lovingly restored with many of its old aspects intact and integrated. Chef Partner Luke Selby attends to the chef's station when possible, preparing various dishes drawn from his deep culinary experience and knowledge.
Designed as a post-activity dining venue, The Shoot Lodge lets guests unwind with a delicious meal after a day out in the Welsh countryside. Aside from private dining, the lodge can also be reserved for banquets and celebrations, offering sweeping views of the estate and surrounding hills.
Kick back and relax after a day of adventures with a soothing drink at the Huntsman Bar. Admire the calming garden views while sipping your choice of beverage, be it a signature cocktail or a rich, flavorful glass of your favorite label. The bar also offers all-day dining items featuring seasonal ingredients, letting you enjoy a drink while also sating your hunger.
Discover the vibrant viticulture industry of Wales through the amazing vintages stocked by the hotel's wine cellar. Aside from local brands, they also offer bottles of fine Champagne and Burgundy, all enjoyable via wine pairings or private tasting sessions.
Celebrate your most special day in a luxurious and historic Victorian manor, surrounded by the majestic hills of Gwynedd. Work together with a dedicated wedding coordinator who will make sure the ceremonies and receptions are tailored to your vision. The Hall is licensed for civil weddings and provides a variety of beautiful indoor spaces and landscaped grounds for your big day. You even have the option to reserve the entire estate for an exclusive wedding bash. Catering will also be handled by the AA Rosette-awarded culinary team, providing promising feasts made from ingredients.
When the Duke of Wellington turned Palé Hall into his very own sporting estate during the 1950s, it gained a reputation for hosting adventures in Llandderfel. The fly fishing package includes not only professional instruction, but also all the necessary equipment and licenses, and even a delicious picnic lunch. If you fancy yourself a marksman, try your hand at clay pigeon shooting as well. For a quieter and more artistic pursuit, Palé Hall hosts its very own pottery classes, which include lessons on centering, throwing, trimming, and glazing.
Other nearby landmarks and attractions worth checking out include St. Derfel's Church, which is a Grade I listed building, and the Bala Lake Railway museum and heritage center. The region is also famous for Snowdonia, more formally known as Eryri National Park.
Beyond weddings, the gorgeous venues of Palé Hall also accommodate a wide variety of special occasions, including corporate events, group gatherings, private celebrations, and milestone parties. The historic manor's adaptable spaces include private dining rooms for intimate banquets and smaller meeting rooms suitable for business functions. Your celebrations will be treated with care, as event packages also cover on-site catering, bespoke planning alongside event coordinators, and the option to incorporate various outdoor activities for team-building and family bonding.
Palé Hall's sustainability policies place a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship as part of its core values. By utilizing the hydroelectric plant installed back in 1920 and updated with modern technology, the hotel generates carbon-neutral electricity with reduced reliance on the national grid. The hotel also supports low-emission travel with free electric vehicle charging. Food miles are reduced by incorporating sustainable produce throughout its restaurants via biodiverse gardens and wildlife habitats on the estate. For their efforts, they have been recognized with the prestigious Michelin Green Star Award for the brand's eco-conscious approach.
Church built in the 16th century dedicated to Saint Derfel, and registered as a Grade I heritage building. (19-minute walk)
Museum and heritage center offering tours and rides of Wales's steam locomotives. (20-minute drive)
Remnants of an earthwork fort now converted into a park providing vistas of the town of Bala. (12-minute drive)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is the nearest commercial airport to Palé Hall, 93 minutes from the hotel.
The nearest transport terminal is the Bryntirion Inn bus stop, just 8 minutes away on foot from Palé Hall.