Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel
Nant Gwynant, near Llanberis · Inn
View on Google MapsPhoto: Stephen Caulfield
Historic mountaineers' inn at the foot of Snowdon where the 1953 Everest team trained. Traditional, unfussy and full of climbing history.
Photos
Photos via Google
About Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel
The Pen-y-Gwryd sits at the junction of the Llanberis and Nant Gwynant passes, directly beneath Snowdon, and has been taking in walkers and climbers since the 1840s. Its place in mountaineering history is well earned: Hillary, Tenzing and the rest of the 1953 Everest team used it as their training base, and their signatures are still on the ceiling of the Everest Room. The hotel makes no attempt to be anything other than what it is.
Rooms are traditional and vary considerably. Some are en suite, some share bathrooms down the corridor, and none of them have televisions. The furniture is solid rather than fashionable and the whole place runs on the assumption that you have come to be outdoors all day. There is a drying room, a slate-floored bar, log fires, and a small outdoor pool and sauna in the grounds. Two premium garden rooms are also let on a self-catering basis on Sunday and Monday nights.
Dinner is served at a set time in the panelled dining room, gong and all, and is a fixed menu of substantial, straightforward cooking. The public bar opens for tea, coffee, homemade cake and beer, with soup and toasted baguettes at lunchtime. Opening is seasonal and the hotel closes on Sundays and Mondays outside bank holidays, so check dates carefully before you plan a trip.
For walkers this is about as good a location as exists in Eryri. The Pyg Track — named after the hotel — starts nearby at Pen-y-Pass, along with the Miners' Track and the routes onto the Glyderau and Tryfan. It suits climbers, hillwalkers and anyone with an interest in the history of British mountaineering. It is not the place for guests wanting a spa, room service or a quiet lie-in.
What guests say
A really friendly and loverly hotel, staff are very nice and helpful. Beautiful building very old lots of rooms and reception rooms and a games room. Its a very safe atmosphere and all the other guests are super friendly. Their is a small bar but plenty of different rooms to sit and drink it in. Interesting pictures and artifacts for the climbers like boots etc. The breakfast was good in the dinning hall to which you are given notice via a large gong to service. I would not hesitate in recommending this hotel to anyone. It was the best accommodation we stayin over our 4 different nights. It was right at the start or ending of the Pen Y Pass depending on the direction you are coming from. We came via motorcycles but plenty of parking for residents. Their is a sauna which we arrived a little to late for as after 8pm. A drying room for your clothes, four different bathrooms and two toilets. A pool table, table tennis and darts games room.
3 months ago · via Google
A truly unique stay. A warm and welcoming stay in a beautiful old building. About as far from a sterile hotel chain as you can get. Full of character and a wonderful team of staff. Ideal location and a cold pond perfect to revitalise the legs after hiking Snowdon! Thank you so much for your hospitality. It was a weekend I’ll never forget.
4 months ago · via Google
We visited on our short visit to Wales because we’re New Zealanders and learnt that Sir Edmund Hilary stayed here. The owner is the grandson of the man who owned the pub when Hilary stayed and he was kind enough to sit with us and talk about his experience with both Hilary & Tenzing. The hotel is exactly the same as it was in 1953, and the walls are adorned with Hilary’s hiking gear. Legendary.
a month ago · via Google
Used to stay at this hotel many a year back in the 1990's. I would stop overnight eat lamb chops and some sticky toffee pudding, and then run Crib Goch to Snowdon and do the horseshoe and back to for an overnight, a sauna and a jump in the cold lake. Went recently and it still had a similar charm. Fab days... ✨
2 months ago · via Google
Guests mention this hotel offers a unique, historic atmosphere and is ideally located for hiking Snowdon, with trails starting at its doorstep. They also highlight the delicious, hearty food, including generous portions and sticky toffee pudding, and appreciate the welcoming, attentive staff.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- Nant Gwynant, Caernarfon, LL55 4NT Get directions
- Property type
- Inn
- Location
- Nant Gwynant, near Llanberis
- Star rating
- 3 star
- Guest score
- 8.8 / 10 (950 reviews)
- Prices from
- £95 per night
- Good for children
- Yes
- Destination
- Snowdonia