Castle house in Wales’ most colourful village lets you live like a royal

BORED of Airbnbs? Feeling ambivalent about Premier Inns? Then why not book a mini break in a grand Welsh castle and vacation like a royal even if it's just for a weekend?

- ■Portia Jones

Castell Deudraeth is a swish four-star hotel located in the grounds of Portmeirion, Wales’ most colourful village. This uniquely constructed tourist attraction has several places to stay but Castell Deudraeth might be the most unique.

The castle's name, Deudraeth, comes from a 12th-century castle that once stood on the same site. This was no ordinary fortress either - it was one of the first stone castles in Gwynedd and was even mentioned by Gerald of Wales in 1188.

Zip forward a few hundred years and in the 19th century a wealthy attorney named Dafydd Williams (who just so happened to be the first Liberal MP for Meirionnydd) decided to make his mark on the landscape. He built a stunning villa in a whimsical mock-Gothic style on a high hill overlooking Portmeirion village, adding a touch of grandeur to the place.

Then along came Clough Williams-Ellis, the visionary architect behind the iconic Portmeirion village. Clough referred to the castell as “the largest and most imposing single building on the Portmeirion estate”.

He acquired the estate and had plans to incorporate the mansion into the village as part of his masterplan for the area. But it wasn’t until after a major restoration by the Portmeirion Foundation in 2001 that the transformation really took off. That's when the mansion became the gorgeous hotel and restaurant you can experience today.

This swanky Gothic hotel features 12 spacious and contemporary rooms and suites ranging in size and price. The stylish interiors are predominantly Welsh oak, slate, and stone while toasty underfloor heating is throughout.

Spacious double rooms feature queen-size or king-size beds, unique artworks, wifi, and widescreen TVs for cosy movie nights. Each room also has an integrated kitchen area with tea and coffee facilities - perfect for a morning cuppa.