Unique and quirky places to stay in Wales

Berwyn Station Masters House is a Grade II listed rural railway station building, converted into a unique self catering holiday let. The riverside station is on the heritage Llangollen Railway line running through the beautiful Dee Valley between Llangollen and Corwen. The first floor lounge has wonderful views over the River Dee and you'll be able to see and hear the powerful steam engines chuffing along regularly. Nearby villages host cosy rural pubs, the Llangollen Canal is just over the Chain Bridge, and there are countryside walks and watersports on the river. Free travel on most trains on the railway is included so it's ideal for families and rail enthusiasts.

Portmeirion is a colourful and ornate Mediterranean village perched on the edge of the beautiful Dwyryd estuary near Porthmadog, on the north west coast of Wales. Let the peacocks, exotic flora and fauna, and characterful cottage accommodation transport you to Italy, without leaving Gwynedd that is.

Situated within the village, Portmeirion Hotel is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who spent fifty years lovingly creating his vision of an Italianate village in coastal North Wales. The hotel opened in 1931 and has hosted artists, royalty, politicians and tycoons, as well as noted authors and playwrights H. G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw and Noël Coward. The building gained Grade II listed status in 1971. Stay in the Peacock Suite, which the future King Edward VIII slept in in 1934.

If you're looking for sustainable off-grid glamping with a sumptuous sense of style, look no further than the Red Kite Estate. Choose from one of the 'conkers' - Moon Conker or Earth Conker - two aerodynamically-designed glamping pods which are fully insulated and available all year round. Or, head into the forest and sleep closer to the stars in one of their Tree Tents. Choose from Ynys Affalon, the first tree glamping pod ever installed in the UK, or the more recently added Dragon's Egg. All offer the opportunity to for a digital-detox, plenty of wildlife watching and utter escapism. 

Not many hotels house a theatre – Craig y Nos is an exception. The Adelina Patti Theatre was built in honour of one of the castle’s most famous inhabitants. Said to be the second most celebrated woman alive (after Queen Victoria) in 1900, she is little known today outside the opera world, as she lived before her voice could be preserved for posterity on sound recordings. The castle is also said to be Wales’ most haunted, and you can take a historic tour before settling in to a relaxing night’s sleep. Dogs are also very welcome - there's plenty of space for everyone in the extensive gardens. 

Go back to basics and let nature provide the entertainment at the beautiful Wild Meadow Shepherd’s Hut. Find it parked among three and a half acres of lush meadows and orchards, inviting you to escape the hustle and bustle of normal life for something altogether more tranquil and romantic. There’s a full-sized double bed inside and maps, games and binoculars to facilitate exploration of the outside. Just pack a sense of adventure!

Queen Victoria succumbed to the charms of Ynyshir – she loved the abundance of birds on the estate (immediately behind the house is a RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve) and kept Ynyshir as a hunting lodge. Parts of the property date back to the 15th century. Since its royal owner, further well-known people have stayed at Ynyshir, including the actor Richard Gere. Bring a large appetite for dinner; Ynyshir holds two Michelin stars and chef Gareth Ward shows off fantastic fresh and local ingredients with every dish.

Not far from Lake Vyrnwy, you'll find the idyllic Cyfie Farm. There are six luxury properties to choose from on this working farm, however, for somewhere a bit special, book The Shire. It's a unique luxury converted horse lorry, sleeping two, with a private covered hot tub and garden.

Guests can also explore the beautiful gardens with spectacular views, and meet the farm animals during their stay.

You have a choice here - sleep under the stars in a geo-dome or yurt, or among the stars in a Jetstar plane or a UFO. Yes, you did read that right! The team at Apple Camping in Pembrokeshire have created the most amazing collection of wow-factor accommodation you could find. The site has yurts, cabins, bell tents and two planes you can sleep in, plus a UFO with a remote controlled door and escape hatch. The Jetstar even has a games console in the cabin so you can pretend to fly it. The yurts have wood burning stoves and a cosy vibe while the extra-terrestrial options are much more contemporary. 

The Visit Wales Gold award Floatel Rooms at Milford Waterfront are luxurious floating cabins on the water, with all the comforts of a stylish modern hotel room. The large windows provide panoramic views of the waterfront, or you can relax on your balcony and watch the world float by. Two cabins are small dog-friendly.

Twr y Felin has a colourful history: it began life as a windmill in 1806, and was repeatedly destroyed by the elements until being rebuilt using materials from a shipwreck in 1866. In 1907, 21-year old Evan Evans converted it into a hotel he named Twr y Felin, Welsh for ‘mill tower’. In 1940, evacuees from the London Blitz were put up there and it also served as a base for the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Today, Twr y Felin attracts creative types in its latest guise as Wales’ first art hotel, featuring 100 original artworks, luxury accommodation, fine dining and enviable proximity to some of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches. No wonder it was named AA Hotel of the Year for Wales 2017-2018 plus the Green Key award for sustainability in 2019. The hotel is part of the Rarebits Collection, which offer quality accommodation around Wales. 

A self-catering converted hayloft in a 19C barn - with an eclectic cosy bohemian style. This is a place to unwind, watch sunsets on the bijou balcony then stay up star-gazing under dark skies. Go walking and bird watching in the beautiful countryside right on the doorstep. Inside, the Sky Loft's Reading Room has all you need for a retreat away from it all. Hand carved and antique furniture, a 1920s gramophone player, a surprisingly large quirky-tiled bathroom, open fire and unique features to inspire your inner artist.

Take a break in a luxury a frame cabin with floor to ceiling windows at Wilder Retreats. This serene destination is dedicated to rewilding and biodiversity. Located on the edge of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, each cabin has a private wood-fired hot tub, king size bed on mezzanine floor and large bathroom with rain shower.

The Romans brought vines to Wales 2,000 years ago, making the country’s appearance in the wine world a little tardy – it’s only in the last couple of decades that Welsh wine has gained prominence. This slow start gave way to the fast winning of awards and praise for Welsh whites, rosés and sparkling wines, with some red wine now reaching as high a standard as its counterparts. Llanerch Vineyard planted its first vines in 1986 and produces highly-rated wine under its Cariad label. Have a taste of everything, then sleep it off in a beautiful farmhouse suite, studio room or apartment.