Pale Hall luxury tea & Bryntirion Inn cosy stay – Review

Outside The Bryntirion Inn (Image: Newsquest)

We began our stay at The Bryntirion Inn, a 300-year-old pub with rooms. From the outside, it looks like a charming, old-world pub, but step inside and the atmosphere shifts to a cosy yet contemporary mix, with quirky signage and a playful, welcoming feel.

The family suite sleeps four (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

We were shown to a spacious family room, named Y Wyddfa, contemporarily decorated and set out with a double bed and a separate area with two single beds. Both rooms featured TVs, and the décor struck a perfect balance between cosy and stylish.

The other room with its two cosy single beds (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

Teal panelling, tartan-style carpets, and a fabric headboard created a warm, inviting space, while the industrial-style bathroom added a modern edge. A stable door gave it extra character, and small touches - like a sensor-lit bathroom cabinet - didn’t go unnoticed.

Even the provision of bottled milk for tea added to the thoughtful feel of the stay, accompanied by a gentle hum of music drifting up from downstairs.

Tea and coffee-making facilities, including a machine (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

From there, we made our way to Pale Hall. The five-star Relais & Châteaux property on the edge of Eryri, owned by Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, has entered an exciting new chapter after partnering with renowned chef Luke Selby, former executive head chef of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Great British Menu Finalist 2019.

Luke Selby has taken up the role of Chef Partner at Palé Hall (Image: Luke Brady / Pale Hall)

Together, the trio are helping to shape an even more special guest experience.

Luxury cars arrive and park outside Pale Hall (Image: Newsquest)

The approach to Pale Hall, awarded a Michelin Key for a second year in 2025, delivers a true ‘wow’ moment, with the grand building emerging as you drive up. The driveway is lined with a sea of bright yellow daffodils, adding a real sense of seasonal beauty.

The driveway was lined with Daffodils (Image: Newsquest)

There was also an unexpected treat, as a visiting car club arrived for their overnight stay, filling the grounds with a range of luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis and Porsches.

As we pulled up, we were warmly greeted and even offered the option for staff to park the car for us - a small but telling touch that immediately set the tone for the level of service.

Harpist at Pale Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Inside, guests are welcomed by a subtle, inviting fragrance and the gentle strains of harp music. During our visit, a harpist played familiar Disney melodies, including tunes from Aladdin and The Lion King, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere that we, as adults, couldn’t help but appreciate - a charming nod to our own childhoods.

We enjoyed After Tea in the Henry Robertson room, with its ornate ceiling, period features and garden views (Image: Newsquest)

Despite its grand setting, there was no sense of feeling out of place in the elegant Henry Robertson dining room - though we wished we had something a bit more formal to wear. Even so, the welcome was warm, relaxed, and genuinely inclusive.

Hoogly Tea box (Image: Newsquest)

Afternoon tea was beautifully presented, with an impressive selection of sweet and savoury treats. Delicate pastries included praline and white chocolate creations, alongside warm Welsh cakes and a classic plain scones cloaked in a napkin. Savoury sandwiches ranged from salmon with crème fraiche to ham and mustard, coronation chicken, and egg.

Our afternoon tea - with sandwiches, warm Welsh Cakes and scones and beautifully made pastries (Image: Newsquest)

Before our tea, we were invited to smell a selection of loose Hoogly teas and choose our favourites - I went with English Breakfast, while my husband, who isn’t normally a tea drinker, opted for Berrylicious.

Chief Reporter Suzanne Kendrick with her youngest in the Henry Robertson room (Image: Newsquest)

Both boys had their own 'cream teas.' Thoughtfully, our server, Kiarah, poured our eldest’s juice into a teacup so he could join in and pretend he was having tea.

Service throughout was warm and welcoming. Kiarah was friendly and attentive, encouraging us to explore the grounds after our meal and letting the boys run on the grass. I even asked, “Really, they can run on the grounds?” She nodded reassuringly and said, “Go for it” - something usually unheard of at a luxury estate.

Sebastian felt included with his juice in a teacup (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

The grounds themselves are vast and beautifully maintained, offering plenty of space for little ones (and older ones) to roam. Our eldest particularly enjoyed rolling down the hills.

A wooden swing, the chickens, and the sculpture garden added to the charm.

The dining area offered amazing views of the landscaped gardens (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

After a magical afternoon at Pale Hall, our day concluded back at The Bryntirion Inn, where we enjoyed dinner in the evening.

Pale Hall - image taken from the gardens (Image: Newsquest)

Rhino sculpture in the garden at Pale Hall (Image: Newsquest)

The pub is overseen by Luke alongside Head Chef Ethan Cleary. Recently renovated, the venue is full of character, with exposed beams, open log fires, and original stone walls, decorated with Mr Barney’s collection of classic car and motorsport memorabilia.

The Bryntirion Inn is playfully decorated to reflect the owner's passion for classic cars (Image: Newsquest)

We visited early evening and ordered from the 'March Menu', with plenty of choices for both adults and children.

To start, we opted for homemade focaccia with balsamic and olive oil.

Homemade Focaccia, Balsamic and Olive Oil (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

For mains, the braised lamb pie was a standout, served with beautifully smooth mash and seasonal vegetables, while the homemade tagliatelle with wild mushroom and parmesan was rich, comforting, and full of flavour.

Desserts didn’t disappoint either - the sticky toffee pudding was a classic, done well, and the chocolate delice with malted milk ice cream was indulgent without being too heavy.

Braised Lamb Pie, Mash Potato with Baby Vegetables (Image: Newsquest)

Our children were well catered for too, with favourites like fish goujons and sausage and mash, followed by ice cream. My husband even declared the pie the best he’s ever had - which says it all.

We received exemplary service from Madalina and Emmanuel, who looked after us brilliantly.

Homemade Tagliatelle with Wild Mushroom and Parmesan (Image: Newsquest)

They were especially kind with our children, chatting with them, even when our eldest was getting a little tired and rolling around on the booth.

Children's bread fish goujons with peas and fries (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)

Sausage, Peas and Creamed Potatoes - kid's meal (Image: Newsquest)

After a comfortable night, we headed down for breakfast. We had been expecting a continental hamper delivered to our room at 8 am, but instead found a thoughtful handwritten note letting us know a table had been prepared in the restaurant for a "more comfortable start".

Continental breakfast was kindly laid our for us downstairs at The Bryntirion Inn (Image: Newsquest)

We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Ethan and watching him in action at the serving window, working with what must have been the largest bag of flour I’ve ever seen.

Luke and Bryntirion Head Chef Ethan Cleary who have created a menu of refined takes on pub classics (Image: Submitted)

Overall, our stay was a wonderful blend of cosy comfort and luxury.

The Bryntirion Inn offered a warm, characterful welcome, excellent food, and service that made both adults and children feel at ease, while Pale Hall delivered a memorable experience, from its grand, beautifully maintained grounds to the attentive service, tea selection, and afternoon tea.

Despite only making the move to North Wales in January, Luke is already making his mark on the estate: The Bryntirion Inn has been re-launched, the whisky lounge reimagined, and his intimate 10-seater chef’s table, The Hearth, has opened. Later in 2026, a new fine dining restaurant will debut at Pale Hall, replacing the current restaurant, which will continue to operate in the meantime.

Chief reporter Suzanne Kendrick with her family outside Pale Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Together, the two venues provide the perfect combination of charm and indulgence for families, with every detail - from the smallest gesture to the finest culinary touch - carefully considered.