Hotels in Wales

Think of Wales and most people's thoughts will turn towards male voice choirs, leeks, daffodils and popular TV programmes such as 'Gavin & Stacey' and 'Torchwood'. In reality, this country has so much more to see and do.

Famous landmarks include the Gower Peninsula, Mount Snowdon, the Millennium Centre and Cardigan Bay, to mention a few...

Welsh history is also worth taking the time to investigate, with its rich and varied culture reflected in the wide choice of available accommodation. Whether you prefer to explore cathedrals, modern cities, outdoor activities or fine dining, in Wales, hotels are plentiful with a large assortment to suit every taste and budget. Options range from well-appointed B&Bs, with traditional Welsh hospitality, to luxury golf and spa hotels; from contemporary city hotel chains to country cottages and self-catering properties.

Where will you stay? Discover the country by area and decide where you will book hotels during your break in Wales...

Cardiff, the country's capital city, is located in South Wales and offers a wide selection of accommodation. Top hotel chains represented in the city centre include the Hilton, Marriott, Ibis, Novotel and Holiday Inn, as well as an impressive selection of excellent, independent local spa and boutique hotels and affordable chains including Travelodge and Premier Inn.

With an international airport only half an hour's drive from the city centre, Cardiff is ideally placed for discovering South Wales' towns, cities and areas of natural beauty. This includes the town of Caerphilly, host to the country's annual National Eisteddfod, the modern cathedral city of Newport, the university city of Swansea, the Brecon Beacons National Park, the seaside town of Tenby and the oldest town in Wales and rumoured birthplace of Arthurian wizard Merlin - the town of Carmarthen.

Less than 90 minutes away is the famous Gower Peninsula with its fascinating castles, medieval churches and prehistoric standing stones set against a natural backdrop of rolling hills, valleys, woodland, caves and beaches.

The beautiful scenery of Cardigan Bay and the Pembrokeshire National Park are located along the south-western coast of Wales, where you'll find the historic market town of Aberystwyth. This town is an ideal base from which to explore further afield, offering a diverse selection of accommodation, from family beach hotels and guesthouses to luxury serviced apartments. With regular festivals and events including the Cardigan River and Food Festival and local attractions including a wildlife centre, an iron age fort, numerous museums and art and craft galleries, it is advisable to book your accommodation as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you are planning on enjoying the beautiful scenery and traditional Welsh seaside resorts of North Wales, consider staying in the towns of Anglesey, Bangor, Llandudno or Snowdonia - the town that gives its name to both Snowdon (the highest mountain in Wales) and Snowdonia National Park, which is a haven for outdoor sports, nature enthusiasts and keen photographers. All these towns have a large choice of quality independent accommodation, from well-appointed three-star hotels and guesthouses to luxury spa hotels, as well as a smaller selection of economy chains, most notably Premier Inn.

Whichever part of the country you choose to visit, all hotels in Wales come with one thing in common - a warm welcome. To find the best accommodation to suit your needs, compare current prices and availability using TravelSupermarket and save money whilst securing your number one choice by booking early.

The attractions of Wales are mostly carved by Mother Nature herself...

That's not to say that the cities don't deserve a look in, after all, there's a holiday for every personality in Wales.

Top five attractions

Cardiff

The nation's capital and home to a wild nightlife scene, the stunning castle and sporting legends at the Millennium Stadium. The stadium also plays host to big names from the music industry. Cardiff Bay is a pleasant place to stay if you don't fancy being right at the heart of the action in the city centre.

Gower Peninsula

Sprawling away from the south-western corner of Wales is this place of valleys, beaches, cliffs, castles and incredible vistas. The best bit is that it's free to simply wander along the coastal trails and admire the beauty of the Welsh countryside.

Brecon Beacons National Park

Staying in the southern half of Wales, this is another area of natural magnificence. Waterfalls thunder among forests and valleys rise and fall to reveal yet another scene of beauty. Walkers love the area and it's also beloved of horse riders.

Snowdonia National Park

Heading up to the north of Wales, mighty Snowdon crowns this National Park, though there are plenty of mountains and lakes to discover if you've packed your sense of adventure. You'll need to pack wet-weather gear too as this is one of the wettest parts of the United Kingdom.

The coastal resorts of North Wales

People find that it's very nice to be beside the seaside in North Wales. Resorts such as Llandudno, Rhyl and Prestatyn offer all the traditional elements of a beach break, including ice creams on the pier, elegant seafront B&Bs and steaming bags of tasty fish and chips.

Read about the annual highlights of the events calendar in Wales with our short guide to what's on...

Towns, cities and beach resorts up and down the land put on a fine selection of annual events. These are three of the biggest and best:

St David's Day; March: See the red dragon of the Welsh flag flying as locals celebrate their patron saint. As the daffodils blossom and leeks get stitched onto jackets, you'll find most of the country gearing up for a festival of some sort, including a big carnival in Cardiff.

Hay Festival of Literature; May-June: The greats of the literary world converge in this small town on the border with England for 10 days at the end of May. It is celebrated around the world as a meeting of terrific minds and local hotels will naturally be extremely busy during this time.

Royal Welsh Show; July: One of the bastions of agricultural shows in Britain, this giant slice of rural life is presented across four days alongside a rather splendid platter of Welsh produce. There are lots of activities for young visitors to enjoy and plenty for all the family to see and do. Around a quarter of a million people visit, so book hotels as early as possible to avoid disappointment.