Pen-y-Gwryd

Built in 1810 and situated high up in the heart of Snowdonia, this unspoilt inn was established in 1840 and has been in the hands of the same family since 1947. It has many mountaineering associations, not least memorabilia from the team who made the first ascent of Everest in 1953 and who used it as a training base. The theme is exemplified in the Everest Room, rear left, an amazing Austrian alpine-style log-lined room, which was fitted out in the early 1950s and has signatures on the ceiling from Everest mountaineers and other notable visitors. Off the corridor is, first, the Smoke Room, now a bar only for residents and diners; it has three-quarter-height panelling and seats round three sides focused on the open fire. Next is the dining room with a tiled fireplace then a lounge and a games room, both for residents. The family chapel at the back was built in 2000 on the site of former public toilets. Off the corridor are two other small public rooms with wide openings. The original Smoke Room, situated behind the serving counter, is now a bar for residents only, but can also be used by non-resident diners. This small room has more conventional but good-quality three-quarter-height panelling and seats round three sides, focusing upon the open fire. The dining room is on the right with a tiled fireplace. A five-course dinner is provided for residents (and non-residents, if booked) at 7.30pm and is still announced in the traditional way by a gong. There is also a residents' lounge and a games room for residents with pool and table tennis. There is a family chapel at the rear of the hotel built in 2000 on the site of the former public toilets. Services are held and at quiet times please ask the bar staff if you want to take a look.