The beautiful Grade-II listed Palé Hall has sat in the hills above Wales’ largest natural lake since 1871 and since been visited by Queen Victoria.(Image: Ben Gardner/Newsquest)
But in 2024, it was bought for a reported £6million from the director of Vodafone and the new custodians are hoping its name will be known through London and the UK.
“We’re looking to become one of the best estates in the UK, essentially, if not the best”, said Thomas James, deputy general manager.
“That is the ultimate goal.”
A widescale restoration, a wine cellar from UK’s best designer, two new restaurants, one of them serving sushi, and a spa are some of the plans.
As it is, Palé Hall is both grand and cosy, all dark wood and soft furnishings, roaring fires in the bar with a cocktail and a live harpist at dinner.
The bedrooms at Palé Hall are all named after castles and about the size of one too – some of them are even in turrets.
In ours, the Caernarfon Room, large windows let the light pour in with views of the gardens which are not large but have fantastic views of the valley beyond.
A bathtub sat in the corner, while the large bed was as comfortable as you could hope for. The room was a perfect place to laze around curled up like a dog after a long walk – or big meal.
“We want it to be one of the first estates, or the first estate, to have three Michelin star, two Michelin star, one Michelin star restaurant in one”, said Thomas.
“Because it’d be the first one. And it would be unheard of.”
Palé already has one restaurant with a Michelin Green Star, awarded for sustainability, and a clutch of other accolades.
Thomas explained: “The staff here are phenomenal. I’ve been doing this for 10 years now and this is the place with the best quality staff that I’ve ever been in the world – because they care.”
Breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea are served in the beautiful dining room set in the sunniest corner of the house.
Mains for dinner cost around £30, and afternoon tea costs £40 – with sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea.
The food is fantastic and locally sourced. The pork is some of the best I have ever eaten. This is partly thanks to new head chef Laurence Webb, once of Michelin two-star Le Manoir.
Afternoon tea is popular with people looking for a treat, and local people were naturally interested in the big changes coming to Palé.
People at the Stori distillery, which stocks Palé with all its beers and its own make of gin, claimed the new owner had offered to buy the lake and a nearby waterfall, and even extend the railway to the hotel.
“They want to buy the whole town”, said one with a smile.
There is excitement in the air about what will come to Pale Hall. For now, Palé Hall remains a beautiful hotel in a beautiful setting, with delicious food and a warm staff.
