Two words to describe Chateau Rhianfa: Fairytale Hotel. It is tucked away in Anglesey in the United Kingdom and overlooks the lovely Menai Strait. As soon as you get there, it’s obvious you have arrived somewhere remarkable. Visitors may view the castle-like edifice from all angles and enjoy its distinctive character from inside the grounds.
If you are not looking for a staycation location, you can enjoy a dining experience or afternoon tea in their AA Rosette awarded Le Dragon Rouge Restaurant. So, are you looking for an informative read on Chateau Rhianfa because you are planning your visit in the not-too-distant future? Dive in!
Château Rhianfa History
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They call Chateau Rhianfa a château for a reason. It is a grey-stone, turreted edifice located on a peak overlooking the Menai Straits between Anglesey and mainland Wales. It appears to have been transported directly from the Loire Valley.
Chateau Rhianfa, a Grade 11-listed property, was built between 1849 and 1851 by Sir John Hay-Williams, the first Baronet of Bodelwyddan, as a ladies’ abode for his wife, Lady Sarah Williams, and daughters.
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It is believed that the architectural style of Rhianfa was greatly influenced by the châteaux of Amboise, Blois, Chambord, and Chaumont because the family had traveled widely around the Loire.
Till 1957, the Williams family held ownership of Rhianfa. With the neighboring cottages transformed into guest homes, it underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2011 to become a 16-bed, five-star hotel.
1. Location
Chateau Rhianfa is found between two towns, Menai Bridge and Beaumaris, on the coast of Anglesey, which is across the bridge from the Welsh mainland and has views of the Snowdonian giants. The nearest train station is about a five-minute drive, and you can book your train ticket using the name Llanfairpwll, which is the town’s common name.
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While you can partake in many activities in the area, Snowdonia, Newborough Beach, and South Stack Cliff are top of the list due to their breathtaking landscape. Parking is available in front of Rhianfa, and Menai Bridge, a 15-minute walk away, has a supermarket and other property amenities.
2. Style and Character
Chateau Rhianfa is one of Britain’s most extraordinary Victorian seaside houses, and it was a dower gift for Lady Sarah Hay Williams from her husband, John. The fish-scale-turreted mansion design was based on five castles in the Loire Valley, an area couples love, from the gates to the ornamental nail heads, which were copied from a drawing by Lady Sarah and handmade in Birmingham.
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The inside of Chateau Rhianfa, from the fireplaces to the ceilings, is also fascinating to explore since they are small works of art. The property has been restored since keeping most of its original character, and now three of the original 12 acres are part of the hotel grounds.
In addition, its many rooms, nooks, and cloisters are full of interesting artifacts, and they are all decorated in bold colors and rich fabrics.
3. Service and Facilities
Since the Interesting Hotel bought Chateau Rhianfa, there has been an additional car park. Facilities of Chateau Rhianfa include:
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- The bar is ideal for pre-dinner drinks, and wine caves usually have wine tasting rooms for events
- Parking
- Restaurant
- A four-person hot tub
- Private beach
- Sauna/ Steam
- Billiard/pool table
- Spa
- Outdoor tennis court
- Wi-Fi
- Music room
- Drawing room
- Cloisters
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Chateau Rhianfa is also accessible to guests with disabilities since it has an accessible from on its ground floor, a lift to all the floors, ramps where necessary, and disabled parking.
There are also guest services such as:
- 24-hour front desk
- Concierge services
- Daily housekeeping
- Dry cleaning service
- Luggage storage
- Tour/ticket assistance
- Wedding services
- Conference space (893 square feet)
4. Food and Drinks
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According to most guest reviews, Chateau Rhianfa is a perfect location to enjoy a game, a glass of wine, or a book by the fireplace before dinner. However, you must wrap up since the characterful, tartan-carpeted dining room can be cold.
Food comprises various playful flavor combinations and is locally outsourced can enjoy breakfast, the popular and lovely afternoon tea, or a sumptuous dinner prepared by their top team of chefs.
a). Breakfast
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Every guest is given a complimentary continental breakfast reminiscent of a French chateau. For an extra £9 per person, they also provide a prepared option that includes Welsh products.
b). Dinner
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You will love the ‘Chateau Dining Experience’ each evening, where the night consists of Prosecco & Canapes at 7 pm. All the dinner guests enjoy a 5-course tasting menu as the evening meal and an entertainment element like a magician for table magic during aperitifs or a pianist for the later part of the evening.
They also offer afternoon tea, Sunday lunch, and a sandwich menu as additional alternatives.
5. Rooms
Chateau Rhianfa seems to surpass the 20th century, and you will almost be surprised by the incredible attention to detail. It could easily be converted into an alive museum to enjoy the character and the grounds.
This includes characteristic conical towers, stunning tapestries hanging on its walls, and exotic gardens with gorgeous mainland views over the Menai Strait. The entrance hall is only the start of the amazing furnishings with its spectacular tapestry, from chandeliers to painted ceilings, stained glass windows, and gilded mirrors.
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Chateau Rhianfa is spread over several floors, and it has a wide variety of magnificent rooms that can provide you with solitude if you choose. Chateau Rhianfa has 16 rooms in the main building, a self-catering lodge, and several cottages on its grounds. All the lodge rooms are luxurious and decorated with period furnishings.
All three rooms: the drawing room, music room, and morning room, offer the same breathtaking view of the Strait. The rooms are also family-friendly, and they can provide cots and children’s beds at a £20 extra charge.
Room Options
1. Lodge Suite
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £327.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £247.00
The Lodge Suite has a sea view, a King Bed, and a Roll top bath in the en-suite accommodating two people. It has a bay window that overlooks the gardens, mountains, and Menai Strait. However, infant beds and rollaway extra beds are unavailable for this room type.
2. Chateau Superior Suite
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £327.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £247.00
With one King Bed, it can accommodate two people. It has 24-hour room service and an in-room safe. However, infant beds and rollaway or extra beds are not available.
3. Chateau Suite
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £295.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £215.00
Enjoy more space for relaxing in the large suite with Menai Straits Views with free slippers and bathrobes.
4. Chateau Double Room Sea View
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £327.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £247.00
This is one of the rooms with a sea view that accommodates two guests in one double bed.
5. Chateau Standard Double Room
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £297.00 (Rate includes a £45 allocation towards dinner plus Bed and full Welsh Breakfast)
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £217.00
If you don’t want the sea view and are looking for more of a courtyard view, this is for you. Chateau Standard Double Room has one double bed, accommodating two people.
6. Lodge Standard Double Room
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £327.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £247.00
The standard rooms of the Rhianfa Lodge Annex provide views of the Menai Straits, our rose garden, and the surrounding mountains. However, there isn’t much space in standard double rooms.
7. Lodge Sea View Double Room
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £214 (Rate includes a £45 allocation for dinner plus Bed and full Welsh Breakfast)
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £294.00)
The Rhianfa Lodge Annex Sea View Rooms are large rooms with views of the Menai Straits, the Mountains, and the Rose Garden.
8. Stable Flat Cottage, 1 Bedroom
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £327.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £247.00
This is a self-catering cottage with one bedroom, an open-plan kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the garden. It can only accommodate two people in the large bedroom with built-in wardrobes and a shower room.
9. Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Sea View
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £327.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £247.00
The 3-bedroom cottage with a sea view and comes with two King Beds. The 1076 sq ft cottage accommodates four people with all the necessary amenities.
10. Cottage, 3 Bedrooms, Sea View
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Cottage BB- £514.00
The 3-bedroom cottage with a sea view comes with three King Beds, and the master bedroom has a balcony. The 1076 sq ft cottage accommodates six people with all the necessary amenities making it perfect for a large group. You will all enjoy the large living room that features a wood-burning stove and a grand piano.
11. Chateau Executive Double Room
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Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast- £281.00
Bed and Full Welsh Breakfast- £201.00
This is your best bet for a partial sea view with premium bedding. Although there are no other extra beds or infant beds available, it comes with one bed that accommodates two people.
Room Amenities
a). Bedroom
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Before staying at a hotel or guesthouse, I’m one who likes knowing what is offered in the room as part of the package. Chateau Rhianfa’s rooms come with the following but remember that the more expensive rooms will come with more amenities. Some of them include:
- Bedroom bed sheets
- Hypoallergenic beddings
- Premium bedding
- Heating
- Daily housekeeping
- Flatscreen TV
- Electric kettle
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Safe
- Free in-room Wifi
- Bottled water
b). Bathroom
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Its bathrooms are modern and indulgent, from big walk-ins and double sinks to rain-head showers. Notably, there are baths in two of the Superior suites.
- Bathrobes
- Designer toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Private bathroom
- Shower
- Towels
6. Activities
When staying at the Chateau Rhianfa, you won’t get bored. There are activities to partake in on the grounds, and they include:
- There is a tennis court you can enjoy
- Hotel boats are available for hire
- Golf is 10 minutes away at Henlly’s 18-hole course
- Falconry activities can be arranged
- Mountain biking
- VIP pass to Zipworld (Europe’s largest & fastest zip wire)
- Wales Coastal Path at the Snowdonia National Park
- Wine tasting
- Kayaking
- Watersports
- Sights nearby
Wedding Activities
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As a couple looking for a dreamy, unique wedding location in Anglesey, you must check out Chateau Rhianfa. With its wood floors, paneled walls, and spectacular views, Château Rhianfa’s majestic 42-foot Banqueting Hall makes a wonderful venue for luxurious gatherings and weddings in North Wales.
Chateau Rhianfa makes a perfect venue for exclusive use, weddings, and civil ceremonies. You can also host intimate celebrations for as few as 20 wedding party guests to as big as 80 people, with something available for every budget.
With a 120-service capacity, they also support Asian and same-sex weddings. There are many wedding packages available such as Lace, Satin, Silk, or Tailor-Made packages, which you can personalize to create the occasion of your personality and dream.
Why Do People Love the Chateau Rhianfa?
- Free self-parking on site
- Smoke-free premises
- Front-desk safe
- An electric car charging station
- 24-hour and late-night room service
- A 24-hour front desk, tour/ticket assistance, and luggage storage
- Free newspapers in the lobby
Chateau Rhianfa Reviews
Since most people like knowing what other customers experienced in their stay in different hotels before they commit, reviews are important. So, let’s see what other guests had to say about Chateau Rhianfa.
Chateau Rhianfa has gathered popularity over the years for many reasons, like its lovely gardens or private beach. They have garnered mostly positive reviews from great customer service as the staff has been polite, helpful, and delightful.
Chateau Rhianfa has five-star reviews on the most popular booking sites, even when you book directly with them. We have rounded up the best reviews from popular booking sites:
Trip Advisor- A 4-star rating from 1607 reviews
Booking.com- A 4-star rating from 930 reviews
Expedia.com- A 4.3-star rating from 346 reviews
Trivago.com- A 4.3-star rating from 850 reviews
Kayak.com– A 4.1-star rating from 937 reviews
For the overall experience, here is a summary from the reviews:
- Location- 9/10
- Food and Drink- 7/10
- Rooms– 8/10
- Amenities- 8/10
- Cleanliness- 9/10
- Customer Service- 9/10
- Value for money- 6/10
Conclusion on Chateau Rhianfa Prices and Reviews
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According to most of the Chateau Rhianfa guest reviews, it’s a location with outstanding natural beauty that you will want to visit. It has a unique freshness thanks to the high quality of air that easily rejuvenates your body and soul. If you are looking for a detailed review of Chateau Rhianfa, we hope this read has satisfied your thirst for information.
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