11-03-2025
'Quietly glamourous' Pembrokeshire seaside hotel among UK's best places to stay
Located just out of Tenby, overlooking the sea you will find a "cosy", "romantic" and "quietly glamourous" hotel named among the best places to stay in the UK.
From Scottish castles and revamped Welsh inns to coastal bolt holes in North Yorkshire, The Times has released its annual list of the 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK.
Introducing the list, The Times said: "Every year, our team of experienced reviewers stay at hundreds of properties across the UK and we cherrypick the best for our annual survey.
"Whittling down our long list is always tough but this year the standard was so high it was even harder to choose the final 100.
"It caused some headaches for us but means that you can look forward to some fabulous breaks in 2025.
"Excellence in design, facilities and value for money — whatever the room rate — are always key considerations, but two other vital criteria stood out this year: dining and service.
"We have been impressed with how restaurant kitchens have risen to the challenge of food-price hikes to produce ever more creative and delicious dishes.
"We had more memorable meals on the road this year than ever before, including a very fine one at the Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, still going strong as it celebrates its 50th year.
"It was also heartwarming to see hotels up their game on service, the intangible, deal-breaking measure of any property."
The Welsh establishments among the best places to stay in the UK, according to The Times, are:
Harbourmaster (Ceredigion) - Wales Hotel of the Year
The Angel Hotel (Monmouthshire) - Best Foodie Hotel in the UK
Penally Abbey (Pembrokeshire)
Plas Dinas Country House (Gwynedd)
Penmaenuchaf (Gwynedd)
Inn at the Sticks (Carmarthenshire)
You can see the full list of the best places to stay in the UK for 2025 by visiting The Times website.
Penally Abbey describes itself as "a cosy hotel overlooking the sea" while The Times adds its "the pick of hotels around Tenby."
Explaining why, the news outlets writes: "The best stays are always the most personal. That's why this late-Georgian rectory at the far end of South beach remains the pick of hotels around Tenby.
"Melanie and Lucas Boissevain, both still hands-on over a decade after they bought the place in 2014, have created a stay that's all heart and soul.
"Who but an interior designer (Melanie) would bring such panache to public spaces?
"Oversized prints are on inky walls in a handsome drawing room and there's an almost theatrical flair to decor in the restaurant, Rhosyn."
The Times continues: "The dozen rooms are more restrained, all coastal creams and soft greys to match the sky and sea outside.
"Put it all together and you've the perfect weekender: escapist, romantic, quietly glamorous."
Penally Abbey has also been well received by guests, boasting a 4.5 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 455 reviews.
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One person, commenting on their stay, said: "Wow! Amazing from start to finish. The room, the service, and the food was excellent.
"Harry and all the staff couldn't do enough for us. A stunning location with Tenby a short walk away over South Beach.
"Would definitely recommend and we will be back soon."
For more details or to book a stay (or a meal) visit the Penally Abbey website (a link to which can be found above).
