There are hotels you stay in… and then there are hotels that stay with you. Palé Hall in Bala is firmly in the latter camp. Tucked into the edge of Snowdonia, this ultra-luxurious country house hotel is as quietly spectacular as it is genuinely warm and welcoming.
It’s the sort of place where hares dart through the formal gardens at dawn, where polished staff remember how you like your coffee, and where the tasting menu might just ruin you for all other tasting menus. Ever.
History of Palé Hall
Let’s start with the house. The existing Palé Hall is the third house of its name. Built between 1869 and 1871 for Henry Robertson, the eminent railway engineer, and Liberal MP for Merionyddshire under Gladstone. Finding the previous mansion too small for his growing family, Henry subsequently demolished it and built the beautiful honey stoned Palé Hall that you see today. Henry died in 1888, at the age of 72, after becoming paralyzed at Palé Hall. He left Palé to his only son Henry, who was knighted two years later by Queen Victoria.
Palé Hall is a Grade II* listed Victorian mansion that in 1889 hosted Queen Victoria as part of her tour of North Wales. Enchanted by the house and the area, she was accompanied by her youngest daughter and close companion Princess Beatrice, and her granddaughter
Princess Alix of Hesse, who later married Tsar Nicholas of Russia and was executed with her family in 1917 during the Russian revolution. A walk the Queen particularly enjoyed along the riverbank is known today as the Queen’s Walk. The original bath, and antique half poster bed that she used during her stay are still there. The owners (the Robertson family) vacated the hall for the duration of the Queen’s stay to accommodate the Queen’s considerable entourage.
By the early 20th century, the house had acquired electric lighting, supplied by its own hydro-electric plant.
The original system was installed in 1920 at great expense. Both the original and the new turbine are powered by water from the stream at the top of the mountain. From there it is piped down the hillside through two inspection chambers to the turbine house, a field away from Palé, near the river.
Thanks to this free electricity, Palé was able to remain in such good condition despite lying empty for twenty-two years. Eighteen electric fires were run from this equipment and positioned around the house, whilst it was unoccupied.
As the original turbine created DC electricity the house had to be rewired to AC electricity, to comply with safety regulations – incorporating seven miles of cabling and approximately 440 sockets!
The current owners Alan and Angela Harper, have updated the entire system, installing a more efficient turbine that generates the right kind of electricity with an additional 60% efficiency. When there is sufficient water, this provides all the electricity for the hotel and the outbuildings, as well as feeding the surplus into the national grid. The original turbine and its switches have been preserved within the hotel,
as a piece of mechanical history. Among the unsung heroes of the Great War are many of Britain’s stately homes, along with their owners and staff, who played a vital role by transforming into convalescent homes and hospitals for wounded soldiers. Palé Hall was proud to serve as one of these auxiliary hospitals, providing a haven of peace and comfort for 38 soldiers wounded in both body and mind, one of whom was a recipient of the Victoria Cross. A citation to Palé Hall’s contributions to the Great War effort, presented by the Red Cross, can be found adjacent to the entrance to the Henry Robertson restaurant.
In 1939 the gates of Palé were thrown open again, this time to evacuated children from the inner cities. A nursery school was established within the wing adjacent to the rear courtyard within the former family schoolroom, where 40 children were accommodated under the care and supervision of a team of nannies.
The life experienced by the children given refuge here, would have been different to anything they had ever known. The Palé Estate offered the
freedom to roam, indulge in new activities, enjoy the dogs and ponies and discover the wonders of the countryside.
In the 1050’s the house was sold to the fourth Duke of Westminster who purchased the estate primarily for the shooting rights over 32,000 acres and made Palé Hall part of the social scene for the country pursuits set. Winston Churchill was one of several illustrious visitors to Palé during this period.
Palé Hall today
Palé Hall was closed and rather neglected for several years, however, with free electricity it was possible to run electric heaters round the clock, throughout the closure, which prevented damp and preserved the condition of the interior. It opened as a luxury hotel for the first time in 1984.
Seeking a new challenge, Alan and Angela Harper bought the hotel in 2015 and invested considerable time and funds in sympathetically restoring the house to its original Victorian glory. The reincarnation in Palé history began in September 2016, and within six years of Angela and Alan’s stewardship Palé Hall achieved Five AA Red Stars, Three AA Rosettes for its food, and membership of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux consortium.
The hotel offers 22 individually designed bedrooms and Garden suites, two restaurants inhabiting the dining room with its extravagantly carved sideboard and the original drawing room, and several elegant lounges with the intricate ceiling covings and detailed fireplaces of which Henry Robertson was so fond. The Clock Tower still chimes the quarter hours above the service courtyard, and the old stables and kennels courtyard can be glimpsed just inside the main gate. The former Victorian plunge pool and exercise bath exiting directly onto the lawns at the rear of the building had to be filled in and now accommodates the admin team.
Alan and Angela are proud owners, continuing the warm welcome and hospitality for which Henry Robertson was so well known. There’s nothing stiff or stuffy about Palé Hall – just beautifully preserved grandeur with a twist of contemporary comfort.
It’s beautiful windows, rich wood panelling, roaring fires, and high ceilings – but it’s also velvet sofas, curated artwork, and a warm dog-friendly welcome in the lounge. And that bar? Equal parts gentleman’s club and greenhouse. Planning permission is in for a large orangery at the back, that will flood even more light and life, into the building, and for four more cottages on the grounds.
“The tasting menu might just ruin you for all others.”
Dining that dazzles
The tasting menu – crafted with flair and precision – is simply extraordinary. Whether you’re a seasoned fine diner or just someone who appreciates flavour done right, Palé Hall’s kitchen delivers in waves of creative brilliance.
From delicate amuse-bouchées that tease the senses, to perfectly cooked Welsh lamb and jewel-like desserts, the experience feels indulgent without being intimidating. Although, it is a menu where you don’t know what it is, or to expect, until it arrives and you taste it! Each plate is a small, delicious and beautifully executed surprise. Wine pairings? Spot on. Service? Seamless. £120 per person, but well worth it.
Sleep among the pines
There are 18 rooms in the main house, each one individually designed, filled with character and calm. But if you prefer a little more privacy, you’ll love the three garden suites tucked away across the grounds. These chic hideaways offer woodland views, freestanding baths, and a sense of space that feels very… un-hotel-like. It’s luxury with foresight – and flexibility for returning guests – and nothing is too much trouble for the staff at Palé Hall.
The grounds
Here’s where Palé Hall truly wins hearts. The grounds are an idyllic mix of manicured paths and wilder woods, scattered with sculptures, art installations and open space. You’ll spot rabbits at dusk, hares at dawn, and a sense of peace that’s hard to put into words. It’s the kind of place where time slows down. Where the Wi-Fi works, but you forget to check it. Where a walk after breakfast turns into a wander that ends with drinks by the fire.
People make Palé
There aren’t dozens of staff here. And honestly? That’s the charm. The small, dedicated team are incredibly attentive – without ever crossing into overbearing. They know when to chat, when to step back, and how to make you feel like a returning regular even on your first visit. You won’t find robotic service or scripted interactions. Just real people who genuinely want you to love your stay. And you will.
“There are hotels you stay in… and then there are hotels that stay with you.”
Palé Hall isn’t just five-star. It’s five-star with soul. The kind of place you visit once and then find yourself planning your return before you’ve even checked out. The Black Nose Vallais Sheep and Highland Cows are wonderful to see, and worth trying to give the sheep a quick squidge, but with her baby lambs in tow, mummy sheep wasn’t for sharing. Whether you’re celebrating something special, sneaking away for a grown-up weekend, or looking for that somewhere special that still has space for the kids – this is it.
It’s where luxury meets sincerity. Where heritage doesn’t mean pretension. And where every stay feels like it’s just for you.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Bala, North Wales (approx. 2 hours from South Manchester)
Rooms: 18 in the main house + 3 garden suites (more coming soon)
Dining: Michelin-style tasting menu, relaxed bar menu, afternoon tea
Perfect For: Couples, families, milestone birthdays, and chic staycations
Bonus Points: Eco-conscious credentials, dog-friendly rooms, impeccable taste
