Best family-friendly hotels in Wales: top properties in Cardiff, Tenby, Anglesey and beyond

Whether you’re looking for a wonderful weekend exploring scenic coastlines, an action-packed adventure in the great outdoors or a culture-filled city break, Wales offers the opportunity to get closer to nature and burn off some energy on a break that the whole family is sure to enjoy,

From the thriving hustle and bustle of Cardiff to the stunning beauty of Pembrokeshire (home to some of the world’s best beaches), we’ve lined up the best family-friendly hotels in Wales, as recommended by Mumsnet users.

What are the best family hotels in Wales?

• Best for activities: Celtic Manor Resort, Newport

• Best for views: Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey

• Best for luxury: Foyles of Glasbury, Hay-on-Wye

• Best pet-friendly hotel: Bae Abermaw, Barmouth

• Best beachfront hotel: Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn

1. Best overall family-friendly hotel in Wales: Coal Exchange Cardiff Bay

The Coal Exchange | Check Availability 

"The Coal Exchange hotel in Cardiff Bay. It is utterly gorgeous! It's a 5-minute taxi or bus ride into central Cardiff or you could rent bikes and cycle!" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Chimchar

In vibrant Cardiff Bay, The Coal Exchange makes the perfect base for families that want to explore the Welsh capital but don’t want to stay right in the thick of it - it’s just two miles from top tourist attractions including Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium. The stately 19th-century building has been revamped into a stylish and comfortable hotel. With a choice of quad rooms and large family rooms (the latter includes three extra large double beds and a jacuzzi-style spa bath), the hotel caters well for kids. Children can enjoy their own menu at the onsite Culley’s Bar & Restaurant as well as seasonal themed kids’ brunches on key dates throughout the year.

Just a five-minute walk to the Bay, families are well placed for hiring bikes, capturing great views across the Severn Estuary and taking a boat trip over to see the wildlife of Flat Holm Island.

2. Best family-friendly beach hotel in Wales: Trearddur Bay Hotel, Anglesey

Trearddur Bay Hotel | Check availability

“Trearddur Bay is lovely (and the pub/hotel there - funnily enough, called the Trearddur Bay Hotel is nice enough). You can paddle and look at boats and have ice cream” (Rated by Mumsnetter WilfSell)

Wales has so many stunning, sandy beaches to explore and the Trearddur Bay Hotel in Anglesey is lucky enough to be located overlooking one of the finest, just a few metres from Blue Flag beach, Trearddur Bay.

The larger-sized family rooms can accommodate up to six people, some with sea views and a balcony, while the indoor pool will be a popular choice for the kids to burn off some energy before bed.

The onsite restaurant Inn at the Bay offers a children's menu, including smaller options of some classic dishes and the new outdoor bar and kitchen offers a more relaxed dining experience for parents to enjoy as the children play.

Located just 10 minutes from Holyhead, Trearddur Bay is a comfortable and family-friendly base, ideally located for trips to Pili Palas Nature World or a leisurely and relaxing cruise around Puffin Island.

3. Best family-friendly hotel in Wales for young kids: Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey

Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey | Check Availability 

“Definitely go to Aberdyfi. Have afternoon tea at the Trefeddian hotel - big place on a hill with fab views” (Recommended by Mumsnetter deaddei)

Winner of Best Loved Hotel's Bring The Kids Award and the Good Hotel Guide Editor's Choice 'Family Hotel' Award for 2022, the Trefeddian Hotel in Aberdovey is a great option for parents with young children who still want to relax and get some alone time during their stay.

Geared up for younger guests, Trefeddian Hotel offers a wide range of family-friendly facilities including an outdoor play area, an all-weather tennis court and an indoor play area with table tennis and a pool.

Parents can choose from the early children’s supper menu which features a range of family favourites or select smaller portions from the regular evening menu.

The family and superior rooms can accommodate two adults and up to four children, making them ideal for larger families, while the complimentary listening service throughout the hotel means parents can enjoy a romantic meal while the kids are safely tucked up in bed.

4. Best family-friendly hotel in Wales with self-contained lodges: The Waterloo Hotel, Betws-y-Coed (Snowdonia Park)

The Waterloo Hotel, Betws-y-Coed | Check Availability 

“The Waterloo hotel in Betws y Coed has a fantastic swimming pool open to non-residents” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user welshgirlwannabe)

If you’re planning to explore the culture, heritage and breathtaking valleys of Snowdonia National Park, The Waterloo Hotel offers a choice of rooms suitable for families within their main hotel as well as the option of spacious and self-contained lodges. The Superior Family Lodge includes child-friendly TV areas, bean bags, bunk beds and large tables, perfect for family board game sessions.

Parents can enjoy hearty Welsh cuisine at the onsite Bridge restaurant, while the Children’s menu offers an ideal balance of healthy options and family favourites to cater for even the pickiest of eaters.

The indoor heated pool with kids’ splash pool provides a great way to switch off and relax after a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise.

5. Best family hotel in Wales for views: Park Hotel, Tenby

Park Hotel, Tenby | Check Availability

“Tenby is lovely. The beach is great, and it's a good base for seeing other bits of the area. Caldey Island is a nice trip out too” (Location recommended by Mumsnet user StiffyByng)

If you want a captivating view across the Pembrokeshire coastline, you can’t beat the elevated panoramic views from the luxury cliffside Park Hotel.

The family rooms can sleep three or four guests and with the Pembrokeshire coastal path just one mile away, the hotel offers almost instant access to Tenby’s North Beach. It’s worth noting, however, that the coastal path is pretty steep, so you’ll need to take care with younger guests.

The impressive 40-foot outdoor heated pool and cliff-top terraces provide the ideal location to relax and enjoy some summer afternoon sun while the children splash and play.

For meals, you can either enjoy the onsite restaurant for breakfast and evening meals or walk down to the walled town of Tenby for a wide choice of dining options close to the seafront.

6. Best family-friendly beachfront hotel in Wales: Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn

Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn | Check Availability

A popular beachside location, the Beaches Hotel offers expansive views over Barkby Beach and the Irish Sea, so take your bucket and spade!

If you’re planning to explore the tourist attractions of North Wales during your stay, Chester Zoo (the UK’s largest zoo) is just a 45-minute drive away, and kids will love the impressive crazy golf course in Rhyl, a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

With a choice of beachfront family rooms which can accommodate up to a family of five (consisting of a king-size bed and two single beds), the Beaches Hotel also boasts a large indoor swimming pool and offers a dedicated children’s menu to keep little ones happy at the onsite Promenade Bistro Bar.

7. Best family-friendly hotel in Wales for activities: Celtic Manor Resort, Newport

Celtic Manor Resort, Newport | Check Availability

“Celtic Manor just outside of Newport in Wales is also quite easy to get to as the train goes direct from London. Definitely have a look if your children like doing organised activities” Fivemoreminutes1

If you like action-packed family holidays, Celtic Manor is set in over 2000 acres of stunning grounds, trails and woodland and offers access to a whole host of activities.

In addition to the award-winning Forum Spa, Celtic Manor boasts three championship golf courses, two adventure golf courses and the treetop adventure course, Forest Jump. Families can make arrangements to head out clay pigeon shooting, fishing and mountain biking, or head to the nearby Friars Walk shopping destination for some retail therapy.

There’s a variety of family rooms on offer from Deluxe Kings with sofa beds to Grand Deluxe family rooms with space for two adults and two children, and there are six on-site restaurants with children’s menus, activity sheets and highchairs available at all family dining venues.

8. Best family and pet-friendly hotel in Wales: Bae Abermaw, Barmouth

Bae Abermaw, Barmouth | Check Availability

If you like to take your four-legged friends on holiday with you, this small Edwardian hotel with a light and modern interior accepts well-behaved pets with open arms and comes with a choice of 14 light and modern pet-friendly rooms.

Each room comes with a dog bed, a food bowl and even a ball provided for four-legged guests, helping pets feel completely at home in their new surroundings.

Positioned above Cardigan Bay and backing onto Snowdonia National Park, Bae Abermaw is just a 10-minute walk from the beach and offers stunning views over the bay. It’s certainly worth paying the extra for a family room with a sea view.

9. Best luxury family-friendly hotel in Wales: Foyles of Glasbury, Hay-on-Wye

Foyles of Glasbury | Check Availability

If you’re travelling with a child but still want to experience the joy of a luxury hotel, the Grade II listed boutique hotel, Foyles of Glasbury offers stunning surroundings with smart and stylish interiors and well-designed, soundproofed rooms.

While most of the rooms only sleep two, cots are available for £15 per child (for under 3s), and some of the larger rooms can sleep up to three people, ideal for smaller families.

Parents will love the large garden and outdoor space that allows children to play while they relax on the terrace and enjoy the early evening sun. It’s not cheap, but the Foyles restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes and a children’s menu for smaller appetites.

Is Wales good for a family holiday?

In a word, yes. While we can’t guarantee the weather (this is the UK after all), Wales has so much to explore and discover come rain or shine. Whether you’re a beach lover, outdoor explorer, adrenaline junkie or simply want to breathe in some fresh country air, Wales makes a flexible and fun family holiday location. On a sunny day, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re on the other side of the world.

What are the best family attractions in Wales?

Wales has so many must-visit family-friendly attractions to check out during your stay, but here are just a few of the most popular landmarks and tourist attractions:

• Explore the natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park

• Go horse riding in the Brecon Beacons

• Build a sandcastle on the shores of Pembrokeshire’s Blue Flag beaches

• Take a stadium tour around the home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium

• Enjoy the gothic architecture and photo opportunities at Cardiff Castle

• Embrace your inner Gavin and Stacey at Barry Island

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in Wales?

It’s so hard to pick just one, as each of the hotels on our list has so much to offer. However, for its location, large family rooms and access to central attractions and leisure options, the Coal Exchange offers the ideal base for families.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what hotels in Wales were being recommended.

We then did some research across the wider web, looking at what family hotels in Wales had won accolades or been featured in 'best choice' lists across websites, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in Wales.

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