Guests Reviews Craig y Nos Castle Dog Friendly B&B 2018 - Dog Friendly Wales | Dog Friendly Hotel

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Guests Reviews Craig y Nos Castle Dog Friendly B&B 2018

Guest Reviews

Dog Friendly Wales Craig y Nos Castle B&B Reviews 2018

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Dog Owners' Reviews - 2018
Craig y Nos Castle Dog Friendly B&B
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Trip Advisor Reviews on Craig y Nos Castle Dog Friendly B&B stays - 2018



5 stars Nov 2018:
what a unique wonderful place!
my friend and I had a great ghost hunt ,this is our second visit ,room good,shower hot food lovely, staff fab. This place has to been seen. There are various room styles,ground floor pretty courtyard rooms which must be good for dogs and those less able. This castle is amazing !!! Going back in a week or two with husbands and dog.


5 stars Nov 2018:
Dog friendly, Will be back!
Really great old castle, dog friendly which is fantastic. Staff were lovely and the setting is great with loads of good walks nearby! Ideal for a getaway with a dog! The bar food was tasty. Room was clean and the bathroom was huge!!


5 stars Sept 2018:
a wonderfull place that just keeps giving
myself .my friend. and my border terrier have now been 3 times this year and 2 more to come once been forever hooked. the walks. the castle. the landscape. the staff. I need to say no more but I will I joined the v.i.p. club on our first visit cherry on top I say.food good.millie my border terrier spoilt sausage on a dogs plate for breakfast. I we also get a wonderfull breakfast 10/10


4 stars Sept 2018:
Short cycling break
All the staff we met were very cheerful and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. Our room was comfortable and clean, the bathroom was superb and everything you needed was provided. The food was good but not a huge choice. The area is great for walking and cycling. If you are looking for four or five star chain format, this is not the place for you, if you want characterful and quirky this hotel is great.


5 stars October 2018:
An amazing stay
Not too sure where to start as there is so much to say- all of it good though. Firstly the staff, one of the friendliest bunch of people we have ever met. They helped us plan our stay to take in the local tourist attractions, going as far as getting us directions, phone numbers for bookings and providing snippets of local knowledge about the area’s we were visiting. We also have to give a special mention to Catherine who gave us an amazing tour. With all of the information she gave us we cannot wait to start reading up about the history of the castle and the wonderful Adelina Patti. I was also supposed to have an online lecture through Aberdeen University and on enquiring about WiFi I was offered internet access and privacy to do this. I mean just wow, turns out it got rescheduled to next week but it shows how accommodating the staff really are.

Food and drinks were excellent too as well as the service that accompanied them. Being from Scotland it was lovely to see so many Welsh stocked drinks in the Patti Bar, which of course we tried. We also followed this up by going to Penderyn Distillery with the help of your super friendly staff helping us with directions and booking. The castle itself is a hidden gem with so much to take in both inside and out. The public rooms downstairs are beautifully decorated in keeping with the history of the castle and we took each room in turn to sit, relax and soak up its atmosphere. The theatre is outstanding, what a treasure to have onsite. Our room was lovely and big with a really comfortable bed. The bathroom ( as was all of it ) was clean and fresh. Outside the castle gardens there were lovely spots to sit and take in the stunning surroundings. Just bliss!

We really can’t fault anything about our stay so it is sad to read some of the reviews. If you are after a run of the mill chain with identical rooms and ikea style furniture..... this is not for you. It is abundantly clear that the owners are sympathetically restoring the castle in keeping with its history as opposed to taking a shell of a building and modernising inside it to a chain style hotel. Each room is as unique as the previously chronicled inhabitants with it being a historical work in progress. The staff are passionate about its history and this shines through. For this reason alone, we can’t wait to return again in the near future.


4 stars Seot 2018:
Honest review
The actual castle is set within a picturesque valley, there is a lot of history surrounding the castle which they offer tours for, very interesting and worth it! It is quite a stunning place, and the decor is kept to as original as possible. The hotel itself is pet friendly and staff are very accommodating, offering spare beds for our two year old son and milk for his bedtime. The rooms are simply decorated keeping within the hotels theme. The breakfast offered in the morning is a good selection of cooked items, fruit, cereals, pastries, breads, teas and coffee. The wedding ceremonies are quite stunning held within a historical theatre, and the orangerie provides a beautiful backdrop of surrounding forests and streams. As a guest for my cousins wedding I was impressed.

In my honest opinion, I thought the hotel was great, offering a simple yet quite elegant castle stay with the addition of beautiful surrounding walks and pet friendly accommodation. I would stay there again, however my only criticism is for the amenities provided within the rooms. I felt they should provide an iron within the rooms and minibar or fridge as standard. I felt that being pet friendly a fridge would be an advantage for food etc. That is my only criticism and I will look at staying there for a non wedding event in the future.


5 stars Sept 2018:
Cosy castle stay on the spur of the moment
Having spent 2 nights in West Wales with our dog for my wife’s birthday weekend and knowing we both had another day off we called on the off-chance that we could stay a night on our way back to Cardiff. Being a Sunday night the castle was quiet with only around 20 guests and they happily found us a room - the loft in the tower over the theatre which was lovely and quiet with a nice comfy bed and a stylish modern marble bathroom. We walked the grounds and country park with the dog for a few hours and later ate dinner at the hotel. They set a table in the bar by a window overlooking the valley (dogs are welcome in the bar so that’s where we ate dinner and breakfast) and we both enjoyed the food very much. All the staff are friendly and genuinely eager to please and made such a fuss if our dog bringing him sausages and a mat to lie on - takes dog friendly to another level.

The bread and butter of this place is clearly weddings as about 6 prospective couples met with members of staff that we noticed on Sunday afternoon alone and with a backdrop like the 19th century theatre you can see why this place is in demand as a venue to tie the knot. Overall the place is quite rustic shall we say as there is clearly ongoing restoration work and areas of the castle as yet un-renovated and out of bounds so bear in mind you are not going to a clinical chain hotel! Overall however given that the rooms are clean and comfy, the food is great and staff are lovely I would happily go back and recommend it to others.


4 stars Sept 2018:
Great location, friendly people and the dog loved it
The castle and it’s grounds are gorgeous, plenty of places to walk, information on lots of places to drive to and walk to from helpful reception and friendly staff. The castle needs a little tlc in places but it’s a castle so don’t expect modern, we loved it, the dog loved it, he was allowed on the furniture, he had a seat at the table for breakfast and boiled egg each morning due to a seed allergy he couldn’t have the usual sausage. Breakfast was buffet so as much as you want. If you want something different or vegetarian just ask in advance and it would be sorted for you. Coffee, various teas, twinnings and welsh tea. Dogs allowed everywhere except conservatory and main restaurant.

Secure grounds around the castle, with a lovely stream running through it, ask at reception and they tell you of the different places to walk or will print out maps etc for you. The bathroom was large with a huge shower at the end, heated towel rail. Ok the negatives no WiFi except in he lobby area absolutely no phone network although a few steps outside and there was,so probably depends on your network and the hills surrounding and the weather. (I don’t want to talk to anyone anyway I go away for a reason.....) Tiny tv but I’m in a castle with a dog and all thats outside who needs a tv. The bed was very hard great for my bad back not so great for my partner why practically sleeps on a marshmallow at home.... Overall loved it, hope to go again and have recommended it to a friend who is looking to book soon. I would like to thank the staff who made our stay enjoyable everyone who stopped and fussed max the rottispaniel and especially the lady who brought max his breakfast.


5 stars August 2018:
Stunning Scenery.
Went to a wedding at Craig-Y-Nos castle yeaterday and stayed in room 31.Staff were polite and friendly,the room was clean with scenery matching the era of what they were protraying,the ground were a lovely walk with the oppertunintyto take beautiful pictures.Would recommend.


5 stars Sept 2018:
Break with dog
Just returned from the castle after a two night stay. Lovely setting and walks. Met some lovely people and pets. When we visit again would book a room with a bath not just shower. Good food staff very good particularly lady that served us breakfast not sure of her name. Lights by reception need to be on as very dark at night and I nearly tripped. But overall a lovely place to visit and weather was good too.


4 stars Sept 2018:
Quick holiday
Craig y Nos castle in the Brecon Beacons, a lovely time, room was very clean & tidy, the staff were friendly & helpfull. The castle is dog friendly & even give dogs a sausage for breakfast, there are lots af walks & the area itself is very picturesque. The only bad point for me was lack of internet connectivity & poor phone signal, but if you’re looking to get away from all that then go there


4 stars July 2018:
A grand place to visit
We didn't stay here overnight so I'm unable to review the accommodation etc. But we visited to tour the castle and grounds and to find out more about Adelina Patti. There was a wedding on the day we were there and we were kindly allowed a sneak peak. I have to say - the setting was beautiful. And of course you have the glorious Country Park surrounding you. The castle 'feels' like a special place and looks an ideal place to stay. We loved our tour and have planned to revisit as guests to sample the accommodation and fare.


5 stars July 2018:
Fabulous short break!
Just got back from 2 nights stay at this hotel with our dog. Fabulous castle in an amazing setting. Some stunning walks in the area. Ate every night in the hotel itself and the food was really lovely. Our dog was treated like royalty. All the staff made a fuss of him and were constantly stuffing him with biscuits which he adored. Breakfast was gorgeous and the dog even got sausages so the five star review is from him. Special thanks to Cathy who was so lovely, telling us stories about the castle and places we could go. Think my dog fell in love with her! Will most definitely be booking to go again


5 stars July 2018:
Fabulous, Dog Friendly Break!
Stayed here with my husband and two dogs. We had a great-sized room in the courtyard with was perfect for our dogs, although the bed was a little hard. The staff are great; friendly, efficient and they love dogs! Every morning our two got a sausage for breakfast, delivered on their own plate and the food is lovely. The castle grounds back onto the country park so great walks for the dogs. So lovely to stay somewhere that really welcomes your furry pals. Will definitely be returning.


4 stars June 2018:
Very enjoyable visit
Stayed here for one night with friends as a birthday present as my friend loved the haunted history of the castle. Booked a family room and we had two dogs with us. We were given room 15 which was in the courtyard area on the ground floor. Room had a double and twin bedrooms large bathroom with bath and stand alone shower, tv and sofa area with tea and coffee facilities and a large dresser for storage. The room was heated, it got very warm, beds were comfy and it was very clean and had plenty of towels, shower gel shampoo and a hairdryer supplied. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had a lovely welcome and everyone made a fuss of the dogs. They were treated like royalty, allowed in the bar area and even for dinner and breakfast. They even brought sausages for them! They loved it.

The food was very good, plenty of choice on the menu and good quality. After dinner we moved to one of the sitting rooms off the bar and the staff were happy to leave us there chatting with the dogs after the bar had closed. Breakfast was good with a standard full Welsh option buffet style, cereals, fruit, toast etc served until 10am. Sleep quality was good although we did have a lot of traffic noise early in the morning from the main road.
The entire castle is set in beautiful grounds where you can walk for ages, there is a gift shop but it was closed and a short walk away is a coffee shop serving snacks etc. There is a pub past the showcaves approx 20 min walk up the road from the hotel (you can get to it through the grounds as the main road has no pavement) which we had heard was a lovely pub however when we got there it was raining and they do not allow dogs inside. There are no local shops in the area within a walking distance so bring supplies with you if needed. Parking is available at entrance to hotel and is free. We didn’t see any spooky goings on but it’s defiantly got a huge amount of character and we would love to return for a ghost tour. Will recommend and will definitely return for another visit with the pooch.


4 stars June 2018:
Dogs Favourite place but a few problems with food
Wow what a wonderful place to stay with dogs. We booked in for 3 nights and had our 3 dogs with us. We were in theatre room left that was small but perfect as on ground floor and had door to green area that led straight into paths leading into the wonderful park. Exstreamly hot weather but able to get dogs out for good walks as plenty of shade and water for them to swim in. We were looking forward to walking with the resident dogs as their breeds matched 2 of ours and the advert said they would show the best walks but they were not around on our visit.

The staff were very friendly and spoilt our dogs+++. Especially Cathy who reminded me of why I love the friendly Welsh people and living locally she was able to give us good information about the castle and the general area.
We were told by staff that the Tues - Fri days we were there it was unusually quiet and this might have been the problem with the food. We decided to eat at the hotel as I had read good reviews and looked at the sample menus on line. We usually book self catering so it was going to be a treat for me not to cook. It was just under £20 for 2 courses. The first night there was a good choice of about 5 items in main and we enjoyed what we ordered and were able to to pick a dessert from a short list.

Breakfast was help yourself with plenty of hot food and bread but no sign of the welsh cakes, croissants, fruit etc that we were told would be there but there was a large school party (well behaved) staying and we thought that maybe they had raided the fruit / welsh cakes to take for their lunch. I had toast and yogurt. That nights meal was a disappointment as 2 of the meals offered was the same as previous night and what we had eaten, no fish etc so I ordered the Lasagne that was a small wedge in a small dish with a slice of garlic bread. Obviously heated in micro as cool one end and very hot on thin end. My husbands pasta was a large portion but looked wrong on the dish it was served on but he said it tasted nice. It was the same dessert choice and as we had had ice cream the night before ordered lemon sponge and custard but only a very slim slice of sponge was served. On mentioning the size of portions to the waitress we were told our choice had been popular but there had only been one other couple staying apart from the adults with the school party and the children’s menu was different. I felt over charged With the amount we had, I was told no managers about but they would be informed.
The next days breakfast was the same as before and one of the reception staff came for coffee and mentioned about all the croissants gone and I told her we had never seen any or the Welsh cakes.

That night we had friends joining us for dinner and it was also quite busy with ? Outsiders eating.. I was stunned to see the menu was exactly the same as the night before and nothing on their my husband and I had not eaten or couldn’t eat! My friends were happy with what was on there but I ended up with soup from the starter as my meal but the difference in the other diners meals compared to ours the previous night was amazing. Pasta in a proper bowl, my friend had a large portion of Lasagne with a selection of vegetables as well as a couple of slice of garlic bread! I had not had anything like this! The dessert menu of course was the same so we had ice cream again while one of our friends had a large wedge of lemon sponge. The waitress was aware of my upset on choice and I felt cheated paying nearly £20 for soup and ice cream as nice as they tasted. I didn’t want to make a fuss with friends and a crowded bar so paid the bill I decided to complain in the morning when the staff were about.. Breakfast the following morning was wonderful! Table overflowing with cooked and cold choices fresh fruit and berries, plenty of croissants and Welsh cakes. Shame our previous days were not the same. I think who runs the pass in the kitchen was obviously not there for the middle night of our stay so no one checking the food going out and ? By staff member as to why the breakfast display was not as expected. There was no one on reception when we left our key so couldn’t mention our previous evening.(you pay for the room on arrival). It’s my own fault for not complaining enough but I new it was not normally like that and we would like to return as my dogs are sulking since we came home!

Response from MichaelLudwig, Manager at Craig-y-Nos Castle, Responded 12 Jul 2018
Thank you for your comments, your feedback is important to us. I am glad that you and your dogs enjoyed the room and felt that the location of your room was ideal for dogs to access the outside area. I am happy to hear that you found Cathy helpful and friendly and a credit no doubt to the castle. The Castle was unusually quite that week with individual stayers, however i am concerned of the comments that you encountered with the choice and variety of the food along with your comments in relation to the cooking. I will pass these comments both to our Front of House Manager and to our Head Chef. Our menu does tend to change at least every 2 days or so, and many guests comment on the good quality food and variety along with large portion size. I am sorry that you felt unable to discuss this with any staff - as any waitress would have been able to take your details and either pass them on, and at worst our FOH Manager would have been able to contact you, or indeed other members of the Management Team are in the Castle at other times. I am sure if you return you will find that we can and indeed increase our service level. Not least, you owe it to your dogs to return for some more of Caths friendly information & charm. M!chael


5 stars June 2018:
Amazing place!
Husband and I and our dog have just come back from our 2nd stay at Craig y Nos castle. Again, we had a lovely time. The staff were very friendly and helpful, food was excellent and our dog enjoyed his morning sausage! The history tour of the castle was very interesting. The castle itself is full of character. The grounds are within the country park with lots of great walks with the dog. We love this place and cannot fault it! We will be back. Thank you to all the staff there for making our stay so enjoyable. Bev, Paul and Merlot the Patterdale Terrier.


5 stars June 2018:
Excellent stay in a quirky castle!
Had an excellent few days at Craig y Nos. The staff were all amazing and to say this is a dog-friendly hotel was an understatement. The staff remembered the dogs' names, made a huge fuss of them and they had a sausage separate to our very yummy breakfast every day. Humans were welcome too and nothing was too much trouble. Our room opened onto the courtyard and was large and comfortable. The previous grounds to the castle have been taken over by Brecon Beacons country park but they are accessible from the castle itself and the walks there were amazing. I never did do it all! We had a tour of the castle by Kath, who was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Well worth having the tour - I have quoted it back to people since and they have all been amazed. What an interesting history. Sadly we didn't see any ghosts while we were there! This is also a wedding venue which I can imagine would be amazing. The theatre is beautiful as is the conservatory. We also ate our evening meals there and they were very tasty, imaginative and plentiful. Had an amazing time and would love to visit again soon. Thank you all of you, you gave us a beautiful stay! xxx


5 stars June 2018:
Doggie heaven
Hi. I am an Irish Water Spaniel called Merlin and I want to tell you about Craig Y Nos castle.. A few months ago I asked my human staff to arrange a holiday for me. (I always delegate these sort of tasks to them because I find using the internet and reading such a chore). They were surprisingly efficient and soon told me we were off to Craig Y Nos Castle in Wales for 4 nights. This efficiency did somewhat concern me but, as they normally do look after my best interests, I agreed to their plan.

After a somewhat traumatic journey (Don't ask - it involved meeting a puppy who is coming to be my playmate soon followed by a long diversion because some humans had buried their bones on a road but couldn't remember where so had to dig up 6 miles of the Head of Valleys Road) we arrived at the castle. Whilst one of of my human staff did something called 'checking in' the other walked me around the car park to stretch my legs. I couldn't help but notice there was a fountain but knew I wasn't going to be allowed in there. Soon I was escorted into the Castle and another human, with a strange accent, led our way to where I was going to be staying. Wow! We were going to reside in the Theatre First Floor Flat and it was great. 2 double bedrooms, a kitchen diner and great shower room. Plenty of room for me and my toys.

I soon found the lawns outside and these would become 'My garden' for the duration of the stay (I did share though) and could chase my ball, roll on the grass and meet new friends as they walked through my fiefdom. Within a couple of hours we set out to explore the grounds and the adjacent country park. Puppy Paradise!! Walk down the sloping path, chase a ball across the meadows, take a paddle in the river and walk forever down the paths.

I decided my human staff deserved a treat so agreed they could go down to the bar for dinner. We dogs are allowed everywhere except the formal dinning room so I was able to go along and keep an eye on them. They expressed delight at the food on offer and I just lay at their feet as they ate. After a restful night sleeping, the chiming clock towers goes quiet overnight, I awoke full of anticipation for the events of the next day. After a quick walk to allow me to stretch my legs and make myself comfortable it was off to breakfast in the bar. The human staff seemed more than happy with their food and the more than friendly staff served me some slices of sausage. (I love the lady who serves breakfast!)

This pattern continued for the next 3 days. Hours of walking and playing. Learned to swim. Spoilt rotten by the hotel human staff. Met loads of new doggy friends. (Didn't get to meet the ghosts but believe there are some there. Did have a close encounter with a Grass Snake though. (OK - it slithered up a bank as I walked past but one has to big things like that up!). Suppose I should let my staff have a say. ' We loved it! Merlin totally loved the freedom to run and explore. A great room (TFFF is perfect if you have a larger or more than one dog ( where did the washing machine go though??!!). Loads of space and comfortable beds. Breakfasts and dinners were great. Wonderfully friendly staff. No one could do enough. Even the boss dropped by during dinner to get feedback. You all made 2 humans and 1 puppy so happy after a very difficult year for us'

OK, enough from the staff. If you want to experience puppy escapist heaven get your staff to take you here. Mine have been instructed to take me back very soon. I shall have to bring along the annoying new brother but am sure I can tolerate that. They mentioned looking at it as a wedding venue but I don't know what that means. PS. Don't go into stagnant water - it makes you smell and your human staff will inflict a cleaning regime you will probably want to avoid. Merlin.


5 stars May 2018:
Lovely Castle inside and out!
Being a fairly cynical young chap I had read quite a few bad reviews of this place before my wife and I arrived for our 1 night stay. Various claims of the place being cold, the rooms and decor being tired and spartan, the food not being up to scratch etc. Well, I am extremely pleased to report that I found this all to be incorrect. Arriving in the front courtyard the place was slightly smaller than expected (as a few trip advisors have mentioned). We were checked in swiftly and got to our room on the first floor, getting a feel for the size of the place walking through various corridors and stairwells. Getting to our room we discovered a very good sized space (the size of the ensuite bathroom alone as bigger than some rooms I've stayed in at other hotels). Beautifully decorated with period-relevant carpet and walls. Very comfy bed and ornate bed, tea and coffee, biscuits, TV. Anything but spartan! We then went out for a walk around the castle grounds - comments on this perhaps best left for the Craig-y-Nos Country Park TripAdvisor entry, but suffice to say the grounds are beautiful and the little stream that runs a hundred feet or so below the castle on the hill is worth visiting. We had a great nights sleep and went down for breakfast to find a great spread of cooked breakfast, toast, croissants, WELSH CAKES 😁😁, yoghurt, cereals and various juices, tea and coffee. All set in a dining hall which some reviewers have scoffed at as again being too spartan. It was fantastic! Decorated with grandeur appropriate for the castle setting and really felt like we were eating somewhere different than your standard hotel. Staff were all full of smiles and happy to help with any questions. We only wish we were able to stay longer than the one night and hope to come back again in the future. I should also mention that it's ideally placed for a lot of other local sightseeing (Henrhyd falls, National Showcaves 10 mins and 2 mins away by car respectively!)  Thanks Craig-y-Nos!


5 stars May 2018:
What a place!
Myself and my husband have just returned home after a 2 night stay here with our two Staffies. The room was big yes it's basic but very clean which is the main thing. The staff were all so friendly and welcoming. The food was outstanding and even the dogs were given a sausage each for brekky. They provided us with dog beds whilst we were in the bar eating our meals. The grounds are outstanding allowing the dogs to roam and have a ball playing in the river. I would definitely recommend and will be returning we loved it.


5 starsMay 2018:
100% Dog Friendly
Stayed here last week and, wow, what an amazing dog friendly hotel. We stayed in room AB11 which was a ground floor room with doors that opened onto a lovely courtyard. The staff were all extremely dog friendly and our dog was allowed to walk off lead throughout the grounds. Our dog was made to feel welcome within the bar area. One small complaint, and this may not apply to everyone, the room was cold in the evenings until the heating came on around 9 pm. However, saying that will definitely return and will recommend to anyone looking for dog friendly accommodation. Well done Craig Y Nos you definitely made a lasting impression.


5 stars May 2018:
Red letter experience
We were given a red letter experience as a gift from family at Christmas and booked it up back in January. We stayed here for the night last friday. Our room was lovely and clean and the bathroom was beautiful! We had a look around the castle and the national park adjacent to the castle is stunning. All the staff at the castle were friendly and helpful and we ended up tagging on to the ghost hunt friday night which was an experience! It was great to see more of the castle that you don't see normally. We had breakfast included in our stay which there was a good variety and plentiful. We paid for a 2 course meal each for the evening which we thought was reasonably priced and the food was delicious. We also loved the old resident cat fluffy who is super friendly and cute. We would recommend staying here.


5 stars April 2018:
Remarkable stay
Fantastic food, friendly employees, plenty of dogs and an extremely comfy bed. Special mentions go to Patricia, Chloe, the ever-buzzing welsh lady who with dark hair (the one who barrates the 17 year old cat for begging for milk) and the Scouse chef with the tattoos.


5 stars April 2019:
Very enjoyable stay
My daughter and I stayed overnight having booked the ghost hunt. No luck with the ghosts ! But had a lovely time. Room was clean and spacious. We both had a delicious 3 course meal. Service was really quick, food presentation was great and tasted as good as it looked. Wide range of English breakfast along with very tasty Welsh cakes and plenty of tea and coffee. I cannot fault food or the service. Had a brilliant time and the ghost and tour were great. Very interesting learning about the history of Craig y nos. The castle is set in the most beautiful surroundings. Would definitely love to go back for a return visit.


5 stars May 2018:
Amazing hotel, 100% dog friendly.
This is one of my favourite hotels. It is full of character and splendour having been the home of an Italian opera star. It is set with the idyllic backdrop of the Craig y Nos Country Park. The staff and attentive and friendly and the food is delicious. On our last stay we met a lady who was at a wedding there and she told us that it was her 43rd visit. This does not surprise me as we will return.


5 stars May 2018:
The best dog friendly hotel.
The room was lovely we had a back door so you could take your dogs for a walk around the grounds, stunning views and a beautiful location. Breakfast was great, being a vegatarian there was still plenty for me, and the dogs were treated to sausages every morning. Staff very friendly and helpful. The evening meals were a bit pricey so be prepared to eat some where else, that was my only downside.


5 stars April 2018:
Historical architecture
Beautiful castle hotel with country park garden.full of history and book weddings there also.Romantic breaks for couples in the hotel.Great for family day out in the surrounding park lands and places close by for family activities.


4 stars March 2018:
Picturesque scenery
Stayed here for one night. Nice appearance on arrival.Lovely walks.Our room was in the courtyard, very quiet. Room clean with good disabled shower, beds comfy. Kelly,Gwen + Chloe were very informative about the History of the castle, which was very interesting. Breakfast I feel was abit of a let down due to it being a buffet Breakfast. Had no choice of eggs just fried. Really like the overall experience of our stay but breakfast let it down. My family bought us a 1 night stay with Groupon. Would NOT have paid full price! Sorry

Response from MichaelLudwig, Manager at Craig-y-Nos Castle Responded 17 Mar 2018 Thank you for your positive comments, along with great comments about ours staff. With breakfast depending on the number of guests we either cook to order or we serve a hot and cold buffet breakfast, although i am unsure why there was no other choice of eggs as i have often seen scrambled eggs being served, so will speak to our kitchen and FOH staff to ensure that there is a choice.
I am glad that overall you liked the Castle, we do offer some great deals especially when staying 2 nights or more. Best Wishes M!chael


5 stars March 2018:
Lovely weekend in the Brecon Beacons
I loved this castle! Due to the snow and bad weather conditions we arrived very early but the staff was lovely and they let us check in earlier. Our room (nr 28) was very clean and cosy. The bathroom was really beautiful! I loved the vintage bathtub. The food was outstanding (We are very fussy when it comes to food)!!! There are so many things to do around the castle and the staff is always there to help.


4 stars March 2018:
A thoroughly enjoyable stay
Lovely old hotel. Very friendly staff. Amazing location. Hotel is dated but lovely. Accommodation was lovely. Breakfast was !ovely. Dinner was tasty and cooked and served beautifully. Credit to the Chef. A special thank you to Kath who was very personable, helpful and lovely. I would most definitely stay here again. Thank you to all the staff for all your care and hard work.


5 stars March 2018:
two days at craig y nos
arrived at a hotel with a difference, old, quirky ,friendly and with gobsmacking scenery. Very clean, quiet and airy room with excellent bathroom. Evening meal was of very high quality at a very reasonable price. If you have a dog then it will be totally spoilt by the staff(mine got a plate of bacon for breakfast) and be in doggy heaven as the walks are to die for as the hotel is in the middle of the Brecon Beacons park. If you are looking for something completely different,then you will not be disappointed here.


5 stars March 2018:
Craig-y-nos castle
Just come back from Wales stayed in the beacon beacon in a most mistickle and absolutely charming castle what an absolute treat l have been all over the world and have never come across such friendly and wonderful stuff they went out of there way to make our stay a very special one l will definitely tell my friends and family what a marvellous hidden secret steeped with history Madame Adelina Patti great opera singer who bought the castle and made it magical Craig-y-nos highly recommend to stay in this wonderful place and thanks once again from Cath for the amazing tour guide and her husband who also when out of his way to make our stay so memorable


5 stars March 2018:
4th visit, as good as ever
Had another 3 night break at the castle and thoroughly enjoyed it. We arrived on the Sunday and had an evening meal which unfortunately was disappointing due to a problem with one of the mains. However the problem was professionally dealt with by Emily. We ate there the following night and it was perfect. All the breakfasts were plentiful with good choice. The added bonus was the light snow on our last full day which emphasised the beauty of the location, and we spent the evenings in front of the cosy log fires with attentive bar staff and great company. Although the building was chilli, ( impossible to heat effectively and cost wise) the bedrooms were warm as toast. If you are a walker, please try the local llan y fan fach, pics attached, quite difficult but very rewarding,, Michael, please do more Groupon lol!!!


5 stars Feb 2018:
Excellent value for money and customer service in lovely old castle
I stayed here with my partner and dog for 3 nights over Valentines Day and had a lovely, lovely time! When I booked over the phone (only a few days before our stay) the member of staff I spoke to was friendly and helpful. This continued throughout our whole stay - all the staff were so friendly and courteous. Special mention to the lady who works behind the bar who gave Cyril his breakfast sausages! Always greeted us with a smile and was happy to have a little chat (and Cyril with a cwtch). Its a very dog friendly place - Cyril ate with us in the bar one evening and sat with us in the lovely lounge area whilst we caught up on a bit of work. The country park is great for walking around. Very nice and peaceful. Lots of lovely nearby walks.

We stayed in an out building and had our room upgraded to a family room which was a nice surprise! It was a bit rough around the edges, but has everything you need and it really did feel like a home away from home. Everywhere has a really nice, relaxed vibe. We didn't get to do the history tour, but will definitely come back sometime to have a nose around the castle. It really is an amazing, beautiful building. Walking out the front back to our room in the evening with the twinkly fairy lights and fountain and blanket of stars in the sky was really quite magical! Breakfast was a good hearty buffet with cooked / continental options.. Our evening meal the night we stayed in was delicious! We went to the Penycae Inn another night which was seriously good!! All in all a lovely few days. We will definitely be coming back and are recommending to all our family and friends. Thank you to everyone for making our stay such an enjoyable one.


5 stars Feb 2018:
Excellent hotel
A most enjoyable stay, loads of walking in the area plus places to visit, the bonus was the weather was kind, a little chilly but that is expected in the middle of winter. The staff were all very friendly and one in particular ...... Kathrine, did an excellent tour of the main building...... thank you.


5 stars Feb 2018:
feel like u have money
A 2 day visit.good place to visit where staff r helpful and down to earth. this is a dog friendly place although we had no dog . the animals that were visiting were on their best behaviour. the building itself is lovely the building being so old is likely to have expected creaky floors which adds to the ambiance. the buffet breakfast is great and plentiful. the only criticism I have with my stay is that they don't cater to vegies. Not a major problem as there is a local pub nearby called I think a name with either British or English in the name. however the food was delicious and well worth a visit.

Response from MichaelLudwig, Manager at Craig-y-Nos Castle Responded 2 Mar 2018 Thank you for your comments, it is great to hear that you found the Castle suitable for non dog owners too and that you found the breakfast of good quality. I am concerned to read of the comments regarding vegetarian options as we do have these on our menus not least are always able to assist with different menu choices. I am glad overall you enjoyed. Best Wishes, M!chael


4 stars Feb 2018:
Beautiful castle and lovely surroundings
I really enjoyed our stay at the Craig Y Nos Castle. We stayed for one night in February so we could walk the Pen Y Fan mountain. We had a lovely room, very warm which was lovely in February, and clean. Room had a large T.V and DVD player we took along a DVD to watch once we had had dinner. We had dinner at the hotel and although it wasn't a huge menu, the food was very nice and very 'large' also. Drinks were reasonably priced and the small restaurant had a lovely ambience. Breakfast was included in our stay and again, very nice selection of hot food and also a continental style selection. I also rate the breakfast times of 8am-10am. It was nice to be able to lie in and not worry about missing breakfast. The hotel itself is absolutely gorgeous, very charming and looks to of retained many of its original features. It had lots of nooks and cranny's that were fascinating to looks at. It was nice to walk around the hotel and had lots of space too relax in a sitting room, next to a T.V room. I would definitely stay here again. Staff were friendly and the room was warm which is rare for an older building. Only downside is the shower, our bathroom had a very poor flow but this was to be expected in an older building. There was mould in the shower door seal which wasn't nice to look at but it didn't affect our stay, we just made sure not to touch it. Overall, lovely hotel, lovely stay and we would definitely go back.

Response from MichaelLudwig, Manager at Craig-y-Nos Castle Responded 17 Feb 2018 Thank you for your great feedback. It is good to hear that you found the room to your liking both in size and facilities. It is good to hear that you found our large portions to be cooked well. Your comments about our staff are pleasing. With regards to the room, i would think that it was more a new sealant is required and will have our housekeeping and maintenance look into this.
Regard,s M!chael


4 stars Feb 2018:
two night bed and breakfast mid week break
Very friendly welcoming hotel fascinating history beautiful grounds and scenery all around. Our dog Charlie had a wonderful time and was welcome everywhere except dining room. We ate excellent food in the bar with log burner more than happy to visit again.


5 stars Feb 2018: Beautiful Castle
The hotel is an old gothic style castle with lots of character in beautiful surroundings. The Missis and I had a mid-week stay so that we could do a bit walking. It has a lot of amazing walks on its door step so we were not disappointed. We also spent a lot of time just exploring the castle and its grounds. There’s lots of history and the hotel puts on tours if you are interested in learning more about it. After coming in from the snow there is nothing nicer that sitting down in front of a roaring log fire and having a drink. The staff we attentive and friendly and the rooms clean fresh and comfortable. I would definitely recommend and will be visiting again


5 stars Feb 2018: Wow! Just wow!
We’ve just got back from our stay here and what a wonderfully wonderful place to stay. We booked through groupon (I kept it a secret for my husbands birthday) he’s always a bit dubious about groupon deals. We originally booked for the beginning of Feb but due to my son being unwell we had to switch dates which was incredibly helpful and much appreciated. All communication with reception throughout the booking process was helpful and when they were busy they rang me back in a timely manner.

We arrived early at 2pm and check in is 3pm that really isn’t a problem as there is a lovely little cafe just a short walk away. Or we could’ve sat in the bar. I had asked where we could get coffee and the lady gave us the directions for the bakery. (Side note the welsh cakes in this bakery are delicious! Omg they are beautiful! I had a Viennese one and it was just beautiful not slimming world friendly but still totally worth having!!!) we grabbed a tea and coffee and went on a mini adventure around the grounds it was a beautiful day and the scenery was just breath taking. The river is therapeutic and the views of the castle are so very pretty (perfect place to have a wedding however we are already married tried to convince my husband to renew our wedding vows but he wasn’t keen as we got married in 2014 😂)

After a little wander we went back up to the castle and went to reception to check in. Have to say that usually when we go away something tends to go wrong we never ever get upgraded if there is ever such a thing as being downgraded that’s usually what happens to us. When we got to reception the lady explained that there was an issue with our room and they had to move us. My heart sank. She walked us through the dining room past the theatre and up towards the back of the castle. We went upstairs and were shown to TFFF (theatre first floor flat) once through the door the lady pointed out the 2 bedrooms a kitchen and a bathroom WHAT???? Wow! The place was beautiful and such a pleasant surprise.
The bedrooms are clean (towels on beds) tv in each room as well as bed side tables the windows are really quite special (random I know) think we picked the wrong bedroom as the bed wasn’t particularly comfortable however the next morning we did notice the other bed was more comfortable. The kitchen is new and clean and the views from the kitchen are great. With people upstairs it can be loud with them walking back and forth nothing could be done about that it is what it is. The bathroom is wonderful the shower is so powerful and was hard to leave.

Food- we booked food at 7 but went to enjoy a drink downstairs before food. We went into the study/library where a lady was interviewing a young lady. Have to say if we didn’t live so far away it would certainly be somewhere I would love to work. The lady interviewing offered to put the fire on for us and made us very welcome it was so lovely to listen to the end of their conversation and the manager was checking the young lady had a lift home (how wonderful and thoughtful is that).

We had our drinks here then went through to our booking. The menu was limited there were 4 options for starters and around 8 for main. We wanted steak and chips for main but unfortunately they had run out. As we didn’t really like what was on the main options the lady offered to do a starter option and make it a main for us. We opted for the bbq chicken goujons for main. I had the halloumi fries for starter and my husband had the pate. Although we initially were disappointed there was no steak we have to say the food was......DELICIOUS!! Absolutely gorgeous just wow! We had an ice raspberry pavlova for dessert and a jam sponge both were beautiful I had the ice cream with the iced pavlova and it was so tasty. We ended the the night back in the library the bar was busier but we wanted a quiet space so that was perfect.

All staff are friendly and not because they “have” to be because they honestly come across like they enjoy their jobs.Today we had breakfast around 8 again can’t fault the food it was well set up and plenty of choice! We were so comfortable we had a leisurely breakfast. With plenty of time to spare before the tour. The tour started at 10.30 our tour guide was Kathy the tour lasted around an hour and a half and it was well worth the hour and a half it was so informative and we loved learning all about the history of the place and Kathy was very interactive and she is a wonderful people person. The tour in the derelict areas were spooky thankfully it was daylight as we are wimps! The only mini criticism I have and it’s very minor is that reception could’ve informed us where the dining area was etc instead of us having to ask.

We don’t have pets and this castle is very dog friendly if you don’t have pets like us and are in any way worried about there possibly being a doggy smell I can guarantee the castle is spotless and smells clean also dogs aren’t allowed in the dining area but are welcome everywhere else which was lovely. If you made it this far without falling asleep then well done 😂. Thank you to all as you made our stay fantastic and we will definitely book again and recommend to family and friends


5 stars Feb 2018:
Brilliant
Not only is The Craig-y-Nos Castle Dog Friendly, it is also people friendly, A wonderful venue with amazing rooms and lounges. I loved this place, thank you so much for an amazing weekend; We had a warm welcome, yummy breakfasts, lots of walks everything was perfect


5 stars Feb 2018:
Dinner, bed and breakfast
Fab hotel in a stunning setting! We had a three course meal, each course came out quickly, piping hot and delicious. The restaurant and bar staff were extremely attentive and friendly and could not do enough for us. We were upgraded for free to the bridal suit, which has a gorgeous roll top bath and large comfy bed! We had issues getting the TV to work but called to reception and someone was sent up immediately to fix it for us. Breakfast was a plentiful self service affair - hot and cold, fruit, yoghurt etc We enjoyed our visit so much that we have booked our wedding at Craig-y-nos for March 2019 and we cannot wait!


5 stars Feb 2018:
Great dog friendly break!!
A stunning looking hotel with great character and lots of interesting history! We were made to feel very welcome by all the staff who were friendly and helpful. Loved how dog friendly the place was with beds for the dogs to sit on at the bar and sausages for breakfast. The location of the hotel is very picturesque in the hills and next door to a country park which we loved walking through. We definitely will be returning. Thankyou


5 stars Feb 2018:
Valentine's Getaway 2018!
Stayed at this Castle in Brecon with my Partner on 7th February as a pre-warmer for Valentines Day... we stayed in one of the Courtyard rooms... Our room was very spacious indeed for the price we had paid... we had a Double Kingsize Bed & we had enough room for a single bed as well with plenty of ample room left over!!!!!!! the Bathroom was very spacious in size with disability shower access included... the Bar area was lovely & there was another seperate lounge area where you could take your drinks to relax in front of a Wooden Log Fire that burns brightly!!!!!!! there are nice touches all around the Castle with little chiming mantle clocks & other areas where you can sit down at a table & relax together... There's quite a Big white Conservatory for Weddings functions & many other special types of occasions with room for a Disco as well... There is a very large seated dining area also which cateres for these special occasions... the Castle itself is of Gothic style with a Big working water Fountain as you enter the main Carpark area at the entrance to the castle... a Big Clock Tower chimes during the day but not late at night... the Castle is haunted in certain areas & there's one room where the Paranormal activity is at it's highest & closed off to the general public... There's a lovely Verander seating area which overlooks the river & surrounding woodlands area... there is also ample seating area to sit out when the weather is good... Half of the Castle needs to be refurbished due to disrepair but these areas are closed off to the General Public until work can be carried out but it doesn't take anything away from the quality of your stay at the castle...


4 stars Jan 2018:
Atmospheric Castle Hotel complete with great country walks, an Opera Diva and ghosts.
We Spent two nights at this very special castle type hotel within the Brecon Beacon. This hotel was originally owned by the the World famous Opera singer Adelina Patti from the 19th century.. There are pictures of her all over the place and you clearly feel her diva spirit throughout the castle. There is even an opera house that she had custom to entertain her many prestigious and adoring fans, who made special trips to the castle to see and hear her preform. If you stay here you must have a tour with Katherine, a lovely local lady, who guided us thought the house with a passionate knowledge of Patti and the house. There is also a ghost tour which was quite interesting and fun. From a practical point of view, our room was quite nice. It was clean and the bathroom was the shower and bath ..and water was lovely and hot, which was much appreciated after a full day of our walks in the hills and valleys. The staff were friendly and helpful with tips on where to go for our walks. The food was good. There is lots of room for improvement ..especially in the communal lounges, but it didn't take away from our enjoyment and comfort, as we were mostly there to explore the Brecon beacon walks. A lovely hotel with lots of old world character and atmosphere.


5 stars Jan 2018:
Idyllic, beautiful, completely relaxing!!!
We stayed here for one night on a Wowcher deal. Despite arriving two hours before check in time we were able to check into our room straight away. The room was lovely with a stunning bathroom (room 21)!. We then went down to the bar area where we met the castle cat, Fluffy, who was curled up on one of the lovely Chesterfield sofas beside the roaring fire - bliss!! After one drink we enjoyed a long walk around the surrounding grounds, returning to the bar later and then had the most lovely evening meal in the restaurant there. Perfect!!! Our only disappointment was that guided tours of the castle are not done on a Saturday morning even though when I booked I was told there would be one at 10.30 - not to worry though as we will definitely be booking another stay at this beautiful castle later this year!!!


4 stars Jan 2018:
Lovely night
Just got back after spending a lovely night which was bought for us by our kids. Staff were really helpful and friendly, we ate at the restaurant and we both really enjoyed our food. Breakfast was superb with a large selection of juices, coffee, tea, cereal, croissants, welsh cakes and a full cooked breakfast. We did not take in any walks as the weather was not the best. All in all we both really enjoyed the little break away.


5 stars Feb 2018:
relaxing bliss
My husband , 7month old puppy and I were booked in as a birthday present . Room was lovely with a spacious shower room. Food was delicious and hot, the staff actually laid a birthday decorated table for me which I found touching.. Loved the dining room ,it was so in keeping of the time, with a lovely warm log burner.
Staff were amazing, efficient , knowledgeable about the castle ,especially the lovely South African lady.
Will definitely be returning later in the autumn. Thank you to the staff X


5 stars Jan 2018:
James Gaussen & Jess Earney
First time in Wales for a relaxing week away. From start to finish the staff made our break hassle free, enjoyable and welcoming. All our needs and requests were quickly and politely sorted every time. I strongly recommend eating dinner at the castle, excellent quality fairly priced and daily menu changes. I spent most evening's sat in front of an open fire with the dogs and a bottle or two of red, what more could you want. The local pubs are welcoming and friendly with local ales food and so on. Dogs are very welcome and the walks in the valleys can't be beaten. Definitely visiting again.


5 stars Jan 2018:
Christmas 2017
This was our second Christmas visit to Craig-y-Nos Castle. Having pre-booked our room last year, on arrival we checked in and had our room allocated. I was not completely satisfied with the room, but reception were more than helpful and re-allocated another room for us. The staff are lovely here - nothing is too much trouble. Obviously, this is a dog friendly hotel and our dogs love it. They get to enjoy breakfast and meal times with their hoomans. They even get their own sausages served at breakfast. Love the history of this building and the walks in the Country Park and surrounding areas. It was lovely to see snow this year up on the Brecon Beacons.


5 stars Jan 2018: so interesting
We had a very nice courtyard room.The grounds were lovely and the castle impressive. the guided tour by seamus was really interesting, he gave us so much information about Patti the opera singer. It really is worth going there. Breakfast was delicious. It's a fantastic place for weddings


5 stars Jan 2018: Amazing Break
We spent 4 nights here with our very large Newfoundland. Our accomadation was very good with plenty of room for our dog. Breakfast was great with 2 sausages for the dog every morning.The grounds are excellent with plenty of paths. The staff were brilliant and nothing was too much trouble, they went out of their way for us and our dog. I highly recommend Craig y Nos for a great break. We will be returning


5 stars Jan 2018:
Dog Heaven and not bad for humans either......
Beautiful, nestled below huge beautiful Brecon Beacons hillsides, waterfall walks not far away, off-lead Brecon parkland just next door so relaxing to have somewhere to take our dog for walks, and good runs. Fascinating history to the buildings, historical tour is well worth going on. The general atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There is always someone on hand if you need anything, however in general a 'hands-off' approach which was lovely - we felt very comfortable to just be there and do our own thing. (Personally I would go back for the bathroom alone.....Luxury!!!!) Food is good, breakfast was great, with a complimentary sausage for our dog which was very much enjoyed lol! Dogs welcome in the bar where we had some very fine local ale. Thank you for a wonderful stay ☺


5 stars: Jan 2018:
Coffee and History
We stopped here on a beautiful but cold afternoon for a hot cup of coffee to revive us. What a find, friendly staff and so very helpful giving us lots of information and letting us have a good look round this fascinating hotel with an amazing history so well worth the visit and to put the cherry on top a friendly puss cat called Fluffy who loves to get a fuss from everyone.


5 stars December 2017:
Christmas eve to boxing day
Perfect break with our greyhound. Plenty of choice for breakfast definitely something to please everyone, our dog enjoyed his sausages.christmas lunch was nice as was the evening buffet. Staff was friendly nothing was too much trouble. Lovely relaxing break made to feel so welcome especially our dog. Only problem was my dog couldn't manage getting down the stairs as he is big old and has a bad back which meant my husband had to carry him down. But to be fair room we stayed in wa clean and comfy and had everything you could want we booked very late (the last room) so cannot grumble. Our dog thoroughly enjoyed the stay and the walks would definetly book again.
Craig y Nos Castle Dog Friendly B&B
Enjoy a Homely Welcome and Friendly Service at Craig y Nos Castle
Copyright Dog Friendly Wales and Jack the Dog
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