Historic Training Base
Once home to Sir Edmund Hillary’s Everest preparation, bathed in mountaineering heritage.
Stay in a charming 1810 farmhouse near Snowdonia with breakfast, cozy rooms, and scenic trails — ideal for walkers and climbers.
Six signals to read the stay at a glance.
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Set deep within Snowdonia's Nant Gwynant valley, this 2-star stone farmhouse dates from 1810 and carries a unique legacy as Sir Edmund Hillary’s training base before conquering Everest in 1953. The ambiance reflects a blend of rustic historic charm and warm, relaxed hospitality rather than modern luxury, emphasized by its cozy rooms and welcoming public spaces full of climbing artifacts and memorabilia.
The onsite restaurant offers hearty full breakfasts and homestyle meals, making it an ideal base for travelers aiming to explore nearby hikes and climbs such as Snowdon Massif, Tryfan, and Crib Goch. For those seeking leisure, amenities include a games room, bar, sauna, and a private cold lake — perfect for refreshing after adventurous days.
Its location places guests just miles from popular villages like Capel Curig and Llanberis while providing free parking and reliable Wi-Fi. The hotel appeals especially to outdoor enthusiasts and families who want authentic surroundings combined with practical comforts.
Three signals that shape how this stay actually feels.
Once home to Sir Edmund Hillary’s Everest preparation, bathed in mountaineering heritage.
Close to iconic hikes with private lake and natural cold plunge spots for relaxation.
Friendly staff, communal spaces including games room and bar, with pet and family-friendly options.
Rooms, common spaces and the small details that shape the stay. Click any photo to view larger.
A snapshot of guest ratings and stories behind the stay.
“A truly unique stay. A warm and welcoming stay in a beautiful old building. About as far from a sterile hotel chain as you can get. Full of character and a wonderful team of staff. Ideal location and a cold pond perfect to revitalise the legs after hiking Snowdon! Thank you so much for your hospitality. It was a weekend I’ll never forget.”
“A really friendly and loverly hotel, staff are very nice and helpful. Beautiful building very old lots of rooms and reception rooms and a games room. Its a very safe atmosphere and all the other guests are super friendly. Their is a small bar but plenty of different rooms to sit and drink it in. Interesting pictures and artifacts for the climbers like boots etc. The breakfast was good in the dinning hall to which you are given notice via a large gong to service. I would not hesitate in recommending this hotel to anyone. It was the best accommodation we stayin over our 4 different nights. It was right at the start or ending of the Pen Y Pass depending on the direction you are coming from. We came via motorcycles but plenty of parking for residents. Their is a sauna which we arrived a little to late for as after 8pm. A drying room for your clothes, four different bathrooms and two toilets. A pool table, table tennis and darts games room.”
“Used to stay at this hotel many a year back in the 1990's. I would stop overnight eat lamb chops and some sticky toffee pudding, and then run Crib Goch to Snowdon and do the horseshoe and back to for an overnight, a sauna and a jump in the cold lake. Went recently and it still had a similar charm. Fab days...”
“Fantastic place if you like your mountains. Rooms are basic in facilities but very clean and in keeping with the feel of the hotel being authentic and not flash. Food was fab, good portions, loads of veggies and the sticky toffee pudding definitely sticks to the ribs! All cooked in the kitchen and not prepackaged like in other hotels. Lovely staff too, very friendly and attentive. Well worth popping in for a drink if you don’t have the time to stay”
“First class location - this is THE place to stay if you are planning a trip to Snowden. Steeped in history and what a fanatsic team and service :) Will 100% return”
“Room are simple, location great. Breakfast fantastic. Lots of activitied inside, pool tables, games room, reading lounge for bad weather days. No far walk to Pen y Pass”
Everything available — and what isn’t — across the property.
Where the hotel sits — and what travelers can reach nearby.
Practical details to know before you check in.
Check-in from 12:00; Check-out by 10:00
Phone: +44 1286 870211
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout
Free onsite parking available for guests
Pets allowed with prior notice
Entire property is smoke-free
Kid-friendly amenities and environment
Full breakfast served onsite daily
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