Press and customer reviews
Financial Times - Remembering the Everest Expedition
May 3 2013“In the lee of Snowdon (Eryri to the Welsh) stands the inn Pen-y-Gwryd (PYG to generations of climbers), and here I have come to think about Mount Everest (Chomolungma to the Sherpas). Sixty years ago this month, that greatest of all mountains was climbed for the first time, by the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition, and most of the expedition’s climbers had cherished memories of PYG.” Read more...
Daily Telegraph - Wales Pub Guide
October 9 2008“The Pen-y-Gwryd has a timeless feel that rewards both the casual passer-by and the dedicated alpinist with a refuge from the maddening world.” Read more...
Sunday Telegraph - Insiders' Guide
January 28 2007“A national treasure, in the same family since 1947, this delightfully eccentric climbing inn has changed mercifully little over the years and offers simple pleasures in abundance. After a day spent walking in Snowdonia, come home to a sauna in the garden followed by a dip in the natural pool, then a hearty dinner announced by a gong and a night in one of the plain, spotless bedrooms, with no frills except fluffy towels, monogrammed linen and a decent bar of Imperial Leather soap.”
TGO Magazine - Pub of the Month
June 2010“If ever an inn deserved the prefix 'legendary', it's surely the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel. In mountaineering circles, it's significance is unsurpassed.”
Sunday Times Travel Magazine - Six of the best Country Pubs with Rooms
June 2009“This curiosity in North Wales is one of those half-mythical inns you find only in mountain country.”
The Observer - Why I Love... The Pen-Y-Gwryd Hotel, Snowdonia
October 7 2007“In the age of the pillow menu, when most hotels subject you to a tyranny of choice, such intransigence over meal times might seem anachronistic, but it's this hotel's refusal to move with the times that makes it so unique, and my all-time favourite. ” Read more...
Telegraph - Nepal: From a molehill to the world's highest peak
May 25 2003“The PYG was a magnet for climbers long before 1953. A hotel since the mid-19th century, it sits on the site of a Roman marching camp. The hotel's then owner, Chris Briggs, was like an extra member of Hunt's team and, as such, had better reason than most to celebrate Hillary and Tenzing's success. When news of their ascent of Everest arrived at 1am on June 2 Briggs woke his guests, insisting that anyone not in the bar with a glass of Champagne to hand within 10 minutes would be thrown out the following morning.” Read more...
Trip Advisor - AngelbabyLondon
April 5 2010“We have just returned from a fantastic 6 night stay and cannot rate the Pen Y Gwryd highly enough. The staff are truly superb (Rupert and Nick do a terrific job and really do care about their guests) nothing is too much trouble - and the food is wonderful and very fitting after a long day on the hill. For someone not to enjoy a stay here means that they have missed the whole point. The history is unique (checkout the ceiling in the Everest Room) and the Everest 1953 memorabilia in the residents bar. The rooms are extremely cosy and clean, although we usually stay in an en-suite room I can highly recommend the wonderful victorian bathroom which is for the use of residents staying in a room without a bath. We were fortunate to be snowed in for a day during our stay and Rupert took such good care of us keeping the log fire in the lounge going and making sure we were comfortable....what more can you ask for!! Really looking forward to a return visit soon.”