The definition of a 'hotel' these days can be a little confusing. Certainly you can be assured of reception service and extras such as in-house bars. It's the extras that can vary considerably, for example in a top luxury 5 star hotel in Cardiff you can expect numerous extras such as free shuttle services to Cardiff Airport, in-house superb restaurant, leisure facilities and more. Some pubs, inns and B&B type accommodations also describe themselves as hotels
At the top end, Wales luxury hotels are some of the UK's finest, and you'll find these across Wales from luxury spa and leisure hotels in Llandudno to romantic luxury retreats on Anglesey. Other notable luxury Wales locations include Portmeirion, St David's, Tenby, the Gower, Harlech and Brecons.
Central Cardiff and Cardiff Bay choice of hotels are superb (if not cheap). All types of Wales hotels here, from stunning town house hotels with original features, antiques and individual service, to designer large leisure hotels with cutting edge leisure facilities and luxury service, combined with extensive conference facilities.
Wales hotels come in all shapes, sizes, designs and prices. For small Wales hotels look to the main town or city centres for chic town house hotels in Cardiff, Swansea, the Brecon Border towns, and the stylish seaside resorts of Llandudno, Tenby, Conwy and Aberystwyth. Plenty of character small Wales hotels too around the Wye Valley, Mid Wales around the Brecon Beacons (particularly border towns such as Llandeilo) and in north Wales around Llangollen.
Large Wales Leisure hotels can be found in Cardiff city centre and at Cardiff Bay, but look too for an enormous choice of large country house hotels and historic castle hotels. Wales has an excellent choice of golf courses, and many of the larger Wales hotels offer themed golf breaks. Alongside this, devine hotels around the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia link in with walking themed breaks or outdoor activity breaks. Watch out for special offer deals out of season on these.
For some classic sea view hotels around the Wales coast, with reasonable budget prices, look to seaside holiday locations such as the North Wales Coast (Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Prestatyn), plus down on the Glamorgan Coast at Porthcawl.
Hotels inspected by the Wales Tourist Board are graded by Stars from One to Five, with Five representing Exceptional hotel accommodation, and One representing Fair to good quality hotel accommodation. There'll also be some indication of the style of Welsh hotel alongside the Star Grading, for example - town house hotel, country house hotel, spa leisure hotel and so on.
The Welsh Tourist Board (WTB) also recognises the grading Star and Diamond schems of both the RAC and the AA..