This village resort has been captivating visitors for 100 years with Italian-inspired architecture and palm trees that make you feel like you’re on a Mediterranean holiday
The village was inspired by the Mediterranean way of life (Image: ChrisHepburn via Getty Images)
If you’re dreaming of an Italian escape, it turns out you needn’t venture beyond British shores, as this private village resort nestled in Wales delivers that authentic ‘la dolce vita’ experience without the eye-watering cost of flights.
Deliberately designed to evoke a slice of paradise along the Welsh coastline, Portmeirion provides the perfect retreat, boasting a wealth of dining, drinking, shopping and breathtaking natural scenery to soak up.
Every carefully considered detail within the village is crafted to conjure the feeling of a Mediterranean haven, and it has continued to draw visitors in droves ever since its establishment in the 1920s.
Guests can stay for however long suits them, whether that’s simply popping in for a leisurely day-long stroll through its immaculately designed streets, or settling in for a longer break spanning several days. Indeed, many devoted visitors opt for an annual pass, granting them unlimited access throughout the year, weather permitting.
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When did it all begin?
The stunning Portmeirion sprang from the imagination of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, whose vision was to create a development that would complement and preserve the natural splendour of its surroundings.
His creation was constructed across two distinct phases — the first running from 1926 to 1939, and the second from 1954 to 1976.
By the time the project was complete, Clough was well into his 90s, and the vast majority of the buildings had been designed and constructed by him personally, with only a handful being relocated from elsewhere.
One such feature was the Town Hall, which was transported from the Bristol Colonnade.
Throughout his work, Clough showed a distinct fondness for Italian architectural styles, leading many to speculate that the Italian coastal town of Portofino served as his inspiration.
He firmly rejected these claims, however, insisting that he merely wished to ‘capture’ the atmosphere of the Mediterranean — and it’s safe to say he delivered on that ambition.
Despite its compact size, the village boasts an impressive array of styles and hidden gems, from its Riviera-inspired townhouses to the ornamental gardens and Italian-style piazzas scattered throughout.
Central to all of this is the grand Hotel Portmeirion and its accompanying village rooms, which provide private accommodation for the approximately 200,000 visitors who flock to the village each year.
One recent guest wrote on TripAdvisor: “As if straight out of cinque terre Italy! Buildings of unusual shapes sizes and colour everywhere you looked. Magnificent it really made you feel as if you’d stepped into another world.”
Where to stay
The Hotel Portmeirion was opened by Clough in 1926 as the centrepiece of the village, serving as the catalyst for his grand vision for the surrounding development.
Within its walls lies a complete world of its own, featuring 14 elegant bedrooms alongside a fine-dining restaurant and an impressive terrace and bar space.
The four-star hotel also features an open-air swimming pool situated on the estuary lawn. Rates for a double room for one night start at approximately £328 and can incorporate breakfast and dinner packages.
The village rooms are scattered throughout Portmeirion and cater for all types of groups, with family rooms on offer and ground-floor alternatives for accessibility requirements.
Every village room is individually crafted to be distinctive whilst maintaining that Mediterranean ambience, and all benefit from the picturesque views across the Dwyryd Estuary and beyond.
With magnificence at its heart, the village is also home to its own castle, Castell Deudraeth, which serves as a four-star residence that Clough described as “the largest and most imposing single building on the Portmeirion estate”.
Those opting not to stay but still wanting to sample the glitz and glamour of the castle can choose to dine at its own brasserie. There are also self-catering cottages on offer to rent in the village, alongside a motorhome park for caravans and campers.
Eating Out
Offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, the Castell Deudraeth Brasserie serves excellent food in a relaxed setting with stunning surroundings. One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “A lovely traditional conservatory-style restaurant, with prompt, friendly and efficient service, a good choice on the menu, reasonable prices and very tasty food.”
They added: “We enjoyed lamb shank, plaice, and pork T-bone main courses after fine starters, with good wine choice. The Castell is an impressive Victorian-built place, with an impressive fireplace and surround in the lounge area.”
The Hotel Portmeirion’s restaurant similarly features prominently amongst favourites, boasting over 500 excellent TripAdvisor reviews. Elsewhere, Caffi Glas proves a popular dining destination, with guests particularly taken by its alfresco seating arrangement, designed to evoke an Italian piazza complete with central fountain.
The open-air dining experience proves a hit with visitors seeking that holiday atmosphere, who relish the establishment’s freshly made pizzas, pasta dishes and salads. Complementing the food are delicious wines available by the glass alongside locally sourced, traditional Welsh beers – a fitting tribute to its Welsh location.
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