Harden's survey result
Summary
“So decadent and romantic, with its dark wood stairs, thick squishy carpet as you tiptoe to dinner and heavy swishy curtains framing idyllic views to the garden” – this Relais & Chateaux property near the banks of the Dee and with views of Eryri National Park can claim both Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria as past guests and was originally built as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Westminster. Curiously, it has struggled a little over the last few years to attract reports in our annual diners’ poll, or other awards (there was a Michelin Green Star in 2021) all of which looks potentially set to change since the 2024 purchase by Anthony Cooper-Barney and his wife Donna. Having announced in May 2025 the recruitment of Edward Marsh as Head Chef they followed up with the coup of attracting star name, Luke Selby who will also join in 2026 after Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons closes for refurbishment. The main dining venue here is the Henry Robertson Dining Room, four- and six-course tasting menus are currently served. Given such upheavals after our annual diners’ poll had concluded, we have, for the time being, left it un-rated.
Summary
“Impressive surroundings” and very acceptable (“if not quite outstanding”) cuisine feature in reports on this Relais & Chateaux property: a grand former hunting lodge once owned by the Duke of Westminster, rurally located on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. But change is afoot, so we’ve left it un-rated as in mid 2024, Anthony & Donna Barney purchased the hotel, planning to add a new spa and dining room. So we are watching this space.
Summary
On the edge of Snowdonia National Park, this Relais & Châteaux property occupies a former hunting lodge once owned by the Duke of Westminster, and was relaunched in 2016 as a luxury hotel. Its culinary ambitions have always run high, and were underpinned in May 2023 with the recruitment of Sam Griffths (Welsh Chef of the Year 2021) as their new head chef; Gareth Stevenson who had run the kitchen here since opening is stepping back. Griffiths was formerly the executive sous chef in The Chester Grosvenor’s restaurant Arkle.
Summary
“What joy to return to Palé Hall, and their standards of welcome, service, presentation and flavour”. If this plush Relais & Châteaux property (the Duke of Westminster’s former hunting lodge) near the River Dee was not stuck out in the sticks of North Wales, it would likely be much better known. Chef Gareth Stevenson offers a five-course or eight-course menu that receives limited but exceptional feedback in our annual diners’ poll. Another attraction here is the afternoon tea: “a fine variety, beautifully set and well-served. A treat indeed. Unhurried and unstinting. Well done!”
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Pale Hall Hotel Restaurant?
Pale Estate, Llandderfel, Bala, LL23 7PS
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Pale Estate, Llandderfel, Bala, LL23 7PS
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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