In a new series So, Is It Worth It? our travel experts put experiences to the test to see if they’re really worth your time and money. This week, we’re checking into a spa hotel after climbing the highest mountain in England and Wales.
As someone whose experience of outdoor pursuits did not extend beyond a failed attempt at bouldering at uni, I was suitably terrified about climbing Snowdon, the giant that towers some 1,085m above North Wales with dramatic peaks and glacial lakes.
Yet somehow, even without trail shoes and with my sunglasses stuck to my face the entire time, I made it to the top.
The fact that I had a spa hotel waiting for me at the end of the five-and-a-half-hour round-trip was my only motivator.
At a cool £360 per night, Bodysgallen Hall doesn’t come cheap. But I was here to see if it’s worth splashing out on a bit of luxury after doing something adventurous.
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That’s because wellness-focused holidays are set to be one of the biggest travel trends for 2026.
Tour companies are already reporting a rise in bookings for treks, yoga and meditation retreats, and experiences such as volcano climbs and kayaking.
All in the name of research, I checked in.
How my stay at Bodysgallen really went
After walking for almost six hours, my head was pounding, my legs were shaking, and my spirit was well and truly shattered.
I had been wowed by the view of Llyn Llydaw, delighted by the foothills of Crib Goch and humbled by the final stone steps, which felt like a sick joke to my burning thighs.
Now, it was time to relax.
Making it to Llandundo on the coast of North Wales, about 40 minutes from the Pyg track, I was greeted by the sheep who call Bodysgallen’s 200-acre meadows and parkland their home.
As soon as I saw the warm-stone manor coming into view, I felt embarrassed to be so sweaty and dishevelled in a place that looked so grand.
Bodysgallen enjoys an enviable perch on Pydew Mountain and some of the finest views in this part of Wales.
The house was built over 600 years ago – the oldest part being the circa 16th-century tower, which can be reached by a spiral staircase and is said to have been built as a lookout for Conwy Castle.
The reception is an inviting sight: a roaring fire with guests lounging on velvet sofas, drinks in hand and perfectly relaxed against the dark oak panelled walls. My limbs were aching to join them.
Bags spirited away by an attentive porter, I settled into the Superior Snowdonia View Conwy suite, which – like the other bedrooms – is decorated just as a country manor ought to be.
Elegant and classic in an old-fashioned way,it has a king-sized bed and a large tub where I soaked my aches away.
I headed downstairs in a different outfit than I had planned; the Grade 2 listed property couldn’t handle irons, and I refused to pay £4 to have my shirt pressed.
After a pitstop for a white wine spritzer at the bar, I noticed that, unusually, there was no music.
In any other case, I would probably have found the silence unsettling, but the quiet ambience was just what I needed after a long day on Snowdon.
The food at Bodysgallen is sumptuous and generously portioned. I can personally attest that the salmon and roasted vegetables, with a blackcurrant sorbet to finish, is a meal you’ll remember.
It’s worth noting that the restaurant has a smart dress code, and the lack of music can make the experience feel stiff, at times.
The next morning, I woke to a magnificent view of the Mountains of Snowdonia through the suite windows.
The morning got off to a good start, with a high-brow Full English (and ketchup from a silver dish…), and then it was time for the main event.
On paper, the spa has all the basics you would want: an indoor pool big enough to swim laps in, a hot tub, a steam room, sauna and gym.
It offers treatments, including soothing massages and facials performed with Aromatherapy Associated skincare products, but nothing truly special.
I was glad of the sauna and steam room, which relieved the muscle tension of the day before, but the spa could do with a few extras, such as a plunge pool.
I also had a facial, and the aromatic oils cleared a lingering headache that hadn’t subsided since the climb. For the privilege, it’s £83 for a 50-minute treatment, and an extra £105 to use the spa for two hours before.
The remainder of the day was spent enjoying afternoon tea (the chicken sandwiches and scones were the highlight) and wandering the gardens, which have walled rose and herb gardens, and a croquet lawn that must be great fun in summer.
A walk around the gardens felt like a reset for body and mind. Expecting perfectly preened bushes, I was surprised by garden’s rugged charm.
Would I recommend it?
Bodysgallen Spa Hotel had everything that’s needed to rest, recharge and revitalise after an active day of 26,000 steps.
The standouts were the food, especially breakfast, the bed, and the charming, old-world luxury vibe.
However, there wasn’t anything remarkable that you wouldn’t be able to find in another (perhaps more modern) spa hotel, for cheaper.
Would I splash out on luxury digs after roughing it? Yes. But next time, I’ll be looking for something that offers a bit more for my money.
