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3-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 10:00

Lion Hotel

Bright rooms in an 18th-century house near Criccieth Beach and Castle. Enjoy a traditional restaurant, cosy bar, free breakfast, and LGBTQ+ friendly amenities.

High St, Y Maes, Criccieth LL52 0AA, United Kingdom View on map
8.8/10
Very Good Based on 582 recent guest reviews
What recent guests emphasize

Lion Hotel

Bright, cosy rooms in a charming 18th-century building, complemented by excellent traditional food and a welcoming atmosphere near Criccieth’s beach and attractions.

Guests often praise

  • The exceptional quality and flavour of the food, especially the butter chicken and home-cooked Indian dishes prepared by talented chefs.
  • The warm, cosy atmosphere with welcoming and helpful staff providing attentive service.
  • The comfortable and well-appointed rooms featuring good pillows and heating, creating a homely feel.
  • The lively bar and pleasant seating areas near reception, offering a great place to relax and socialize.
  • The excellent location within walking distance to local sights, the beach, and train station.

Worth knowing

  • Some rooms have an older decor and limited charging points; bringing a USB adapter is recommended.
  • Shower water pressure may be weak, although water temperature is consistently hot.
  • The TV size in rooms can be small but is not a major concern for most guests.
  • Breakfast offers a variety of options including fruit, yogurt, and a full Welsh breakfast, which guests appreciate.
  • The hotel is LGBTQ+ friendly, creating an inclusive environment for diverse travelers.

Best for

  • Travelers seeking a charming, family-run hotel with character and historic charm.
  • Guests who enjoy authentic, high-quality Indian cuisine alongside traditional British meals.
  • Visitors wanting a convenient base near Criccieth Beach, the train station, and local landmarks.
  • People looking for a friendly, welcoming place to relax with a good bar and communal areas.
  • LGBTQ+ travelers seeking a respectful and inclusive accommodation option.
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About this property

Welcome to Lion Hotel

Located on High Street in the coastal town of Criccieth, the Lion Hotel is set within an 18th-century building offering bright and comfortable rooms. This family-run hotel features a cosy bar, a traditional restaurant serving well-reviewed dishes including notable butter chicken, and a free breakfast that guests frequently praise for its warmth and quality. The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive, proudly LGBTQ+ friendly, appealing to a diverse range of visitors.

The hotel's location is practical for those exploring the local area, situated just a few minutes on foot from the Criccieth train station, the beach, and the medieval Criccieth Castle. Nearby dining options include the highly rated Spice Bank Indian restaurant, adding further variety for guests interested in South Asian cuisine. Visitors have noted the helpful and attentive staff, who contribute to a homely and relaxed environment in common areas such as the reception and bar.

Guest feedback highlights the food quality and friendly service as strong points, particularly the effort put into customized meals and the culinary skill of the kitchen team. Rooms are described as cosy, with comfortable beds and good heating, though some mention occasional drawbacks such as smaller televisions or modest bathroom facilities. Overall, the Lion Hotel presents a solid choice for travellers seeking traditional accommodation with straightforward amenities in a convenient setting.

With a solid 4.4 rating from over 500 reviews, this hotel suits visitors looking for a casual, welcoming base in Criccieth, especially those who appreciate locally inspired comfort and a focus on food. Its proximity to local attractions and other well-regarded accommodations makes it a practical option for exploring the region while enjoying familiar, home-style hospitality.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

RM
Richard Mann Mar 30, 2026
10

Another great stay at the Lion, the Chef Subhro is amazing. The food is very good. He recommended the butter chicken and this didnt disappoint. First class food. The hotel is in a superb location, staff are very helpful, rooms are warm/cosy, and finally the pillows are so good. For the money, you can't go wrong.

SB
Sandra Burnett Mar 10, 2026
10

Just enjoyed a delicious butter chicken. Hubbie had fish and chips and our grandson enjoyed chicken goujons. Both were delighted with their meals and the chips I pinched were amazingly crisp. 10/10. Lovely warm and welcoming atmosphere.

TT
Trevor Turner Mar 09, 2026
10

Visit with my wife, 2 nights this week. Room was excellent, food (evening meals and breakfasts) were very good, all of the staff were efficient, polite and exceptionally helpful The bar was very good with inexpensive drinks. The reception area provided a homely place to relax. An excellent location for visits to Caernarfon and the Llyn peninsula. Overall this hotel is excellent.

ABU
Abhinav Basavaraj Umbarje Feb 19, 2026
10

Our New Year stay at the Lion Hotel was truly unforgettable thanks to their incredible hospitality. They went above and beyond to accommodate our special request for an authentic Indian feast during the busy festive period. ​A huge thank you to Chef Noorshek and Subhro, who are absolute masters in the kitchen. They whipped up an amazing spread of rich Butter Chicken, flavorful Tarka Dal, rice, and fresh salad. Every dish was seasoned to perfection and tasted like a high-end home-cooked meal. ​It is rare to find a team so willing to customize their service with such warmth and professional grace. The culinary excellence and attentive service made our celebration feel incredibly special and personal. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to ring in the New Year. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a hotel that treats guests like family!

MC
Michael Cook Feb 17, 2026
10

Great hotel to stay at!!. We used booking.com and got a brilliant price. Staff were really friendly and helpful..Bar is brilliant to grab some pints and relax watching the football etc. Hotel has nice seating area's near the reception and the food is absolutely spot on. We will be returning very soon..

M
Mursleen Jan 24, 2026
10

Chef Subhro prepared excellent food during my stay. Every dish was tasty, well presented, and made with great care. His tea was also fantastic and really added to the experience. A talented and friendly chef who is a real asset to the Lion Hotel.

JS
Jo Simpson Jan 03, 2026
10

A gem of a hotel. We were welcomed by a lovely reception area with a fireplace, sofas, and a TV. There was a nice, spacious dining area and a bar, also with a TV showing sports. We really enjoyed our breakfast of fruit and yogurt, followed by a full Welsh breakfast. The evening meals looked delicious. We spent a pleasant evening in the bar and met some lovely locals. Our room was quirky, on the top floor with a lovely view. We had everything we needed. The beds were comfy with good quality pillows and duvets. The shower didn't have great water pressure but was hot and did the job. The whole hotel was lovely and warm. We had such a lovely time in Criccieth. Our only regret was not staying longer! We will definitely be back to stay here again.

CE
Charlestaylor906@yahoo.co.uk Esmeralda Dec 24, 2025
10

Lovely hotel nothing special got what I paid for went for 2 days the room was a bit outdated but the bathroom and toilet has just been tiled take a USB plug with you as there are no ports to charge your phone up brekkie was nice and hot the other thing is the tele is a bit small but didn't watch that much of it anyway

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Lion Hotel

Criccieth, United Kingdom

Set in an 18th-century house, this casual, family-run hotel is a 4-minute walk from the nearest train station, a 5-minute walk from Criccieth Beach and an 8-minute walk from the medieval Criccieth Castle.

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