Gate House is one of several self-catering cottages available within Portmeirion village. It has one double bedroom and two single bedrooms upstairs together with one upstairs bathroom. Downstairs it has a kitchen/dining room, sitting room and bathroom with separate shower. Outside it has a private cliff-top patio and private parking. The cottage is let weekly, Friday to Friday and for short breaks (Friday to Monday; Monday to Friday).
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Stopped in The Gate House for a week in April for my fiancé's 50th Birthday. This is the second time we have stopped in Portmeirion (before we stopped 2 nights in Cliff House 2). Each time we have found all members of staff to be extremely efficient and helpful, in particular the staff on the entrance who always make you feel welcome, one of whom has been there for many years and it is always nice to see a familiar face.
The Gate House is spacious, clean and well furnished. Parking is right outside the front door. The views across the Estuary from the lounge, dining room and bedrooms are spectacular. Books on Portmeirion are left for you to read, well worth making the most of them as they would cost £25 each to buy and reading about the buildings makes you notice more as you are walking around the village.
Each bedroom is comfortably furnished and has its own wash basin. The main bedroom has large wardrobes which were apparently installed at the request of Brian Epstein who stopped there in the 1960's and a very comfy bed.
The only disadvantages were that the shower was completely useless and if we had known this beforehand I would have taken my own travel shower which fits on the taps. They really shouldn't market the property as having a shower when this clearly doesn't work. Also it was a problem not being able to control the heating. The heating was permanently on and in the lounge you could adjust the heaters but in the other rooms you couldn't access the controls. This was a particular problem in the dining room and main bedroom, both of which were permanently cold.
The kitchen was well equipped and it was a pleasure to be able to enjoy our meals in the dining room looking out over the Estuary. A small private patio area leads off the dining room although the trees are too high for you to be able to enjoy any views from there.
It is well worth going to the cafe next to the Town Hall for breakfast, served from 10.00 am. Food is freshly cooked to order and delicious and the staff soon got used to us going every day and knew what we wanted as soon as we walked in.
We had an evening meal both in the Hotel and the Castle. At the Castle the food and service were very good but at the Hotel they were extremely good. Next time we would give the Castle a miss and just go to the Hotel, the prices are roughly the same for both but the Hotel gives much better service and food. You can ring for the courtesy bus from your cottage to transport you to both and our bus arrived within a couple of minutes.
Portmerien is such a special place to stay that you really don't feel like leaving the village, especially if the weather is good and you can make the most of the wonderful woodland walks and enjoy the beach. If you do venture out Porthmadog is well worth a visit with a good selection of shops and the Ffestiniog Railway.
My finance loves photography and he was up at the crack of dawn on several mornings to make the most of having no-one around and get the best lighting on the buildings. It is also wonderful to be able to go for a night time walk around the village and seeing the buildings lit up and having the place virtually to yourself.
It is a wonderful place for your to escape and leave the real world behind for a short time.
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We have visited Portmeirion many times before, often as day visitors. We have stayed in several other self-catering cottages (and once in the Castell) but it has been a few years since our last stay. Much can happen over time, but we were pleased that the changes seemed for the better.
On arrived, we checked in at the Castell and were given our keys to the cottage. We were a bit early and the cottage was still being cleaned so we spoke to the lovely staff about the cottage - this is when we found out that the cottage had recently been refurbished (more later on this). We also found out that the cottage had a lovely garden at the side with great views.
So when we offloaded the luggage (reserved parking space immediately outside the door) and had a look around we were amazed. The cottage has been altered downstairs to accommodate a second bathroom with shower (really good!) and the massive dining room had become a kitchen/diner which is definitely a better use of space. All the kitchen appliances were brand new in a very tasteful set of fitted units, But the view from the dining room steals the show - we were lucky as the trees were not quite in full leaf, so we got an almost unobstructed view of the estuary. The lounge downstairs has now been fitted with a log-burner and plenty of logs/sticks were left. We didn't need to use it though, as the weather for the week was superb.
Upstairs, the bedrooms have been altered to give a bit more space, and the cottage can now sleep 5 people having two doubles and a single. The in-room sinks have been taken out (presumably as there is now a second bathroom) and the upstairs bathroom has been updated. Bedding and towels were premium hotel quality, and a lovely bar of L'Occitane soap was left on top of each pile of towels in the room. Definitely a 5* standard. The bedrooms were over the main path into the village (literally - Gate House is built on an arch) but we found that it was peaceful and tranquil at all times.
The whole cottage was scrupulously clean and had everything we could need. I would definitely recommend this for anyone staying in the area. A handful of other cottages have also had the makeover, so I imagine the others will follow suit.
With regard to the rest of the village, there have been a few changes since our last visit. The shops have moved around a bit, but at least Pot Jam remained where it was - it is great to stock up with lovely treats, and they also stock fresh bread and milk. There are more choices of cafes now, but the Town Hall is still our favoured choice.
The gardeners look as though they have been busy recently - lots of new planting, but also they have had to deal with the recent storms that have felled a number of the big trees in the grounds. All the paths seemed to be open and accessible. We took a walk around the woodland paths in the evenings, and there was hardly a soul to be seen. My recommendation is the path that runs along the back boundary wall to an amazing viewpoint at the extreme end of the grounds where you can see round the bay to Porthmadog and Borth y Gest,
In conclusion, this was a great place to stay and I definitely intend to return soon.
Be seeing you!
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Date of stay: April 2014
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is our second stay in Portmeirion Village. We stayed as part of our 25th Wedding Anniversary at the Gate House which straddles the main roadway into Portmeirion. One wouldn't normally say that such a location was peaceful and relaxing in August but it is....yes you can sit in the lounge with the doors open and can hear voices passing underneath but there is a sense of isolation and detachment in that fact. The rooms are all very comfortable and there is even a dishwasher in the well equipped kitchen which we didn't find until the second day...we had assumed there wasn't one as there wasn't in Chantry (I hope I didn't miss one there!) The main bedroom is extremely comfortable with a view to the Watchtower which is idyllic lit up at night and the wardrobes were designed? for Brian Epstein who use to stay there. The bathroom is rather small and you have to climb a couple of steps to reach it, ok in the daytime but at night in the dark with open plan stone stairs to the floor below a worry but remedied by leaving the night on all night. The bath is a good size but the shower attachment has no wall attachment in order to have a shower.
The spacious dining room overlooks the estuary and time just passes as you are mesmerized watching the tide going in or out. This room leads onto a secluded garden area where we enjoyed sitting, the view was excluded by the robust hedge but glimpses of the estuary were visible. This has since all been cut back and will presumably grow back providing privacy again but the 4ft high cleft chestnut fence looks rather spartan at the moment as well as possibly worrying to parents with children. Of course the village itself becomes deserted in comparison to the day after 7.30pm in the evening and before the village opens in the morning and there is a magical feeling to exploring and wandering around in the dark especially to the residents lawn when the moon is shining across the estuary.
Even in August there are parts of the woods where you will not encounter another person or land train if you venture onto the 'white paths'.Even the coastal walk can be nearly deserted as a lot of people seem to turn back just after White Horses rather than carrying on to the Lighthouse and the woods beyond.
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Date of stay: August 2012
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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I have just returned from a 3 day break at The Gate House and it was perfect! My partner arranged the trip as a special birthday treat for me and it truly exceeded our expectations. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and I must name David on the gate as a perfect gentleman who started our holiday with a level of professional and friendly service that I have rarely encountered! All the staff were wonderful in our stay! The house is perfect and cosy in winter...and the log burning stove with unlimited wood was great. The views are amazing and the variety of birds that visit the private terrace with views of the estuary increased our experience...I spent a lot of time trying to photograph them☺️ The house has all you need for a great self catering stay and every room was immaculate. We cannot wait to return ☺️👍
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Date of stay: November 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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We had stayed at the Gate House before, and although we'd like to try several of the other cottages, we decided to return here as it had recently been refurbished. Our last stay was in White Horses, which has also been refurbished since it was badly damaged by flooding from the sea just after our visit.
The changes to the Gate House have improved the two areas that used to let it down slightly, the kitchen was a bit small, and there was no shower.
The rather large dining room has been converted into a kitchen / diner, and the old kitchen is now a rather nice bathroom, with one of the best showers I've used for a long time (and better than the one I have at home).
Now that there are two bathrooms, the washbasins have been removed from the bedrooms, meaning that the two smaller rooms have more usable space. The middle sized room now has a double bed, and in the smaller room the bed has been turned through 90 degrees, which means that the door to the terrace can now be opened, and the terrace used. With it's double bed there isn't a lot room in the middle sized room, but that shouldn't be much of a problem. The main bedroom is a good size, and it has an excellent wardrobe, designed by Brian Epstein.
The kitchen is now spacious and well equipped, with microwave, toaster, dish washer, double oven, in fact pretty much everything you'll need.
The heating system is much better now, and there is a log burning fire in the lounge, with a huge supply of logs in the outhouse (be careful though, some of the logs are too big to fit in the fire safely).
There is WiFi throughout the cottage, with a TV and a DVD player in the lounge, along with lots of books.
There is a large space for car parking right outside the door, and that area is for residents only, so you won't be troubled by day visitors having access to your car.
The garden has now been paved over, but it didn't have a table or seating, something I suspect may be rectified by the time it's warm enough to sit outside.
All in all it was an enjoyable stay, and of course the stunning views over the estuary from every room make this particular cottage one of my favourites at Portmeirion.
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Date of stay: January 2015
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Portmeirion has many varied self catering cottages available, and details are on the Portmeirion...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Gate House at Portmeirion straddles the beginning of the path down to the village. I was surprised how few of the day visitors look up - although many people pass by they are mostly oblivious to your presence just above their heads. The cottage has been renovated recently and the photos and description on the website don't do it justice (sorry, I neglected to take any photos of the interior). There are two bathrooms, not one - and the ground floor one is especially luxurious with a large shower cabin as well as a bath. The Gate House now sleeps 5 as one of the formerly single bedrooms now has a double bed, although it does make the room rather cramped. The views from all the windows are spectacular, and there are three small balconies and a large terrace from which to enjoy them. It is the quietest place I have ever slept. It's not cheap to stay here but you can offset that by eating in; the self-catering facilities are excellent and there's a large Tesco 5 minutes drive away, as well as local stores in the nearest village. There is a large dining table with gorgeous views of the estuary in the kitchen, and another on the terrace. The kitchen is well-equipped and we managed to cook dinner for 9 people quite comfortably when relatives came to visit. The only thing that I was disappointed about is that the master bedroom doesn't have enough power sockets and, in particular, no socket close to a mirror where a hairdryer can be used (although we were equipped to deal with it as we have learned from experience and now pack a multi-socket extension cable whenever we travel!) But given the superior quality of the accommodation, I thought this showed a surprising lack of attention to detail. I would strongly recommend a stay in the village to anybody who has enjoyed visiting Portmeirion for the day. It is lovely to explore early in the morning and after the visitors have left for the day - and even during the day there are areas that are exclusive to residents where you can be alone. Be sure to explore the "wild place" where there are woodland walks with lakes, follies and other surprises, and to walk around the headland at low tide, where there are quiet coves with dramatic rock formations. This is definitely one of my favourite places.
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Date of stay: August 2014
Value
Service
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have wanted to visit this place for years. At last I have been. It is so quirky and amazing, how anyone can design such a place is great. Not able to stay in the village, but that didn't matter. The entry charge included a guided tour, which was excellent.
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Date of stay: October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed in the village about a dozen times now, in several different cottages, including two previous weeks in Gate House. Our last visit was six years ago, when we decided that the prices charged were ridiculously high for such basic accommodation. However, having seen on the website that Portmeirion had undertaken a programme of upgrading, we went back to celebrate a wedding anniversary. What a difference! The views are still outstanding from every room - the birds still hand-tame on every window-ledge and balcony - everything still immaculate - but now with a proper modern kitchen and two modern bathrooms Gate House is just about the perfect holiday home. There are only two (slight) drawbacks - namely a lack of drawer storage in the two single rooms - and lack of head-height going up and down the stairs. My six-foot-two husband soon learned to duck his head, but still caught his shoulders several times! We particularly like this house within the village as it has private parking for two cars. Many of the others have only one space, located down in the heart of the village, which makes loading and unloading somewhat difficult, especially if you have mobility problems as I do. Yes, you don't get to watch the bustle of day-trippers from your sitting-room, but we think it's far better to watch the estuary. I don't know what the ratio of staff to guests might be - pretty high I guess - but every single one we encountered was friendly and helpful, whether shop-keeper, tour guide, gate-warden, receptionist or waiter up at Castel Deudrath. They all made us feel welcome. All in all we had a great week which went by way too fast. Yes .... it was good to be back ....
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Date of stay: April 2016
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Went for the day to Portmeirion Village. Was quiet as just after half term. Some maintenance work was being done so a little noise was heard from hammering etc. However we had a gentle walk around and a lovely late lunch. Staff all around are extremely pleasant.
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Date of stay: February 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A beautiful home in an idyllic setting, the Gate House was comfortable and well laid out with great views over the estuary. Nothing to complain about whatsoever, Portmeirion itself is stunning. As a fan of The Prisoner, I'd always wanted to visit, I'll definitely return again.
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Date of stay: September 2017
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Portmeirion, United Kingdom27 contributions1 helpful vote
Hi there, thanks for your question. Cliff House 2 does overlook the estuary although it is set back quite a way and there is a wooded estuary bank below the cottage. Therefore it is more of a panoramic view of the tidal estuary and the mountains beyond rather than being directly overlooking the shoreline. The best views of the estuary are to be seen from Upper and Lower Pilot, Watch House, Bridge House 2 and Bridge House 3, Anchor and Fountain suites and the main hotel rooms excluding House 1. I hope this helps. We look forward to your visit. If you wish to change your room please give us a call at your convenience on 01766 772300. Thanks again.
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LOCATION
United KingdomWalesNorth WalesGwyneddPortmeirion
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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