Closed Seiont Manor Hotel set for multi million pound redevelopment with 39 holiday lodges

Gareth Wyn Williams, local democracy reporter

A hotel in Wales’ most Welsh-speaking village which closed its doors two years ago, could be in line for a major redevelopment with 39 new holiday lodges after plans were submitted to the local authority.

The Seiont Manor Hotel, Llanrug, closed its doors in January 2020 before later going into the hands of receivers.

But plans submitted to Gwynedd Council by its new owners, Caernarfon Properties Ltd, would see the hotel expanded to include 33 new rooms and improvements to the guest facilities including tennis courts and a spa extension.

According to the application, the proposal would create 20 full-time jobs if approved.

“The proposed development relates to a comprehensive re-development of the Seiont Manor Hotel following a change in ownership,” not the supporting documents.

“The hotel, until December 2016, was owned and operated by Handpicked Hotels. The business continually made a loss for the last 14 years and, despite being a popular luxury hotel, wedding and events venue in the past, it is now unsustainable in its current form.

“The tourism and hospitality industry now also face the additional challenge of recovery from the enforced lockdown and complete closure of facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Hotels and leisure business must quickly adapt if they are to recover and it is apparent that the quality and form of tourism accommodation must be adapted to provide the confidence domestic and international visitors require.”

‘150 jobs’

In all, the plans involve:

• Hotel extension to include 33 additional bedrooms, making a total of 61 guest bedrooms.
• Extension to spa, restaurant and bar.
• Formation of outdoor tennis courts, landscaped paths and amenity area.
• Siting of 39 single storey holiday lodges
• Outdoor activity zone; activity building, reception and ancillary grocery store
• 11 bedroom group/staff accommodation hostel
• Biomass plant room
• Associated internal access roads, paths, parking and landscaping

The application concludes, “This is a comprehensive proposal which will address long-running viability issues at this hotel, leisure, events and conference venue, which would result in a Gross Domestic Value (GDV) of £22.5 – £25 million and would generate 150 jobs over the 2- 4 years required to develop the site.”

It’s expected that Gwynedd Council’s planning department will consider the application over the coming months.