Forest Lodge 18 at Hafan Y Mor

HOTEL OVERVIEW

I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Forest Lodge 18, tucked away in Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park near Chwilog, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The whole “lodge in a holiday park” thing had me wondering if I’d accidentally booked some kind of glorified caravan situation. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in the best way possible.

The lodge itself feels properly secluded despite being part of the larger holiday park complex – you’re far enough from the main hustle and bustle that you won’t hear kids screaming on the nearby beach at Pwllheli (which is only about 10 minutes down the road, by the way). What struck me immediately was how thoughtfully designed everything was. I mean, this isn’t your typical cookie-cutter holiday accommodation. The interiors have this lovely rustic-meets-modern vibe going on, with proper wooden beams and furnishings that actually look like someone cared about putting them there. The beds are genuinely comfortable too – none of that rock-hard mattress nonsense you sometimes get at these kinds of places.

Here’s what really won me over though: the location gives you the best of both worlds. You’re literally surrounded by some of the most stunning Welsh countryside – I spent ages just sitting on the deck with my morning coffee, watching the mist roll over the hills. It’s proper peaceful, especially if you visit outside of peak summer season when the holiday park gets a bit more lively. But when you do want to venture out, you’re perfectly positioned for exploring the Llyn Peninsula. Criccieth Castle is about 15 minutes away (definitely worth the trip for the views), and if you’re into hiking, the coastal path near Abersoch will absolutely knock your socks off. The staff at check-in were actually locals and gave us some brilliant recommendations – including this little pub in Chwilog village that serves the best Sunday roast I’ve had in Wales, hands down. Parking was completely hassle-free too, which you can’t always count on in this part of the world. The only thing I’d mention is that if you’re not used to the quiet, it might take a night or two to adjust – the silence here is actually quite intense after city living. But honestly, that’s exactly what made it perfect for properly switching off. The 8.3 rating makes total sense to me – it’s not trying to be a fancy five-star resort, but it absolutely nails what it is: a genuinely relaxing base for exploring one of Wales’ most beautiful corners.