Several Welsh properties have claimed titles in the Sykes Gems 2025 Awards
Several Welsh properties have been whittled down to be named the best in the UK. These highly rated stays are placed in a range of categories in the Sykes Gems 2025 Awards.
The winning properties range from cosy wooden pods to private tidal island escapes in Anglesey. This national awards programme recognises property owners for exceptional service, unique properties, and positive guest experiences.
It also has groups of award categories, and every winner has been picked for outstanding service, stand-out style, and a thoughtful guest experience that makes you start planning your return before you’ve even checked out.
Some of these are ‘best farm stays’, ‘best for walking’, and ‘best for couples. ‘Regional categories are also included, including ‘best in Mid and South Wales’, ‘Best in North Wales’, and ‘Best in South West England.’
The expert judging panel included Sykes’ Managing Director, James Shaw, Luke Squires, Customer Experience Director, and Sophie Swietochowski, The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor.
Six Welsh stays scooped awards this year, and these are the winning properties. See the full list of Sykes winners here.
1. The Kites Nest, Best for couples
This snug wooden pod surrounded by peaceful woodland won gold in the ‘best for couples’ category, and it’s easy to see why. The Kites Nest in Pont-rhyd-y-groes is an adults-only pod with a distinctive curved roof, circular windows, and patio doors. It offers glorious views of the Welsh countryside and is ideal for a cwtchy weekend away.
It’s a snug stay for two, featuring a modern studio layout with one double bed, a kitchen, and a sitting area with a comfy double sofa bed.
While you have the option for a digital detox, if you’re keen to keep up with your favourite Netflix series, the pod has WiFi, a TV projector, and a pull-down screen for a cwtchy movie night. Don’t forget to bring popcorn!
Despite the pod’s compact size, the kitchen has plenty of amenities for whipping up a meal, including a microwave oven and hob, fridge/freezer, kettle, toaster and coffee machine.
Outside is a sitting area where you can unwind with a book, or head out onto the decking to take in the epic views of the hills, valleys, and woodlands beyond.
These views are a dreamy backdrop for your evening spent with a cheeky glass of wine or indulging in a dip in the opulent copper bath in a hidden private garden. Bliss. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
2. Ynys Faelog, Best for views
It’s one thing to have a glorious sea view. It’s quite another to have an entire tidal island to yourself. Ynys Faelog, just a short stroll from Menai Bridge in Anglesey, is exactly that, a rare slice of “island life” without having to charter a boat.
The island escape won silver in the ‘best for views’ category and is ideal for a staycation with friends this autumn.
The large house is clearly designed for sociable stays. The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room is flooded with natural light, with enough space for twelve people to cook, eat, and lounge without getting under each other’s feet.
The kitchen is well equipped with a double electric oven, induction hob, wine chiller, and two dishwashers, which is sensible because washing-up queues are not part of anyone’s dream holiday.
Upstairs, there’s a second sitting room with elevated views of Beaumaris and Bangor Pier. A balcony runs along the seaward side, home to a wood-fired hot tub that’s just begging for an evening dip with a cheeky glass of fizz.
The sleeping arrangements are very flexible. There are two super-king bedrooms upstairs (both can be set as twins on request), two super-kings on the ground floor, and a twin that can also be zipped into a king.
All bedrooms have Smart TVs, and most have their own bathrooms, five in total, split between baths, showers, and a handy utility shower room for sandy toes and muddy paws.
Dogs are welcome, too. You can bring up to two well-behaved small or medium breeds, so even doggos can get a taste of island living.
If you can tear yourself away from the dreamy views, the grounds are made for lazy afternoons or group activities. There’s a tennis court, croquet lawn, and wrap-around gardens with seating areas, a charcoal barbecue, and designated viewing points over the water.
Guests also have access to a private walking trail towards the Menai Strait, plus a small, shared beach area with the neighbouring cottage.
3. The Granary, best farm stay
Bagging the gold award for ‘best farm stay, The Granary, a stylish, two-bedroom barn conversion on the outskirts of St Brides Major in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Here, you can sink into the indulgent hot tub, enjoy the swish interior, and unwind in front of the wood-burning stove.
The Upscale Barn sleeps four and has a contemporary open-plan living space that can be used as your dining and social hub. It is adorned with state-of-the-art appliances and plush seating.
Head outdoors for chilled alfresco mealtimes with your gang. You’ll also have the chance to soak off the day’s adventures in the bubbly tub, with the dreamy countryside in the backdrop.
4. The Grove, best newcomer
Winning gold in the ‘best newcomer’ category, the Grove is a charming cottage in the village of Wolfsdale, Pembrokeshire. This exceptional, dog-friendly property sleeps six and is perfect for a cosy getaway with friends and family.
Here, you’ll find a private hot tub, open-plan living areas, and a fully equipped kitchen with everything you need for group meals.
After dinner, kick back in the sitting area, where you can snuggle up in front of the TV and enjoy the warmth of the crackling wood-burning stove.
Outside, the lawn is ideal for children to play on, while the patio, complete with furniture, is ideal for alfresco dining or enjoying an evening glass of red under the sunset.
For an indulgent end to the day, take a dip in the hot tub and enjoy the gorgeous views.
5. The Nest, best for walking
If you’re craving a Welsh countryside escape without leaving behind comfort or good coffee, then The Nest in Prestatyn will tick all the staycation boxes.
Winning silver in the ‘best for walking category’, it’s a single-storey luxury cabin with a private sauna, ideally situated near cycle tracks, waterfalls, and the 177-mile-long Offa’s Dyke trail.
You arrive via an electric gate that opens to a secure, elevated parking area. This gives you a brilliant first glimpse of the coast before you’ve even unpacked your bags.
You head down a sloping path to the front of the cabin, and as you step through the bifold doors, it’s instantly clear this is a pretty special staycation spot.
This clean-lined, modern property sleeps three (one double bedroom and a sofa bed) but has a cosy vibe. Electric underfloor heating warms your feet the moment you’re inside, and gentle plinth lighting keeps things calm and low-lit.
The open-plan living space is sleek without being stark. There’s a comfy sofa bed in the centre – ideal if you’ve brought a little one along.
Directly opposite is a smart TV and Bose ceiling speakers ready to fill the room with music or your latest binge-worthy Netflix series.
The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you’d need, including an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, and dishwasher.
Outside things get even better. On one side, there’s a private patio with outdoor furniture and a barbecue ready for those long summer evenings of sizzling steaks and sunset views.
But the real highlight is at the back of the property. Hidden away behind The Nest is a traditional Finnish sauna complete with chromatherapy lighting and Bluetooth speakers so you can steam with your favourite songs.
It’s not just some basic, boring sauna – this is floor-to-ceiling glass surrounded by trees and birdsong. You can splash water over hot peridotite rocks and let clouds of steam roll in, or add essential oils and pretend you’re at a pricey mountain spa. There’s even an outdoor shower for that brave post-sauna cool down.
6. Tŷ Kinik, best for young families
Tŷ Kinik is smack-bang in the middle of lovely Llangollen, and it’s just a short stroll from the River Dee and all the charming local shops, cafés and pubs.
The cheerful, dog-friendly property won bronze in the ‘best for young families’ category. It sleeps up to seven and has four bedrooms spread over two floors.
The kitchen has everything you need to cook a big family breakfast or a full-on feast, and there’s plenty of space around the dining table for everyone to tuck in together.
After dinner, the sitting room is the perfect spot to kick back and relax, curl up on one of the big, squishy sofas and stick on a film with the Smart TV (Netflix is included, so you’re sorted for snuggly movie nights).
There’s also a comfy mix of sleeping options. On the first floor, there’s a cosy double with a Smart TV and a lovely window seat, ideal for a quiet morning coffee with a view, plus a fun bunk room that the kids will love.
Upstairs on the second floor, there’s another double bedroom and a child’s single that also doubles as a playroom.
Travelling with little ones? You’re well covered. The playroom includes a proper wooden cot, a Gro Clock to help with sleep routines, a Gro Egg room thermometer, toys, books and even a BT audio baby monitor.
