Royal Sportsman Hotel
Royal Sportsman Hotel descritpion
This independently owned, 2 AA Rosette-winning home-from-home is the only hotel in Porthmadog. It offers modern cuisine, and a bar with locally brewed cask ales, and free WiFi and car parking throughout the hotel.
The full-service Royal Sportsman Hotel is at the quieter end of Porthmadog High Street, by the A487 and A497 roads. The Tourist Information Centre and the Picture Postcard Walk can be reached on foot.
The property's 2 AA Rosette restaurant offers breakfast, lunch (including a traditional Sunday roast), afternoon tea, and dinner. It also has a gastro-bar that serves real local ales and a patio and lounge area. Guests and non-residents alike are welcome.
Within walking distance of The Royal Sportsman is the heritage Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway terminal, which has lines to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon. Train rides head across the Glaslyn Estuary and through Snowdonia to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The Royal Sportsman is rated 3 stars by the AA and Visit Wales. It was built with local slate, and the bar and lounge have original stone and slate fireplaces.
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The staff speaks English——Royal Sportsman Hotel's staff speaks:Romanian,Polish,English
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Facilities of Royal Sportsman Hotel
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Activities ：Golf Course (within 2 miles) | Fishing | Cycling | Horseback Riding
Food & Drink ：Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Snack Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Room Service | Packed Lunches
General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private) | Designated Smoking Area
Languages Spoken ：Romanian | Polish | English
Reviews for Royal Sportsman Hotel
Review 1：Creaking floor boards, but you expect this in an old building.
Review 2：The fabulous restaurant, standard of cooking and the presentation of the meal was really excellent. Waitress also knowledgeable on both food and wine. The roaring log fire also made pre-dinner drinks a real pleasure.
Review 3：We were in room 8 having staying in the lounge until midnight with friends we found it very very difficult to find our way back through the passage in the dark .May I suggest low level lighting that would not disturb others .
Review 4：The food was SUPERB ...! staff exceptionally friendly and helpful
Review 5：The room was cold on arrival, no hot water at all till 8.30am and breakfast only 9-10.
Review 6：Food was absolutely amazing, quick to arrive and great range and was top quality including the breakfast.
Review 7：Would of preferred a double bed than the 2 singles we had.
Review 8：I brought my husband for his birthday and to visit portmerion which with the help of the weather staying dry for a few hrs we were able to go.
Review 9：Staff were not entirely helpful and although the breakfast was good, the food in the Restaurant was very over-priced.
Review 10：Good location and very good breakfast provided
Review 11：With a quality kitchen it's difficult to believe they either can't / don't want to provide custard to accompany a dessert when desired by a guest (not unusual to encounter this actually, it's ice cream or ice cream, take your pick!). No heating on in the room when we arrived on a very cold day. Asked on more than one occasion to clear the shower drain as shower bowl filling up.
Review 12：Good menu choice & good quality food & bar. Pleasant staff. Central location.
Review 13：Loose flooring joist outside room meant everytime somebody walked past we were woken as it seemed liked they were in the room with you
Review 14：Very clean staff all very friendly
Review 15：Less than a mile from Porthmadog station and the 'Welsh highland' and 'Festiniog Railways'. My car was parked under cover,which I much appreciated.
Review 16：The breakfast consisted of 1 sausage 1 egg 1 tablespoon of beans 1 slice of bacon a quarter of slice of black pudding felt like oliver twist
Review 17：The comfort of the bed location and the staff
Review 18：No idea how the AA rate this hotel a 3 star! Bathroom almost too tiny to use. The shower was a nightmare and I burnt my hand trying to get it to the right temperature. Once at temperature there was no power at all. Could hear everything that the man in the next room did. Dark, dingy and will not go back.
Review 19：Excellent staff.
Review 20：Room advertised as the large room, did not feel so. Breakfast was ok could be hotter TV was a small flat screen, not good enough these days
Review 21：Easy access to town and station Staff friendly
Review 22：although i booked a small double bed it was extremely small.
Review 23：very nice and helpful staff, the room was clean and the food, although a little different was very nice.
Review 24：Expected to stay in the main hotel but were put in chalet type room outside the hotel The walls were thin and could here the chap next door snoring very loudly also there was a dog in the room which was barking next door.Did not have a good peacefull night
Review 25：We liked the decor in all public rooms. We were particularly happy about the friendliness of all the staff andthoughtfulness for my husband who has difficulty in moving about.
Review 26：The hotel could do with a lift been three stories high is a bit much for old people to climb the 3 flights of stairs.
Review 27：Being close to shops and near the Ffestiniog Railway Station and main railway station
Review 28：Nothing.
Review 29：Loved the staff, the food was excellent, the room was a good size and the beds were comfy. Free wifi worked well. Reserved parking as Blue Badge holder but there were other spaces available too and it was covered parking.
Review 30：We paid for a large room but it and the shower room was small. Our friends who came with us would have preferred a stand alone shower instead of a bath with shower in it. These were our only negative points.
Review 31：Position, cleanliness,staff attitude and the meals were good.
Review 32：First room number 25 very small and cramped , tiny sink in bathroom. Second night room 19 much better for same price as no'25, i feel the first room is very overpriced.
Review 33：Restaurant, food very very good with first class service, and not too expensive. Staff first rate , very attentive.
Review 34：Room was cold - were given an effective fan heater eventually. Didn't get offer to help carry our bags upstairs.
Review 35：Central location in easy reach of various places. Beds comfy. Breakfast was tasty.
Review 36：The room was very dated and the floor was on a slant, the door lock was flimsy. The bed shook when anyone walked up the passage way the view was a roof and it was £92 a night ....
Review 37：Good location but that was the only thing in favor for this hotel ....
Review 38：No, I can not find any at all.
Review 39：The hotel was a good place to ride on Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways plus Cambrian coast Railway station only 5 minutes walk away. the staff very helpful for giving information.
Review 40：The room wasn' good. At £60 it would have been value for money. At £90 it was wildly overpriced. Far too small, dark & uninspiring.
Review 41：The restaurant was extremely good, as were the staff both in reception and in the restaurant.
Review 42：WI Fi connection was a pain. Had to get code from reception and then it didn't work
Review 43：We had family courtyard room. Great. Restaurant staff were friendly and helpful and food was really good and prepared well
Review 44：Price was little steep but this could be due to the festival being on. Not too bad though.
Review 45：Great Central location with staff willing to help where they can. Very clean and comfortable. Breakfast was very good...
Review 46：Mattress on bed sank in middle Could do with replacing Room small side ok for over night stay Digital reception to tv poor kept switching on and off
Review 47：Breakfast really tasty good choice
Review 48：Would of preferred to be able to buy wine by the bottle, only available in carafe of 500ML which is same as 4/ 125ml glasses @ a cost of £12 for two thirds of a bottle. Pricey
Review 49：We had a family room in patio area which was absolutely great. Definitely go back. Very friendly staff in both hotel and bar.
Review 50：We liked everything...in particular though the dinner was just magnificent. We had the pie of the day (spiced lamb) and the buttermilk chicken burger - just incredibe! Also the staff were lovely, rooms were comfy and we had a generally lovely time. (But seriously - the food - wow!)
Review 51：2 night stay - We had a small double room in the patio courtyard. Although the room was clean enough there was an aroma I can only describe as 'an old folks home'
Review 52：Good location. Clean room. Good supply of tea/coffee facilities Pleasant staff
Review 53：Wonderful location and very near train station. The staff were friendly and lots of information on what to do in local area. Great restaurant which served excellent food with good service.
Review 54：Porthmadog has no nightlife... moat of the pubs are rundown ...and in need of a lock of paint. Restaurants, yes the town needs them as if you don't like Indian, Chinese fish and chips or a kebab your out of luck. Our stay in the sportsman was ok... but again a little tired.. would not visit or stay in Porthmadog again.
Review 55：The location for trip was good...
Review 56：We felt it was overpriced for the star rating. The bedroom was large but dated
Review 57：The hotel is clean. The bathroom had a couple of nice touches. The staff were efficient and friendly and the food was as ordered.
Review 58：Friendly & helpful staff couldn't do enough for you.meals 5 star.ease of parking facilities.money off certain attractions if you mention the royal sportsman hotel
Review 59：Other than not really being a fan of the colour chosen for the walls in the dining room I can honestly say I was pretty much happy with everything I encountered at the Royal Sportsman at Porthmadog
Review 60：The food in the restaurant was fantastic and the chef and his team certainly deserves the 2 Rosettes they've been awarded. Also, the front of house waiting staff were truly welcoming and thoroughly knowledgeable about the food they were serving.
Review 61：We were impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff particularly in the restaurant. The food was also very good especially the breakfast.
Review 62：WiFi was disappointing.....it kept dropping out Not sure if there is a problem with the provider..
Review 63：Everything.....staff, our room, the restaurant ....quality of the food was excellent. Helpful information about attractions in the area with discount vouchers for some of them
Review 64：Bedroom very small with very small en suite and room was very dated,didn't realise people's dogs could stay in the hotel and stay in their rooms, there was a couple of dogs in the bar that didn't like each other we felt a little uncomfortable in there.
Review 65：We liked the location of the hotel it is in a very convenient position
Review 66：expensive, over sized and not very appertising evening meals. Surprised that Porthmadog had so few pubs and restaurants for visitors.
Review 67：good hotel location for exploring surrounding area
Review 68：I loved this hotel. Location was good for us, room was cozy and quiet, and the food was excellent. Had a delicious dinner in the pub, and then the breakfast was my favorite of our trip -- I'm a vegetarian, and they had a full English vegetarian breakfast option, which made me so happy!!
Review 69：The bar felt out of step with the rest of the Hotel. Noisy main road not helped by 5 am road sweepers.
Review 70：The friendliness of the staff both on reception and in the restaurant. The menu was good and varied. A nice bright room.
Review 71：We were in a far away room and the wifi didn't quite reach. My boyfriend was a bit frustrated about this as he feels lost without the internet. I on the other hand was quite pleased he couldn't be glued to his phone or iPad for the entire weekend.
Review 72：Second visit, room was lovely and very clean. Reception & cleaning staff were very friendly, great location.
Review 73：Unfortunately we could only get a small double room which was rather restrictive as were travelling for four weeks with a lot of luggage.
Review 74：Meals were exceptional and served with a smile.
Review 75：The bedroom - it was like something out of Crossroads Motel. Sound proofing was awful. Bedroom very small. Pillows dreadful.
Review 76：Towells were lovely and fluffy
Review 77：No lift access for upper floors which was disappointing. Car park was tiny and also difficult to actually drive out of.
Review 78：Lovely hotel, clean rooms, central location. Beautiful food, nicely set out restaurant area. Very friendly helpful staff, will highly recommend x
Review 79：Ian the receptionist mistakenly gave us the wrong information about the opening times for Portmeirion (we would have had time to visit the afternoon of our arrival if we had known the correct closing time.We were only there over night so we had to re arrange our departure by train to fit the visit to Portmeirion in the next morning.) Other than that he was very polite and friendly.
Review 80：I loved the pots of flowers every where, the room and public areas were scrupulously clean. The bar staff were really friendly. The bar had a lovely ambiance there was even a dog with his owner settled by the fire in bar. The evening meal was excellent and good value. I had coq au vin not actually authentic but it was beautifully cooked, well presented and inventive.
Review 81：Thought the Lounge could have been more exciting-perhaps with Sky sport? Thought a more snacky Bar menu would be good?
Review 82：Loved the delicious breakfast!
Review 83：Bed a bit soft. Wifi difficult to connect and then intermittent. Breakfast doesn't start until 8am. Not enough staff in dining room at breakfast so service slow so if you are working to a schedule make sure you get in there first. Difficult to get in and out of the car park
Review 84：Good location. Great breakfast. Smoked salmon and scrambled egg and the eggs were the creamiest I've ever had! Has a car park
Review 85：Absolutely NOTHING
Review 86：Everything - All the Staff were so helpful, we had one room in the courtyard which was great, lovely in every way, and another room in the main hotel, which was excellent. - great place to stay.
Review 87：A comfortable hotel which has friendly polite staff & within easy reach of the attractions I wanted to visit. Well stocked with leaflets showing the local attractions which meant I didn't have to go searching for them later. Good breakfast choices.
Review 88：My Husband and myself are semi vegetarian (both eat fish but not meat), we found the menu very limited, however the vegetarian cooked breakfast was very good. Wifi temperamental and parking very limited. Wooden headboard rattled at the slightest movement.
Review 89：We stayed 4 nights for my Husbands birthday. This hotel was chosen for it's close proximity to both the Welsh Highland & Ffestiniog railways. The staff were all very friendly & helpful, food in the restaurant was very good & room very clean
Review 90：Nothing. The decor may be a bit out dated but it didn't bother us.
Review 91：The food was excellent.The staff very helpful.Location ideal in the town.Rooms clean,comfortable and had all we needed.
Review 92：The food was poor, especially the Moroccan pie, which was inedible. The eggs benedict were under cooked. Disappointed with workmen being allowed in the breakfast room with dirty work clothes. The rules were written in an unwelcoming tone.
Review 93：It was a good location. The room was comfortable.
Review 94：unable to check in until after 3pm
Review 95：A reasonable walk from the Ffestinog and Welsh highland railway station wjth good beer and fine good in the restaurant
Review 96：Very helpful staff, discount vouchers for railway. Room away from main street along courtyard with plants and outdoor seating. Good food served in bar.
Review 97：Room was very dark with no outside window and guttering was dripping onto the roofing right outside the bedroom door.
Review 98：Good position in the centre of the town
Review 99：Being picky, the lighting in my room was a little dim.
Review 100：Location, helpful and friendly staff. Nothing seemed too much trouble for them, and most seemed to always remember your name and/or room number.
Review 101：Suggestion upon booking that parking was available for guests was misleading as parking was very limited and mostly not available. Inadequate staffing levels resulted in very slow service in the dinning room Tuesday evening.
Review 102：Quality of breakfast was very good. Staff were pleasant and friendly.
Review 103：The courtyard room was very noisy. It is open to the garage therefore not as secure a room as we like
Review 104：The hotel is in a good central location. Staff are friendly and helpful. Offered discount for railway attraction. Food is excellent for both dinner and breakfast. Recommended.
Review 105：Late in the evening the corridors can be noisy when large groups of men are staying at the hotel. If there are large groups in the Restaurant service can be slow.
Review 106：The meals were good. Very clean room. Staff could not be more helpful.
Review 107：Floorboards creaking, shower noise and audible voices next to my single room were a distraction but not the end of the world given the good value overall.
Review 108：Good,friendly service. Very pleasing to be served with a smile, especially at breakfast.
Review 109：wifi trouble one day but in fairness we didn't ask them to rectify it and what are we doing on our computers on holiday anyway?
Review 110：worth it just for the food! Breakfast and dinner both equally amazing.
Review 111：The only thing that we were disappointed in was the price of the meals especially the breakfast (£10 each). We used the local cafes for breakfast during our stay.
Review 112：There was nothing that we didn't like about this hotel. It was clean, convenient for shopping etc and the room and bathroom were a good size.
Review 113：The heating didn't work. The bathroom was cold. My bed sloped, and my feet were 8 " over the end when I awoke. Wifi was slow to nonexistent.
Review 114：Concierge provided a heater for the room.
Review 115：Main bar a bit tired and could do with being redecorated and made more of a pleasant place to drink. There was a lounge but it was empty most of the time and had no atmosphere
Review 116：Staff helpful and friendly. Good location. Good food in restaurant. Good size room
Review 117：The breakfast is at the very top end of quality, served efficiently and with a smile. It's nice also to have a comfortable bar with a choice of cask ales. The location is also excellent: close to the Station and town centre.
Review 118：The hotel is located in the town, useful for the Ffestiniog Railway. The staff were very helpful and we enjoyed the breakfast. Friendly bar staff too!
Review 119：The hotel is centrally located and has a private undercover car park. The staff were friendly and helpful, giving us discount vouchers for local attractions.
Review 120：Didn't realise breakfast was included, wasn't advised on arrival of timings or where to go and was advised 'oh well' on leaving when speaking to the lady on reception. whilst eating in the bar,the short waiter/barman kept making comments about me eating as he was watching us eat.not once was we all asked if our food was ok. I appreciate it's a small town and local people go regular but we wasn't made to feel welcome, majority of people were speaking english And When We Was Sat In The bar, They all Started Speaking Welsh.not saying they shouldn't as we were in wales but it felt like we were unwelcome.We ended up sat in our room by around 9pm as you felt in the way.
Review 121：The man on reception with glasses was very nice on arrival (Brian I think) and the Asian man who I think was the manager. Food on the evening was lovely in the bar. Didn't try the restaurant.
Review 122：Lots of ups and downs getting to rooms, not good for someone recovering from a broken leg! 8am start to breakfasts could be awkward for some travellers, 7.30 would be better.
Review 123：Proper teapots in bedrooms, and easy to operate showers.
Review 124：nothing to dislike
Review 125：The most outstanding thing about this hotel is the food. In a word excellent. Especially the home made marmalade. Best I have ever tasted
Review 126：The decor was very dated. This is not a flashy, stylish place to stay, but it was clean, comfortable and quiet. I would stay there again if I was visitng the area.
Review 127：The food was great! Breakfast was really high quality and delicious
Review 128：Bathroom had no heating and was very cold ,the radiator was not working we did report it to reception and were told the maintainence Man was due back on that day but radiator remained cold!!
Review 129：Good location and car parking near to all amenities very good and friendly staff
Review 130：As waiting to be seated for our dinner in the foreground of the restaurant - was over an hour wait - our 5 month old baby started to cry for few minutes. The waiters come to us to literally throwing us out as she sates the baby cry was bothering on of their guest. Surprisingly the loud laughing half drunk company in the corner was OK. Despite calling the manager we doesn't even received an apology just an "OK I will speak with her" and we were allowed to stay - I guess because she stopped to cry after few minutes. If you don't want to be embarrassed with small kids do not even go nearby this place!
Review 131：Perfect location
Review 132：Staff asking the parents of a small child to take their child outside/for a walk because he was crying. A disgrace..... Food: two steaks ordered:both arrived rare (asked for medium).
Review 133：Location, good bed/room. Good food (also see "wasn't good")
Review 134：I liked the fact that such hotels can be run by a family as a business, and that their restaurant had a good rating, if expensive for many. The hotel serves a really important role as a focus for the community.
Review 135：Had a bit of an over charge problem on arrival (deposit not knocked off) all sorted when we checked out. Car park a bit snug.
Review 136：Nice central location good for the town and Tesco opposite if required.
The Fine Print
If cancelled, and a room is subsequently re-let on behalf of the guest, then only the deposit will be forfeited.Deposits will be held for a period of 6 months and can be used against a further booking within this time period.Dogs are allowed in designated courtyard rooms, when available. Extra charge are applicable.The property does not accept American Express cards.