Testimonials
To arrive at Plas Maenan is to feel like a welcome guest at a private country residence
- the fountain terrace is absolutely stunning and the ambiance is all-embracing.
Plas Maenan - you should experience it once in your life.- Tripadvisor
Welcome to Plas Maenan
Approached by an avenue of plane trees, Plas Maenan sits high on a bluff on the sunny side of the conwy valley with a spectacular view of the river and mountains.
With National Trust viewpoint directly above the Snowdonia National Park in front, Plas Maenan has an unrivalled setting and is the perfect choice for a short or long stay, for dinner, Sunday lunch, a wedding, or a private celebration.
"The Burts are transforming Plas Maenan into an elegant boutique hotel to put some of the great establishments of the world to shame."
- Daily Express
Our History
This elegant Edwardian house was built at the turn of the century some 300 feet above the river on a shelf of rock. Known as Plas Tan 'rallt or Plas Maenan, in 1915 it was bought by the Aluminium Corporation on the west side of the valley for Henry Joseph Jack, their Managing Director, who changed its name to Maenan Manor.
Jack lived on a grand scale and entertained lavishly, inviting village children to the manor for a Christmas party in the best squirearchical tradition.
Corporation workmen were appropriated to work on the house (entered in the account book as "the Maenan alterations") although the men were instructed to hide if a board member turned up unexpectedly.
The driveway to Plas Jack (as the locals called it) was built down to the station and a small quarry was opened nearby to provide stone for its construction.
In 1925 the dam, built above Dalgarrog by Jack and his men (none of them structural engineers) to provide water for the factory, the power station and the homes of the workers, burst through its inadequate banks and the water hurled itself down the mountain onto the little village below.
Many in Dalgarrog lost their lives as well as their houses and this put paid to the extravagance at Plas Jack, just as work was starting on another driveway leading down to the Abbey. It is interesting to note that the disaster led to the passing of the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act in 1930.
The house was offered for sale in 1930 but stood empty until it became a school of evacuee children during the war. Many of the children were extremely happy in such an idyllic spot and at least three books have been written about their time at the Manor.
The house became a hotel in the 50's and was always a popular location for functions and weddings. Various owners came and went but by the time James & Caroline Burt purchased Plas Maenan in 2005, the hotel was sorely in need of renovation. It is now almost completely restored to its original "Plas Jack" splendour and aims to become the premier location for those seeking comfort and quality in the Conwy Valley.