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4.5
#2 of 7 B&Bs in Aberaeron
Location
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Value
The Harbourmaster on the quayside in Aberaeron offers you comfort in the most idyllic of locations. This listed landmark building reopened in June 2002 after extensive renovations. We have 13 individually-designed rooms in three historic buildings - all with harbour views. In 2008 the warehouse was opened, providing a further 4 rooms. A harbour facing suite with panoramic views, two west facing sea view terrace rooms and a town view room suitable for disabled use. (lift access to these new rooms) The Restaurant and new warehouse bar specialises in fresh local produce. Come and stay for a relaxing time and watch the tides wash in and out and the sun set over the bay!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to VisitWales.
HOTEL STYLE
Quirky Hotels
Charming
Languages Spoken
English
Location
1 Quay Parade, Aberaeron SA46 0BT Wales
Harbourmaster Hotel
812 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We stayed at the Harbourmaster in July, not long after the Covid restrictions had lifted for hotels in Wales. We stayed in the Martha Jane suite with an outdoor terrace with sea view. At the time, the Harbourmaster’s indoor restaurants were closed, which we knew before booking and they had temporarily set up some outdoor seating for food service etc. We had dinner outside one night and the food was great, especially the lobster roll.
Our room was well appointed, huge bathroom with lovely bath. Though the room in general was a bit smaller than we expected. The breakfast (included) was incredible, we had the vegetarian welsh breakfast. It was nice to enjoy the terrace on the sunny days. The daily cleaning service did not take place due to Covid, if you wanted your bins emptying and towels changing you had to put them in bags and leave them outside your room. Replacements were then left outside your room.
Service was great, always friendly and willing to help. The reason I have given 4, I’d prefer to have given a 4.5, is that we didn’t think they should charge full price at £240 per night without a cleaning service at the minute. Covid precautions are important, but I think if there is a change in service or offering then that should be reflected in the cost.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in a double room at the front of the hotel so facing onto the harbour. The room was lovely, the headboard, blankets and cushions were from Melin Tregwynt which is a great woolen mill near Fishguard. They gave a lovely ambience ot the room. The linen on the bed was high quality / high threadcount, so very comfortable, and the towels were large, new bathsheets. Although the windows did not appear to be double glazed, there were shutters not blinds which kept any external noise to a minimum. As it was a warm night at the end of summer, there could have been noise from the people seated at the tables below the window, but it did not disturb us. My one comment about the shutters would be that you have to be exceptionally tall to secure the ones in the bathroom, which I am not! There was a smart TV in the room and you could log into your Netflix or Prime accounts, we did not do this but it was good to know that the option was there. The Roberts digital radio by the bed was not working - the wiring appeared frayed. There was also a kettle, and tea and coffee making facilities. You could top this up yourself from a shelf on the ground floor, as well as collecting fresh milk from there. The room was warm enough although it is not obvious how the hotel is heated, guessing underfloor as the tiles in the bathroom were not cold. There was an ironing board and two dressing gowns and slippers in the wardrobe, which we did not use. Checking in was in the bar / restaurant and painless. The invoice was emailed to me in the morning before we left and I could pay using Apple Pay. We managed to find the last space in the tiny hotel car park, but I believe that the hotel will direct residents to other nearby parking spaces in surrounding streets, if the car park is full. The hotel is situated on the harbour/sea front so handy to walk into the small town centre and visit other restaurants and bars. We were only there one night and ate in the hotel (will review separately). The room tariff included breakfast which was excellent - you could have a full Welsh Breakfast or veggie option, as well as bacon.sausage, egg on a brioche roll, choice of eggs on sourdough, granola, croissants, there were very good choices. All in all we loved our one night stay and cannot wait for the hotel to have more rooms available (it was fully booked and we luckily got a cancellation) so we can visit again and stay for longer!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Choose a room at the front of the main hotel building
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A very last minute decision to get away led us to this fantastic hotel. The hotel only opened after lock-down on the day of our arrival and we were their first guests. The very friendly staff were so well organised and drilled even though we were their first real people in this 'new normal' trading environment. The 43 spiral stairs to our top floor room were worth every step, not only for the stunning harbour and sea views but also for the quality of the accommodation. The Covid laws meant that the restaurant wasn't able to open, so we were treated to room service in the cosy lounge/dining area of our room. A window table for two overlooking the harbour - magical. The lamb main course was outstanding as were the desserts. The Welsh breakfast served within minutes of ordering was exceptional. A truly memorable experience.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The local council have put into place free parking, a one way system and even widened the pavements to help local businesses. Despite booking a week in advance our table was in the former bar, the bar now being outside charging £1 extra for a plastic glass. None of the other drinks places do this.
We were seated athe rear of the bar by the car park entrance and next to the toilets. Our table was a metal affair and so were the chairs. Not to aid cleaning just to make up the number of covers. It didn't go down well when I asked for a comfortable chair from a neighbouring half full table.
Our order was taken and very expensive wine (£8.50 for a large glass)brought. 20 mins later when the starters arrived we were told there was no fish left and could we re-order. We should have left then!
The food arrived and was mediocre but not the price. Ask for a table in the proper restaurant not in the less than acceptable overland route to the gents toilet maximising covers. Disappointed.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Cleanliness
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked the Harbourmaster for my wife’s birthday. It was one of their larger rooms and at £210 for the night I was a bit unsure whether I’d booked something that was really special or something that was just rather over-priced. I needn’t have worried. The Harbourmaster is exceptional. The whole building is superbly decorated, and our room was no exception with an amazing bathroom and lots of nice touches. Complimentary tea and cake on arrival. Followed by a drink in the well stocked bar with views across the harbour. The staff were brilliant and the whole place runs like clockwork. We also ate in the restaurant and the food was first class, including fresh oysters which were amazing. Breakfast was also very good. Nothing seemed too much trouble and the standards are simply spot on throughout. Really couldn’t have asked for more, it’s expensive but totally worth it.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We recently stayed here for a couple of nights immediately after lockdown was lifted and we were allowed to travel freely around Wales again. We found the hotel to be of a very good standard, and staffed by very friendly and helpful people, especially with regard to the Covid restrictions. We had a room overlooking the harbour at the front of the hotel. It had everything we needed for a short stay, and was extremely quiet at night. Although this may have been due to the fact that all establishments must currently close at 10pm. As there is a terrace with tables immediately below our room, this may not be the case at the height of summer. Both the room and the en-suite bathroom we very clean. Breakfast was very good, although on both mornings there was no yogurt available, so I couldn’t have the granola dish. There were no other cereals available other than porridge. The cooked breakfast was plentiful, and well cooked. We ate in the restaurant one evening, which we enjoyed. The atmosphere was a little subdued, compared to the bistro in the hotel, which seems to be catering for lots of locals as well as hotel guests. The food was excellent, and we enjoyed a bottle of local wine. A very nice touch is the complimentary tea (or coffee) and cake served to residents late afternoon. Very welcome after a day walking the coastal path. All in all our stay was very enjoyable, and we would certainly stay here again to see more of this lovely part of the world.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for 2 nights on the bank holiday weekend and it was beautiful.
As we stayed in the Harbourmaster's Cottage and ate in the hotel restaurant I'm going to split the review into two parts.
Cottage:
The cottage is a stunning blend of classic seaside with modern touches. The kitchen diner was lovely, the lounge very cosy and the bedrooms were a dream. Each of the two doubles come with en suites that are beautiful and fully stocked with Molton Brown bath and body products.
The front windows of the cottage look out over the harbour and offer some beautiful sights, especially as the tide comes in every evening.
The cottage comes with parking for one car and is a very short walk from the main hotel/restaurant building.
Restaurant:
We had an evening meal and a breakfast here.
The evening meal was beautifully presented with good flavours. However, the menu was a little restrictive, especially if you have a seafood allergy.
Comparatively, the breakfast was outstanding. We had Welsh breakfasts all round and everything was cooked to perfection and the twist of a laverbread hash brown was lovely.
We would 100% recommend eating here especially as we were treated to the private harbour view window for both visits.
Overall
Our stay was wonderful and we will 100% be visiting again.
The staff are wonderful and helped me organise a surprise birthday bouquet on arrival and have sorted out the return of a forgotten item.
It was a beautiful and much needed break away in a beautiful part of Wales.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spent a couple of nights here recently and it was just the break we needed. Everything Covid was adhered to without feeling oppressive. Parking was easy and our room, in the front overlooking the harbour, was simply but tastefully furnished. It was so relaxing sitting in the window just people watching and weather watching. The meals were superb. Breakfast was unhurried and a good selection. Evening meals were gorgeous. Twice baked cheese soufflé, rib of beef, chimichurri, sea bream, lemon posset ..... the list goes on. The staff were very helpful and accommodating and we will definitely return for another short break.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed two nights and loved our visit. Although mid November the room was warm and cosy (as someone else has mentioned there was no visible means of heating in the room!). Attractively decorated and furnished with a large terrace looking towards the open sea, bathroom with large free standing bath, separate shower and Molten Brown toiletries in large bottles rather than minis. Also a nespresso machine in the room and fresh milk in the fridge. We had booked dinner in the restaurant both evenings and the food was very good, but the bar looked very jolly and welcoming for a more casual meal. Breakfast was also good and complimentary tea/coffee and cake is served each afternoon. Aberaeron is a delightful town, lovely to walk round and browse in the shops.
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Date of stay: November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 3 nights nothing to fault. Fresh milk in your room..ground coffee and a cafetiere ..complimentary tea and cakes 3 till 5pm....We actually arrived 5.20pm and we still given tea. Room 6 has views of the harbour and sea very smartly furnished and clean. All the Staff are very helpful and friendly. We will return ..the fresh sea air did wonders for my sinouses!
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aberystwyth, United Kingdom46 contributions13 helpful votes
To be honest most people are smart casual. The Harbourmaster is a great place and I would not go in with beach shorts and feel comfortable myself but have worn smart shorts during the hot weather.
We stayed in the Madona suite (in the rafters). We had a great view of the harbour from the harbourmaster's window (he used to sit here to view incoming and outgoing vessels). There is a comfy chaise-longue so you can lay back and watch the changing scenery of the harbour. There is another sea-view window at the side, in the bedroom. From here you can relax in bed with a view of the sea below. Very luxurious room with character. Would highly recommend.
There are more places to choose from in the Aberaeron area.
PRICE RANGE
RM 923 - RM 1,161 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomWalesCeredigionAberaeron
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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