The Swan At Hay

Hotels
8.2 (1428 reviews)
Church Street , Hay-on-Wye , gb

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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Facilities for disabled guests
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Excellent location
Clean rooms
Cons:
Room quality issues
Overpriced rooms

Categories

Cleanliness
8.13
General sentiment indicated rooms were clean, but some dated aspects noted.
Service
8.8
Staff were very friendly and welcoming, contributing positively to the experience.
Location
8.64
Multiple reviews praised the excellent location of the hotel.
Room Quality
7.89
Some rooms were dated or had issues like doors that didn't close properly.
Amenities
8.12
Amenities were generally adequate, though some guests had specific requests.
Value for Money
7.58
Some guests felt the rooms were overpriced for the quality provided.
Food and Beverage
8.13
Breakfast options were good, but some reviews criticized the quality.
Overall Experience
8.3
Guests had a pleasant overall experience despite some minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 15:44

Property Description

Charming Georgian Hotel in Hay-on-Wye

Individually Designed Bedrooms: The Swan at Hay offers 19 uniquely designed bedrooms with picturesque views, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms for a comfortable stay.

Culinary Delights: Guests can indulge in classic British cuisine at the relaxed bistro and restaurant, featuring original Georgian windows overlooking the garden. The well-stocked bar offers award-winning ales and ciders for a delightful dining experience.

Ideal Location: Positioned between the Brecon Beacons and The Black Mountains, the hotel is a perfect retreat for exploring the Offa’s Dyke Path and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Enjoy the convenience of free parking and proximity to boutique shops and pubs in Hay-on-Wye.

Experience the charm and comfort of The Swan at Hay – Book your stay now!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: CWL

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 4 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for £10 per person per night when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 5 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 6 years old to 16 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 15 years old stay for £25 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.2
Based on 1428 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.13
Service: 8.8
Location: 8.64
Room Quality: 7.89
Amenities: 8.12
Value for Money: 7.58
Food and Beverage: 8.13
Overall Experience: 8.3
W
Wendy • extended_group • gb
9
We had a one night stay but would happily have stayed longer and will definitely stay again .
Pros:

Lovely old hotel , the location was excellent for exploring Hay on Wye. Rooms were very clean and comfortable and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Breakfast was very good.

2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • couple • gb
6
Comfortable relaxed stay .
Pros:

Quite an old fashioned hotel full of older people like ourselves . Bedroom well supplied with coffee tea and biscuits .Bed really comfortable clean white linen lovely pillows .Heard the dawn chorus ,surrounded by hills and a great view of them and a pretty garden .Bars serving lunch and dinner time there is a beer garden at the back of the property great in sunshine ! Lovely sound of birds and sheep in the background .Great breakfast 🍳.Nice place to stay.Car park available around the side of the property.The staff very helpful.

Cons:

The stairs are a bit steep no lift .However I managed them!
The place could probably do with a makeover . Probably not enough staff as service very slow .

2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
P
Parker • family_with_children • gb
8
2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
9
Pros:

The staff were all excellent and the hotel and facilities were lovely.

Cons:

The breakfast was really good however it would have been great to have slightly larger portions or a buffet style breakfast where the customers can help themselves. Overall though it was very good.

2026-03-18 • via Nuitee
A
Aaron • solo_traveller • gb
9
Very comfortable. Lovely staff!
Pros:

Great location, lovely staff. Dog friendly! Plenty of places to walk nearby. The restaurant was excellent.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
J
Jonathan • couple • gb
7
2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
G
Guy • couple • gb
10
We stayed at the Swan in 1975 and this was a return visit, we loved every moment
Pros:

Brilliant location
Lovely room
Warm and clean

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
C
Cathy • couple • gb
3
Extremely disappointed. Overpriced and overstated.
Pros:

Great location

Cons:

Vastly over priced. Quite dated & in need of an overhaul.
Paid a premium amount for a ‘Deluxe room’ to find it no better standard than a Travelodge or similar.
No attention to detail. Minimal supermarket quality tea & biscuits, sparse toiletries and no added extras that you would expect in a Deluxe room at £210 per night!
Beds incredibly uncomfortable with low grade pillows & room too hot with no temperature control (worst nights sleep I’ve had)!
2 armchairs at one end of the room with no table for drinks etc. Too far away to see small TV, so in effect, no use.
Poor lighting - either bright overhead light or bedside lamps. No lighting for desk or mirror area, making it unusable.
Room 6 is opposite the domestics cupboard, so in the morning there was loud talking and clattering from staff outside the room.
Booked for a special birthday celebration - extremely disappointed!

2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Nicely furnished, comfortable room. Friendly, helpful staff.

2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
R
Ruth • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Nice welcome. Clean room.
Parking space. Free upgrade.

Cons:

Unbearable smell of dog.
The window was open on arrival and we left it open even though it was cold but the smell was overpowering.
Unfortunately not the upgrade we expected.

2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
A
Allen • couple • gb
8
Would definitely stay here again
Pros:

Excellent breakfast

Cons:

All really good

2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
5
Average but we wanted to be able to walk into town, so OK
Pros:

EV charging

Cons:

Rooms noisy.
Difference between full English breakfast and mini English breakfast was a tiny pot of baked beans but the cost difference was £3 !!

2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
O
Owen • couple • gb
10
2026-03-02 • via Nuitee
C
Charles • couple • gb
9
2026-02-28 • via Nuitee
P
Powell • solo_traveller • gb
7
Really nice place
Pros:

Attractive, clean, tidy

2026-02-27 • via Nuitee
D
Davies • couple • gb
5
Little details count
Pros:

Bed , lounge area, setting

Cons:

Cobwebs in corner of bedroom, lack of mirror in bedroom for drying hair , cracked lampshade.strange covering on desk .
Attitude of staff member at breakfast ( asked if there were croissants - just told " no that's all that's left ") with 1/2 hr to go until end of service. Also when asking for some honey ( on the menu ) was told the same -" it isn't used so we don't get it in "
Not what you'd expect for a sister hotel of llangoed hall and other properties owned by this small chain .

2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

The Hotel was ideally located, comfortable and welcoming.
The staff were exceptionally nice and helpful. We had a dog with us who was also made very welcome!

2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
A
Anne • couple • gb
9
Really nice hotel in a great location to visit the bookshops in Hay.
Pros:

The staff were lovely and the hotel was great. Dinner was delicious.

Cons:

Shower a bit weak, but the room was lovely and comfortable.

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • gb
8
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
S
Steve • couple • gb
8
2026-02-22 • via Nuitee