Detailed Review
The Harbourmaster is a bright blue boutique hotel, standing out among the rainbow-painted buildings that line Welsh seaside town Aberaeron’s harbour. This Grade II-listed building in Cardigan Bay dates from 1811 and was originally used to control harbour traffic. In 2002 it was re-opened as a boutique hotel, its cheeky decor mixing nautical references with clean, contemporary styling.
The facilities
The Harbourmaster’s restaurant/bar is the buzzy hub of the boutique hotel. Food is Modern Welsh, excellently done – try the Welsh Black fillet steak or locally-caught lobster. All vegetables are organic and locally sourced, and bread is baked fresh that day. For a lighter meal, try some yummy Welsh bar snacks washed down with real ale.
The rooms
The Harbourmaster’s 13 individually decorated rooms are real modern, funky seaside glamour pads. All rooms have flat screen TVs, DVD players, Wi-Fi and beds with Frette linen, as well as gorgeous Molton Brown toiletries in the bathroom.
Rooms at the boutique hotel are split across three buildings: the original house and a converted warehouse and cottage. Suites like Aeron Queen in the warehouse and Madonna in the original building give fantastic panoramic views of the bay. Gambia in the warehouse has a lovely view of the town and countryside, as well as good disabled access.
Press Quotes
"Cosy but cool, this stylish old salt's residence sums up seaside chic. Modern, light wood furniture and paintings of beach scenes are unpretentious and the atmosphere is good and relaxed." The Times 06
"Inside this grand three-storey stone building at the end of a row of Georgian houses, the modern tapas bar styling is a surprise. Relax on sofas around chunky wood blocks and try tasty tapas such as grilled aubergines with pesto and crevettes in chilli butter." Independent 05
