The hype
Travelers adore the 'olde worlde' charm and the fantastic location, but often struggle with the confusing layout and lack of on-site parking.
Black Boy Inn
$100-200/ night
Book this if You want to sleep inside a living piece of Welsh history where the floors creak, the ale flows, and the castle is your neighbor.
Why People Love It
- Genuine 16th-century atmosphere with low beams and thick stone walls
- Location literally inside the medieval town walls, steps from Caernarfon Castle
- Hearty 'field-to-fork' Welsh breakfasts that destroy hangovers
Quick Take: It’s a 500-year-old pub with rooms, so expect steep stairs, uneven floors, and a lot of character rather than cookie-cutter luxury.
Reviewed by @TravellingLeprechsuns: I stayed at the Black Boy Inn for just £125 and was blown away. The shower is the most powerful I've ever used, the bed is super bouncy, and the freestanding bath felt like a total luxury. It’s the perfect base for exploring Caernarfon!
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
Rooms in the main building can be noisy from the bar below and street outside; ground floor rooms have been reported as feeling 'damp' due to the ancient stone structure.
- You love history and don't mind sacrificing some modern conveniences for atmosphere
- You want to stumble upstairs after a great meal and a pint of local ale
- You are visiting Caernarfon Castle and want to be first in line
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Generally excellent daily service; staff are praised for keeping a difficult old building tidy.
- Bathroom hygiene: Modern bathrooms (many renovated) are usually spotless, though grout in older rooms can show age.
- Maintenance: You will find creaks, uneven floors, and occasional peeling paint—it's 'character' here, not neglect.
- Linens & towels: Fresh and standard hotel quality; no major complaints about bedding.
- Odors & scents: Main building can smell of old wood, ale, and faint dampness; annexes smell fresher.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Bar noise and music (especially on weekends)
- Creaky floorboards from guests above
- Street noise on Northgate Street
Before you book
Good to know
- Breakfast is often included and is excellent—order the full Welsh
- The hotel is split across multiple buildings (Main Inn, Black Jack's, Ty Dre, Twr Du); check which one you are booking
- Dinner reservations are essential on weekends as the pub is popular with locals
What to pack
- Earplugs (essential for main building stays)
- Small overnight bag (leave the giant suitcase in the car; stairs are tight)
- Waterproof jacket (it's North Wales, after all)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Black Jack's Building rooms (across the courtyard) for a quieter sleep with sash windows
- Ty Dre (Town House) suites for more space and separation from the pub noise
- Four Poster Room in the main inn if you prioritize romantic history over silence
Rooms to avoid
- Ground floor rooms in the main building (prone to dampness and street noise)
- Rooms directly above the bar if you plan to sleep before 11pm
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would love a room in the 'Black Jack's' or 'Ty Dre' buildings to ensure a quieter night's sleep, ideally on an upper floor to avoid any dampness. Please avoid rooms directly above the main bar area.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there parking on site?
Technically yes, but very few spots. Most guests are directed to the Slate Quay public car park (approx. 5 min walk) and given a permit.
Is the hotel dog friendly?
No. Despite being a pub, the hotel rooms are strictly no pets allowed (service dogs only).
Does the hotel have an elevator?
No. There are no lifts in any of the buildings. You must be able to climb stairs.
Is there air conditioning?
No. The thick stone walls keep it relatively cool, but fans are provided for rare hot days.
How close is the castle?
Extremely close. You are basically neighbors; it's a 2-3 minute walk to the entrance.
Is breakfast included?
Usually yes, and it's highly rated. Double-check your specific booking rate to be sure.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Ask for a 'parking permit' immediately upon arrival at the loading zone before heading to the public lot.
- ✨
The 'North Gate' archway next to the hotel is not original medieval wall, but added in the 1820s for traffic.
- ✨
Locals call the street 'Stryd Pedwar a Chwech' (Four and Six Street), a nod to the old price for a room, gin, and company.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'damp' smell in some ground floor rooms is real—it's a 500-year-old building in a wet climate.
💡The layout is a maze; you might have to go outside and back inside to find your room.
💡The 'Black Boy' name has multiple origin theories, from a navigational buoy to King Charles II's nickname.
💡Wifi signals struggle to penetrate the 4-foot thick stone walls in some corners of the main inn.
💡There is a skeleton of an old woman that was discovered during excavations next door (don't worry, she's not in your room).
Local Playbook
Map
See where Black Boy Inn is located and what's nearby.