Hilton signs up at Surf Snowdonia

Wales’ first Hilton Garden Inn is set to open at Surf Snowdonia, where the hospitality giant will operate a 106-bed hotel, as part of a £16m investment in the adventure park.

The hotel was given a “minded to approve” verdict by Conwy Council’s planning committee earlier this month, despite being recommended for refusal by planning officers.

Designed by architect Pozzoni, the four-storey hotel features 106 bedrooms alongside the existing lagoon at the park, which opened in 2015.

Work is expected to start on the hotel in the coming weeks, although a main contractor is yet to be formally appointed. WCP Associates is the project manager.

Elsewhere, contractor HH Smith & Sons has started work on the Adrenaline Indoors building, an indoor climbing and adventure centre. This includes artificial caving, climbing walls, slides, ninja trail, and a zip line across the lagoon. This is set to open next year.

Further plans for the park also feature a wellness spa with indoor and outdoor treatment areas, and conference facilities, are also planned; these will open along with the hotel in 2020.

The £16m investment by the park’s owner, the Ainscough Group, is expected to create an additional 100 jobs, effectively doubling its current workforce. To date, the park has attracted 600,000 visitors and currently employs 140 jobs at peak times.

Andy Ainscough, managing director of Surf Snowdonia said: “Our investment in phase two is all about building on what we’ve established over the last three years: a flagship adventure destination for Wales and the UK.

“Our plans will allow us to give our visitors more of what we know they really value: engaging, family-friendly adventures which take them away from their screens and get them moving more in the great outdoors.”