JW Lees is proud to announce the opening of Craigside Manor, Llandudno, after acquiring the site from Whitbread in August 2024 and a thirteen-week closure with a £1.2m refurbishment with principal contractors Box Construction, EWH Consulting and IDA Architecture & Interior Design. The new addition to JW Lees’ premium Inns & Hotels collection officially opened its doors on Tuesday 25th March.
Craigside Manor is nestled beside the Little Orme, with sweeping views of Llandudno and the North Wales coast. Llandudno itself, known as the “Queen of Welsh Resorts,” has long been a destination for those seeking fresh sea air, Victorian charm, and coastal tranquillity. With the Little Orme’s fascinating history—ranging from ancient copper mines to limestone quarries—the area is rich in heritage and natural beauty.
The newly refurbished hotel and pub features 20 stylish and cosy rooms, with many boasting coastal and hillside views. The pub and dining area offers a range of spaces to relax by the open fires, dine with views over Llandudno Bay and enjoy a couple of pints in the dog friendly areas and in the spacious beer gardens in the Welsh sunshine. Guests can expect freshly prepared seasonal dishes, showcasing the best of home-cooked food, alongside an impressive line-up of JW Lees beers. The bar features Manchester Pale Ale, Original Lager, Manchester Craft Lager, JW Lees Stout and the latest innovations from The Boilerhouse microbrewery, plus a rotating selection of seasonal cask ales.
*L-R: Michael Lees-Jones, Louis Lees-Jones, William Lees-Jones, Laura Carey, Mayor of Llandudno Michael Pearce
Laura Carey, General Manager of Craigside Manor, shared her excitement about the launch:
“Watching the transformation of Craigside Manor has been nothing short of inspiring. Llandudno has such a special charm, and I’m thrilled to be part of this journey. JW Lees’ commitment to putting people at the heart of everything they do is something I truly admire. We can’t wait to welcome guests, old and new, and create unforgettable experiences in this incredible setting.”
William Lees-Jones, Managing Director of JW Lees said: “The Craigside takes us to 366 bedrooms under company management and this shows how serious we are about transforming our 197 year old family business with 48 sites under management as well as another 87 in our Pub Partner estate”.
JW Lees continues to invest in creating outstanding hospitality experiences, and Craigside Manor represents the latest step in that journey—offering a warm, welcoming, and high-quality retreat for locals, holidaymakers, and food and drink lovers alike.
About JW Lees
JW Lees is a seventh-generation family brewery company, founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees. JW Lees is based in Middleton Junction in North Manchester and the business comprises JW Lees Brewery, JW Lees Pubs, The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Stanneylands Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby’s Wine Merchants. JW Lees employs over 1,600 people, 150 at the brewery and site in Middleton Junction and over 1,375 in their 48 managed pubs, inns and hotels. JW Lees also lets another 87 pubs to JW Lees Pub Partners.
