I stayed two nights at Plas Tan y Graig with my daughter and had an excellent experience…read more The owners - Mark and Annette were very warm and welcoming. Mark was especially helpful giving us hiking tips and general info. Our room was on the top floor, number 6, facing the river - what a great view! Everything was quite clean, nicely furnished and the beds were comfortable. Breakfast the first morning was okay, but as we were finishing, I heard another guest raving about the "avocado toast" he had yesterday. Hmm...we weren't advised about this dish. The next morning, I asked, "Do you have avocado toast?" Sweet Emily replied, "Oh yes, I always forget about the specials - let me check." As it turned out, the avocado toast was one of the BEST dishes I had during my two week travels in Wales & the UK (I know you're thinking..."Wales & UK?") Ask a Welshman. In all, our stay was excellent and if Paul McCartney stays at Plas Tan y Graig, then it's good enough for me - see photo in dining room on fireplace mantle. Thanks for the hospitality Annette, Mark and Emily!

This is a great escape and within walking distance of all shops and facilities. A fantastic family…read moreday out. Well recommended.

The Good The Bad and The Ugly…read more The Good This was a bucket list wish trip. We've been wanting to get to see Portmeirion for 30 years and this was the year!!! We booked a room in the hotel and it included breakfast and we decided against having dinner there because as luck would have it the yearly Christmas craft and food festival was going on at the grounds. We enjoyed the fair and in the evening we sat in front of one of the fires. Husband reading and me knitting. Wonderful relaxing visit. The public rooms were old world gracious and cozy. The bar had a nice selection of drinks to enjoy. Our room was beautiful and we had two windows. One over the river and one up to the village. It was cold and rainy during our visit but believe it or not we came for this weather, being from Florida we kind of miss the cold. The Bad First morning breakfast was a full Welsh breakfast and was good but the second day, the last day and the one we will remember was horrible. I got the salmon eggs Benedict and husband an omelette. His breakfast came out steaming, mine - I almost had to chip off the ice. Okay there wasn't ice on my eggs but there was not a degree of warmth over room temperature and the room was cold. Couldn't catch the eye of a server. They were too busy cleaning up getting the room set for lunch. I had one bite of my eggs and pushed them aside. I went to fix my cup of tea and there was only two sugar cubes in the sugar bowl. What???? Thank goodness the table next to us was empty so we just swapped out. No salt and pepper on the table either. You would think the servers would notice that the food hasn't been eaten and ask about it. The Ugly Finally got the attention of our server. I told him my eggs were cold and inedible and if he had checked on us it could have been corrected during breakfast hours. (Breakfast was over by the way). He then got snippy and said there is no check because breakfast is included in the room. What the heck??? Just wish our last memory was better. Would i return?. That's a good question. The facility is beautiful, the room was great. Walking around the village was interesting but leaving hungry wasn't how I wanted to end our trip. Honestly if breakfast service is any indication of meals there I'm glad we didn't spring for dinner.

I absolutely loved my stay here and can't wait to return…read more The impetus for our visit was the fact that we are die-hard fans of The Prisoner, but I was pleasantly surprised with how lovely the stay itself was, separate from everything attached to the show! Staying in The Village is already so much fun, and our apartment was clean, nicely furnished, and cosy. The shops and restaurants around are lovely, and I myself love Portmeirion china so I enjoyed shopping there. We also learned a lot about the history of the place and it is rather fascinating and unique. There is a nice art gallery which I went to and was able to talk to the artist, Rob Piercy, who has done a lot of work on Portmeirion over the decades. I bought his lovely coffee table book and thoroughly enjoy it. The gift shop in No. 6's is fantastic. The only thing I wish they had were shot glasses, but we bought lots of other fun things. Unfortunately as we visited during winter, the pool area was not available but it looked very inviting. Exploring the whole village was a real treat, as there are so many little hidden walkways, stairwells, and more which one continues to stumble across! Amazing views of the sea, and a nice walk along the beach. Even in stormy weather, our hike in the woods was one of my favorite trails I've ever been on. The dog cemetery was particularly spooky. There were so many little hidden areas we kept finding and spent hours walking in the woods. The food at the hotel down by the water is superb, with great service as well. Some of the best afternoon tea I've ever had. This is one of those places you just want to spend ages at. I'd come here for my honeymoon, it's definitely a great getaway for couples.

Beddgelert is a little out of the way place that probably gets a lot less through traffic than the…read morenear by Capel Curig and Llanberis. It's a village nested snuggly south-west of Snowden, deep in the Snowdonia National Park. It is very picturesque and is a good starting point for innumerable walks, both low level saunters and mountainous climbs. The Saracen's Head is a lovely inviting stone building. Tasty sounding 'winter warmers' advertised on the board outside and proudly announcing - 'dogs welcome'. The ideal place for a cuppa after a challenging 10 mile trek? Well the tea was most welcome and perfectly decent, the food menus were less attractive and the staff were all smoking outside on my arrival, not the best start. But, they were friendly and were surprisingly equally friendly and welcoming to my extremely soggy and worn-out mongrel. They allow dogs in the rooms too, good to know if you need a mountainous base for a walking trip with your four-legged friend. The place was clean and the basics were there, but somehow seemed old and quiet (admittedly everywhere is quiet on a rainy Friday in January!), tired and distinctly average. I probably wouldn't stay there just not inviting enough. But for a refreshing pot of tea, I would certainly return.

As of the 15th of September 2009 The Saracen Head Hotel is under the new management of Ray and Min…read moreTarling. We have 20 years experience in the catering and hospitality trade and are about to embark on a refurbishment of the hotel with Robinsons brewery. It will start in October 09 and will take approximately 12 months to complete.Our intention is to turn the hotel in to a family friendly good quality hotel. If you have any question or comments feel free to contact us, We hope to see you soon, Min and Ray

I stayed at Mairlys for 3 nights this past spring over the royal wedding weekend (I had to get out…read moreof London for that). Normally I'm not a B&B type, especially travelling solo, but I was very happy with my stay at Mairlys. I had their single room, which I don't think was used too often (I could be wrong) but it was still kept clean & was ready for use. The room had a bathroom, but the shower was in the hall just outside. Technically its a shared shower room, but even with the house full I had it to myself. Bernard & Marian were great hosts. The breakfasts (I always got the full Welsh breakfast) were very well prepared and for my trip up Snowdon they made me a nice take away breakfast & lunch that was ready early in the morning. Its in a great location on the main road not far from the railroad & center of town & its an easy walk to everything. Someday I'd like to get back to North Wales & Betws-y-Coed, & when I do I I'd defintely stay here again.

Please understand this is a farm stay setting...not simply a B&B. And, it is truly a working farm,…read morean experience I prefer whenever I visit rural Wales and England. The facilities, while small (one bedroom), are absolutely as clean as any you'll find anywhere. But what separates a stay at Tyddyn Du is the genuine friendliness, excellent food and welcome one receives when there. These are wonderful people offering an opportunity to peek into their lives and who gladly provide thoughtful advice, directions and recommendations. It was a pleasure to spend a full week at Tyddyn Du with my daughter and it was an experience we will never forget. Please do not confuse Tyddyn Du with the much larger option (which is likely a wonderful place) located near Porthmadog. This is an intimate, semi-secluded getaway located near the authentic market town of Llanrwst and convenient to the touristy Betws-y-coed. If you are contemplating a visit to this part of the world at any time of the year, consider staying with Menna and her wonderful family. I am so hopeful the not- too- distant future will bring me back to this wonderful home overlooking the mountains of Snowdonia.

Aahh, real ales! There are several local ales on tap to choose from for the weary traveller, and…read morelots of space inside or out to rest your weary bones. We arrived on foot from Tanygrisiau, but you could also pop down the hill from the steam train. Most people there on Sunday were motorists or motorcyclists. Apparently they'd had a busy day, 85 meals served at lunchtime. There's a garden outside, with lovely views of the valley. Inside there were lots of comfy chairs. There's a children's play area on the other side of the building as well. Even a short path if your dogs need to stretch their legs. I think it also offers accomodation. Can't comment on the food, as I was on a serious hike, so had to keep going. But our pints were tasty and smooth.

Lovely building, Great location, been in there many times, and even stayed once, they do a great…read morecarvery but the recent few times we have been in there the meat is dry and getting smaller portions, always busy on a sunday but can always find a table, lovely burgers and chips too, bar service is very slow as the barman never seems to know someone is at the other bar, the lady owner is very nice and friendly but the bloke is a miserable g#t