Accommodation

Snowdonia and North Wales have a wide selection of serviced accommodation, ranging from clean, modest guesthouses to boutique and luxury hotels with every amenity. Many establishments serve dinner as an optional extra and there may also be special reductions for children. TICs hold details of local accommodation, and most will help with bookings.

The area also has a great choice of good-value, self-catering cottages, farmhouses, flats, chalets and static caravans. One specialist self-catering agency is Wales Cottage Holidays (Bear Lanes, Newtown, Powys; www.walescottageholidays.co.uk). Snowdonia also has many excellent campsites, costing between £12 and £20 for an overnight pitch.

You could go back to nature and stay in a tipi or a yurt at Eco Retreats (www.ecoretreats.co.uk), a few miles northeast of Machynlleth. There’s no electricity and eco-friendliness is a priority.

The Youth Hostel Association (www.yha.org.uk) has bunkhouses and hostels throughout Snowdonia. To book, call the individual hostel, or telephone 0800 019 1700.

The price codes listed are based on a standard double for one night in peak season, including breakfast. Out of season prices can be much lower and many establishments offer special deals, so check websites before booking.

£££ = over £150

££ = £100–150

£ = under £100

Ruthin and the Vale of Clywd

Bach y Graig Farmhouse

Tremeirchion, St Asaph; www.bachygraig.co.uk.

Wooden beams, oak panelling and an inglenook fireplace impart plenty of character to this farmhouse B&B. There are free-range eggs and freshly baked bread for breakfast. Self-catering accommodation is also available. Adults only. £

Castle House

Bull Lane, Denbigh; www.castlehousebandb.co.uk.

Situated in the grounds of Leicester’s Folly just below the castle, the three supremely comfortable rooms and two cottages here come with ornate furnishings and stunning views. Guest’s lounge and gardens to enjoy too. ££

Firgrove

Llanfwrog, Ruthin; www.firgrovecountryhouse.co.uk.

Beautifully furnished bedrooms at this charming Georgian house, just on the outskirts of Ruthin. The large gardens are well maintained and create a tranquil setting. Two-night minimum stay. ££

Manorhaus

Well Street, Ruthin; www.manorhaus.com/ruthin.

Wonderfully stylish bedrooms and cool modern artworks characterise this excellent restaurant with rooms, situated in a Georgian building. Comfort isn’t sacrificed to style, and there are fluffy towels, Egyptian cotton bed linen and sleek bathrooms. £

Pentre Mawr

Llandyrnog, nr Denbigh; www.unusualweddingvenueswales.co.uk.

This country house looks traditional, but contains some surprises: you can stay in classic rooms with four-poster beds in the house itself, or opt for luxurious safari-style canvas lodges in the grounds which come with underfloor heating, rich fabrics and hot tubs. Dinner is available on Friday and Saturday. £££

Escape B&B, Llandudno.

William Shaw/Apa Publications

Llandudno

Bodysgallen Hall and Spa

2 miles (3km) outside Llandudno; www.bodysgallen.com.

Luxury all the way at this fine country-house hotel, owned by the National Trust. There’s a spa, and fabulous gardens, as well as an elegant restaurant. £££

Escape Boutique B&B

48 Church Walks; www.escapebandb.co.uk.

It may be a Victorian villa, but this stylish B&B has contemporary individually designed rooms, bringing welcome urban chic to Llandudno. Retro and vintage furnishings and all kinds of curios add to its considerable charm. ££

The Lighthouse

Marine Drive; www.lighthouse-llandudno.co.uk.

You get great sea views from this B&B, situated in a nineteenth-century lighthouse which was built to resemble a fortress. It’s perched on Great Orme Head, a couple of miles from Llandudno. £

The Wildings

North Parade, Promenade; www.thewildlingshotel.co.uk.

Traditionally decorated, comfortable bedrooms at this luxurious small hotel on the seafront. Alice Liddell – immortalised as Alice in Wonderland – stayed here as a child, and it retains a sense of Victorian grandeur. Lovely sea views from the lounge and excellent food in the restaurant. £

Vale of Conwy and Conwy

Castle Hotel

High Street, Conwy; www.castlewales.co.uk.

Once a coaching inn, this centrally-located hotel mixes period features, like wood panelling and old beams, with refurbished boutique bedrooms. It serves fine Welsh food in the restaurant. ££

Glan Heulog

Llanwrst Road, Conwy; www.conwy-bedandbreakfast.co.uk.

A warm reception awaits at this delightful guesthouse with six ensuite rooms, including a family room. Breakfast is taken in the light-filled conservatory. Half a mile out of town on the Trefriw Road. ££

The Quay Hotel and Spa

Deganwy Quay, Deganwy; www.quayhotel.co.uk.

Contemporary-styled rooms and suites at this waterfront hotel with a spa and swimming pool. Many rooms have great views of Conwy castle – you can even go for a penthouse with your own balcony. £££

Around Betws-y-Coed and Snowdon

Ffin y Parc Country House

Betws Road, Llanrwst; www.welshart.net.

Two luxury self-catering cottages set in the grounds of a stone-built country house with a Victorian walled garden. Style is eclectic, with a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. £££

Pen y Gwryd Hotel

Nant Gwynant; www.pyg.co.uk.

This traditional inn, a one-time base for Everest expedition training, attracts plenty of walkers and climbers who want clean, no-frills accommodation with good food. £–££

Pengwern Country House

Allt Dinas, nr Betws-y-Coed; www.snowdoniaaccommodation.co.uk.

Friendly Welsh-speaking hosts and immaculate rooms set in a Victorian house just a mile (1.6km) from the centre of Betws-y-Coed. The rooms are individually designed – the Richard Gay Somerset bathroom offers the best loo-with-a-view in Wales. £

St Curig’s Church

Capel Curig; www.stcurigschurch.com.

You’ll find this converted nineteenth-century church a comfortable self-catering option. It’s popular with walkers and climbers. Choose from en-suite rooms, twin beds and bunkrooms. £££

Swallow Falls Inn

Holyhead Road, Betws-y-Coed; www.inncollectiongroup.com.

A convenient base for lovers of the great outdoors. The inn has 19 en-suite bedrooms, and there’s also a neighbouring campsite and YHA hostel. There’s home-cooked food in the Tavern Restaurant or pub bar, and landscaped gardens beside the famous Swallow Falls waterfall. £

Ceiriog Valley

The Hand at Llanarmon

Llanarmon Dyffyn Ceiriog; www.thehandhotel.co.uk.

The beautiful Ceiriog Valley is the setting for this former farm which is now a popular hotel. There are guest rooms in the farmhouse and in converted outbuildings, and excellent food is served in the restaurant. ££

Anglesey

Bishopsgate Hotel & Restaurant

Castle Street, Beaumaris; www.bishopsgatehotel.co.uk.

Bishopgate Hotel, located in a lovely restored Georgian townhouse, has nine individually designed rooms. The public areas are tastefully decorated and feature antique furnishings and original features. There’s an excellent, award-winning restaurant, too. £

Bull’s Head Inn

Castle Street, Beaumaris; www.inncollectiongroup.co.uk.

This historic coaching inn, where Charles Dickens once stayed, has five cosy bedrooms, many with original features. If you prefer funkier, more contemporary rooms, you can stay in the stylish Townhouse – a former inn, also on Castle Street. ££

Lastra Farm Hotel

Penrhyd, Amlwch; www.lastra-hotel.co.uk.

In a good position for visiting the island, Lastra Farm is a comfortable, friendly establishment whose clientele keep on returning. The restaurant (closed Mon & Tues) uses local suppliers for its seafood, meat and vegetables. £

Portmeirion Hotel

Crown Copyright

Lleyn Peninsula

Gwesty Ty Newydd

Aberdaron; www.gwesty-tynewydd.co.uk.

There are great sea views from all eleven bedrooms of this attractive inn, situated beside the beach. Two rooms have been adapted for guests with disabilities, and there’s a popular seafood restaurant downstairs. ££

Porth Tocyn

Abersoch; www.porthtocynhotel.co.uk.

Some two miles south of the village, this ever so smart country house hotel offers uniquely styled rooms, most of which have outstanding views of Cardigan Bay. Self-catering cottage and shepherd’s hut too. £££

Portmeirion and Ffestiniog

Portmeirion Hotel and Castell Deudraeth

Portmeirion; www.portmeirion.wales.

There are two hotels at Portmeirion, both offering luxurious accommodation in the magical setting of this Italianate village, as well as self-catering cottages and ‘village rooms’. £££

Tyddyn du Farm

Gellilydan, Ffestiniog, nr Porthmadog; www.snowdoniaholidays.wales.

This working sheep farm has high-quality accommodation in spacious barn suites sleeping two- to five people and all with countryside views. ££

Aberdyfi

Awel y Mor

4, Bodfor Terrace, Aberdyfi; www.awel-y-mor-bedabndbreakfast.co.uk.

Seafront-facing Awel y Mar offers four attractively appointed rooms (all en-suite), two of which have spectacular views, in addition to a ground floor self-catering apartment. £

Southern Snowdonia

Graig Wen

Arthog, Dolgellau; www.graigwen.co.uk.

Five miles west of Dolgellau, this fabulous retreat incorporates wild camping, yurts, bell tents, two quarry wagons and a quartet of self-catering cottages. Pitches for motorhomes too. £

Tyddyn Mawr Farmhouse

Cader Road, Dolgellau; www.wales-guesthouse.co.uk.

There are two bedrooms at this five-star B&B outside Dolgellau. One room has great views of Cadair Idris, the other has access onto the patio. A cracking Welsh breakfast is served in the farmhouse. £