The Llys Llewelyn Guest House…An Awesome Accommodation

          As the gateway to Snowdonia National Park, Conwy, Wales is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the British Isles.  At certain times of the year finding accommodations there can be difficult without planning ahead and that is exactly the situation I found myself in when I stepped off the train early in the afternoon on a Wednesday in late May.  After checking several ‘bed and breakfasts’ near the center of this historic, medieval town and finding them fully booked, someone suggested that I try the Llys Llewelyn Guest House just a few blocks up the hill in an area of Conwy appropriately called Mount Pleasant.  It was located right next to the old town walls and afforded a spectacular view of the town, river and castle below.

One of My Favorite Sleeps!

          From the moment I spotted the impressive edifice and walked up the front courtyard, I could see why this place was listed as a historic building.  Roger Hughes was covering for his father that day and invited me in when I rang the bell.  He had a room with private bath available for $48 including a traditional English breakfast.  I was soon checking in to a large room that included two beds, a television, and a table with a fully stocked coffee and tea tray.  The room was clean, cheery and welcoming and was appointed in what I would call ‘old fashioned’ décor.  After unpacking and getting myself organized I was soon out the door and on my way to explore Conwy.  I had only to step across the street to find an ancient stone stairway leading to the top of the old town walls where I began my walking tour of this quaint Welsh village.

Like Being in an Old British Movie

          After a wonderful day of exploring Conwy and environs, which I described in my previous posting, I returned to the Llys Llewelyn Guest House around 9 PM exhausted and ready to sit down with a cup of tea.  Even at this hour it was still light out way up there in the northern latitudes.  I plopped myself down in the overstuffed chair by the window looking out at the estuary and the town below and watched the darkness settle in.  As the lights in town came on one by one and the castle gradually faded into a mere silhouette in the shadows below I began to feel like I was in an old British movie.  I could almost see Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll coming up the walk (The 39 Steps) and half expected Dame May Whitty to knock on my door (The Lady Vanishes).  OK, maybe I’m getting a little carried away, but you had to be there.  It really was an entrancing feeling to be a part of this wonderful setting so far from home.

Up Early for Breakfast

          Alas, the knock never came on my door and after a good night’s sleep I was up early the next morning to catch the train to York, England.  After packing, I went down to a charming dining room to find the owner, Alan Hughes, waiting to take my order.  He prepared a delicious breakfast and then asked if I would mind if he pulled up a chair so we could chat.  I was glad to have the company and enjoyed hearing him talk about the history of the area and how he came to be the proprietor of the guest house after retiring as a Welsh Olympic ski coach.  He explained how he enjoyed meeting his guests who came from all over the world and that having an opportunity to get to know them was reward enough for his efforts as a good host.  After breakfast we took a quick tour of the rest of the facility which has a number of large well-furnished bedrooms available, including family, twin and double, most with en-suite facilities.  If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Conwy, Wales I recommend Room #1 at the Llys Llewelyn Guest House, so you can sit in that chair by the window at the end of a busy day of sightseeing and watch the sun go down!