Everywhere was clean and tidy - including frontage which is a shop window for the tea room. Tastefully modernised with 3 star decor, furnishings and furniture.
Friendly helpful encouraging couple born to run a B&B. We stayed for 7 nights, having booked by cheque which took a couple of days although paid the balance by card on departure, so maybe card deposit would provide quicker certainty in the presumably relatively rare event of such last minute bookings. Nothing mentioned about cancellation policy, although on website. We rang the bell and were quickly taken to our room and given the keys to the room and front door. You pay your bill at the till just inside the kitchen and there is no separate registration area. On leaving the landlady tried to help me struggle with an expedition bag until I talked her out of the task and the landlord caught me on the way to the car with one last item I overlooked in the room. Although not normally expected for a B&B, greetings by name, offering assistance with luggage and refreshments on arrival would take it closer to five star standard. On departure a more expensive guest house might have a formalised bill waiting and pre-emptively suggest directions. A guest information pack might add value, eg with details of local pub grub which guests would have to find on dark wet winding roads while finding their bearings.
There was a selection of continental and proudly presented fresh cooked breakfasts to power you up mountain. Breakfast 8-9 but no rush necessarily if tea room not busy. Can recommend the Full One or banana pancake. Prompt clearing, being able to choose on the spot and hot drink offer and toast is 4 star quality. Didn't try packed lunch but the tea room which doubles as the dining room has received a good review in a local paper and the pub next door has a log fire and wide menu for dinner. Little treats appeared on tray daily. We chose a bench as "our" breakfast spot and although had the pull the table to us this seemed OK. Eggs would doubtless be cooked to order but not asked. Mars bars are for sale at 50p.
Room has extra bit which takes a couple of massive cases out the way, and bed has access both sides. Good height ceiling and could open cupboard doors without banging each other. I'm someone who likes their own bed so the mattress was a bit soft or thin to take the weight of my aching bones although the bed was well presented. Bedclothes changed after couple of days, always made smart. Duvet had cover and sheet although could have been a few inches longer to snuggle round a six footish frame's toes. Two pillows and a cushion each. Not sure how often bed would normally be made as we left it hidden under our junk some days. Wardrobe, dresser, chair and bedside drawers plenty, plus hooks. Biggest room is ensuite at front but usually no traffic 10pm-6am. Other two rooms at back share bathroom and may hear babbling brook at rear. Walls two foot thick slate and double glazed so snug if you want it. Windows tilt inwards either vertically (can leave ajar although no stay to lock it to your position) or horizontally (all or nothing). Bit of guest traffic on landing to listen to around 8am and 10pm as they parade in and out of bathroom and arrive back at night. Bedside lamps and alarm clock. Heating came on 7am and was fine for autumn. Thermostat by headboard. Seemed to be 24h hot water. Kettle on tray. Could do with more hangers to make most of wardrobe although we had so much stuff we lived out of cases anyway. Glasses were sparkling. Bin. Hairdryer. Fridge, which would be great for chilling water bottles in summer. With today's gadgets an extra four gang adapter might be worthwhile behind the TV and under the dresser. Basic channels on Sky. Blackout liners are the only improvement I can think of. Flowers and fruit in the room would increase the price but maybe the former not so suited to a mountain base camp.
Ensuite had heated towel rail, enough good towels and clean soap dispenser. Shaver light. Extractor fan didn't seem to be working in a room with no window. Shelf would be handy to expand on sink space. Ensuite has room for two. WC refills quickly. Although the other two rooms share a bathroom it is right next door so no padding through rooms or corridors. The ensuite had all the expected facilities. Probably like most houses, without special valves and pumps the shower has to share the pressure with other water users in the morning rush.
You can dry clothes by log burner in slate inglenook in dining room. The layout allows you to come and go without bothering the owners but equally to stick your head in the dining room to catch them in the kitchen where they are usually on hand for an update or mountain gossip. Not sure how we would have got hold of them out of hours with no signal, although their accommodation is through the kitchen so probably would have got them easily enough. There is a guest phone on the landing but I don't remember seeing call charge details. There might be a case for a card displayed about phone charges and summoning owners out of hours for newly arrived guests. We seemed welcome to come and go with our key, eg we underestimated the rain one day and had to change when we got off the Highland Railway which is a minute up the road. Parking is outside if you don't need to open one side's door against the wall or a few yards along opposite the pub. The 80p Snowdon path guides might be a handy addition what with being at the foot of the Rhyd Ddu path.
I see it as equivalent to a 3 star guest accommodation, technically held back at 2 stars by two rooms sharing a bathroom, but with 4 star hospitality and breakfasts. Judging only my room, if the bed was upgraded and the menu locally sourced and explained it would be heading for 4 stars (technically only if the other two rooms could be knocked into the bathroom to make ensuites). A few pounds worth of gadgets in rooms, literature, choice of egg and a welcome/departure routine ought to just about get them the rest of the way. I would recommend it for any drivers looking for a reliable B&B near Snowdon.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
