Review of The Hilary Guest House, Wales

>> For contact details and more information, see our full listing of: The Hilary Guest House

The Hilary Guesthouse on a quiet avenue in Llandudno, Wales. Photo: Julie Falconer

The Hilary is a friendly three-storey B&B owned and run by Deborah and Colin. It is located in the famous and quaint seaside town of Llandudno in north Wales.

The Accommodation
One of eight beautiful and individually styled rooms. Photo: Julie FalconerThe Hilary has eight bedrooms situated on the first and second floors. All of the bedrooms have an en-suite bathroom, coffee and tea facilities, a double bed or two twin beds, and furnishings such as a wardrobe, dressing table, and chairs. There is also one room with a king size bed. 

Each guest room is named after one of Deborah’s favourite castles. A local artist painted each castle, and every room has a picture of its namesake on its wall. Rooms are all decorated and furnished in a different colour scheme and style. My room was done in a classical modern style, with gold and cream wallpaper, beige carpeting, and bold prints on the bedspread. My bathroom was pretty and white, with nice touches like cute little rubber ducks on the shelf over the sink.

The Activities
There is no shortage of things to do in Llandudno. To the north and west of the town are beautiful beaches, one of which leads to a historic castle. The peninsula on which Llandudno is located is home to the Great Orme, a high massif that offers hiking, adventure sports, and tours of a Bronze Age copper mine. To get to the top, there is both a tramway and cable car system or, for those that are up for the challenge, you can also hike up. 

In town, there is a long shopping street full of local shops and restaurants. The historic architecture of the town centre is another draw, and there are historic walks and tours on offer. I spent time exploring the area and soaking up the atmosphere, as well as walking out on the longest pier in Wales, which was full of carnival rides and games. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the late afternoon sunshine made for the perfect climate in which to explore Llandudno.

The tasty full cooked breakfast cooked fresh to order using fair trade and locally sourced organic ingredients where possible. Photo: Julie FalconerThe Food
The food at The Hilary was home cooked by Deborah and Colin. I started my breakfast at the buffet table, which was brimming with fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, cereals, and juices. After I sat down at my designated table in the dining room, my buffet course was followed by hot food, which came in the form of a Full Welsh Breakfast. If I hadn’t been so hungry, I could have chosen from eggs, croissants, crumpets, welsh cakes, fish or other food prepared to my tastes. There was a good variety, and quantities were plentiful. I was pleasantly full when I finished.

What Makes The Hilary Green? 
The Hilary was the first business in Llandudno to receive a silver Green Tourism Award. They were also the first to be awarded a Fair Trade certificate by the Conwy Fair Trade Association for their use of fair trade products. The hosts recycle, use chemical-free cleaning products, and minimize the use of energy in the B&B to be friendly to the environment. The Hilary also has a wormery that is used to produce liquid fertilizer for their pretty front garden!

How to Get There Using Public Transport
Llandudno is surprisingly well connected by bus and rail for a town its size. There are direct trains from London, Manchester, and other major UK cities, making it easy to get there. Book train tickets via thetrainline.com: Train tickets to Llandudno. From the railway station in Llandudno, it is an easy five to 10 minute walk to The Hilary. If you have heavy bags, the hosts can come to pick you up, or you can take a taxi.

Top Tip
Be prepared to be awed by the beauty of the town and landscapes in Llandudno, and leave yourself enough time to explore all there is to see and do there. The area offers something for everyone, whether you are an avid adventure sports lover, a beach fanatic, or a history buff, so it is great for families, groups, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Verdict
The Hilary is a great place to spend a relaxing holiday or long weekend in Britain. It is perfect for couples and solo travellers, as its rooms are set up for adults only. Quiet and peaceful, it is a great place to rest and relax while in Llandudno. Deborah and Colin are warm hosts, and I felt very well looked after for the duration of my stay.

The splendid scenery from The Hilary. The town centre, promenade, shops and theatre are just a stroll away. Photo: Julie Falconer

>> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of The Hilary Guesthouse

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