Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Wales: Conwy vs. Betws-y-Coed: which one deserves more nights?

Search

Wales: Conwy vs. Betws-y-Coed: which one deserves more nights?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 3rd, 2009, 06:22 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wales: Conwy vs. Betws-y-Coed: which one deserves more nights?

Debating about 2 nights in one vs. the other. (I have a total of 3 nights for Wales.)
Happy for suggestions on where to stay!

Think we're staying at the Ty Gwyn in Betws....
near Snowdownia. They are supposed to be cozy...
at least, their restaurant is. (an old coaching inn)

Considering the Castle Hotel in Conwy, but haven't researched
it as much, yet. Would like to see as much as possible in N. Wales...
but clearly, can't include it all! :-\ Soooo many castles, not sure *how*
many to try & hit. Plus, considering Warwick as well
before heading to this area, so may overdose on them, I fear. ;-)

I hear Caernarfon & Beaumaris are well worthwhile, too. (and more??)
Abbeys too would be of interest, if particularly evocative or in a pretty setting.
Thanks for any & all feedback. This board is always so helpful & so
insightful! Am making final trip plans now. Time period? Later April
so it's coming up soon.
Daydreamer is offline  
Old Apr 3rd, 2009, 06:41 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had booked The Bryn in Conwy for our trip that was to have begun next week. But we had to cancel.

The Bryn gets great reviews and Allison, the owner, is very nice. Looks lovely. Still hope to stay there whenever we can rebook our trip.

http://www.bryn.org.uk/index.html
bettyk is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2009, 05:52 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,471
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Hi; We visited all of King Edward's 1st castles in Northern Wales including Harlich. If you are a gardening person, there is a great garden called www.Bodnantgarden.co.uk We stayed in a central location for three days to be able to visit sights in any direction and that was Betws-y-coed. Enjoy iris1745/dick
iris1745 is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2009, 07:54 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Love both but my pick for the area would also be Betws-y-coed. Bodnant Garden is absolutely sublime. One of my favourites on the planet thus far!

Conwy Castle is definitely worth a visit.
travel2live2 is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2009, 11:02 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Conwy is quite different from Warwick, so you shouldn't overdose on those two.

We spent two nights in Snowdonia National Park; on the way there we spent part of a day in Conwy. We went through Caernarfon on our way to our hostel, but the castle was closed by the time we got there.

The next day we drove down through Beddgelert and Portmadog and spent about half a day in Portmeirion, which is lovely and quite different from anything else you'll see in north Wales.

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old Apr 5th, 2009, 11:01 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I vote for Conwy so you can walk the town walls in the evening after a day of exploring. Lots of choicdes for eats in Conwy. I spent a week there and found it very centrally located for exploring.

I'm one who can't get enough of castles. Conwy, Caernarvon, Harlech and Beaumaris are all great visits. You certainly can't beat the setting of Baeumaris for its setting in fields and surrounded by a peaceful moat. the nearby village was also a good walkabout.

Heartily endorse Bodnant Gardens (also one of my favs).

Blenau Festiniog is a slate town and offers a visit down a slate mine. The narrator's story and the singing miners were both interesting and moving.

From Blenau Festiniog you can take a steam train ride down to Port Merion for a visit.

Have a great trip!
irishface is offline  
Old Apr 5th, 2009, 12:14 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,889
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Having been to both, I would opt for Betws-y-Coed for 2 nights. We enjoyed our stay at Glyntwrog House B&B. It was a short walk into the city center and close to Swallow Falls. There is also a narrow guage railway that you can take from town for a scenic trip. You'll find lots of lodging options if you google Betws-y-Coed Bed and Breakfast. Enjoy your trip!
saige is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2009, 03:29 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone! We can't wait.
I took the easy way out & am including BOTH.
2 nights at Betws...at the Ty Gwyn
and 1 in Conwy at the Castle Hotel.
Daydreamer is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2009, 04:29 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,471
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Hi Daydreamer; Good choice. iris1745/dick
iris1745 is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2009, 05:15 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Daydreamer...good choice...but as for places to visit from what we like to call Betty Coed (sounding like an MGM musical of the 40's!)...we thought Port Meiron was unique...for Italy lovers, it's a shocker. Stayed at Mynydd Edyfed in ccieth, rove over Snowdonia Pass....I second the suggestion on Bodnant Gardens...beauiful lay out....don't eat anything
before visiting Conway's "tiniest house in the world"...you may not fit in!
stu
tower is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2009, 05:43 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That should be "Criccieth"...and "Conwy" and "Ednyfed"...
tower is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2009, 06:44 PM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Tower & Iris!!
Appreciate the support & further suggestions.
Glad to hear back on Portmeiron, as have been wondering.
I doubt we will have time for a train ride that keeps
getting mentioned. Any strong opinions on those?

Thanks again!
Daydreamer is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dodi66
Europe
24
Jan 3rd, 2018 11:10 PM
sgingold
Europe
5
Aug 20th, 2017 01:12 PM
europeannovice
Europe
4
Jun 21st, 2013 03:13 PM
anna_roz
Europe
13
Jun 21st, 2012 06:43 AM
susan300
Europe
23
Mar 30th, 2011 06:08 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -