5 Banc Llugwy

For £350 for two nights, I was shocked by how run down and dated the hotel felt. It seems not to have had any care or attention since the 60s, and it smelled damp. The double bed was two small, uncomfortable single beds pushed together. The pub and restaurant attached are nice, but after staying in places of all kinds around the world, this had one of the worst price to quality ratios I’ve seen. Three stars is very generous.

We stopped in for lunch without a booking, and that was no problem. The dining room was lovely, the service excellent, and the lunch menu very good. I’d recommend the sausages and mash.

Lunch was very reasonably priced, with generous portions. I had the lovely chicken chow mein and Welsh beef jacket potato. Great food.

My wife arranged a Sunday to Tuesday birthday break, and we had a great weekend away. The Welsh black beef roast on Sunday night was incredible. Monday’s Welsh Black beef steak, aged 100 days, was one of the best I’ve ever had, really tasty and cooked perfectly medium rare. The breakfasts were so good that hearty doesn’t do them justice, and locals were coming in both days. Everyone on staff was friendly, capable, helpful, and confident at their jobs. The chef took my wife’s allergies into account when sorting her food, so a huge thank you to the chef and the whole team. They’re a credit to the place. We’ll be back.