Right here’s my itinerary and sincere evaluation of a one-night break in Snowdonia staying on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia.
In case you’re in search of absolutely the perfection of a one-night break in Snowdonia then right here it’s. I’ve lived in North Wales all my life so I do know the world very well (though there’s at all times extra to see!)
I not too long ago had an amazing keep on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia. It was only one night time on the resort. I usually keep in Airbnb’s however it’s uncommon to search out an Airbnb that permits you to keep for one night time so if it’s only a fast journey then it must be a resort.
And one night time in Snowdonia actually did really feel like sufficient. There’s a lot to see and do close by so we felt like we had a very nice break with out staying away from house for too lengthy.
This one night time break in Snowdonia is good for {couples} or households. It’s dog-friendly and appropriate for anybody who OK with quick walks.
Day 1 in Snowdonia
- Conwy Falls – quick stroll to waterfall
- Lunch at Conwy Falls Cafe
- Fairy Glen – A couple of 30 min stroll from Conwy Falls
- Swallow Falls
- Betws y Coed for pizza and wine – Take some pizza again to resort for later + a cake from the Spar bakery!
- Verify into resort (test in obtainable from 3pm)
Day 2 in Snowdonia
- Breakfast at resort
- Try by 11am
- Llyn Idwal Quick Round stroll on the best way house – See Satan’s Kitchen – 4km stroll – 1.5 hours
Day 1 in Snowdonia
Conwy Falls
Parking: Park without spending a dime at Conwy Falls Cafe the place there’s normally loads of area.
Particulars: Guests can use the bathrooms outdoors the cafe. It’s important to pay to enter the footpath to the falls. Fee is contactless by way of card or telephone and was £2.50 in September ‘24. Footpaths are straightforward to comply with however they’re uneven and rocky. There’s a brief, round stroll you’ll be able to simply comply with. It’s in all probability lower than 1km.
About Conwy Falls
Conwy Falls is a shocking pure waterfall positioned close to Betws-y-Coed in North Wales. It’s a stunning one to go to as a result of it appears like an journey with dramatic woodland and rocky footpaths, however it’s really a really quick and comparatively straightforward stroll to get there. So I’d label this one as a straightforward, family-friendly journey!
The waterfall is about inside Conwy Valley they usually cascade by way of a deep gorge. It’s a part of the River Conwy and tumbles about 50 ft, making it a well-liked spot for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Close by is the Conwy Falls Café, a stunning spot the place guests can chill out after their stroll. The realm can also be common with anglers, kayakers, and people trying to discover additional into Snowdonia Nationwide Park.
Conwy Falls Cafe
After your stroll to the waterfall I extremely suggest lunch or a snack at Conwy Falls Cafe.
This beautiful cafe has a heat and welcoming environment. It’s cosy however spacious inside and has a pleasant outside space for sunny days the place you’ll have panoramic views throughout the meadow.
The cafe was designed by Sir William Clough Ellis, the identical architect who designed Portmeirion. They serve breakfast all day, cold and warm meals, drinks and plenty of cake! Parking is free as is the wifi and the bathrooms are open to the general public.
Fairy Glen
You possibly can depart your automobile at Conwy Falls Cafe and stroll right down to Fairy Glen, a magically serene spot. It’s much more lovely on a sunny day as the daylight streams by way of the gorge.
The stroll takes about 40 minutes leaving from the nook of the cafe automobile park.
Fairy Glen (Welsh: Ffos Anoddun) is a magical and secluded gorge positioned close to Betws-y-Coed in North Wales. It’s one of many area’s hidden gems, recognized for its mystical magnificence and tranquil environment. The gorge is carved by the River Conwy, the place the water winds by way of steep, moss-covered cliffs, making a slim, twisting canyon with crystal-clear swimming pools and boulders.
Surrounded by lush greenery and historical woodlands, Fairy Glen has an virtually otherworldly appeal, and its serene ambiance makes it really feel like a spot straight out of a fairy story. The positioning is especially common with nature lovers, hikers, and photographers who come to seize its enchanting surroundings.
Fairy Glen may also be accessed by a personal automobile park which is discovered on a farmer’s land. Take the primary left after Conwy Falls Cafe and also you’ll see a hand-crafted signal for Fairy Glen. On the time of visiting, you needed to pay £1 per grownup, £1 per automobile and 50p per baby. Fee is in money and left in an honesty field.
Swallow Falls
From Conwy Falls Cafe, take a ten minute drive by way of Betws-y-Coed to Swallow Falls. You possibly can normally park within the layby subsequent to the waterfall or park throughout the highway on the Swallow Falls Resort.
Admission into Swallow Falls Waterfall is at present £2 and you may pay by way of money or card.
Swallow Falls (Welsh: Rhaeadr Ewynnol) is a spectacular waterfall positioned close to Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia, North Wales. The waterfall is shaped by the River Llugwy because it cascades dramatically over a sequence of rocky steps, creating a robust and mesmerising show of nature. It is among the most well-known and visited waterfalls in Wales, attracting vacationers with its scenic magnificence and roaring waters.
The falls are surrounded by dense woodlands, making the setting much more picturesque. There are well-maintained viewing platforms that permit guests to soundly admire the waterfall from completely different angles, capturing its grandeur and pure energy. The sound of the dashing water, mixed with the tranquil environment, creates a peaceable environment, excellent for nature lovers and photographers.
Swallow Falls is well accessible from the close by village of Betws-y-Coed, and there’s a small payment for entry. Guests can get pleasure from strolling paths across the space, that are appropriate for brief hikes and scenic strolls by way of the woodland. It’s a well-liked cease for these exploring Snowdonia Nationwide Park and is especially spectacular after heavy rainfall, when the river is at its fullest.
Its pure magnificence makes Swallow Falls a must-visit vacation spot for anybody travelling by way of North Wales.
Betws-y-Coed
After visiting Swallow Falls I like to recommend driving again into Betws-y-Coed and park up for a stroll round.
I normally park within the Pont-y-Pair automobile park (it’s simpler if in case you have the JustPark parking app already put in in your telephone to shortly and simply pay for parking). There are bathrooms right here (50p paid in money) and from right here you are able to do a stunning riverside boardwalk main by way of the forest.
Then stroll again into the village and browse the numerous outside retailers. In case you stroll all over the village you’ll come to a reasonably row of outlets close to the prepare station. There are beautiful boutiques right here so I’d undoubtedly suggest a mooch.
In case you’re peckish then pop into Hangin’ Pizzeria.
We had pizza and a glass of wine and saved some pizza to take again to the resort for later.
In your stroll again to the automobile ensure you pop into the bakery contained in the Spar for one of the best truffles and baked items!
Betws-y-Coed is an enthralling village generally known as the “Gateway to Snowdonia”. It’s common with hikers and outdoorsy individuals and is surrounded by beautiful landscapes with mountains, rivers, forests, and waterfalls. The village itself has a fairytale-like high quality, with stone-built cottages, lush greenery, and the River Conwy flowing by way of its centre.
Based within the sixth century, Betws-y-Coed has an extended historical past, although it turned a key vacationer spot within the nineteenth century when the arrival of the railway linked it to the remainder of the UK. As we speak, it stays a hub for guests to Snowdonia, providing a variety of actions comparable to mountaineering, mountain biking, climbing, and fishing.
The village is house to a number of artwork galleries, outside retailers, cafés, and conventional Welsh pubs, making it a super spot for each adventurers and people trying to chill out. Betws-y-Coed’s scenic magnificence, mixed with its cosy environment, makes it considered one of my favorite locations in North Wales.
Verify in to the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia
Following a busy day you’ll in all probability be able to test in to your resort.
For this journey I stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia. It was my first time staying right here and I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. I normally keep in cosy cottages once I’m staying close by however, as this was a one-night journey, it was a lot simpler to remain in a resort.
The Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia is a large, fashionable resort positioned in Journey Parc Snowdonia. It opened in 2021 and has 106 rooms which largely appear to cater to company occasions for enterprise away days (midweek anyway, the weekends might need a special vibe).
Journey Parc Snowdonia really closed in September ’23. Apparently the wave park was too costly to make it possible. It’s nonetheless there and, actually, it’s a little bit of an eyesore.
Zip World Conwy have taken over one of many buildings and created an epic indoor journey parc which seems rather a lot like gentle play for adults and appears unimaginable! I’ve plans to go to quickly!
The resort has a contemporary, minimalist really feel and is a world away from the cosy quaintness of Betws-y-Coed however I really actually preferred it. The employees had been all very pleasant and chatty. The room was spacious, comfy and clear and the on-site restaurant, Zephyr’s Bar & Grill, was scrumptious and had a very nice environment.
There’s additionally the Wave Backyard Spa, with a variety of therapies, hydrotherapy swimming pools and saunas.
I didn’t use the fitness center however it was nice and very well outfitted. There’s a row of weights on the opposite wall and that’s even a Peloton bike within the center. Resort gyms aren’t usually this good so I didn’t trouble bringing my fitness center package however I want I had!
Canine on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia
All of the rooms on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia are dog-friendly. I added it to my reserving notes that we had been bringing a canine however you don’t must pre-book. Once we arrived at our room there was a canine mattress ready for us.
It’s a £50 further payment to carry a canine which appears just a little steep and it’s far more than the same old £10-£20 I’ve paid.
We did really feel very welcome with our canine and Wanda was fussed by all of the employees who gave her treats and performed together with her. There’s a pleasant stroll you are able to do across the lagoon and there are canine poo baggage and loads of bins obtainable throughout the footpath.
Canine aren’t allowed within the restaurant, which is truthful sufficient and we don’t thoughts, however it did imply we needed to sit on bar stools for breakfast and dinner which was OK however not extremely comfy. There have been one or two tables within the bar however they had been taken up by different households with canine.
Zephyr’s Bar & Grill on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia
I used to be actually impressed with Zephyr’s Bar & Grill. The meals was scrumptious for each dinner and breakfast and the choice was nice. The costs had been additionally actually good and it was the type of menu the place I’d have had virtually every part on it!
For dinner I had a beetroot and goat’s cheese risotto whereas my boyfriend had a burger. The breakfast was buffet type with fruit, yoghurt, cereals, bread, pastries, little truffles and all the same old English breakfast objects like sausages, breakfast, beans, hash browns, mushrooms, tomatoes and fried eggs.
Any complaints?
My solely grievance is concerning the TV.
Every room has this large TV which shows a great deal of info just like the restaurant menu, particulars concerning the spa and coverings, emergency contact numbers and the way to entry the wifi. However you’ll be able to’t use any apps like Netflix, iPlayer, Disney+ or YouTube. You possibly can solely watch terrestrial TV and half the channels didn’t work.
I don’t learn about you however I don’t know anybody beneath the age of 75 who watches terrestrial TV. I’m positive lots of the company on the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia could be like us; We’d had a giant day trip in Snowdonia, we’d had a pleasant dinner, purchased some chocolate and ice cream from the resort store to get pleasure from within the room whereas watching our newest Netflix present…after which realised we couldn’t.
This isn’t the type of vacation spot with nice nightlife so I assume most company are again of their resort rooms after dinner. So, yeah, that was annoying! We ended up watching it on my telephone which appeared a disgrace once we had an infinite (but totally pointless) TV in entrance of us.
Closing ideas…
In case you’re visiting Snowdonia for simply two days and want lodging for one night time then I extremely suggest the Hilton Backyard Inn Snowdonia. I paid £147.85 for a room midweek in September. This was with a king sized mattress and breakfast for 2 individuals so I feel that’s an amazing value and also you’d battle to search out something cheaper. It was an extra £50 for bringing our canine which I assumed was a bit costly.
It was comfy, pleasant and the placement was nice. The resort is simple to search out, straightforward to park and you may check-in at any time. There’s somebody on the reception desk 24 hours and also you’ll discover all of the facilities you’d want like wifi, air-con, heating, an amazing bathe, tea and occasional within the room and a small store at reception. I do love an Airbnb however the comfort of a resort is nice too!
The one draw back for me was not with the ability to watch on-demand TV. If I had been to go once more I’d take my laptop computer or iPad and it wouldn’t be an issue.
