Lawton & Lauriston Court Hotel

Lawton Court Hotel is part of a trio of attractive Victorian town houses owned and operated by the same family that includes the Lauriston Court Hotel next door, with which Lawton Court shares a reception area. Like its sister hotel, Lawton Court is decorated in a bright contemporary style -- with splashes of deep color -- and modern furnishings. Opened in 2014, this bed-and-breakfast is run by Scott and Hannah, who provide a friendly welcome and work to create a cordial, convivial atmosphere. Guests can mingle in the hotel's spacious lounges, which are shared with the sister property, or on a small, pleasant front terrace overlooking the bay.

The hotel is located on the west side of the bay, overlooking the beachfront promenade in the seaside town of Llandudno -- the largest in Wales and one of the most popular in the U.K. It's surrounded by similar properties that line the seafront parade, and is a five-minute walk to Llandudno's traditional Victorian pier. Plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars are also within walking distance, and its location also means easy access to the Great Orme headland and its cable car and ancient copper mines. (It's a four-minute walk to the tramway that conveys visitors to the top, or a seven-minute drive to the headland itself.) There is also plenty to explore by car, including Conwy Castle (about a 15-minute drive), while the majestic Snowdonia National Park, with some of the country's most spectacular landscape and walking trails, is about a 90-minute drive from the hotel.

Rooms at the Lawton Court, which include Doubles, Twins, and Family Rooms, blend contemporary styling, such as sharp accent walls, with homey furnishings, carpeting, and seaside-themed touches. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and 22-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Fans are provided for hot nights (there's no air-conditioning, though that's rarely an issue in this temperate climate; those who want it should consider the Empire Hotel). Bathrooms are clean and modern, with heated towel rails, walk-in showers, and big round rooms. Rooms facing the sea have lovely views, while those in the back have little to look at. 

A cooked-to-order full Welsh breakfast and a small buffet of cold items are served each morning and included in the room rate; it's a highlight for many, and typically includes cereals, yogurt, pastries, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and smoked salmon. There are also bar and lounge areas with comfortable seating, large TVs, and fireplaces. As with most mid-range bed-and-breakfasts, there's no spa or fitness facilities, though free parking is available on a first-come first-serve basis. (If a spa and pool are desired, compare rates with the Empire Hotel.) Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.