The Grand Hotel – Llandudno

A historic hotel set in a grand Victorian building overlooking the beach, the Grand Hotel evokes the glories of yesteryear, but its traditionally styled interiors are now dated and in need of a revamp. There's no denying the grandiose nature of the place; squint and you might be able to imagine the past splendor of these spaces. The rotunda lobby still features elegant columns, decorative ceiling molding, pink patterned wallpaper panels, and chandeliers. The patterned carpets are faded, however, the olive green tufted leather couches are worn, and overall, the decor is outdated and will not suit all tastes. But it's pleasant enough, and those wishing to do a bit of time traveling should be happy here. The mauve-pink color scheme of the lobby makes way for shades of dusty teal gracing the hallways, though they can look a bit institutional. The hotel's dining and drinking spaces are large, furnished with sprawling seas of tables and chairs -- red chairs in the restaurant match the curtains, while Langtry's Bar features forest green seating that matches the ceiling and is paired with bookcase-patterned wallpaper panels. The hotel's bayfront location is its biggest asset, affording beautiful views over the bay from many of its large windows. 

Overall, this is a mid-range option with a lot of potential for more due to its stately architecture and scenic location. Most of the guests are older couples, though the place also attracts some families seeking a beachside vacation as well as business travelers drawn by the property's conference facilities.

The hotel occupies a scenic bayfront location in Llandudno, a seaside resort town in northern Wales. It's at the end of the promenade that runs the length of the beach, putting it a two-minute walk to the Llandudno Pier, the longest pier in Wales, and five minutes on foot from the entrance to North Shore Beach. There are several other hotels in the immediate area, as well as some dining options. It's a seven-minute walk to the Great Orme Tramway, which takes guests up to Great Orme, a beautiful destination for hiking with scenic views of the sea and Snowdonia National Park. There's also a cable car that goes up to the summit. Other area attractions include the Llandudno Museum (seven-minute walk), Bodafon Farm Park (10-minute drive or 25 minutes by foot and bus), the Conwy Suspension Bridge (a 15-minute drive away or around a half-hour by foot and bus), and Bodnant Garden (25-minute drive or 50 minutes by foot and bus). The train station is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel or a seven-minute drive or bus ride. Both the Liverpool airport and Manchester's airport are about an hour and 20 minutes away by car or close to three hours by train. London can be reached in three-and-a-half hours by train.

Rooms feature simple, traditional decor that could use an update, and some of the spaces are fairly small. Simple wooden furnishings are paired with cream-colored walls -- some have statement walls covered in floral wallpaper. Beds are topped with white linens and some have colorful bed runners. Colorful patterned curtains are old-fashioned. Bathrooms are basic and quite small, outfitted with either shower/tub combos or cramped shower stalls or wet-room style showers.

Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, electric kettles with free tea/coffee, and free Wi-Fi. Sea View rooms are worth the splurge, offering beautiful bay vistas. Note that many guests have complained of cleanliness issues.

The hotel's main restaurant serves a breakfast buffet with hot and cold items, as well as a traditional English buffet for dinner. There's also a dining room that offers a more formal dining experience, serving an English or continental breakfast in the mornings, as well as varied fare like pasta and pizza throughout the day. A coffee shop offers hot drinks, baked goods, and light meals. For evening relaxation and entertainment, the Connaught Bar is an inviting space that's host to karaoke evenings -- and it has a corner equipped with a handful of arcade games -- while Langtry's is open seasonally and serves drinks and food, attracting both hotel guests and locals alike. Note that food gets mixed reviews, and there have been some complaints of poor food quality.

Evening entertainment includes performances, music, and variety shows, plus there is a live cabaret and cash bingo every evening in the Grand Ballroom. There's also a room with a pool table.

The hotel offers several meeting and event spaces, including conference facilities and wedding services. Unfortunately there is no on-site parking, and street parking can be hard to find due to the proximity to Great Orme. There are no spa or fitness facilities on-site. Note that guests commonly complain of broken elevators. Wi-Fi is free throughout.