Best Boutique Hotels in Llandudno, Wales

The building in which Empire Hotel resides was constructed in 1854 as Llandudno’s first modern department store, and repurposed as a hotel in 1904. Now run by the same family for three generations, the hotel retains plenty of period grandeur, with antique furnishings throughout the handsome decor. Rooms are as stately as the rest of the hotel; all include tea and coffee facilities, mini-fridges, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players (there's a free library of more than 400 movies), and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are finished in Italian marble and have shower/tub combos, and come with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. Spa facilities are particularly impressive, with both indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool, while breakfast and dining options in the two restaurants are also top-notch.

The upscale, 22-room Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, surrounded by picturesque and manicured gardens, is a particularly fine example of a historic country house hotel. While there's not much within walking distance, there's easy road access to Llandudno, Wales' largest seaside resort, which is about a 10-minute drive from the the hotel. Accommodations include guest rooms and larger cottages, all traditionally styled with a few luxury touches. Both dining and spa facilities are considered among the best in the area.

This elegant Victorian-era hotel has an immaculate facade, a prime seafront location overlooking Llandudno beach, and lots of old-fashioned charm. The hotel has 76 rooms, all of which are decorated in a contemporary style with neutral, earthy tones and modern furnishings. Rooms are air-conditioned, and come with flat-screen TVs, free high-speed Wi-Fi, trouser presses, and tea and coffee facilities. St George's is one of the few area hotels offering rooms with furnished terraces overlooking the seafront, and a hearty Welsh breakfast is included in the room rate. The Terrace Lounge and Bar also serves an outstanding afternoon tea, including fresh cakes and sandwiches, with views over the bay.

The Elm Tree Hotel is a mid-range hotel overlooks the bay, and has contemporary, uncluttered interiors that are welcoming and homey. Most of the 14 rooms feature big windows with lovely sea views while the hotel's breakfast service is excellent and included in the rate. Afternoon tea is also available and there's a small lounge with an honesty bar providing hot and cold drinks throughout the day. A kids-free policy also means no families with younger children, which allows for a more relaxed environment. Couples looking for a slightly more stylish take on traditional bed-and-breakfast accommodation would be hard-pressed to find a better example in the area than here. 

Lawton Court Hotel is a family-run, mid-range bed-and-breakfast that overlooks the beachfront promenade on Llandudno's North Parade. The 11 rooms are tasteful and contemporary, with flat-screen TVs, DVDs, and free Wi-Fi, and most look out on the bay. A hot, traditional English breakfast is included in the room rate, along with selections from a chilled buffet, and there's a bar and lounge area where guests can mingle. There's little differentiating this hotel from its sister hotel next door -- the Lauriston Court -- and the properties share a reception and the same owners. Both are among the finest bed-and-breakfasts in town, providing seaside lodgings and a genuinely warm and welcoming ambience.  

Lauriston Court Hotel offers particularly welcoming bed-and-breakfast accommodation overlooking the west side of Llandudno's beachfront promenade. Most of the rooms have sea views, and some include Sky TV -- though rear-facing rooms have little to look at. A hearty breakfast is cheerfully served each morning, and there's plenty of comfy lounge space where guests can unwind or socialize. All in all, it's one of the finest -- and friendliest -- examples of its kind to be found in the area.

The Clontarf Hotel is mid-range bed-and-breakfast located on the quieter West Shore of Llandudno. The nine rooms are individually styled, and some have such high-end amenities as jetted tubs and steam cabins. Most have sea views and all have free Wi-Fi. An excellent breakfast of locally sourced items is included in the room rate, as is parking. Hospitality, while friendly, is more hands-off than at other bed-and-breakfasts, so for independent-minded travelers who still seek the coziness of a bed-and-breakfast and prefer to be away from the town's hubbub, the Clontarf is an excellent choice.