Lauriston Court Hotel

Housed in a typically attractive Victorian terrace building, the Lauriston Court Hotel shares its reception and bar with its sister hotel, Lawton Court, next door. Together, the properties take up three terrace buildings and comprise 33 rooms. Both are run by the same family and decorated in bright modern styling with uncluttered furnishings and splashes of colorful contemporary artworks. Owned and managed by Carol-Lynn and Ian since 2010, the vibe is warm and welcoming with a jolly family-friendly seaside atmosphere -- the owners go out of their way to makes guests feel as if they're part of the family. Spacious sitting rooms with plush seating and large TVs also provide  places for guests to unwind in the evening or on rainy days. A bar lounge even features a keyboard, and anyone who can play is encouraged to try their hand at a sing-a-long session.

The hotel is located on the west side of the bay, overlooking the beachfront promenade in the town of Llandudno -- the largest seaside town 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 few minutes' walk to Llandudno's traditional Victorian pier. Plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars are within a short walk of the hotel, while 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, which is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, while the majestic Snowdonia National Park is around half an hour's drive and features some of the country's most spectacular landscape and walking trails.

The Lauriston Court Hotel has spotlessly clean and well-maintained rooms -- including those at next door sister hotel, there are 33 in all. Decor blends modern and traditional styling with floral-pattern fabrics, antique-style furnishings, and polished wood floors. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and 22-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players -- some rooms also have Sky satellite channels, espresso makers, and mini-fridges. Fans are provided for hot nights, but there is no air-conditioning (for that, consider the Empire Hotel); this is hardly an issue in this temperate climate, however. While those rooms facing the road have fine views of the bay those towards the rear can be disappointing. Bathrooms include toiletries and hairdryers.

The hotel serves a full cooked-to-order traditional British breakfast each morning, as well as a buffet of cold items -- all included in the room rate. There's also an honesty bar and lounge with comfy sofas, large TVs, and fireplaces. As with most bed-and-breakfasts,  there's no spa or fitness facilities, though free parking is available on a first come first serve basis. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.