Snowdonia National Park
The 2000 square kilometre Snowdonia National Park is a must-see. Named after Snowdon, its highest peak at 1085 metres, the park offers some of the best climbing, walking and mountain biking in the UK. The less active can view spectacular scenery on the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway.
Stay on the nearby Isle of Anglesey (reached by bridge) at the superb Neuadd Lwyd Country House, one of Britains best B&Bs. Sip wine by the sitting room fire while enjoying a great view of Snowdon.

The Good Hotel Guide 2007
Set amid farmland, and looking over fields towards Bangor and the Snowdonia mountains, this Victorian rectory was turned into a small, upmarket guest house by Susannah and Peter Woods. They are proud of the Welsh atmosphere. Inspectors in 2006 were enchanted: ‘Lovely house, spotlessly clean, beautifully furnished, warm and friendly.’ Spacious rooms and bright interiors combine with Victorian details. ‘Lots of pictures; attractive chandeliers.’ From the terrace and the comfortable bay-windowed lounge (binoculars provided) you can admire the ‘wonderful’ views while consuming fruitcake, warm from the oven. ‘Our lovely bedroom had white-painted cast iron bedstead and furniture, pink-and-white wallpaper, original black slate fireplace. Lots of local information, free-range coat hangers, a striking bathroom (white floorboards and tiles; bath recessed behind an arch).’ Susannah Woods and Delyth Gwynedd, who both trained at the Ballymaloe cookery school in Ireland, use local ingredients for their ‘superb’ no-choice, four-course dinner, served at ‘beautifully laid’ tables. ‘Very good sea bass with saffron sauce.’ ‘Lovely cheeses.’ ‘First-class breakfast: fresh orange juice, melon, home-made preserves, creamy scrambled eggs, Welsh rarebit. When we left, everyone came out to say goodbye.’ The Woodses hold a key to the adjacent church. The village is the birthplace of ancestors of the Tudor monarchs.

4 bedrooms. 3 miles W of Menai Bridge. Train: Bangor. Closed Sun/Mon (except bank holiday Sun). Drawing room, lounge, dining room; background music at night. 6-acre grounds. Unsuitable for [di]. No smoking. No children under 12. No dogs. MasterCard, Visa accepted. B&B: single £80--£100, double £135--£150; D,B&B: single £115--£135, double £205--£220. Set dinner £35. New Year package.

On 14 January 2006 in the Travel section of "Saturday Guardian", Sally Shallam in the "Weekend" page wrote '...Almost from the minute we swung into the drive I could feel in my bones it was going to be a winner. This handsome rectory, just across the Menai Strait, has an ancient church in its backyard and pastureland in its front but this isn't why the term B & B doesn't do it justice...The best description I can come up with is a country house restaurant with rooms - but that's not very snappy. So let's just say this is in a class of its own... '
To access the full review click here.

On Sunday 8 October 2006, Fiona Duncon, in her regular Hotel Guru section wrote 'It's difficult to pigeonhole Neuadd Lwyd...the room in which I am dozing, tucked under a goose-down duvet on a deep mattress, is one of the most attractive hotel bedrooms I can recall, equipped with flat-screen TV, DVD's, digital radio, walk-in shower and separate bath (no phone though). All the furniture, the beds, beaded throws and cushions, pictures, lamps even the clock on the mantelpiece, are new and carefully chosen, lending the feel of swish bedroom in a luxury hotel for which you could be paying three times the price... '
To access the full review click here.

On Sunday 22 October 2006, the Observer newspaper, in an "Escape Guide" introduced an article entitled "20 Great British Hotels" with 'Now in its 30th year The Good Hotel Guide continues to be the leading independent guide to the best hotels in Britain and Ireland, with 600 impartial reviews. Editor Desmond Balmer selects some personal favourites from the new edition...

NEUADD LWYD. PENMYNYDD
Susannah and Peter Woods are proud of their Welsh heritage at their Victorian rectory, which stands in large grounds looking over fields to Snowdonia. The bedrooms are spacious, with bright interiors that emphasise original Victorian features. The no-choice dinners, featuring local produce, are served with style: breakfast is first class'

On Sunday,December 3rd 2006, in the Sunday Times Travel section, Adam Raphael in an article entitled "Raphael's Choice - 10 hotels on the way up" wrote;-
'Hotels, like humans, have a life cycle. Spotting them on the way up is the art: at this point owners are usually mustard keen and prices usually modest. Each year The Good Gotel Guide has about 80 new hotels, with the same number dropped due to a decline in standards...Here are 10 of the most interesting finds in the Guide's 2007 edition...

NEUADD LWYD, PENMYNYDD
In large grounds with views to Snowdonia, this Victorian rectory is now an upmarket guesthouse. We were enchanted by the atmosphere and superb food...'

On Saturday 8 April 2006, Marred Glyn Jones in her article "Rectory ResulTection" reported on the episode of S4C's series "04 Wal" which was scheduled for televising the following Wednesday. She wrote;-
'As ever, Aled Samuel is looking for something that little bit special. And this week his mission to find rather special houses takes him to Anglesey, to a Victorian rectory now being run as an elegant five-star country house hotel. Neuadd Lwyd is situated in Penmynydd, an area with strong connections with the Tudor dynasty.

Honoured guest Aled Samuel makes full use of the facilities on offer including the luxury bathrobe! After snooping in every nook and cranny in the house he was last seen waxing lyrical about a stunning French bed. "There's nothing better than being swallowed by the luxury of such a wonderful bed", he muses while laying back amidst the plump pillows.

The house's location ensures wonderful views of the mountains of Snowdonia from the rooms at the front of the house... The rooms are luxurious but subtle. They haven't gone over the top, thereby detracting from the mountains on the horizon.'

Shortly after opening in July 2005 in an article in "The Chronicle" that was headed "New lease of life for Rectory", Prime Cymru's Client Advisor for Gwynedd and Anglesey, Gwilym Roberts, was quoted as saying ' Susannah's eye for detail both in the kitchen as a cook and as a host means that people can enjoy both a relaxing and friendly break at Neuadd Lwyd. Her efforts and commitment in developing the venture are to be congratulated, and I am sure the hotel will soon become a gem on the tourist map of North Wales".

On Thursday 11 August 2005 in "The Times" of London. Tony Dawe recommended Neuadd Lwyd as 'A new country-house hotel on Anglesey. converted from a Victorian rectory and with views of Snowdonia'. At the same time Neuadd Lwyd
was graded as a Five Star Country House by the Welsh Tourist Board.

Several celebrities and travel writers have visited Neuadd Lwyd and have been pleasantly surprised at what they have found. In the Neuadd Lwyd visitors book.
Sally Shallam of the Guardian commented 'This is a real find'. and Australian travel writer. John Maddocks wrote 'Having travelled the length and breadth of the UK as a travel writer. I have no doubt that this is the best B & B I have stayed in every respect'.

The internationally famous Welsh bass baritone. Bryn Terfel. wrote' Ardderchog wir. Perl arall Ynys Mon a Gwynedd' ('Truly excellent. Another pearl of Anglesey and Gwynedd'}.

Neuadd Lwyd was one of three finalists in the 2006 Western Mail Business Awards for Wales which was announced at a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony at the Cardiff International Arena on 19 May.

Article In the August 2006 edition of "Siop Siarad". the tourism industry news from Visit Wales;-

Welsh Business Honoured at Eisteddfod

Some of Wales' most enterprising and successful Welsh speakers in business were recognised for their achievements in the National Eisteddfod on Monday 7th August in the Gwobrau Menter Awards.

Tourism Enterprise Award Winner: Neuadd Lwyd
'This is a fine example of a new breed of high quality hotels where the Welsh language and a sense of place are vital. Neuadd Lwyd was a Victorian vicarage, with a magnificent view of Snowdonia and located by the Tudor dynasty's ancestral home. It has now been renovated to an exceptional standard by Siw and Peter Woods, who pride themselves in the area's culture and history and in supporting local produce. After less than a year, the hotel has been included in some of the best guidebooks but, as well as five star accommodation, the kitchen is also being developed to serve small parties. There are also plans to
link up with similar businesses in Wales and Ireland. to offer special wedding packages and to renovate the outhouses. "A business that adds value and quality to the Welsh language," said the judges.'