Frequently asked questions about our B&B in Eryri | Snowdonia, North Wales


These are some of the common questions we get asked about staying at our B&B - and others we think you might possibly be wondering about!

  • Why should I book accommodation direct with you?

  • I’ve never stayed in a bed and breakfast before - what should I expect?

  • What is the difference between a B&B, a guest house and a hotel?

  • Are you a LGBT / LGBTQ+ friendly place to stay?

  • Is there wi-fi?!

  • I’ve never visited Eryri | Snowdonia or North Wales before! Is there much else to do apart from walking?

Hopefully the answer to these questions and others are below!

If there is anything else you need before your holiday in Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales just get in touch - we will gladly help and advise you on anything before, during or after your stay!


+ Why should I book direct with you?

By booking direct with us we avoid commission payments paid to certain well known 'online travel agents' and we can pass the savings on to you.

Yay!

You can view our online booking page here - see what rooms are available and on what dates.

Alternatively give us a call or send us an e-mail and we'll happily discuss options.

View our 'book your stay' page for more information ⮕


+ What is your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policay when you book direct is very flexible - you can cancel up to the day before arrival without charge.

View our 'book your stay' page for more information ⮕

Our cancellation policy is different if you book elsewhere online eg. booking.com... and unfortunately you will pay more!


+ Are you open all year?

We are usually closed to online bookings for stays between mid-November and mid-March.

If you wish to visit North Wales and stay with us during this period then just give us a call or send us an e-mail.

We are usually here and as long as we have not got "winter works" on the house planned (!) will happily welcome you!


+ Tell me about your 'Breakfast Club'!

We got so many people asking if we did breakfast for non-residents that in January 2024 we started a 'Breakfast Club' where locals could enjoy a menu of our daily specials.

It went so well we ended up doing quite a few and our final one for now was in March.

All being well we will return with them in the off-season in Winter 2024/25, or maybe even a supper club - keep an eye on our socials - but from April to October we are solely open for B&B, so you'll just have to come and stay!!!


+ I've never stayed in a bed and breakfast before - what should I expect?

We get lots of guests who have never stayed in a bed and breakfast before and are not sure what it will be like - we used to be the same!

They still occasionally have a reputation as being old-fashioned, and it might seem odd to stay in somebody's house.

Our response:

  • We don't have a 10pm curfew, we are not hovering around you all the time and you don't have to be out during the day.
  • Equally we are not a hotel so we don't have staff (it is just us!), nor wear uniforms, there isn't a reception and we don't have a swimming pool!
  • What you do get is a warm welcome, more personal service, and somewhere to stay that is maybe a bit different.
  • Our motto from day one was that we want guests to feel relaxed and at ease when they stay here.
  • Yes, it is our home and we live on site, but as soon as you walk through the door we want you to feel instantly relaxed and comfortable - maybe sit in the snug and read a book, relax in the garden in the sun, or knock and ask us where to go for dinner!
  • We know everybody is different though so whether you want to chat with us about your plans over breakfast or just sit quietly with your coffee we understand.

A previous guest said "it felt like going to stay with old friends"... which we think sums it up nicely.


+ Do you allow children?

In general the answer is unfortunately no - we don't usually accommodate infants / children under the age of 14.

We have no family rooms. Our bedrooms accommodate a maximum of two people each with not much space for travel cots or extra beds, nor do we have high-chairs or other facilities.

The layout and features of our home (such as open stairs and landings and an open pond in the garden) mean it is especially unsuitable for young children.

However, we know all children are different, so if you want to have a chat first with a view to booking please do get in touch.

Equally if you are looking for family friendly accommodation in the area we are happy to help!


+ Are you dog friendly?

Unfortunately due to us having our own dog, the layout of our home and for the comfort of other guests we cannot accept dogs or any other pets to stay with us.

Assistance dogs are of course welcome.

We will happily recommend dog and pet friendly accommodation nearby if this is a factor in choosing your accommodation - just get in touch.


+ Can I book the whole house for friends and family?

Yes!

Why not treat yourself to a fabulous holiday in North Wales with your friends or family and book all five rooms at Crafnant House.

We can even create an evening meal menu on request to be served in our dining room, or we'll recommend one of our favourite local pubs or restaurants for a special meal.

We do recommend planning such a stay well in advance in order to secure all of our rooms as we already have many bookings throughout 2024!

Just get in touch to discuss your plans with us.


+ Where is your B&B located?

We are in the heart of the traditional Welsh village of Trefriw in North Wales, next to the Old Ship pub and opposite the village butchers.

Trefriw is 5 miles north of popular Betws-y-Coed, and whilst offering a more peaceful, quieter experience it nevertheless has a choice of places to dine in the evening and we have fantastic walks from the door.

Have a look at our 'location' page for more information about travelling to us at Crafnant House.


+ Is there car parking?

Yes!

Our private car park is at the rear of our home and there are enough spaces for everyone based on one-car per room.

Just let us know if you will be arriving in more than one vehicle for any reason.

Motorbikes can be parked and secured on our off-road private parking area (NB. it is gravel)


+ Do you have bike storage?

Yes - plenty of secure storage so definitely bring your bicycles with you when you stay with us!

There is great cycling in the area, whether you want to try mountain biking on the trails in nearby forests, take your road bike on an epic route through the mountains of Snowdonia or just have a fun day out along the North Wales coast cycle path.


+ What time is check-in?

Check-in is normally from 4pm to 9pm.

We do ask that you notify us of your approximate time of arrival so we can make sure we are around to greet you.


+ Can I check-in early?

Whilst check-in is normally from 4pm onwards we obviously understand that some people want to arrive earlier and start enjoying their time here.

Just ask in advance and we’ll try to accommodate you - even if we haven’t finished preparing your room we can make sure we are around to say hello and you can always leave your luggage (and car if you wish!) with us.


+ What time is check-out?

We ask that you check-out by 10am so we have sufficient time to prepare rooms for guests arriving later that day.

Of course if you need to check-out a little later please just ask and we will try to accommodate you.

Also you are always welcome to leave luggage and / or your car with us if you have plans for the day you depart.


+ Is breakfast included in the rate?

Of course!

Breakfast is a hugely important part of your stay with us! We ask you the night before to select what hot option you want and we cook it fresh to order the following morning.

We offer a full cooked breakfast and also a different daily special each day.

We also offer lighter options such as cereals and fruit.

Have a look at our 'breakfast' page for more information!


+ What times do you serve breakfast between?

We normally serve breakfast between 8 and 9.15am.

If you are after an earlier start don't worry - we can discuss this when you arrive!

We can maybe do an earlier breakfast, or even a takeaway option if you want to depart VERY early!!!


+ Do you cater for special diets?

We certainly do!

We want everyone to have the best breakfast they can whilst they stay with us, so special diets and requests such as a vegetarian breakfast or gluten-free and / or vegan dishes are never a problem, in fact we don’t even see them as ‘special’ any more, just normal.

Our record for one guest was ten different vegan breakfasts in a row during her extended stay with us!


+ Do you serve dinner, or are there places to eat nearby?

We generally don’t serve evening meals as there is such a good choice of places to eat nearby!

The Old Ship pub is our neighbour and serves excellent home-cooked food.

Trefriw also has another pub - The Fairy Falls - and a small restaurant called Chandlers Brasserie.

The Princes Arms hotel is 10 mins walk from us and it has a very good brasserie and restaurant also, so there are plenty of options in just the village alone, meaning you don’t have to drive anywhere.

Other good pubs and restaurants are just a short journey away - you can read our 'eating out' guide for more ideas.


+ Do you provide packed lunches?

We don't as the village butchers opposite us sells picnic provisions such as sausage rolls, pasties, quiches, fruit, crisps and drinks, and we'll happily store your lunch in our fridge overnight.

Trefriw also has a small cafe which is due to reopen in Spring 2024.

Our nearest town, Llanrwst, has both a Spar and Co-op supermarket offering a wide range of food and drinks; and both Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed have great bakeries.


+ Is there wi-fi?

Now one of life’s essentials and no longer a luxury, complimentary wi-fi is available throughout our B&B.

The old, thick walls within the house sometimes affect the signal but generally despite being a rural location in Wales our broadband is pretty fast.

Alternatively we can lock your phone away on arrival if you really want to get away from it all ...


+ Do you have laundry facilities?

We don't have a laundry room per se but we are happy to do a small wash for you if you run short of clean clothes.

Equally we are adept at drying clothes and boots when the weather, ahem, doesn't behave....!


+ Do I need a car?

Whilst a car does allow you to explore areas of North Wales that are otherwise harder to reach, we’ve had lots of guests that arrive by bus or train and enjoy both the immediate local area on foot or even further afield by bus.

You can easily explore both Snowdonia and coastal towns like Conwy and Llandudno using just public transport.

We’ve even had guests arrive by car then not use it during their stay, enjoying instead the option of getting around without it.

Just ask us if you need any help or advice!


+ Are you a LGBT / LGBTQ+ friendly bed and breakfast?

Firstly, Wales is a very LGBT / LGBTQ+ friendly destination.

Secondly, we ourselves strive to make EVERYONE feel extremely welcome in our home - so in short, yes we are!

We received the "Travel Proud" certification from booking.com in recognition of the truly welcoming stay that awaits LGBTQ+ people.

We simply want every guest to be comfortable and relaxed from the moment they walk through the door, and enjoy their stay in beautiful North Wales.

Everybody is treated the same - with respect and kindness - and our underlining motivation is that we simply want all of our guests to have a fun time and be happy.

That's all any of us want, isn't it?


+ Do you still have COVID-19 measures in place?

Whilst the pandemic is over and things are back to 'normal', we still want you to feel secure and comfortable during your stay with us.

We know that some people are still wary of travelling and the health and safety of you, other guests and ourselves is paramount.

Please be assured that we are still working behind the scenes to minimise risks to everyone, and we constantly monitor the current situation.

See our COVID-19 information for more details of what we do to keep everybody safe.


+ What is the difference between a B&B, a guest house and a hotel?

Good question!

Traditionally a bed and breakfast was a private family home with a few bedrooms and of course a home-cooked breakfast served in the morning, whilst a guest house was a larger property akin to a small hotel whose function was solely to provide accommodation for guests.

Guest houses and hotels often serve evening meals and may have a bar and other facilities.

The lines between all three have blurred in recent times so you can get B&Bs with lots of bedrooms or small hotels with just a few! 'Air B&B' accommodation is usually any one of them!

Whilst Crafnant House was originally called a ‘guest house’ when we bought her we changed the name to ‘bed and breakfast’ as we felt it reflected more the friendly, welcoming, homely atmosphere we want to create when you stay with us.


+ How near is your B&B to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?

We get lots of guests staying with us who plan to climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in Wales and England - at 3560 ft (1,085 m) high it is a great day out!

We are approximately 30 minutes drive from Pen-y-Pass car park (15 miles) which is the nearest starting point to us - both the Miner’s Track and PYG Track go from there, two of the more popular paths up the mountain.

Llanberis, the village where the eponymous Llanberis Path starts from, is just a bit further away (40 minutes / 20 miles). Other hiking trails up the mountain are on the ‘other side’ but these routes are still only 40-50 minutes from us.

Our blog post about the different walking routes up Snowdon will give you more information!

The Sherpa bus service is a useful travel option to access the different starting points within the national park.

We can help you with choosing which path(s) to take, parking and travel plans, and if you want an early start we can provide a takeaway breakfast, whilst the butchers opposite us sells excellent picnic provisions.


+ Are there other good walks near your B&B?

Definitely!

The village has a series of numbered and signposted 'Trefriw Trails', including forest walks, which are a very enjoyable way to explore the immediate area, many of which take you further into Eryri | Snowdonia National Park.

Our two lakes above the village - Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionydd - form the basis of a wonderful 7-8 mile hike from our doorstep. It is one we always recommend and is often the most enjoyable day out our guests have during their stay with us.

Other walks can take you across the meadows towards the River Conwy and our nearest town Llanrwst, or you can head south to Betws-y-Coed - a walk which takes you past a number of waterfalls and has stunning views of the Conwy valley.

There are lots of options, and we’ll gladly advise you on where to go!


+ I’ve never visited North Wales before! Is there much else to do apart from walking?

Where to start?!

Whilst traditionally visitors to the region would primarily be divided between ‘walkers’ enjoying the countryside or ‘holidaymakers’ enjoying the coastal beaches and towns, nowadays there is so many more adventures and outdoor activities for people to enjoy, some of which are unique to North Wales.

We’ve had guests stay with us for a week and they’ve done something completely different every day!

So this is not an exhaustive list, but you could:

hike, climb, cycle, surf, visit castles, take in the food scene, ride a steam train, visit art galleries, go caving underground, try zip-wiring, take landscape photographs, kayak on peaceful lakes, relax on a beach, bird-watch, discover waterfalls, tour a whisky distillery, try stand up paddleboarding, have a spa treatment, give white-water rafting a go, explore old slate mines, see beautiful stately homes and gardens, treat yourself to afternoon tea, drive a go-kart, walk along a pier with an ice cream, enjoy horse-riding…. oh and maybe climb up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) if you have time!

The list goes on - there really is something for everyone.

Have a look at our 'things to do' page for more ideas, advice and inspiration, or just ask us if you need any help or suggestions.


+ Finally, have you appeared on the Channel 4 TV programme “Four In A Bed” ?

No.

We were asked... twice... but politely declined.