Craflwyn Hall

I returned to this HF house after my first stay, six years ago. I was using it for a long weekend in the area, walking with friends who were staying in Beddgelert village. Initially I was disappointed to not be able to find a B&B to join them, then I remembered Craflwyn Hall! Though perhaps not the cheapest accommodation in the area, certainly the best, I'm sure. I stayed on a full board basis (I guess 'self guided') so got everything you would on a Guided Walking holiday, less the walks (though for an extra fee you can join them as well). The staff were all excellent and Richard, the manager of this HF house, was very helpful and darting around doing everything. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff, so nice to have that level of service and friendliness. Well done. As usual with HF, the food was excellent and plentiful, and it was all very sociable, sitting with other guests at large tables for meals. While I was staying, there was a very interesting talk by a Snowdon mountain ranger and also by a local guy who runs a bird of prey sanctuary. I have encountered the 'bird man' on previous holidays with HF in Snowdonia and am glad they still use him for one of the evening events - he and his wife are very entertaining and informative. Had I wanted to do my own walks, there was the usual selection of walking guides at the 'Discovery Point', but I didn't use these. I had a nice double room in the Stables conversion (room 15). Useful to be able to drive up to the door to unpack/repack the car. It was nice to see that HF book tour groups in too - there was a group of people from Germany doing a tour of Wales who arrived the evening before I left.