Betws y Coed, Ty Gwyn

So cosy, beautiful old building, easy-going and friendly atmosphere, absolutely fantastic food (you might not be able to finish the generous portions - especially the crispy on the outside and tender within lamb), lovely very clean and comfortable rooms if you stay the night. Lovely waiters who went out of their way to help with a smile! May need to book in advance, it gets full especially at weekends.

Having booked Ty Gwyn in Betws y Coed 2 months before I was due to stay and also booked an evening meal for one of the nights and checked up by phone 4 times that the booking and evening meal was in place, I was satisfied that the stay, that was for a special occassion was going to run smoothly.

Well, it would have been nice to be welcomed when we arrived, however it was a flustered looking man that booked me in as though it was too much trouble for him to do so. I was happy with the room, although a little dated it was clean and tidy.

I asked them to organise some flowers to be delivered the next day ,again this seemed too much trouble and looking back wish Id just sorted it myself when I arrived with a local florist.

The whole place seemed to lack the little things - It has so much potential to be excellent, it just lacks those final little touches.

So it came to the night of the evening meal I had booked some 2 months before. Well when I was told that there had been a mistake and there was not a table booked for us. So we were eventually seated cramped within the bar area when we had booked the resturant and sat on a rocky table on 2 wooden uncomfortable seats. The evening was not boding well!

The food we ordered which was simple steaks was dintinqley average, over cooked and a bit bland with a portion of instant mash with what tasted like mint sauce in it!!

It was obvious where they were going wrong to be honest, the menu was too complicated with too many options - I think they need to make it a lot simpler and do that well. We had to fetch our own menus as did numerous others that were dining and had to catch the staff's attention to take our plates away and order the dessert. To give them credit where it is due-the pudding was very nice.

Waiting 20 minutes standing at the bar waiting to be served is a bit much. I dread to think what the place would be like fi it was peak time and a fullhouse!

They have so much potential. I will not be returning nor will I be recommending this place, such a shame as the location is great and the potential even greater. The things that do need improving are so simple. If I could sum it up in one word: disappointing.