Porth Tocyn Hotel

Guide readers are unswervingly loyal to this family-friendly country house by the sea, with peerless views to Snowdonia across Cardigan Bay, run by the Fletcher-Brewer family since opening in 1948. Some who once came for bucket-and-spade holidays now sip G&T on the terrace as the grandkids swim, play table tennis or tuck into high tea. A devotee on their ‘30th visit to this lovely hotel’ sums it up: ‘Comfort, good food, good conversation with fellow guests and owners alike are all there in abundance.’ Bedroom style is a mix of traditional and contemporary, with a sea or countryside view. Most rooms have an over-bath power shower, some a walk-in shower only. ‘Furniture choices were rather eccentric,’ notes a less smitten reader, who found the cooking ‘hit and miss’ – the big hit being ‘really excellent fillet steak’. Other menu choices include moules marinière, maybe spiced nut and mushroom balls with herbed couscous, tomato and olive sauce. ‘The one lunch we had (alfresco) was very nice.’ The staff are ‘pleasant and attentive’ in this hotel that is ‘outstanding as always’. (Dr Helen Parkinson, Steven Parsons, and others)