Conwy Castle's BEST-KEPT Secret? This Hostel Will SHOCK You!
Conwy Castle's "Best-Kept Secret"? Hold on to Your Hats! (And Maybe Your Sanity) - A HOSTEL REVIEW
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just spent a few days trying to experience Conwy Castle's "Best-Kept Secret" of a hostel. Emphasis on TRYING. This isn’t your average, sanitized, Instagram-perfect review. This is RAW, unfiltered, and probably slightly overdramatic. I’ll break it down, warts and all, because honestly, the experience was a bit… a LOT.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Gotta do it, ugh):
- Keywords: Conwy Castle Hostel, Conwy Accommodation, Wales Hostels, Budget Travel Wales, Wheelchair Accessible Hostel, Conwy Castle Review, Free Wi-Fi Conwy, Hostel with Spa, Accessible Travel Wales, Best Hostel in Conwy, Conwy Castle Hotels.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Conwy Castle's "Best-Kept Secret" hostel, exploring accessibility, amenities, and the overall experience. Discover the good, the bad, and the hilariously awkward moments! Includes details on dining, services, and safety measures.
Accessibility (Let's Start with the Important Stuff):
So, the website said it was wheelchair accessible. I, thankfully, am not in a wheelchair, but I did check it out. Getting to the actual hostel was… well, an adventure. Cobbled streets, a steep incline – the stuff of postcard fantasies, but less fun if you need smooth surfaces. I’m thinking some assistance might be necessary getting up there, but once inside, it seemed pretty good. Elevator was a lifesaver!
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible (with caveats – the journey!), Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges? – See above, there was some good and some bad, but the important thing is there was some effort!
Internet Access & Wi-Fi (Because Let's Face It, We're All Addicted):
Hallelujah! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Which, thank the digital gods, worked most of the time. The lobby? Totally fine. My room? Sporadic connection that would vanish just when I was about to finish a very important email. Thankfully, the hostel was equipped with Internet Access - LAN, which helped save my sanity, but really.. there should not have been any issues.
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Internet services.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Spa, Sauna, Oh My! – Wait, What?):
This is where things got interesting. The website promised a spa. A spa! Okay, I’m a sucker for a good massage. I envisioned myself, stressed from… well, life… melting into a puddle of tranquility. But the “spa” turned out to be… well, it was under renovation. The website was very misleading. There was a gym/fitness center, which I poked my head inside, and decided to save my energy for more important things – like finding a decent cup of coffee.
- Things to do/Ways to relax: Spa/sauna, Gym/fitness, Sauna, Massage, Pool with view (Not for me, it was winter!).
Cleanliness and Safety (Pandemic Edition):
Okay, here's where they mostly redeemed themselves. The staff were very diligent! Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff in masks. They seemed to be following all the rules:
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast takeaway service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
- Safety/security feature: Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, CCTV and 24 hour Security
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Adventure – or the Chaos):
Breakfast was a buffet, and a pretty decent one! The coffee, however, was… well, let's just say it didn't win any awards. They also offered a la Carte, international cuisine and a pool side bar! Not bad, considering the price point.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Services and Conveniences (The Stuff That Makes Life Easier… or Harder):
They had a lot of stuff, which was nice. Daily housekeeping, concierge, laundry, luggage storage, and a gift shop. I will say, the gift shop was surprisingly well-stocked with some quirky souvenirs. However, I found the concierge a bit overwhelmed at times.
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
For the Kids (Because Everyone Needs a Little Fun):
The hostel seemed pretty family-friendly, with babysitting service and kids meal, although I didn't have kids with me so I can't testify to that.
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
Access (The Real Nitty-Gritty):
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Exterior corridor, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Proposal spot, Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Security [24-hour].
Getting Around (Wheels Up! Or, Well…):
They had a free car park! A rare and beautiful thing in a place like Conwy. Taxi services and Airport transfers were also available.
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking.
Available in All Rooms (The Comforts of Home… or Maybe Not):
Okay, here's the deal. The rooms were basic. But clean. And the bed was comfy enough! I had a room with Internet access – wireless, which was a very welcome addition, a mini bar, and complimentary tea, which was a nice touch. The window opened, which was nice to let in the fresh conwy air.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Verdict (Brace Yourselves, Because It’s a Mixed Bag):
Look, this hostel is a bit of a mixed bag. The location is incredible. The staff are lovely. The safety protocols are impressive. But the “spa” situation? And the sporadic Wi-Fi? Yeah, those were frustrating.
Would I stay here again? Maybe? If the price was right and I wasn't expecting a spa. But I'd go in armed with low expectations, a sense of humor, and a willingness to embrace the chaos. If you are after a perfect hotel, this isn't it. If you are after an experience, this is one to consider; Conwy Castle's "Best-Kept Secret" hostel. Just don’t go in expecting a secret that'll blow your mind. Go in ready for adventure!
Escape to Paradise: 67th Heaven in Palawan Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-planned travel brochure. This is the REAL DEAL, the messy, glorious, occasionally disastrous trip to Conwy, UK, centered around the YHA Conwy Hostel. And well, here we go…
Operation: Conwy Conqueror (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cobblestones)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Castle-Wandering Debacle
Morning (AKA, the Travel Day from Hell): Okay, so I thought I was being all organized, booking the train from London to Llandudno Junction. Turns out, "thought" isn't the same as "is." The train was delayed. Then, the connection was missed. At one point, I was pretty sure I was going to end up spending the night in a potato field. Honestly, the stress was palpable. But hey, I made it to Llandudno Junction (thank the heavens for kind train staff). The walk to the YHA, was manageable, although my luggage and the slightly overwhelming atmosphere.
Afternoon: (Finally!) YHA and a Spot of Castle-Gazing: Arrived at the YHA Conwy. It's…lovely. Like, proper Instagram-worthy. The staff was super friendly, which was a godsend after the train saga. Checked into my dorm (yikes, bunk beds!), dropped off my bag, and then…Conwy Castle! Oh man. It's gorgeous. Towering over everything, majestic, and basically begging you to Instagram it. (Which, of course, I did.) Wandered around, soaked it all up. Felt like a medieval king. Then, took some extra time to savor the view and feel grateful for the day.
Evening: Conwy Town Scavenger Hunt (aka, the Quest for the Perfect Chip Shop): Okay, food. This is important. I was starving. Asked the hostel staff for the "best chip shop" recommendation. They sent me on a quest, a veritable scavenger hunt through the charming (and increasingly confusing) streets of Conwy. Found one place, which seemed to be the one that all locals were eating at. The chips…OH, the chips! Golden, crispy, salty perfection. Nearly wept with joy. Ate them standing on the harbor wall, watching the boats bob. Could have stayed there forever.
Day 2: Mountain Mayhem and the Staring Contest with a Sheep
- Morning: (Attempts at) Hiking Llanfairfechan: The bus ride was fun and the beginning of the hike was easy. The start of the hike was gorgeous. But as I progressed I was ill-prepared for what I was getting in to. The path became increasingly difficult, especially with my lack of fitness and boots. I wanted to give up. I couldn't. I needed to keep going. The mental battle with myself made it even more challenging.
- Afternoon: Back in Conwy. After the hike I collapsed. And did nothing for a while.
- Evening: (Slight) Cultural Immersion and Quiz Night: Tonight, the hostel was doing a quiz night. I joined a random team. We were terrible. But the atmosphere was great, lots of laughs, and I found myself chatting with an elderly gentleman who knew so much about the region. He gave me at least ten recommendations for tomorrow.
Day 3: Beaumaris, Bridges, and a Breakdown (of sorts)
Morning: Beaumaris and the Beautiful Castle: Beaumaris! Another castle! This one's cute, kind of unfinished. But the town itself is stunning. Wandered around, bought a ridiculous hat, and felt ridiculously happy. (This is the hat I would regret later, I know it.) Soaked up the salty air and the happy vibes.
Afternoon: Suspension Bridge and Emotional Overload: The Menai Suspension Bridge! Stunning. Walked across it, looked down at the water and the boats. Then, for some reason, I started to tear up. Not in a sad way, more like… overwhelmed. By the beauty, by the history, by being here. It's weird. Travel does that to me. Makes me feel everything, all at once. Spent an hour just staring at the bridge, probably looking like a lunatic. Didn't care.
Evening: Farewell Feast and the "I Forgot My Phone Charger" Crisis: Back to Conwy. Dinner in a proper pub. Because, well, you have to. Ordered fish and chips (again, I know, I'm a creature of habit). Then, the panic hit. My phone…it was dying. And my charger…was back in London. Cue minor meltdown. Decided the only solution was a pint and acceptance. This is what travel is all about, right? Messy, beautiful, and slightly chaotic. Oh, and the fish and chips? Not quite as good as the first night. But still delicious.
Day 4: Departure (and Reflections on Cobblestones)
Morning: Last Stroll and the Final Chip Shop Run: One last wander around Conwy. Said goodbye to the castle. One last, perfect chip cone. (Seriously, these chips could change the world.) Stopped at the YHA souvenir shop and bought a postcard. (Yes, I know, who sends postcards anymore?)
Afternoon: Train Back, With a Promise to Return: Back to the train station, feeling a mix of sadness and pure, unadulterated joy. Conwy, you magnificent beast. You've got history, charm and the best chips in the world.
Evening: Back in the city. Already planning the next return.
Conwy Castle's Unexpected Gem: This Hostel... Seriously?
Okay, Fine. What *IS* this "best-kept secret" already? Spill the beans!
Alright, alright! The "secret" *is* the hostel. Yes, *inside* Conwy Castle. I know, I know. It sounds, like, *completely* ridiculous. A hostel? In a thousand-year-old medieval behemoth? My initial reaction? "No way. Are you *kidding* me?" Seriously, finding out I could actually *SLEEP* within its walls nearly made me fall off my chair. And the best part? It's not even a hostel like you'd expect. Forget the image of the grungy common room and suspiciously cheap instant coffee. This is... different.
So, It's actually *inside* the castle walls? Like, IN the castle?
Yep. You walk *through* the castle's grand gate, past the imposing walls, you're *in* the castle courtyard… and there it is. The hostel. It's not a full-blown sleeping-in-the-dungeon experience (thank GOD, because I'm claustrophobic), but there it is, tucked in amongst the ancient stones. It's a truly surreal experience. You're wandering around, gawking at the towers, feeling all historically important, and then you casually stroll into the dorm room? Mind. Blown. I remember thinking, "Wait… I'm going to sleep *here*? Like, where kings and queens probably once… you know… *stood*?" Surreal doesn't even BEGIN to cover it!
What's the Vibe? Is it spooky? Is it full of ghosts? Because I *really* hate ghosts.
Okay, the ghost thing. Look, everyone asks about ghosts. I didn't *see* any. Now, that doesn't mean they're not there. I mean, the castle is *ancient*. People died in many, many dramatic ways throughout its history. *Personally*, I don't believe in ghosts, but I'm also a bit of a scaredy-cat, so I kept the lights on. It's not the spooky, dungeon-like experience you might expect. It's more… venerable. The mood is friendly and generally pretty chill. There's the constant feeling of being *immersed* in history, and yeah, it's pretty unique. You *feel* the history, and it truly makes you contemplate the centuries that have passed within those very stones. It's more awe-inspiring than terrifying, I promise!
What are the rooms like? Are we talking shared dorms with questionable smells, or…?
Okay, this is the kicker. The rooms are surprisingly *decent*. I mean, it's a hostel, so don't expect the Ritz. But they are clean, the beds are surprisingly comfortable, and the dorms themselves are... well, they're *inside Conwy Castle*! So, the walls are the ancient stone walls, which is pretty cool. They're not like super luxurious, you know, but for the whole "sleeping in a castle" experience, they far exceeded my expectations. I was totally expecting something much, much worse. I remember walking into the dorm and just thinking, "Wow, okay, I can totally do this." And the biggest bonus? They have a family suite. I'm not sure if this information is still accurate but I certainly remember this being an option. This is a massive plus if you're travelling with kids like me, because you can keep your stuff inside the same space. No need for separate rooms, and the kids will truly love the atmosphere.
Is there a common area? And are the people nice? (Because I'm socially awkward.)
Yes, there is a common area. And yes, the people were generally *lovely*. Look, hostels are what you make of them. If you're anti-social, you can curl up in your bunk and avoid everyone. If you're feeling chatty, you can actually meet some really interesting people. There isn't any dedicated social activity going on, but at the end of the day, if you want to know any of the other guests you can just meet them and start a conversation. I'm pretty socially awkward myself, and I managed. The staff were super friendly and helpful, and the other travelers were a mix of ages and nationalities. It fosters a sense of shared adventure, and the setting itself provides a great icebreaker. "Hey, seen that tower yet? Pretty awesome, right?" Boom. Conversation started.
Okay, but what about the practicalities? Showers? Food? Is it easy to get to?
Right! The essentials. Showers: Yes. Clean, modern showers, thankfully, not the medieval equivalent. Food: They don't have a restaurant, but there's a well-equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals. Or, you can walk into Conwy town (which is stunning, by the way!) and find plenty of pubs and restaurants. Getting there: Conwy is relatively easy to reach by train or car. It's a beautiful drive! Parking can be a bit tricky, depending on the time of year, but it's manageable. The hostel's right in the middle of everything so it's a perfect home base for exploring the area.
Did you have any *bad* experiences? Be honest!
Okay, honesty time. Yes. The only real negative was the noise. Sound travels through those stone walls like crazy! One night, some people in my dorm decided to... well, let's just say they were enjoying themselves a bit too much. It's a hostel thing, I guess. Bring earplugs! Seriously. They’re a MUST. Also, the Wi-Fi wasn't the strongest. I mean, I was in a castle, so I wasn't *expecting* the fastest internet. But, you know, I was still trying to upload an Instagram story, and it was like pulling teeth. That's about it, though. Seriously. Minor hiccups. Overall, it didn’t prevent me from recommending it to anyone.
Would you go back? And would you actually *recommend* it?
Absolutely! A thousand times yes! I'd go back in a heartbeat. It was an *incredible* experience. Yes, I'd recommend it, 100%. It's not for everyone. If you're a super-luxury traveler, maybe not. But if you're looking for something unique, something memorable, something that will actually *surprise* you, then this is it. It's a truly unforgettable travel experience. You'reRoam And Rests
