Elens Castle

Very accommodating and helpful when we needed our car charged up. Thanks again!

We both ate a reasonable meal, although obviously not freshly cooked, was vacuum packed or frozen? Returned another night for food and asked which meal was home made. Ordered our food in the bar but were asked to move into the restaurant as they were short staffed. The dining room was unbearably hot and we were seated next to the radiator. We tried to move back into the bar to eat but were met with a frosty reception and asked to leave. So left and ate somewhere else. Management obviously need to take a course on customer service and menu needs to reflect that food isn't home made and fresh.

From start to finish it was a home away from home. Helen and Adam were always very warm, friendly and welcoming. The food at breakfast and evening meal was magnificent, we never had a bad meal. The area is outstanding for having an adventure. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone.

Great place to stay. Friendly owners great food beautiful surroundings. Really enjoyed the local gin. Will definitely stay again.

Arrived in empty restaurant told face masks not required. Caught Female waitress looking my wife up and down! As evening progressed restaurant filled up. Tables rather too close for comfort with spacing. Decided to leave after main course. Food nothing special. When asked by waitress why leaving before dessert, explained we were not happy with the closeness of other people.

She said there were no restrictions for COVID. Told her I was more concerned for our health due to age. She ranted on and I had to ask for the bill on several occasions. She obviously wasn't happy and as I left she shouted out 'Tosser'. So I would advise consider using this so called hostelry as the customer is never right. Needless to say we will not be returning.

Stayed here for a couple of nights while visiting the nearby zipline and slate mine attractions and a really convenient location. Beds were comfortable, the showers were good and the snug bar downstairs a friendly place to sink a few pints in the evening. The good breakfast set us up for the day and overall we had a great weekend thanks to our friendly and welcoming host.

I booked this hotel for a couple's weekend. The landlady was strange. Period. I have never felt as important and exciting; we were stared at so often. After attempting a few conversations, however, and being met with a silent glare, I became suspicious that the attention wasn't as positive as initially thought. I think Elen was angry that we decided to book dinner elsewhere on the first night.

We reached a consensus on this shortly after checking in; Elen had been immediately hostile and the subsequent weird, Kubrick-esque atmosphere persisted (see: intense staring, questionable silences). For future patrons; the hotel is basic. Let's not get it twisted - there is batton fixed to the ceiling of a "Superior Room" to imitate beams. However, if we hadn't been made to feel so unwelcome, it wouldn't have mattered.

I really implore the owners to be open to the possibility that Elen's frenetic, aggressive service style does impact the stays of her customers. Not all negative reviews are a malign attack; Elen's Castle was a truly bizarre experience for us. God forbid the owners address or even acknowledge that. That might just be my "malicious vitriol" talking, however.

Very friendly staff, comfortable accommodation, food great. Great place to stop at to see a beautiful part of the world.

Lovely place to stay & perfect for what we were doing. Only 5 mins from Zip World. Lovely food. Will book again next time we are in the area

A delightful place to stay after a long journey, whereupon arrival you are greeted by Elen's piercing stare. She'll make you feel instantly at ease with her terse and abrupt manner - leaving you with the sense you're trespassing in her home. You're encouraged to book at the very limited availability restaurant - though after reviewing the uninspiring and overpriced menu - you'll decline.

At this point your fate as enemy of the state is sealed. It's best to avoid eye contact or initiate conversation from here on, neither will elicit any pleasantries. Onto your room. In a contemporary interpretation of 18th century coach inn-chic, you are welcomed by an ensemble of mismatched, tired furniture. The cleanliness is variable, but this could be a nod to the pre-hoover era that was the 18th century. Losing the plot? Don't.

It's nothing a good hot meal can't sort out. Head out of your room, down the stairs, past the half-empty restaurant and out to your escape vehicle. The weight of the death stare will follow you, but stay positive and you'll achieve escape velocity. The Y Stablau (10 min drive away) take walk ins and have a broad, well priced menu. The staff seem to know what it means to work in hospitality; some even smile.

There's a good Indian, Abbasi's, just further along. They sell a locally brewed beer made with water off snowdon - it's divine. Look for the green label. You can stock up on it at the adjacent spar; a prudent investment which pays dividends when you later return to the hell hole and need something to numb the pain.

Helen and her staff were excellent. Very friendly, welcoming, and attentive. The food was of exceptional quality, and very tasty. All in all unable to fault, especially being as our visit was during the covid precautions period, meaning reduced menus and service everywhere. Thank you Helen and team, we will certainly be back for food, and maybe to stay with you next time! Keep up the great work!

Visited for a drink at the start of our holiday, as it was near to our cottage. Booked for supper. Enjoyed it, good home cooked pie. Pleasant waitress. Returned later in the week. Another good meal, reasonably-priced. Good beer. Only criticism, no starters on menu, just mains and pud. Otherwise very good.

Lovely hotel, warm and friendly staff, room was small but clean and comfortable, great breakfast especially if your vegetarian, a good base to explore the snowdonia area.

Very nice lady. We could only have coffee but all the same very pleasant stop.

Just OK. I had fish pie was small and fairly tasty, bland microwaved veg to accompany. My white wine was slightly warm. My husband had ribs which tasted like they came from vacpac and microwaved, chips were good though. His beer tasted slightly off. Had sausage and mash for daughter. Sausages were very nice obviously good quality but mash was watery and lumpy. Strange Covid precautions as we were sitting very close to the next table but staff all wore masks and food delivered on a tray. Staff were pleasant and helpful