The Bulkeley Hotel

Just called for a coffee in the Buckley hotel, but unfortunately couldn't get served as the staff member was too busy talking to customers, felt we were totally ignored, a bit of courtesy would have been nice, so we went elsewhere, and didn't return later in the evening.

The place is going on two hundred years old so, keeping that in mind... It was great, I loved it! I like old places so this was up my alley, if you require crisp and modern, take a pass on this one. The Victorian charm drips from the place, interior and exterior, however the vibe is very informal and casual. The setting is spectacular for views, with easy access to various restaurants and cafes, and of course the castle just up the block and various attractions and things to do. We booked a family room for the 3 of us (traveling with yr old), and the accommodations sited us very well. We did the breakfast option. The breakfast room was gorgeous, the food was....just OK. The cold choices were fine, but the Welsh breakfast items were just OK. We didn't eat at the other venues, they were a bit pricey overall. If the food had been a bit better, I would have done 5 stars. The staff at meals and everywhere else were very cheerful and helpful in all ways, all rooms and corridors charming (and yes Old), and I and the family agree it was a great stay and well worth it.

Loved the location. Loved the features of the hotel. You can imagine how grand and opulent the hotel was when Queen Victoria stayed as a young woman. Had a lovely walk, then had inner in the restaurant across the road. There are boat trips to puffin Island weather permitting. Beaumaris castle is a few steps across the road. There is free parking on a first come basis. A ternatively, there is a fee paying carpark further on the road. The bedding was clean. Tea and coffee facilities were available. There was a smal TV on the dressing table. We asked for a different room as we weren't happy vith the one allocated to us. The lady on eception told us the hotel was full but for one oom with a mezzanine floor. The hotel looked very grand from outside. Once inside, it felt a bit bizarre and more like a bric and brac / antique store. There were several cabinets and shelf areas full of items for sale from odd pieces of dining wear to jewelry. An egg cup was displayed for £1.50 for example. We loved the hotel itself, just not the way it was presented. The stair carpets were badly worn in some areas. Nails were used to tack down a badly frayed part on a stair. Our room was very disappointing and in desperate need of an upgrade. When I booked a king/Twin room, ldidn't expect to find a yellow bath and sink from the 1970s in the ensuite ! The toilet was white , the seat kept sliding to one side. The shower cubicle had a mira shower and a poorly fitted shower curtain. There is black mould in the grout and around the pipes. Water pressure was poor, causing the temperature to suddenly go hot and then cold. The layout of the ensuite was strange, but given the space maybe unavoidable. Tiles were white with squiggly grey lines and the odd random pink flower. The ceiling above the toilet and above the hand basin had badly peeling paint that dropped on you while using these facilities. The lino was black and white tiled effect. The bedroom carpet looked old and dirty. The window had a badly fitted net curtain. Going by the stains on the walls where pictures used to hang,it's clear the room hasn't been painted for years. One of the table lamps buzzed when in use. An old trouser press with the interior disintegrating was unusable but still fixed to the wall. The dingy closet was accessed by a bifold door. The room smelled musty. We were offered another room, but unfortunately, the only one available had a mezzanine floor meaning you had to use stairs to go to the toilet. Not suitable for someone with arthritis getting up in the night. We only ate cereal the first morning due to the 2 star rating we found when checking online after seeing the state of our room. Saving grace for food was the excellent restaurant over the road.