Ty Gwyn Cottage & Hot Tub

Ty Gwyn Cottage is a self-contained holiday let tucked behind the Ty Gwyn inn on the Holyhead Road, a short walk from the centre of Betws-y-coed, and it suits dogs rather better than the average Snowdonia bolthole. Because it is a whole house rather than a room, with its own garden, a wood-fired hot tub and woodland immediately behind, a dog can come and go from the living space without ever crossing a shared corridor. Guests travelling with dogs describe it as private and quiet, particularly out of season when the pub in front is empty.

The one thing worth understanding before booking is where the dog is and is not allowed. The cottage and its garden are the dog's territory; the bar and restaurant in the inn are not. Several guests with dogs have found this out on arrival and ended up either cooking in the well-equipped kitchen or driving into the village to eat. Guests have also reported a pet supplement of around 30 pounds on a three-night stay, which some felt was steep given the dog is confined to the accommodation and garden.

The other recurring caveat is the boundary. Neither the front nor the back entrance is gated, and the property opens towards the main road, so owners of dogs that do not reliably recall have blocked the gaps with garden chairs. Anyone bringing a bolter should plan for that. Reports on housekeeping vary too, with most guests finding the cottage clean and tidy and a minority arriving to find it had not been turned around well.

Set against that, the location is genuinely good for a dog: a footpath runs into the woodland at the rear, walking country starts within yards of the door, and Betws-y-coed itself is a short walk down the road. There is no WiFi and mobile signal is poor, which most guests treat as part of the appeal. It earns a 4.2/5 paw rating - a comfortable, well-placed base for a walking holiday with a dog, provided you are happy to eat in and to keep an eye on an unfenced boundary.