Llety Bodfor

Stylish townhouse in a Welsh seaside town: super views and just a few steps from a golden beach

I have fond childhood memories of running down the sand dunes and visiting a certain ice-cream shop in Aberdyfi, a picturesque, candy-coloured harbour town on Wales' west coast. A really idyllic spot on an estuary that stretches for miles, its golden beach draws kitesurfers, twitchers and families alike. Flanked by the mountainous Snowdonia National Park, Aberdyfi is also a fantastic base for an adventure-packed holiday of rafting, gorge-jumping and hiking.

Though little has changed in the last 20 or so years (that ice-cream shop is still there), there is one important addition: a swanky place to stay, proving that the Welsh can do it as well as anybody. You'll find Llety Bodfor smack bang on the seafront, within a pastel-painted Victorian terrace, enjoying stunning sea views from 6 of its 8 rooms. But it's not all about location and scenic views: with interior designer Ann Hughes as one half of the husband-and-wife team in charge, it is also stylish and comfortable - and definitely the only boutique place to stay in the village.

Highs

• Superb location maxing out on the views of the estuary, with Plynlimon mountains in the distance
• Beautiful on the inside too, from the pattern-clashing-perfection of different Neisha Crossland wallpapers in the entrance hall, to the brightly coloured Melin Tregwynt blankets, and quirky paintings by local artisit, M Delahaye
• Ann's delightful shop, Seld Interiors, is within the guesthouse; it's also where you check out at the end of your stay - which can be deadly for your credit card

Lows

• It's sandwiched between road and train track, though both are pretty quiet - this is west Wales, after all
• No food served other than breakfast and light snacks, and you'll have to book ahead at the town's restaurants in the summer when demand outstrips supply!
• Limited communal space. The dining room/lounge feels rather crowded if all guests are there at once, and there's no outdoor space - but the beach is on your doorstep