SQUIB: a : a short humorous or satiric writing or speech; b : a short news item. (Merriam-Webster)
This Travel Squib reminds you that big luxury hotels are great, but little joints are often where the character is — and where the characters are.
During a recent road trip throughout Wales, I had the opportunity to stay in a couple big, well equipped hotels. But, a travel through the northern and coastal wilds served up a chance to stay at The Hand Hotel in the tiny village of Llangollen and The Britannia Inn in the seaside tourist town of Aberdovey. Both offer a small handful of available rooms and plenty of local charm.
The Hand (above) is a central social spot in a village you can see in its entirety from its only lamp post. The rooms are simple, but comfortable — and the downstairs pub is the watering fall for local farmers and residents who converse solely in Welsh. Best of all, the bar and restaurant serve up local ales and spirits and specialty dishes made of ingredients farmed locally. That dedication to regional preparation makes The Hand a hidden gourmet treat.
There are only a small number of rooms, so I spent most of my social time conversing with the hotel, pub and restaurant staff. It was a treat to learn about the life of the locals and their day to day movements in a tiny Welsh seaside town.
The Welsh sometimes have an unfair reputation to be more standoffish and reserved when compared to the British, Irish or Scotts. But, a visit to The Hand and Britannia put those ideas to rest for me forever.
You can see more photos of Aberdovey here.
