I spent a night at the Grand Hotel - the worst-rated in Llandudno

The Grand Hotel, which dominates the skyline by the town’s famous pier, first opened in 1902, and replaced a hotel and bathhouse originally built in 1855.

It became one of the biggest hotels in Wales at the time, and for many years was renowned for its glamour and service.

The Grand Hotel lobby. (Image: Newsquest)

In 2004, the hotel was taken over by Britannia Hotels, after which problems began.

In recent years, the hotel was the subject of much criticism, with the owners voted the worst hotel chain in the UK for the past 11 years and the hotel suffering as a result.

When you get to the town’s promenade, the view of the Grand Hotel is striking – the hotel is ideally positioned between the Great Orme and the pier.

My room at the Grand Hotel. (Image: Newsquest)

Upon entry, the hotel was busy, with a welcoming, if not dated, lobby promoting the various events the hotel hosts and plenty of guests enjoying themselves in the bar and lounge area – named The Connaught Room.

The hotel felt homely, with an old lift taking me up to the fourth floor to my room – the other option was a winding staircase.

My single bed room, which cost £45, was very basic with an en-suite and television and décor that wouldn’t have been out of place in the 1980s.

The view from my room at the Grand Hotel. (Image: Newsquest)

The room was clean, aside from some marks on one side of my pillow.

The view from my room was worth the stay, with the Colonnades, the Great Orme and the Irish Sea a refreshing sight to wake up to.

Upon arrival, I noticed that the hotel did not provide Wi-Fi to customers automatically, and when I went to ask a staff member at reception, was told internet was free on the ground floor but that non-premium stayers have to pay an extra £7 for room Wi-Fi.

A communal area at the Grand Hotel. (Image: Newsquest)

The £7 would give you 24-hour internet access – but for one device only, which I thought was quite steep.

Before I visited the hotel, I did slightly dread what I might find, after YouTube vlogger Walk With Me Tim said upon his stay two years ago that the hotel was “not so grand anymore” – with creaky floors, damp, and “grotty” bathrooms.

But I was also aware that work had been undertaken to refurbish the hotel, including a new outdoor sign.

The floorboards were certainly very creaky, but I found the communal areas pleasant – The Connaught Room bar and bistro, the dining area and the silent room were all decorated and clean.

@rhyl_journal We checked into Llandudno’s most famous hotel to find out what it is like for ourselves! Read the full review on the North Wales Pioneer and Rhyl Journal websites #llandudno #hotel #seaside #seasideholidays #northwales #conwy #wheretostay #hotelreview #firstperson #thegrandhotel ♬ Main Title (The Shining) - Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind

Staff were very welcoming and kind, and were more than happy to help with any queries I had.

The Grand Hotel is definitely in need of a facelift and some maintenance, but I found many of the reported problems from previous years had been rectified.

The hotel may be the worst-rated in Llandudno, but thanks to its history and prime location, the future remains promising for the once-grand establishment.