Aelfor

Aelfor is a beautiful property.

It's clean, modern and dog-friendly, which was perfect for our party of eight and two dogs. We loved the hot tub, and we were overwhelmed by the amazing views. Every day we commented on the scenery because it was breathtaking and felt as though we could have been abroad. However, the elevated position does come with the compromise of a very steep, winding driveway. You definitely need nerves of steel to drive up and down it, and it even gave me nightmares! The final section of the drive, negotiating between the two posts, was the trickiest, and my car's wheels would often spin. I wonder whether the posts could be removed? Once the driveway had been navigated, there was plenty of parking by the house for our two cars. There isn't an enclosed garden for dogs, but this could easily be remedied by installing a gate at the top of the steps leading into the garden. We had a wonderful holiday at Aelfor and would certainly recommend it for its comfort, facilities and spectacular views. However, for us, the driveway, in its current form, would prevent us from returning.

Had a lovely time as a party of two families of four.

The house was spacious and had amazing views across the bay. The kitchen was well stocked with utensils / pots and pans etc so it made easting in an easy task. The welcome basket was also a lovely touch. The only issue we had was with the driveway. One of our cars was a VW Transporter ( a larger, heavier vehicle) which did struggle on the steep frive. When at the top of the drive, there was plenty of space for parking.

We all loved this property and enjoyed our stay the house is worthy of 5 stars, but.

...... big issue is the drive, I think there should be more emphasis in the listing on this, I have a manual car and had 2 others automatic but we all struggled, I would love to return but cannot face the driveway, not sure what can be done if anything which is such a shame

One of the best accommodations we have stayed in - everything was just as you would like it

Was beautiful… my only downfall was the driveway to the property it’s extremely steep and I struggled to get up and down every day

Aelfor was above and beyond our expectations.

The accommodation is extremely comfortable and we would not hesitate recommending and indeed returning again ourselves.

Fabulous property with everything you could need or want and at such a high standard.

Drive is an experience but made clear what to expect from the start and soon get used to. Overall an amazing place to stay with views that do not disappoint would definitely return.

A perfect spot with amazing views from Llandanwg and Shell Island right the way around to Borth-y-Gest, watching the storms, rainbows and sunsets were amazing from the elevated position.

The house was just perfect for our group of 8 friends, immaculately presented with beautiful artwork and as clean as a pin. We weren't expecting the boot room/back kitchen that is great for sandy shoes and coats and the additional fridge - was a real bonus! A great kitchen layout and fully equipped - we would have appreciated a set of oven gloves and a few extra wooden spoons for stirring sauces etc - other than that - just perfect!

From the moment we opened the door we knew we made the right choice booking Aelfor!

My family of four plus two in-laws stayed three nights for an October half term get away. Our aim was to unwind and spend time together and this house was the perfect location. It provided ample and luxurious room for us to cook, eat, play games, chat and relax as a group but also provide us with our own space. The views were amazing and we loved spending sunset in the hot tub! We wouldn't hesitate booking the house again or recommending it to others.

One of the best holiday cottages I have ever stayed in.

Kitchen was amazing with all the appliances you could need. Comfortable sofa and dining chairs. Beds were very comfy with clean crisps sheets that I love. I would have preferred a more powerful shower but that's personal preference. Amazing views would definitely recommend this cottage.

We had a fantastic stay at Aelfor.

The views from the property were breathtaking, such a beautiful view of the sea and the mountains. The property itself was furnished to a high standard and was very comfortable and welcoming. The kitchen was gorgeous and well stocked with all you could need, although dish cloths and some washing up liquid would have been handy for items that can go in the dishwasher. As everyone has mentioned the driveway is a little challenging but you soon get used to it. The beds were very comfortable and the rooms were spacious and well furnished. We would definitely stay here again.

The property is beautiful and spotlessly clean.

Comfy beds, fully equipped kitchen, especially liked the wine chiller

Stunning property with the best view in North Wales.

Just wow. The photos dont do the property justice. We ended up taking a panoramic photo of the view. Everything was perfect. We will be coming back next year !!!

This was our second stay at this delightful house.

I have written an extensive review previously, so I will keep this review short and sweet. The property was perfect, beautifully designed and decorated with extensive premium features/fixtures and fittings. Ample rom for my family of 8 and our dogs. Welcome hamper was again a lovely touch on behalf of the owners. All the previous feedback had been addressed, showing that the property owners really do care that their guests have a wonderful stay. The only feedback I have on this occasion was to do with the garden area - there was a lot of dog mess from previous renters all over the garden, we spent the 1st hour of our arrival cleaning it all up. I don't blame the property owners for this, I blame previous renters who need to learn to pick up after their dogs! Please respect the property and other guests if you do take dogs to this property.

Wow!

What an incredible house! So beautifully decorated and finished, very clean and well equipped, had everything we needed and more. Unconfident drivers might find the driveway challenging but well worth it for the amazing views!

The house and facilities were beautiful.

The drive was scary and had great difficulty towards the top of the drive as wheels were spinning and didn’t have any grip on our arrival. However it had rained. Changed the automatic to a manual setting and it was okay. Just wanted to point out that the front patio is not enclosed. Your description says enclosed front patio. There are steps down to where the cars are parked and also steps up to the back garden. We were aware that the back garden was not enclosed. We could not allow our dog onto the patio for this reason. The toilet seat was loose in the front bedroom en-suite on the left. There was also a chip in one of the small glasses in the kitchen. Apart from those issues we enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend.

Honestly, we were very pleasantly surprised with the property, it’s position gives the most glorious views, especially at sunset.

The fixtures and fittings were quality and couldn’t be better. Really couldn’t fault anything. Easy walk into Harlech, just note no footpath. If your fit enough, excellent walking on the doorstep. Only one negative comment, the access drive is very steep and challenging as mentioned by other guests.

Absolutely wonderful!

Spent 3 nights here and the house was superb . They had thought of everything to make our stay here special Only down side was the steep drive way which was a-bit hair raising but the house made up for it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great house, very comfortable and spacious for our party of six, with lovely view over the bay.

House was very well maintained and presented. We were also lucky with beautiful weather. I don't envy anyone getting up the drive in the winter!

Wow, wow , wow!

This holiday home is absolutely beautiful! The owners have thought of everything to make your stay as luxurious as possible. We had a fantastic 2 night stay here and wish we had longer. The weather was lovely which made our stay even better as we got to sit outside on the patio area which has the most scenic view and watch the beautiful sun set on both nights. Thank you so much for such a beautiful stay, we would 100% book again if we were looking to stay in Harlech in the future.

Great house with amazing views.

We loved our stay and didn’t want to leave. Sitting in the chairs overlooking the sea or sitting in the hot tub on the evening, we couldn’t ask for anything better. We had everything we needed in the house and we were really impressed with how clean the property was. Thank you for our welcome gift. We will definitely be booking again soon, we can’t wait to go back.

The house was absolutely incredible!

! The best we have stayed at. We can’t recommend highly enough. It was perfect, clean, modern, comfortable, well equipped, and the views are out of this world! I have already booked two further weeks at the house! It’s wonderful, thank you for a brilliant stay.

We recently had the pleasure of staying at Aelfor, and we could not have asked for a more wonderful holiday property!

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was a special place. The house itself is a spacious 4-bedroom property, immaculately clean and beautifully decorated to an exceptionally high standard. We particularly adored the charming sheep theme that runs throughout the home, adding warmth and personality through delightful touches like pictures, coasters, and cushions. The owners kindly left a lovely welcome hamper for us, which included honey, Welsh cakes, crisps, Welsh butter, milk, and a delightful fruit cake, all sourced from a local village shop, a genuinely thoughtful touch. The kitchen was very well equipped, boasting an excellent range of appliances, including a Ninja air fryer and a large American-style fridge-freezer with a convenient water and ice dispenser. Every utensil we needed was thoughtfully provided, alongside ample crockery and an impressive selection of glassware suitable for every occasion. It was lovely to see thoughtful extras like a small stock of cleaning products and even a tin of dog biscuits, reflecting genuine care for guests and their furry companions. Mealtimes were fantastic thanks to the large 8-seater dining table and conveniently placed TV, making dining a social and relaxing experience. The owners have also provide a large selection of board games as well as a pair of binoculars, again this was a really lovely touch. The lounge area offered a cosy retreat with an incredibly comfortable leather electric reclining corner sofa and two swivel chairs situated perfectly in the bay window. The modern electric fire with flame effect added a warm ambiance. The stunning views from the large lounge windows over the Royal St David's Golf Club and Harlech Beach were simply breathtaking. The utility room was another great feature, complete with a sink, washer/dryer, and an additional fridge freezer, complemented by a handy downstairs toilet. The outside terrace was a true highlight, beautifully elevated with sweeping views across the golf course and beach. Although we noticed the terrace table from the listing photos was missing, perhaps due to the time of year, it would have been perfect to have it available given the amazing weather we enjoyed during the latter half of our stay. The hard-shell hot tub with dual jets, kept at a lovely 38°C, provided the ultimate relaxation experience, with convenient steps for safe entry and exit. Upstairs, each of the four spacious bedrooms continued the theme of high-quality décor and comfort, with large, comfortable beds and tasteful styling. Two bedrooms feature ensuite bathrooms, and one bedroom has a Jack-and-Jill entry to the main bathroom, making the layout incredibly convenient. The twin room, with French doors opening onto a multi-tiered garden and a small table and chairs directly outside, was especially charming. The bathrooms were luxurious, with a deep relaxing bath and large showers featuring delightful rain shower heads. Plenty of towels were also available in each bathroom. The local area of Harlech is equally enchanting, filled with lovely walks, picturesque scenery, and local history. Harlech Castle and the village itself are easily accessible with gentle strolls of 10-15 minutes. The beach is truly spectacular, offering miles of golden sand and peaceful, unspoilt beauty. It's worth noting, however, that access involves crossing sand dunes, potentially challenging for anyone with mobility concerns. The property's location is also perfectly situated for exploring other scenic spots like Snowdonia, Beddgelert, and Barmouth, making it an ideal base for wider exploration. This is our third visit to Harlech in the last 12 months. We tend to stay at another equally beautiful property which is more within our budget for frequent trips, however this trip was more of a research trip to find a larger property to accommodate more guest for a pre-planned celebration later this year. We do have a few minor suggestions based on our stay. Given that the house sleeps eight, larger saucepans would greatly ease cooking for a full house. Additionally, we encountered some difficulty washing our dogs after beach visits. There is an outside hose, however the water became extremely hot, with no apparent means of temperature regulation. We ultimately wished to respect the property by not bringing our dogs inside the property until bathed and fully dried, therefore adjusting the outside hose to allow temperature control would significantly help considerate dog owners and protect the property. The internet connection was also somewhat slow, around 20 Mbps, making it difficult to stream content via our Wi-Fi devices. During my stay, I had an important Teams meeting, but my laptop struggled to maintain a stable connection. However, the smart TVs throughout the property are connected via ethernet, which allowed seamless use of streaming apps—just be sure to log out of your accounts before departure. The manual advised resetting the router to improve speeds, but after contacting the property owner, we learned that the router was not accessible, and guests were advised to use the wired smart TVs instead. The heating system, controlled via a Hive thermostat, initially struggled to warm the large open-plan living space above 20°C during the first couple of chilly nights. Overnight the accommodation dropped to a rather chilly 16c. The lounge fire efficiently warmed the living room making this room the go to in the colder evenings. Clearer instructions for overriding the Hive schedule would be beneficial. Lastly, while the property manual was very detailed and helpful, clearer guidance regarding the weekly bin collection service would have avoided confusion. The manual contained contradictory instructions, initially advising us to take the bins down the steep drive ourselves, yet a very friendly gentleman later informed us he was employed to manage this for guests. Overall, these are very minor points in an otherwise exceptional experience. Aelfor is genuinely stunning, thoughtfully designed, and impeccably maintained. We loved our time here so much that we have already booked to return for a special family celebration in July. We would recommend this holiday home wholeheartedly to larger groups seeking comfort, space, style, and outstanding views in a fantastic location!

Wow!

What a beautiful house decorated to a really high spec and the views are simply amazing. Everything we needed in the house and more. Can’t fault the property it was spotless and very comfortable and plenty spacious enough for 2 families. Views, patio and hot tub areas all brilliant. Very quiet area with lots of walks around. It’s not far from Barmouth which was lovely. The drive is very, very steep so a confident driver is a must and a decent car, ideally 4 wheel drive. Views and house are stunning once up there so worth it but just something to be aware of. Light around the hot tub would also be a great addition.

Thanks for a lovely stay.

Property is fantastic in a great location. We cant wait to come back in July

Thank you for an amazing week, fabulous house wonderful views.

We did a few walks 2 from Llanbedr which included eating at the Victoria Inn, which we would recommend. We did another walk along the river and and through the valley at Talybont. We used the buses to get around and didnt use our cars all week. We will be back.

Absolutely loved our stay at Aelfor, the house is beautiful with wonderful views, absolutely perfect.

We visited a few local villages and thankfully the weather was kindish. Thank you so much for the welcome pack and prosecco, a welcome treat to have in the hot tub. Thank you again, Claire Simon Christine

The place is brilliant, we booked for Easter.

The interiors are fab and everything is so well thought out, its luxurious and the beds are so comfy. The decking at the front is amazing and those views! Thanks for the lovely gift basket and we will be booking again. 5*'s 10/10

Thank you for making our 4 day break so fab.

The house is gorgeous and you have thought of all the details. Comfy beds nice bedding etc etc.. The views ever changing with the weather. We have enjoyed family precious time and its a very nice feeling in this house. Thank you for the goody basket. Thank you again, hot tub amazing. The Short family

What a wonderful week we have had here in Harlech.

The sunshine has made an appearance here all week which I dont think we have ever experienced in Wales. We've visited Barmouth and had fish and chips, stopped for a drink in The Victoria taken the train to Aberdovey and ridden the Forest Coaster and walked on the beach. After owning Aelfor for 20 years we had the pleasure of booking it to see how the new owners have transformed the property. What a beautiful job you have done! It looks fantastic and we will miss the views and the homely feel xxxx

Wow what a wonderful stay we have had in your beautiful house!

Thank you, everything was perfect! We haven't stayed in a house before that was as equipted, clean or perfect. The view is out of this world! We loved sitting at the end of the garden, the view was incredible. Thank you, best mothers day ever! We are booking today for next year!

A beautiful house in a fantastic location, very spacious and comfortable we've had some great trips around the area.

The weather has been fantastic just like being in the Med!

Beautiful house, you have though of everything, its a home away from home.

We will definitely be back again.

Had a fab time - incredible views helped by the amazing weather!

Three generations enjoyed our stay - very comfy beds, great local food and lots of nearby walks - roman steps & Nantcol Waterfalls too much time enjoying the hot tub to brave Snowdon! Kids loved Harlech Castle and evenings on the beach. Thanks so much!

Wow!

What an amazing house with fantastic views. The house itself is beyond anything we've stayed in before and the local area is stunning with fabulous walks.

Thank you, we have had a wonderful break.

This house is just amazing (Dream kitchen!) The weather was mixed but the house made up for it. Driving up the driveway was an experience!! But loved it here. Thank you.

Wow!

Wow! Wow! What a fabulous home to bring all your family together and enjoy quality time together. The house is utterly amazing, everything has been thought of of so wonderfully. The quality is outstanding!!! Can recommend Harlech Castle, The Hotel Portmeirion. Thank you for a lovely stay.

Thank you for an amazing stay, the property and views are beautiful.

We will definitely be back.

Wow!

!! what a beautiful well equipped house. Stunning views what ever the weather. We really have loved our stay here, it really has felt like a home from home Thank you Peter Sarah Rachel and Tom

What a beautifulk house it has everything you need, attention to detail in every room.

We have enjoyed a lovely family weekend together. We have even taken a dip in the hot tub. The views are amazing. Wished we had booked for longer We enjoyed the food in the Victoria Inn. The Drew Family xx

Such a beautiful house so well equipped it had everything we needed.

Stunning views of the coastline and the landscape. we loved visiting Harlech Castle and Portmeirion, Barmouth and Fairbourne and the beaches. Thank you The Moorcroft family.x

The house is beautiful and we had a fabulous week here, we've been very lucky with the weather and enjoyed our meals on the patio, watching the sunsets and relaxing in the hot tub.

Thank you From the Hunt family

What a beautiful house, it has everything you need.

Attention to detail in every room. We have enjoyed a lovely family weekend together. We have even taken a dip in the hot tub. The views are amazing. Wishes we had booked for longer. We enjoyed the food in the Victoria Inn. Thank you

Thank you for letting me stay we will come back again, we loved it so much from the Burgen and Foster family we loved your house.

As you can see the views are like a young Burt Reynolds, Stunning.

The house has been very comfortable for all 7 humans and one weimoraner.cant have more than one shower on at the time though. As a mans man and for any bloke reading this the downstairs toilet is by far the best one to sit on and scroll your phone. I feel so relaxed hence my jovial review, great break. Ranger route is a 35 minute drive.I dont like to brag but I would have climbed it in record time but i was looking after my 68 year old step dad, I had done the Yorkshire 3 peaks the week before you see. Criccieth is nice decent fish and chips. and enjoy your stay more. I hope that you have enjoyed the review and Peace be with you.

Very special house we had lots of fun, Some of our family members have stayed here before.

We loved the views Visited different towns waterfall walks Snowdon and Zip World. Thanks for our stay

A huge thank you to our hosts!

The stay was absolutely perfect and we had a lovely time exploring this blessed part of the country. Impeccable taste! Your home is absolutely gorgeous and I would recommend Aelfor to anyone interested in the area, will certainly be back! THANK YOU!

What a lovely house, perfect for a short girls getaway to the seaside.

A huge thank you to the hosts because I don't think I've ever been in a nicer house in my life and the location too! We were lucky enough to have limited rain and wind so got to go out and explore the area a little, including going to the beach. Not that we needed to considering how well equipped the house is, with a couple of board games and a list of good films we could have stayed here forever. Thank you so much.

What a fabulous house!

So well appointed we were able to prepare all or main meals and even bake pudding, it's not often you can do this. The beds are so comfy and that view! We made good use of the hot tub as the weather held for us. Thank you for the welcome pack it was very tasty. We will have no qualms in recommending Aelfor to anyone and everyone and when we next come to North Wales, will look to stay here - Just been told one of our friends has already given the details to a friend :). Our dog Scamp made use of the balls and was also very comfy and cosy here. Thank you x

Wow!

Best compliment I can give is I would like to own this house and everything in it :) We arrived when Storm Amy hit but it was lovely sitting in the window seats watching the rain and the surf. Kitchen is an absolute dream to cook in and with all mod cons and every utensil you will need. Perfect having 2 TV's with different age gaps. Upstairs - Lovely comfortable beds with clean crisp sheets. Hot tub was a bonus which we all enjoyed. Will definitely be booking for another stay.

What a wonderful place, House is beautiful it has everything you need to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.

The treat hamper was a lovely touch. We enjoyed the gardens, the hot tub and exploring the walks (Our dogs loved the beach). We came for my partners birthday and he has been totally relaxed. The relax has meant so much to both of us. Thank you so much!! We will return to Lancashire with a smile on our faces. Many thanks. Woof woof waggy tails - Thanks for treats. Doris & Stanley

A very well equipped & comfortable house.

The views are stunning& we've had a lovely few days spent with friends, despite the heavy rain shower. The quality of all the kitchen equipment was 1st class. Nice lunch at Victoria Inn. A visit to Portmeirion of the slate mine both proved and enjoyable experience too. Thank you for the welcome pack

Very special house we had lots of fun.

Some of our family members have stayed here before. We loved the views. Visited different towns, waterfall walks, Snowdon and Zip World. Thanks for our stay :)

We had a wonderful family New Year at this beautiful house.

We found everything we could possibly need and were able to cook multiple meals in the well equipped kitchen. Thank you for such a wonderful stay. Thanks

Amazing!

!! Every aspect of this house was perfect. Thank you for also putting up a Christmas tree and making it feel homely. Wonderful location the Red Lion is a must and Plas Cafe food was wonderful. Another wonderful stay. D L S and C

One word sums this house up, Fabulous!

!!! From eth moment that we walked in we were amazed at the whole feel of this house so warm and inviting. The views are out of this world. We spent many an hour in the lounge window just taking in the views. The hot tub was perfect to relax and unwind in. We played games in the evening and just enjoyed a wonderful time together. We went into Criccieth to Dylans for lunch and it was second to none, the food service staff were faultless. Thank you so much for a memorable stay with my daughet son in law and his mum. Absolutely perfect Thank you

Wow, what an amazing house and the views are to die for.

We all had a wonderful time here and felt very at home. Thank you for the lovely goodies in the hamper/basket, they were much appreciated. Very thoughtful!! Loved the hot tub and Wales.

A beautiful house, with fabulous views!

! We are six friends enjoying a relaxing week. We really enjoyed the hot tub! Had Sunday lunch at Victoria Inn, lovely meal but you need to book. We travelled everywhere on bus or train, didn't need to use the cars. Did a nice coastal walk of Porthmadog. Lovely week in a really lovely house

As one of the six friends - this was my first visit to Aelfor - wow!

What a fantastic location! I enjoyed photographing beautiful sunsets from the balcony upstairs and drink in the wonderful scenery around us here. Enjoyed walks from Porthmadog to Borth y Gest and up to the reservois in Llandecwyn where we passed a 700 years old farmhouse. Portmeirion kept a couple of us amused for a further sunny day - a discount winter prices

What an amazing house - Thank you Been so lovely had a great time.

Thank you for the hamper, a lovely touch. xx Had such a great time, lovely house, don't want to leave! xx

Beautiful house with phenomenal views!

We really enjoyed staying here Our overseas visitors loved staying here Looking forward staying here again, thank you!

Enjoyed our stay in your beautiful house, with amazing views A good time was had by all Thank you

What a lovely house, location and views.

We had a wonderful time so much, so we will be back. The dogs loved the beach and it was a race to get in the hot tub. Your house is so well laid out, it spoiled us for our next get away. Thank you so much

What a beautiful house to stay in whilst exploring the even more beautiful area!

The house is equipped with everything you could possibly need and the welcome hamper full of local goodies was a lovely touch. We're already planning a return visit. Thank you for a wonderful holiday.. until next time!

What a lovely house very comfy and the views to die for.

Celebrated a Diamond anniversary it was wonderful. Thank you for a great stay

What a lovely place Driveway much easier than some have mentioned, salt and rinse aid were also in the cupboard above the microwave.

Could invest in a dustpan and brush Would stay again.