The Captain's Penthouse

We recently stayed at The Captain’s Penthouse in Porthmadog and overall had a really lovely stay.

The property itself was very nice, clean, and well decorated, and the views over the harbour were absolutely fantastic — definitely the highlight of the stay. The location was excellent and having good parking available was a big bonus too. The apartment felt comfortable and well looked after, making it a great base for exploring the area. The only slight disappointment for us was the check-in and check-out times. A 4pm check-in felt quite late, and the 9am check-out was earlier than we would have liked, which did make the stay feel a little rushed at both ends. That aside, we really enjoyed our time there and would still happily recommend it to others visiting Porthmadog.

Upon arrival, after climbing all those steps

The property has spectacular views and great location which is the only reason we scored so high.

When we arrived the property was dirty, I’m not talking cobwebs and spiders as we expected this, as it’s so high up, but dirty sheets, brown stains on double and lots of hairs in twin. Double had been turned inside out to hide. Shower was dirty and with lots of black mould, the door of shower was off rollers on the one side when we arrived, we coax it slowly every time we wanted a shower and even then the door didn’t shut properly. 2 pairs of socks were found in property left from previous guests. A lot of the crockery was chipped badly and just not enough for 6 people, we struggled with 4. dishwasher was great but economically not viable with the amount of crockery, would have had to put it on after every meal. No hoover in the property, which had we of taken our dog would have been a nightmare so we couldn’t clean. The trunk upstairs by window had had a milky drink spilt down the side of it and was very noticeable. 2bins one in kitchen and one in bathroom both had broken lids so open which encouraged flies. There is very limited space to cook or prepare food, but I had seen this in reviews so expected but didn’t realise quite how limited. It’s such a shame as apartment, furniture and fittings are of high quality but need some love and care, a lot of lights are not working in bathroom, sofas are lovely but dirty and cushions are dirty too. Upstairs by the big window, there is a used plaster in the corner, there were several moths and flys that had been swatted on the lovely window and left on the window. The blind in double has a squashed spider in it at the top. As I said we did have an amazing holiday due to location, we spent a lot more on takeout food than normal due to kitchen issues, and the cleanliness has left a bitter taste….this apartment does have the ability to be amazing!

The parking was very difficult.

As the access to the overflow side parking advertised was v difficult to navigate in and out of. The double bedroom in the attic area was blocked by a large stone beam. Impassable for some and dangerous for children. Should be classified as a 2 bedroom apartment not a 3.

Fabulous apartment with the best view from both the bedroom and lounge.

Pretty much 180 degree view, if not more. We’ve stayed on Snowdon Wharf many times and this property out-beats those as you get to watch the harbour, train station, see the fob and estuary Really spacious property with easy access, extremely comfy bed and great shower (after hubby cleaned the plug hole due to two razor covers preventing it draining). It didn’t spoil our stay at all but the property needs some teaspoons (there was just one) and a baking tray would be handy and a long handled sweeping brush too. Parking was not an issue at all. I’m just sorry I left some bread in the cupboard, I thought husband had emptied it…. we did leave everything else spotless and would definitely return.

The property has many plus points.

The location and amazing view being the main ones. The bedrooms and living room were also comfortable, and the kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed. The massive bath was also lovely. Sadly, it was let down by its poor state or repair and general cleanliness when we arrived. Many of the maintenance issues that we found had been noted months earlier by previous guests and not fixed. The most worrying of these are some of the door handles. One of our party was trapped in a bedroom as the handle had come off the door. We booked this for a luxury Christmas break with family and paid a premium to do so. Unfortunately it would seem that the property owner has given up with trying to make it the luxury location as depicted on the listing. Additionally, when we emailed Sykes, they did nothing other than send us an email asking for feedback on 'how they sorted the issues' . They didn't sort anything, other than the property manager came round the night before we left and looked at the issues and informed us he would let the owner know again of the things that needed fixing.

Great stay, lovely views.

Dishwasher didn't really work and pipes can get noise. We reported dishwasher and got immediate response but not sure if got fixed as we left next day.

Generally the property was maintained to a good standard apart from the shower.

The shower fitting to the wall was loose and it was not possible to adjust the shower head fitment so the shower head was not able to be pointed in the direction required and would drop, meaning you sometimes had to hold the shower head while having a shower. There were also water leaks coming from under the shower basin.

Lovely penthouse.

Fantastic location for visiting the local area and for Porthmadog town itself. Simply decorated in white and the furnishings are lovely and seaside touches. Very quirky living room in the loft space with amazing views of the snowdonia mountains and the harbour. Big bed is very comfortable, also with Fantastic views of the harbour and welsh mountains. BiG bath after a day out walking is just perfect. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind climbing lots of steps up to the entrance. We really LOVED it here.

Great accommodation with fantastic views.

Well equipped and clean. Personally I would have liked more preparation space in the kitchen area. My grandchildren loved the hammock. A couple of maintenance issues were a shelf in the fridge was broken and two door handles were of concern. The bathroom door handle/lock was very loose and also that of the lower bedroom. However having mentioned this it did not detract from our holiday, we just had to be careful. All in all a lovely place to to stay which was accessible to many local amenities.

On arrival the four of us were disappointed to have to share two tea bags and no milk - this felt very mean when compared to the welcome we have received at other Sykes properties.

The blind cord in the back bedroom was broken, so the blind was continually down with no light coming in. Door handles both side of this room were so loose that people using this room were unwilling to shut the door and risk being locked inside. The door handle in the bathroom came off when someone was in the bathroom leaving them locked inside until rescued. Of the four lights in the dining area, one was flickering and another was not working. The dishwasher was awkward to use as one roller was missing off the storage rack on one side. The fridge also had a missing shelf and the freezer section badly needs defrosting. On a positive note, the view from this property is outstanding. We have previously stayed at other Sykes properties and we had expected better.

Lovely apartment with the most amazing views!

The views and location really make the stay. Couple of minor niggles during our stay - bath plug does not work, we had to wedge a knife in to get the bath to drain properly. - washing machine doesn’t have any instructions and I couldn’t get it to work at all. We downloaded instructions for the model but it still didn’t want to work. Maybe it’s us! - for the price we would have expected a welcome basket, their was nothing. Would have been nice to at least make a quick cup of tea before we headed out to get provisions. Every other house we’ve stayed in has had something. Parking can be tricky especially in the busy periods however we always managed to get parked either in front of the property or in the close by free car park. Absolutely loved the window in the lounge, sat for hours just watching the world go by and listening to all the sounds of the water. The views over to Snowdonia are breath taking. Lovely property and would definitely go back.

We had a most enjoyable stay in this great apartment.

One thing - the dishwasher worked satisfactorily but when we first used it we saw that one of the plastic rotors and two small parts were lying in the basket . We hope you can inform the owner / manager. The apartment was very comfortable and had fantastic views . It was in a good location with all necessary amenities in Porthmadog.

Really enjoyed our stay ,it was very homely and comfortable, very well stocked with all items everything thought about, loved the views and the lounge area on the top floor totally chilling, my son and daughter particularly loving the hammock

Had a great time at this property.

Lovely views out of the windows of the harbour and mountains in the background. My son absolutely loved the hamock upstairs and spent pretty much the entire time in it. Good location for exploring the region. We had a couple of nice days out at Black Rock Sands which is less than 10 minutes drive. Nice walks along the coast too. The property itself is nicely appointed and had everything we needed. We didnt need the third bedroom on the top floor but it would be tricky to access for anyone with mobility issues as there is a large beam that needs to be stepped over. This is covered in the description I believe. We don't normally stay in the same place more than once but would consider coming back.

Beautiful location and views from the flat.

Well appointed. Would certainly stay here again.

Excellent accommodation the views over the harbour and amazing.

Would definitely stay again.

Excellent property but I think the concrete steps should have been highlighted greater, along with the wood beam which restricted the entrance to the upper bedroom.

We enjoyed our stay in the lovely well equipped 'Captains Penthouse' would definitely go back, the views from the windows were fantastic.

Fab location and amazing views over the harbour to the mountains.

Very well equipped kitchen and very comfortable bed. So much to see and do in the area, within walking distance, or a bus or train ride, or by car.

Amazing location & great to be in walking distance to town.

Beautifully clean apartment. Few areas weren’t as expected - Stairs weren’t suitable for a puppy as open tred, fridge was tiny & didn’t work very well & single beds were not very comfortable.

THAT VIEW!

!! You could literally just sit by that high floor window all holiday. All as seen with everything a larger family or 6 people would need. Stair and steps may be tricky for elderly or people with mobility issues. Locally you can go crabbing outside the door & shops, cafes, restaurants are 2 mins away.

The flat was lovely.

Great views, love the bifold windows and decking. Everything as you would expect. Only downside really was the texts, emails and expectations from Sykes re check out. Being out by 9am with a baby and a 4 year old was less than ideal, the morning was quite stressful. And paying what we did I’m not sure it’s appropriate to ask us to strip all the beds, clean everything etc. It sort of ruined our last day as the shadow of impending rush in the morning and Sykes’ emails and texts felt a bit much. There are a lot of steps too so it’s not an easy check out if you have a lot of stuff.

Much needed break.

in a lovely apartment with panoramic views across the harbour and mountains. great access to country and beach front walks. Ideal setting for exploring other parts of Wales. Would highly recommend.

Had a lovely stay, really enjoyable and comfortable.

The view is spectacular and the retractable window just adds to the experience. Had everything we needed in the apartment.

A lovely apartment which has an amazing view of the harbour.

Hammock good fun! However, the drainage to the shower is very slow and could do with looking at. Also a few more glasses would be helpful. There are a number of steps to the apartment (which keeps everyone fit) and a beam does cross the door opening to one of the bedrooms but this is mentioned in the property description.

Lovely apartment with spectacular views of Snowdonia.

Ideal situation for all key places to visit in North Wales. Only down side were the steps . No problem for us but older and very young with a pram would be difficult

Lovely warm and cosy accommodation, very clean and excellent central location with superb views.

Great location and we quickly got used to the steps and we are retired!

The apartment was excellent and very comfortable. We were only 2 and the apartment sleeps 6. There is room for 6,but only one bathroom and toilet, which would be an issue for 6, particularly 6 adults. We had a brilliantly warm and sunny week, so the top floor window was used on a daily basis. Would recommend for this feature on its own. The location was great with all the facilities you needed within walking distance. Great location to explore the area.

Beautiful apartment with all details mentioned clearly on the blurb.

Lovely and clean, firm beds and powerful shower. Excellent base to explore North Wales and right on the coastal path. Felt privileged to stay here and definitely coming back.

Good apartment in excellent location However , Cleanliness isn't up to scratch -Bathroom particularly Several loose door handles throughout - Needs a little TLC and minor repairs I cant remember if on description it details the access by many many steps - OK for us but needs to be notified

Very comfortable apartment, .

Fabulous location. Will definately be returning !!

Bedroom has beam blocking doorway.

Very nice apartment, in a good location, with views across the harbour.

The only issue is with parking, which at busy times is difficult - only two allocated spaces for the whole block, so it's a free for all to park wherever you can.

Wow what a view!

!! Stunning!!! You couldn't beat the location. Unfortunately however the apartment didn't match up to the view. To be a boutique apartment this has some way to go. Lacking in luxury touches and quality of fixtures and fittings need attention. We appreciate they have responded to criticism of previous visitors but there is still certain issues that need to be resolved and improved. Such as poor quality bathroom storage and toilet roll holder, only having one black rubbish bag and no dishwasher tablets. Hairdryer was supplied 3 days into stay. Bedding and towels are well worn and mattress protectors not clean but were when we left, due to us washing them. No vanity stool and really disappointed in welcome pack/facility book. However the beds were very comfortable. The upstairs is not a comfortable place to spend time and this room could really benefit with soft furnishings and some luxury to enjoy that great view. Currently it's hard, cold and uninviting. We are only pleased we payed an out of season price as this does not warrant what they charge in high season at all.

Nice weekend getaway.

Location is fantastic although the steps are a bit of a challenge when loading and unloading for the weekend. Could do with better WIFI. Looks like they got a new provider but forgot to update the instructions to connect. Also advertised Apple TV however there was no remote control to be found. Also could do with a bit of maintenance. Loose plaster in the bathroom and a mismatched toilet seat made it seems like maintenance was a bit hap hazard. All in all it is a nice place for the winter discount rate. Kids loved the hammock.

Few issues with the property which was listed as ‘boutique’; bed linen and towels marked/dirty, crockery (mugs) chipped, shower and bath both with draining problems, master bedroom window catches broken so had to be wedged shut with a teaspoon, all indoor candles require new batteries; all issues raised in previous reviews and in housekeepers notes and visitor book at the property; shame because the location is spot on and minimal housekeeping could really improve this apartment.

Currently on holiday in this apartment view and location is excellent the maintenance of the property is ridiculous and certainly not what I expected after staying here before.

Shower continuously leeks Shower tray doesn’t drain maximum 3 mins in shower or it will overflow. Shower seals covered in mound. Bath doesn’t drain without manual assistance as draining mechanism no longer works. Toilet seat doesn’t fit. Window locks in the master bedroom are missing which means they don’t shut properly so a lot of outside noise (we used teaspoons to keep the window shut). Sound bar doesn’t work due to damaged sockets. Almost certain there is a leak upstairs as there is dripping noises downstairs and leak marks on the ceiling downstairs. Overall very disappointing we never expect perfection but several of these comments are in the feedback book and reviews owners obviously to lazy to fix but happy to take my money Sykes sought this lazy owner out.

The accommodation has a fantastic view of the harbour and this redeems it somewhat as there are many small issues with the property.

There is no decent hanging facilities in the twin room and the door handle is loose. The lock on the bathroom door came off. The shower dripped constantly and the shower cannot be used on full as the tray fills up too quickly. The toilet seat is too small for the toilet. There are chipped mugs in the cupboard and the dishwasher was filthy. We were there for 2 nights ( 4 adults) and ate out. If we had been a bigger party, there would not have been enough room for our things or sufficient cooking equipment. I would not consider this a luxury flat. It does not represent good value for money in its present condition.

Whilst most expectations were met there are a couple things which need to be commented on.

The WiFi was not working on arrival on 14th September and did not start to work until the Sunday morning 16th. The shower did not drain effectively and although both of these things had been put in the housekeeping notes and guest book on previous occasions, it appears that these problems had not been addressed. Overall the setting is lovely, with great views and within easy access of restaurants bars and shops. Would recommend.

Nice position but very poor value for money Second visit to captains penthouse and unlikely to stay again.

We fed back comments last year and none appear to have been acted on. The apartment is nice and is in a lovely position but it is not luxury as stated and priced. On arrival, one of the keys was broken. Had the cleaners not been at the property we would have been unable to gain access and as we later discovered the property manager and owner were away, they would not have been available to sort this out. The cleaners were really helpful and gave us their keys. Lots of niggly issues:- chipped paintwork, loose door handles, dripping shower, badly draining bath. There was a bad stain/mould in the bathroom from a previous or possibly current leak. As well as this the kitchen has exactly 6 of each item (sometimes fewer) and no serving dishes etc, so making and serving a meal for 6 is tricky . Most of the cups are chipped which is not only not luxury it is unhygienic. Poor quality bedding is very tired and stained, pillows uncomfortable and towels were old and rough. All of this can be seen as our opinion but we have stayed in “ luxury” places previously and the quality of everything was much better in them. We had no internet all week!!! This was very difficult for all of us and a couple of our party in particular who needed to work. We specifically booked a place that had WiFi. Having eventually gone through Sykes cottages the Property manager arranged a time to sort that and some other things out. We had to wait in and he arrived almost 3 hours late. He went away to get some new locks and we never saw him again. Furthermore the WiFi remained broken. Many of the points I’ve made here are also raised in the visitor and housekeepers books and go back many months. This suggests to us that either it is not being read at all or the customer feedback and concerns are being ignored......not great either way. We also tried to contact someone at the beginning of our stay to get the internet and locks etc sorted quickly, both the owner and property manager were unavailable!! In our opinion the owners need to upgrade this apartment, sort out the bits that are tired and broken, include much better quality equipment throughout and very definitely sort out the internet issues OR reduce the weekly rate .

We loved the apartment - v.

stylist. A shame that a few little things let it down - toilet seat is much too small for the toilet. Not enough crockery or cutlery as only 6 of some items meaning the dishwasher needed to go on every day which is a waste of energy for the owner vs small cost of providing extra crockery and cutlery.

Great location with beautiful views.

Wifi was intermittent and urgently needs to be upgraded.

Perfect accommodation for a weekend break!

Lovely apartment with fantastic view of the marina and hills. I would recommend it. Handy having things like ironing board and dishwasher tablets there too.

The apartment is in a fantastic location, clean and ideal for a week's holiday, the listing wasn't quite right in the respect of it stated the nearest pub was a mile away when infact there is one to the left of the apartment in the square and the others are a very easy walk into the town.

The drainage of the shower is inadequate as the shower tray fills with water and doesn't drain until the shower is switched off which makes it quite slippy when showering, not really ideal. The master bedroom could do with a small stool for the dressing table for doing hair/makeup etc.

Beautiful apartment overlooking the Harbour, with fantastic views.

Well placed for local shops, amenities and the steam train. Outstanding views of the countryside from the apartment with easy access to numerous attractions in North Wales, we loved our stay. Although the apartment sleeps 6, I would not recommend 6 adults as this would be a squeeze, also there are 43 steps to get in there, so a bit of a challenge for the infirm. We were a party of 4 adults which was fine. Highly recommended

We enjoyed our break in the Captain's Penthouse immensely.

The apartment was exactly as described and the view from the upper living room is stunning. The rooms are all finished beautifully and all the facilities were in great working order. The description of how many steps to get to the apartment was very accurate and in fact seemed less when we actually arrived. We had a lovely welcome gift from the hosts which was much appreciated and did not want for anything. I would definitely recommend this apartment and would like to come back one day. Many thanks for a great stay!

Thus location is excellent no matter if you plan an active holiday such as walking, rock climbing, boating etc.

Or you just want to relax and enjoy the scenery, walk into town to brows round the shops, and so fourth. It is worth booking this accommodation any time of year, (we booked November) because the accommodation is very comfortable indeed. Can't recommend the Captains Penthouse enough.

Our grandson left his favourite cuddly toy in the apartment.

As soon as we realised this we contacted Sykes and Amy was empathetic and very helpful. The location of the apartment couldn't have been better. We could walk round the corner to a small beach where we were able to explore rock pools, which the grandchildren adored, or we could go further afield to the slate mines, Criccieth, Snowdonia etc. The fact that the steam railway departs from Porthmadog was an added bonus and we thoroughly enjoyed our journey to Blaneau Ffestiniog. The views from the living room were spectacular even on rainy days and the colours on the mountains were never the same on any two days. On the Saturday evening we had an added bonus of not one but two firework displays. Never found out what it was all about.