I’ll never forget the drive over to Anglesey – we’d packed the car to the gills with beach towels, snacks, and enough books to last a nuclear winter, only for the sat-nav to chuck a wobbly just as we hit the A55. It rerouted us down some winding single-track lane that had me white-knuckling the wheel, convinced we’d end up in a hedge. But hey, that little mishap only ramped up the anticipation. By the time we rolled into Benllech, hearts were fluttering at the thought of golden sands just minutes away.

Pulling up to this stylish ground-floor apartment, my first impressions were spot on – it’s the sort of place that wraps you in a cosy hug from the off. Tucked in the heart of Benllech, 350 metres from the beach, it’s got that perfect seaside vibe without being fussy. We dumped the bags and cracked open a brew, already plotting a week of doing precisely nothing.

And do nothing we did, gloriously. The real star? That lush garden right outside our door. I’d flop into one of those loungers with a cuppa and a dog-eared paperback, letting the day drift by. The coastal path’s just 100 metres away, tempting a gentle amble if the mood struck, but mostly we stayed put, ears tuned to the waves crashing faintly in the distance. Benllech’s shallow waters and golden sands called for lazy beach strolls – padding down barefoot, toes sinking into the cool stuff, before retreating to the garden for a snooze. Shops and eateries are a hop away for fish and chips or an ice cream, but we’d mostly graze on picnic spreads, savouring the slowness.

One afternoon, I caught myself staring at a butterfly flitting about the garden flowers, and had a proper moment of self-reflection. Back home, life’s a mad dash – emails pinging, deadlines looming – but here? Time stretched out like warm toffee. No grand plans, just the joy of pottering. We’d read for hours, me lost in a thriller while the others napped or fiddled with a puzzle. Sea swimming? Nah, too energetic. Cycling? Maybe tomorrow. Instead, we’d watch the sunset paint the sky from the garden, sipping wine and chatting bollocks about nothing.

Even the kids embraced the chill – building pebble castles on the beach, then flaking out with comics back at base. No rushing to attractions; the sea zoo or Beaumaris Castle could wait for another trip. This was about switching off, breathing deep, and letting Anglesey work its magic. By the end of the week, I felt recharged, lighter somehow. If you’re after a proper unwind – friends, family, whoever – this apartment’s your ticket to seaside bliss. Pure, unadulterated loafing. Can’t wait to go back.