I’ll never forget the drive up to Conway – or rather, the comedy of errors that got us there. We’d piled into the car from Manchester early doors, full of beans about our first family holiday in ages, me navigating on my phone while the other half drove and the kids bickered in the back over who got the window seat. About halfway, disaster struck: a cheeky little diversion sign popped up out of nowhere, courtesy of some roadworks near Colwyn Bay, and suddenly we were snaking through unfamiliar lanes, arguing over whether the sat-nav was possessed or just having a laugh. By the time we spotted the sea glinting in the distance, tempers were frayed, the boot was a jumble of half-unpacked bags, and I’d spilt my thermos of tea all over the passenger footwell. Classic us, really – always turning a simple two-hour jaunt into an episode of some daft road trip sitcom.

But oh, pulling into Llandudno and spotting our duplex apartment right in the heart of it all? That anticipation bubbling up as we trundled down the street, hearts lifting with every glimpse of the promenade and those Victorian pier lights twinkling in the late afternoon sun. We finally parked up – after a mild panic circling the block twice because, yep, my parking app decided to glitch – and hauled our chaos across the threshold. What a belter of a first impression. Stepping inside this super central spot felt like stumbling into a proper home-from-home, all light and airy with sunlight pouring into the sitting room. The kids made a beeline for the Smart TV (Netflix on tap, bless it), flopping onto the comfy sofas like they owned the place, while I stood there grinning, the weight of the drive melting away.

It’s got this brilliant enclosed garden out back too, a proper sun trap for chilling with a cuppa and breathing in that salty sea air wafting up from the beach just a stone’s throw away. We dumped the bags and straight into the kitchen – well-equipped doesn’t cover it, with all the gadgets you’d need for rustling up a feast. I fancied myself as the head chef, chopping veg for a quick pasta while the family set the dining table inside, though we ended up spilling out to the garden as the sun dipped, plates balanced on laps, laughing about our arrival farce. Gentle self-reflection moment: I caught myself thinking, amid the mess we’d brought with us, how these little hiccups are what make the good bits shine brighter. No five-star hotel polish here, just real, relaxed vibes in a cracking coastal town.

First evening, we wandered down to the beach – minutes away, sand between toes, that classic Llandudno buzz with families promenading and the pier calling with its arcade lights. Back for a Netflix binge, toes up, utterly content. If you’re after a peaceful North Wales getaway without the faff of being miles from anywhere, this is the ticket. Can’t wait to go back – minus the tea-spilling sat-nav saga, hopefully.