I finally made it to Conway after a bit of a faff on the A55 – some cheeky diversion meant I ended up looping round Colwyn Bay like a lost puppy, but hey, it gave me extra time to build up the excitement for our little getaway. Pulling up to this cracking ground-floor apartment in Rhos-On-Sea, I was buzzing; the sea air hit me straight away, and stepping inside felt like a proper warm hug. It's one of those elegant spots with an open-plan vibe, loads of light flooding in, and a stylish sitting area centred around a smart TV and electric fire – perfect for cosying up after a day out. The king-size bed screamed romance, and with the double sofa bed, it could've squeezed in mates too, plus that terrace barbecue just begging for a sunset sizzle, right by the beach.

First impressions? Spot on. We dumped the bags and cracked open a bottle of fizz on the terrace, watching the waves roll in. But let's be honest, the real star of the show was the food – or should I say, our valiant attempts at it. Being a ground-floor gem so close to the promenade, we wandered straight to the beachside cafés for lunch. I went for a massive crab sandwich from a little shack near the pier; fresh as you like, with proper seaside tang and a side of chips that were moreish enough to nick half of my other half's. Laughable how we both ended up with sandy fingers, but that's holiday bliss.

Evenings were all about pubs – Rhos-On-Sea has a gem in The Pen-y-Bryn, just a short stroll away. We propped up the bar there one night, devouring fish and chips that were crispy perfection, the batter light and the haddock flaking just right. Pint of local Conway ale on the side – smooth, malty, gone in seconds. "This is living," I grinned, though I did have a moment of self-reflection later, staring into my empty glass: when did I turn into such a pub crawler? Still, no regrets; it's these simple joys that recharge the batteries.

Cooking in the apartment turned into comedy gold. We hit the weekly market in Colwyn Bay – a five-minute drive – for local treats: plump sausages from the butcher, fresh veg, and artisan bread that smelled like heaven. Back home, I fancied myself as a barbecue maestro on the terrace. Sausages on, beers chilling... until the wind picked up and half my bangers ended up looking like they'd done a runner into the sea. We salvaged it with a heroic rescue into the electric fire-warmed living area, turning it into a makeshift grill session with laughs echoing off the walls. Paired it with market-bought cheeses and a cheeky bottle of Welsh red – surprisingly lush.

Next day, we ambled to The Bryn-y-Bbian in Rhos for Sunday lunch; their roast beef was melt-in-the-mouth, Yorkshire puds like fluffy clouds, and the gravy? Divine. Washed down with gravy, obvs. We even tried baking soda bread using a recipe scribbled from the market lady – mine was more rock than roll, but slathered in local butter, it passed muster.

Honestly, this spot nailed it for foodie escapes. No fancy faff, just proper grub, pub vibes, and a terrace begging for more barbecues. Left feeling stuffed, happy, and already plotting the next trip. If you're after a Conway coastal feast, this is your ticket.