I’ll never forget the drive up to Conway – a proper British road trip that started so promisingly with blue skies over the motorway, but then turned into a comedy of errors when we hit a massive tailback just past Chester. Turned out it was some cheeky sheep causing havoc on the A55, and there we were, stuck for an hour with the kids moaning about needing the loo. By the time we rolled into town, I was frazzled, but spotting our four-storey holiday retreat perched up high with those sea views instantly lifted the mood. It’s one of those luxurious coastal pads that screams family getaway – all modern comfort with a nod to the seaside glamour, right on the edge of Llandudno’s golden beaches and moments from Conway’s medieval walls. First impressions? Spot on. We dumped the bags and cracked open a bottle of fizz on the balcony, watching the waves crash below.

Next morning, the weather gods were smiling – rare for North Wales, I know. We laced up our boots for a proper hike along the Great Orme, that massive limestone headland looming over Llandudno. It’s only a couple of miles from the front door, but the clifftop paths feel like another world. The sun beat down as we puffed up the steep bits, dodging wild goats and soaking in panoramic views of the bay, Conway Castle squatting like a fairy-tale giant in the distance. The kids raced ahead, turning it into a treasure hunt for fossils in the rocks, while I pretended I wasn’t secretly knackered. We stopped at a bench for fish and chips from a takeaway van – proper greasy heaven with sand between our toes. That evening, legs like jelly, we crashed out watching the sun dip into the Irish Sea from the top-floor lounge. Bliss.

But oh, the British weather – it doesn’t mess about. Day two dawned with lashing rain and a gale howling off the Conway estuary. Our grand plan for a long coastal ramble to the marina went straight out the window. Instead, we rugged up in waterproofs and wellies for a soggy stomp around Conway’s town walls. It’s a classic two-mile circuit, and even in the downpour, there’s magic in those ancient battlements hugging the hillside. We huddled under umbrellas, laughing as puddles turned into lakes, and ducked into a cosy tearoom for hot chocolate and Welsh cakes midway. The rain actually made it better in a weird way – fewer crowds, more dramatic skies rolling over the river. By afternoon, it cleared just enough for a quick beach walk along West Shore, skimming stones and building epic sandcastles before the next squall hit.

Reflecting on it now, those weather-whipped walks were the highlight. They forced us to adapt, turning potential washouts into memorable daft adventures. I caught myself thinking how I’m always chasing perfect sun-soaked holidays, but there’s something brilliantly real about battling the elements together – wind-lashed cheeks and all. We clocked miles of coastal paths, from sunny Orme triumphs to rainy wall wanders, and it knit us tighter as a family. If you’re after a base for North Wales hiking with luxury downtime, this spot’s a gem. Can’t wait to go back, come rain or shine.