Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

A fabulous, fun, out-of-the-way Regency mansion heaving with history and personality. The many-windowed house juts from a high rocky wooded slope between Snowdonia and the North Wales coast; views reach over quaint Portmeirion and the Glaslyn estuary. Such house party possibilities! Antiquey, boutiquey bedrooms are named after illustrious residents, such as MP William Madocks, who built this mansion and Porthmadog's 'cob' causeway, and Shelley, who fled here from a feud. Nick and Michael have turned a house of high culture into something comfortable and contemporary. The drawing room's log fire crackles, the library is full of books and games, walls are bright with paintings, a piano is there for the playing and quirky ornaments adorn the shelves (Nick deals in antiques). Cook up a feast in the professional kitchen; pop up the breakfast bar or dine in style at a slate-oak dining table by French windows, opening to terrace and lawn. Tremadog, birthplace of Lawrence of Arabia, is a short stroll for restaurants and shops, Black Rock beach is five miles, Snowdonia beckons.