
Gwynedd in North West Wales has on the one hand Snowdonia with its spectacular mountains and on the other it has a dramatic coastline with its historic towns and seaside resorts. The county has a whole host of places to visit and things to do.
Good food and local produce abound in this region. Welsh lamb and beef feature alongside wild salmon and fresh shellfish. The dairy farms produce a plethora of speciality cheeses and look out for the locally produced Cadwalader's ice-cream.
The Ship HotelThe cheffing duo of Carol and Matthew Vernan worked in the Michelin-starred kitchen of Plas Bodegroes, Pwllheli before moving a few miles down the road to this village inn on the tip of the Llyn Peninsula.
, Aberdaron, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Penhelig ArmsRobert and Sally Hughes' charming roadside inn stands just a stone's throw from the harbour with views across the Dovey.
Terrace Road, Aberdovey, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern European
Neigwl Hotel & RestaurantWondrous views over Abersoch Bay to the mountains beyond are one reason for visiting this modest family-run hotel. On the food front, the kitchen doesn't take risks, but offers a tried-and-tested assortment of European stalwarts.
Lon Sarn Bach, Abersoch, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Welsh
Porth Tocyn HotelA grand veteran among Welsh hotels, Porth Tocyn has been lovingly tended by members of the Fletcher-Brewer family since 1948.
Bwlch Tocyn, Abersoch, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern European
Awel Yr Aran'Fantastic, fresh and local - what more can you ask for,' is just one of the enthusiastic comments we have received about the food at Awel Yr Aran.
81 High Street, Bala, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Palé HallRated as one of the most lavish country mansions of its kind in Wales, this impressive Gothic-style monolith played host to Queen Victoria in 1889, and the original bath and half-tester bed she slept in are still in use.
Palé Estate, Bala, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
The Garden Hotel & Cantonese RestaurantA dyed-in-the-wool, touristy Welsh hotel with the mountains of Snowdonia on its doorstep isn't the kind of place where you expect to find aromatic crispy duck or sizzling Szechuan king prawns on the menu.
1 High Street, Bangor, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Chinese
Bae AbermawIt's a quantum leap from Victorian rest home to state-of-the-art Conranesque hotel, but that's exactly what Richard and Connie Drinkwater have achieved at Bae Abermaw.
Panorama Hill, Barmouth, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern British
Sygun Fawr Country HouseIt's worth making the trek along the narrow stone-flanked road that winds its way from Beddgelert up to this secluded retreat.
, Beddgelert, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Welsh
Celtic Royal Hotel, Brasserie DracoIn a prime location close to Caernarfon Castle (a World Heritage Site) and Snowdonia National Park, this prestigious hotel now caters mainly for the corporate market with all manner of business, conference and leisure facilities on site.
Bangor Street, Caernarfon, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Mediterranean
RhiwafallenRob and Kate John have done a grand job of revitalising this old Welsh farmhouse not far from Caernarfon into a stylish and attractive restaurant-with-rooms surrounded by two acres of grounds.
Llandwrog, Caernarfon, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Seiont Manor HotelOn a clear day, the peaks of Snowdonia loom large beyond this delightful country hotel set in 150 acres of parkland, with the River Seiont running through it.
Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern British
Ty'n Rhos Country HouseRated as one of north Wales' most treasured guesthouses/restaurants, Ty'n Gros started life as a humble farmstead, but is now an auspicious destination looking out across 72 acres of grounds towards the Isle of Anglesey.
Seion, Caernarfon, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Bryn Tyrch HotelSet in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, with a garden by the River Llugwy, this ever-popular hotel is a favourite haunt of walkers, climbers, field study groups, even management-training teams.
, Capel Curig, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Eclectic
Bron Eifion Country House HotelThis Grade-II listed country mansion is set in five acres of tranquil grounds close to the rugged beauty of Snowdonia National Park, with gardens running down to the sea.
, Criccieth, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern European
Mynydd Ednyfed Country HouseFamous as the one-time home of the Lloyd George family, this enchantingly situated, 400-year-old country residence is hidden away in an idyllic spot with far-reaching views of Criccieth Castle and Cardigan Bay.
Caernarfon Road, Criccieth, Gwynedd - Cuisine: International
Tir a MôrParisian chef Lauren Hebert and his Welsh wife have transformed this two-storey bistro in the coastal town of Criccieth into a warm, agreeable venue with bright, eye-catching decor and clean-cut minimalist lines.
1-3 Mona Terrace, Criccieth, Gwynedd - Cuisine: French
Dolserau Hall HotelA mile-long driveway leads up to this splendidly isolated country house surrounded by five acres of grounds and a grazing meadow at the foot of the River Wnion valley.
, Dolgellau, Gwynedd - Cuisine: International
Dylanwad Da Restaurant'Dylanwad Da' translates as 'good influence' and the punning name suits Dylan Rowlands' admirable bistro to a T. It's one of the most friendly and amicable places you could wish for - thanks to effervescent, energetic and good-humoured young staff.
2 Ffôs-y-Felin, Dolgellau, Gwynedd - Cuisine: International
Penmaenuchaf HallSurrounded by some 20 acres of grounds overlooking the stunning Mawddach estuary, this elegantly turned out Victorian mansion lives and breathes country-house affluence.
Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern British
Plas Dolmelynllyn'A small country house with a huge commitment to fine food' is how the owners describe this centuries-old stone hall with Coed y Branin Forest Park on the doorstep and Snowdonia as a backdrop.
Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Castle CottageReckoned to be one of the oldest dwellings in Harlech, this sixteenth-century cottage stands in the shadow of the town's famous Medieval castle and has earned a high reputation as an hospitable restaurant-with-rooms – thanks largely to the efforts of Glyn and Jacqueline Roberts.
Y Llech, Harlech, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Maes-y-NeuaddThe name means 'Mansion in the Meadow', an evocative title for this medieval grey-stone manor house surrounded by lawns and hydrangeas in the mountains overlooking the Llyn Peninsula and Tremadog Bay.
Talsarnau, Harlech, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
The Peak RestaurantChef and co-proprietor Angela Dwyer has a big-city pedigree: she worked in Soho's Groucho Club and 192 on Kensington Church Street before teaming up with Julia Roberts for this new venture.
84-86 High Street, Llanberis, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Yr Hen Fecws Restaurant with RoomsIdeally situated near Porthmadog harbour, the Ffestiniog narrow-gauge railway and the 'Gateway to Snowdonia', this personally run restaurant-with-rooms is a perfect base from which to explore the breathtaking scenery of north Wales.
16 Lombard Street, Porthmadog, Gwynedd - Cuisine: International
Castell Deudraeth Bar & GrillPart of the world-famous Italianate village created in the 1920s by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (and made legendary as the setting for the cult TV series The Prisoner), Castell Deudraeth is a staggering crenellated Victorian mansion overlooking the estuary.
Portmeirion Village, Portmeirion, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern European
Hotel PortmeirionThe famous Italianate village of Portmeirion, created by Sir Clough Williams -Ellis in the 1920s, is a living, breathing private fantasy that still lures in the crowds: it has played host to countless celebrities, from George Bernard Shaw to H.
Penrhyndeudraeth, Portmeirion, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Plas BodegroesThis is a peach of a place. The elegant Georgian manor house is reached via an avenue of 200-year-old beech trees with secluded gardens all around.
Nefyn Road, Pwllheli, Gwynedd - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Tyncornel HotelTynycornel Hotel is situated in magnificent Snowdonia and looks over its own natural lake, in whose waters the majestic grandeur of Cader Idris is reflected.
, Tal y Llyn, Gwynedd - Cuisine: International