Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsThe Waterloo Hotel, situated in the heart of Betws-y-Coed, has earned significant praise for its exceptional location, positioning it as an attractive base for exploring Snowdonia and the surrounding Welsh countryside. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's proximity to village amenities, natural attractions and adventure sites like Zip World and the Snowdon Railway, commending its peaceful yet accessible setting. Its strategic location allows easy access to both mountain and coastal trails, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
The hotel’s breakfast offers a varied and high-quality selection, earning terms like delicious, tasty and superb from guests. Freshly cooked meals and hearty hot breakfasts using local ingredients are particularly appreciated. While there are minor suggestions for improvements, such as better fruit selection and quicker service, the general feedback is overwhelmingly positive. The evening dinner experience also wins high praise for its exceptional quality and variety, although a few reviews suggest a need for a more extensive menu.
Guests regard the rooms at The Waterloo Hotel as clean, comfortable and spacious with modern facilities like stylish bathrooms and large beds. The hotel’s pet-friendly policy and well-maintained lodges receive special recognition. While there are occasional remarks about dated decor and maintenance issues, the majority of feedback attests to the high standard of room presentation and comfort.
Cleanliness across the hotel is consistently praised with rooms and shared spaces described as spotless and well-maintained. The housekeeping staff are commended for their meticulous attention to detail, contributing to a relaxing and welcoming environment. This commitment to cleanliness enhances the overall guest experience, even compensating for any minor aesthetic shortcomings.
The staff at The Waterloo Hotel are widely acclaimed for their friendliness and helpfulness, making a significant positive impact on guest experiences. Receptionists are noted for their efficiency and approachability, while the bar and restaurant staff contribute to a welcoming dining atmosphere. The team's dedication to service ensures that guests feel well cared for during their stay.
The WiFi service receives mixed reviews; while many guests enjoy strong and reliable connectivity, others experience issues, particularly in certain rooms and lodges. The feedback suggests a need for improvement in coverage and stability to enhance the overall stay.
The hotel's spa and leisure facilities are highly regarded, offering a clean and welcoming environment for relaxation. The newly refurbished spa, including a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, is particularly praised, though some guests mention occasional issues with pool temperature and access. The gym is noted for its excellent facilities and cleanliness, complementing the spa experience and catering to fitness enthusiasts.
Families find The Waterloo Hotel to be an excellent choice for a welcoming and accommodating stay. The spacious family lodges and clean pool are particularly favored, making the hotel a preferred option for those traveling with children. Positive comments about the children’s menu and the family-friendly atmosphere further highlight its suitability for family trips.
Overall, The Waterloo Hotel combines a prime location, exceptional cleanliness, friendly staff and quality amenities to create a highly satisfying guest experience. Despite minor areas for improvement, it remains a highly recommended choice for travelers exploring North Wales. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Hotel with Swimming Pool
The Waterloo Hotel features a heated indoor pool and a children's pool. It is located in Betws-y-coed. The hotel provides family-friendly swimming options.
Heated Pool Indoor Pool Children's Pool
Accessible Hotel
Accessible Superior Lodge Rooms are available on the ground floor with designated parking. These rooms include accessible wet rooms with roll-in showers, shower seats, grab rails, seated sinks, and raised toilets. Public areas in the main building are also on the ground floor.
Hotel with Gym
The Waterloo Hotel offers fitness facilities.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
The hotel has 7kW vehicle charging points located at the front. These chargers are available for use by paying through the PodPoint app, and are accessible to non-residents.
3-Star Hotel
The Waterloo Hotel offers a convenient location near Snowdonia National Park and the North Wales Coast. It provides comfortable accommodations with good food selections in the restaurant and bar. Guests can enjoy amenities such as an indoor pool and fitness center.
Hotel with Indoor Pool
This hotel offers a range of leisure facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and a well-maintained gym, providing multiple options for guests to relax and stay active.
Hotel near Golf Courses
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Children's Pool
Hotel with Heated Pool
Room Types
Hotel Double RoomSituated within the main building, this room is beautiful and comfortably furnished.
Superior Twin LodgeOur Superior Lodge Rooms are located in the grounds of the hotel, a seating area and patio doors which lead onto your own terrace with patio furniture are also featured.
Family Lodge SuiteThis suite is situated in the grounds of the hotel. It offers a double bed, 1 bunk bed and 1 single bed to accommodate 2 children.
Superior Double LodgeSuperior Lodge Double Room set in the grounds of the hotel. Each room comes complete with own parking space and boast seating area and patio doors which lead onto garden area with outside seating.
Standard Twin LodgeStandard Twin room set in the grounds of the hotel. Please note that a train line is situated at the back of these rooms. A single carriage train runs past approximately 4 times per day. This room cannot accommodate extra beds.
Standard double lodgeStandard Double room set in the grounds of the hotel. Please note that there is a train line situated at the rear of these rooms. A single carriage train passes through approximately 4 times per day. This room cannot accommodate extra beds.
Twin Room - Disability AccessThe twin room provides a private entrance, a seating area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe Double Room with BathThe double room offers a private entrance, a seating area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Deluxe Twin RoomThe twin room offers a private entrance, a seating area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Betws-y-Coed, The Waterloo Hotel has garnered significant praise for its exceptional location, making it an ideal base for exploring Snowdonia and the surrounding Welsh countryside. Guests repeatedly highlight the hotel's proximity to village amenities, natural attractions and adventure sites such as Zip World and the Snowdon Railway. The location is deemed both peaceful and picturesque, despite being near the A5, offering a serene retreat that doesn't sacrifice convenience.
This charming hotel is just a short walk from the town center, where visitors can enjoy quaint shops, dining options and scenic routes. Its strategic position also means easy access to trails, making it perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Many find its location ideal for both mountains and coastal exploration, commending the convenience of parking directly outside the lodges.
The Waterloo Hotel's combination of stunning scenic beauty and practical amenities like the leisure club, swimming pool and spa facilities also receive favorable mentions. The setting, underscored by surrounding greenery and mountain views, provides a serene and picturesque environment for a relaxing stay.
For travelers planning to venture across North Wales, the hotel's location is described as central, facilitating easy access to tourist sites and local attractions. Guests appreciate the balance of tranquility and accessibility, enhancing their overall experience.
Overall, The Waterloo Hotel's location stands out as a major highlight with guests appreciating its perfect blend of beauty, convenience and access to the best that North Wales has to offer.
Breakfast
The breakfast at The Waterloo Hotel receives predominantly positive feedback from guests. Many reviews highlight the great variety and quality of the breakfast with terms like delicious, tasty and superb frequently mentioned. Several guests appreciated the freshly cooked meals made to order, as well as the hearty hot breakfasts featuring local ingredients. The staff also received accolades for their friendliness and efficiency during breakfast service.
Guests enjoyed the ample choices available, which included both cooked options and continental selections. The hotel’s breakfast was often described as plentiful and generous, catering to different dietary needs, including gluten-free options. The presentation and cleanliness of the breakfast area also garnered positive remarks.
Some guests noted areas for improvement, such as better fruit selection and the need for more varied options in the continental breakfast. A few reviews mentioned that the portion sizes were occasionally small and the breakfast service could be slow. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall sentiment towards breakfast at The Waterloo Hotel is overwhelmingly favorable with many guests appreciating the high standards and quality of food offered.
Dinner
Dinner at The Waterloo Hotel has garnered high praise from many guests with frequent commendations for its exceptional quality and variety. Many diners described their meals as excellent or amazing, highlighting the delicious taste and impressive presentation of the evening courses. The carvery was a standout for several reviewers and even specific dishes like the burger received notable mentions for their taste.
Breakfasts also earned favorable mentions with one guest particularly enjoying the vegetarian full Welsh option. Several patrons appreciated the clean and warm atmosphere of the restaurant, alongside the friendly and competent staff with standout service from Laura being specifically noted.
While there were consistent accolades for the food quality, some reviewers also brought up less favorable points. The dinner menu faced occasional criticism for being limited or lacking variety and some guests felt it was a bit pricey. Additionally, the portion sizes and slow service were noted areas for improvement. The availability of dinner every day and the closure of the restaurant on certain evenings were also points of dissatisfaction.
Overall, the general consensus underscores that, despite a few hiccups, The Waterloo Hotel offers a dining experience that many find truly delightful and satisfying.
Rooms
The Waterloo Hotel's rooms receive commendations for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness. Many reviews highlight the rooms as well-presented and well-maintained, offering modern facilities such as stylish bathrooms and large, comfortable beds. Guests appreciated the hotel’s pet-friendly policy and leisure facilities. Lodges and suites in particular seem to receive high praise for being spacious, clean and well-equipped with some offering patios and garden views.
However, some reviews paint a picture of variability in the quality of accommodation. While many rooms are described as lovely, some guests note that certain rooms are dated with worn-out decor and fixtures like small TVs and squeaky beds needing improvement. Instances of rooms being overly warm, musty or poorly lit were also mentioned. Inconsistent room servicing and occasional maintenance issues, such as leaks and stale smells, were noted by some guests.
Despite these occasional drawbacks, the majority of feedback highlights the hotel's clean, comfortable and spacious rooms as a significant positive aspect, making it a recommended stay for many visitors.
Beds
Nestled in an ideal location, The Waterloo Hotel has received mixed but generally positive feedback regarding its beds. Guests often highlight the comfort of the beds, describing them as very comfortable, comfy and large, which seems to be a recurring theme. Many reviewers note the luxurious feel of the bedding and the multiple pillows provided, adding to a relaxing sleep experience. King-sized beds and spacious room settings also stand out as favorable features.
However, not every guest finds the beds perfect. Some mention the beds are a bit hard or outdated and a few reviews indicate issues with sagging mattresses or uncomfortable sofa beds, particularly for adults. There are comments about small-sized single beds and a minority felt that the mattress toppers and pillows could use improvement, noting that they were too hard or resulted in a poor night's sleep.
Yet, for the most part, the majority appreciate the comfort provided by the beds with many guests enjoying a good night's sleep, which is complemented by the hotel's friendly and helpful staff. Despite some minor issues, the overall impression of The Waterloo Hotel's beds remains broadly favorable, promising a generally restful stay for its visitors.
Cleanliness
When it comes to cleanliness, The Waterloo Hotel receives overwhelming praise. Guests frequently note that the hotel is immaculately clean with rooms consistently described as spotless, tidy and well-presented. Not just limited to the rooms, the entire hotel, including the intricate interiors and facilities like the swimming area, shared spaces and the restaurant, uphold a high standard of hygiene. The lodges at the hotel are another highlight, often mentioned for being cozy and homey while maintaining exceptional cleanliness.
The housekeeping staff at The Waterloo Hotel is commendable for their dedication, constantly ensuring that cleanliness is maintained throughout the hotel. The bathrooms, bedding and even the furniture are meticulously kept spotless. This rigorous attention to cleanliness extends across all areas of the hotel, from rooms to common areas like the reception and bar.
Moreover, the hotel's modern rooms are noted for being comfortable and welcoming, often described as clean and relaxing spaces to unwind. Even though some mention the hotel might look a bit tired in places, the cleanliness more than compensates, creating an overall pleasant and relaxing environment.
In addition to the cleanliness, guests appreciate the hotel's excellent location, friendly staff and good service, contributing to a highly satisfactory stay. The breakfast selection also garners positive feedback, adding to the overall appeal of The Waterloo Hotel as a clean and well-managed establishment, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers.
Staff
At The Waterloo Hotel, the overwhelming consensus revolves around the stellar quality of its staff, frequently described as welcoming, friendly and incredibly helpful. Whether at the reception, bar, restaurant or housekeeping, the staff consistently go out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay for guests. Receptionists are highlighted for their politeness, knowledgeability and efficiency, making check-in processes smooth and providing valuable guidance.
The bar and restaurant teams also receive high praise for being engaging, accommodating and efficient, contributing to a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. Several guests noted their appreciation for the attention to detail and proactive assistance, from ensuring special requests are met to quickly addressing any issues.
Words such as lovely, attentive and approachable are commonly used, painting a picture of a team that's genuinely dedicated to service. The staff’s attitude and willingness to assist don't go unnoticed, raising the overall satisfaction of the stay despite any minor issues. In summary, the exceptional and friendly staff at The Waterloo Hotel significantly enhance the guest experience, potentially making every visit memorable.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at The Waterloo Hotel has received a mixture of reviews with a notable emphasis on the positive aspects. Many guests appreciated the strong, steady and reliable high-speed WiFi, finding it brilliant in some areas of the property. Several reviews highlighted good to excellent WiFi service, particularly in common areas and some rooms. The provision of complementary WiFi was also a positive note for many visitors.
However, there were criticisms regarding the WiFi performance. Some guests experienced spotty or very poor WiFi, particularly in certain rooms, such as room 27 and in the lodges where it was described as terrible or non-existent. Issues such as limited access, slow speeds and a restriction to two devices were also mentioned. Additionally, some reviews pointed out that WiFi coverage could be unreliable or non-stable and in some cases, not available at all.
Overall, while many guests enjoyed a satisfactory WiFi experience, there were notable areas needing improvement, especially in the more remote parts of the property and specific rooms.
Spa
The Waterloo Hotel's spa receives high marks for its relaxing and well-maintained facilities. Guests frequently mention the newly refurbished and extensive spa as a highlight of their stays. Positive feedback is often directed at the clean and welcoming atmosphere, making it an enjoyable space to unwind. The sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi particularly stand out with many guests praising these amenities as brilliant and excellent. Additionally, the gym is noted for being quiet and accessible, providing a nice complement to the spa experience.
While the spa is enthusiastically described as a bonus to the hotel’s offerings, there are mixed feelings regarding the pool. On the plus side, the pool is generally regarded as nice and well-maintained, providing a good complement to the spa facilities. However, some guests encountered issues such as the pool being cold or even out of order and there were a few mentions of disappointment regarding pool access not being included in some bookings.
Overall, the spa facilities at The Waterloo Hotel are considered a great aspect of the hotel, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for guests, enhanced by the clean and welcoming environment.
Gym
The gym at The Waterloo Hotel receives high praise from guests, who describe it as offering great facilities, being well-equipped and perfect for the whole family's needs. Reviewers frequently highlight the excellent and lovely gym environment, complemented by well-organized and clean spaces. The leisure amenities, including the gym and pool, are noted as a superb addition with some mentioning the gym as an added bonus. Even those who found the gym small appreciated its functionality and the comprehensive range of machines available, such as rowers. Additionally, the gym was often remarked upon as quiet and easy to use, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, The Waterloo Hotel's gym and leisure facilities provide a pleasant, well-maintained and well-equipped space for fitness enthusiasts.
Pool
The Waterloo Hotel offers a range of leisure facilities that many guests found impressive and enjoyable. The swimming pool is particularly noteworthy with numerous reviews describing it as lovely, fantastic and excellent. Guests also appreciated the additional amenities such as the sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and well-maintained gym. The facility's cleanliness and the availability of fresh towels in the pool area were positively highlighted.
Despite some remarks about the pool being part of an external facility and incurring extra costs, many found the swimming experience to be a major attraction, especially after a busy day. The heated indoor pool with its accompanying spa area was well-received, though a few reviews mentioned issues like the pool being too cold or overcrowded at times. Additionally, certain comments pointed out the need for pre-booking and occasional unavailability due to maintenance work.
Overall, the swimming pool and accompanying leisure facilities at the Waterloo Hotel are regarded as excellent additions that enhance the overall guest experience, offering a delightful spot for relaxation and unwinding.
Family
The Waterloo Hotel presents itself as an excellent choice for families looking for a welcoming and accommodating environment. Families particularly praise the family lodges, which were described as spacious, perfect and excellent, making them an ideal choice for those traveling with children. The family-friendly atmosphere is consistently highlighted with guests noting the hotel’s ability to cater to the needs of both children and adults alike.
The hotel’s amenities also receive positive mentions with a clean pool that families love and a children’s menu that meets high standards. The family suites are noted for being larger than expected and well-suited for keeping everyone comfortable. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of coverage over the children's pool and a less comfortable sofa bed, the overall family experience is very positive.
The friendly and helpful staff contribute significantly to the positive experiences, often being recognized for their warm welcomes and assistance, which goes a long way in making stays more enjoyable. Additionally, the hotel is dog-friendly, ensuring that even the family pet feels welcome and included.
In summary, The Waterloo Hotel offers a delightful retreat for families, promising fun and relaxation with a keen focus on creating memorable family vacations. The combination of well-appointed lodges, excellent facilities and attentive staff makes it a top choice for those traveling with children and pets.
3 Star
The Waterloo Hotel, a three-star establishment, has garnered mixed reviews, but there are several aspects that make it a commendable choice for travelers looking for budget accommodation. Many guests found the facilities and services to be good for its rating with some even suggesting the hotel deserves better than three stars. Positive feedback highlights the excellent facilities, which exceed typical three-star expectations and the great value offered. Guests appreciated the size of the rooms, comfortable beds and the quietness of the lodges.
The hotel staff received high praise for their politeness, friendliness and welcoming demeanor, contributing to a pleasant stay. The breakfast was frequently mentioned as fabulous, adding to the overall satisfactory dining experience.
On the downside, some guests pointed out issues such as rooms not being cleaned during their stay and rooms being uncomfortably hot. A few felt the rooms were disappointing and not worth the cost, indicating a need for improvement in this area. Despite these drawbacks, the straightforward location and approachable staff make The Waterloo Hotel a decent option for those seeking a three-star experience.
Accessible
The Waterloo Hotel offers a range of accessible accommodations that are highly appreciated by guests with disabilities. Many reviews highlight the ease of access to various areas within the hotel and commend the availability of accessible rooms and facilities. The presence of a large enabled room and a disability room indicates the hotel’s intention to cater to the needs of differently-abled guests. Accessible parking at the lodge is also mentioned positively.
However, there are some notable areas for improvement. Access to certain amenities, like the pool and the gym, is hindered by steps, which may pose challenges, especially in adverse weather conditions or for guests with walking difficulties. Additionally, while there are accessible rooms available, some reviews noted a shortfall in the overall number of these rooms and accessible solutions could still be expanded. Issues with accessibility in some areas were pointed out, hinting at the potential for further enhancements.
Overall, while the hotel has made significant strides towards accessibility, the reviews suggest there is room for improvement to ensure a fully inclusive experience for all guests.
Children's Pool
The Waterloo Hotel appears to be a popular destination for families, especially those with young children. A key highlight often mentioned is the dedicated children's pool, which is also described as heated and clean, providing a comfortable and safe swimming environment. Although the pool is on the smaller side, it remains a hit among kids who thoroughly enjoy it, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere of the hotel.
However, some reviews indicate that access to the children's pool comes at an additional cost, which might be a point to consider for potential guests. Despite its smaller size, the pool is sufficiently accommodating with children happily making the most of it. The hotel is noted for being child-friendly, not only in terms of the pool facilities but also with an excellent children's menu, enhancing the overall experience for families.
There are occasional issues mentioned regarding children's behavior in shared spaces like the hot tub, sauna and steam room, as well as damp towels and sandals left in rooms – situations that could affect overall comfort. Nonetheless, for families prioritizing a warm and safe swimming environment for their kids, The Waterloo Hotel's children's pool stands out as a positive feature that contributes significantly to their enjoyable stay.
Heated Pool
The Waterloo Hotel's heated pool has been a significant highlight for many guests, offering a warm and pleasant swimming experience, particularly appreciated on colder days. Numerous visitors have praised the pool for being lovely, clean and well-maintained. The availability of a heated pool has been described as an excellent and enjoyable amenity, meeting the expectations of those looking to relax in warm waters. Although some guests have pointed out that the pool's temperature could be improved and noted occasional issues with the heating system, the overall sentiment remains positive with many finding the heated pool to be a major benefit during their stay. The indoor setting of the pool adds to its appeal, making it a valued facility at the hotel.
Indoor Pool
The Waterloo Hotel boasts an indoor pool that has garnered a range of comments from guests with a generally positive consensus. Many appreciated the nice and well-maintained indoor pool area, highlighting its cleanliness and warmth. The pool was described as a lovely addition to the hotel's amenities and often quiet, providing a relaxing experience. Some guests mentioned the pool as an excellent and beautiful facility, though others found it less impressive. The indoor pool is supplemented by a sauna, bar area and beauty room, adding to the overall relaxation options available at the hotel. Despite occasionally having to book access and the additional fee, it remains a valuable feature for guests looking for a refreshing swim during their stay.
Yes, The Waterloo Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Heated Pool, Indoor Pool, Children's Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Waterloo Hotel.
No, The Waterloo Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Waterloo Hotel.