Groes Newydd Portmeirion, Gwynedd

Have stayed at this lovely old property many times.. This time it was different as I was warned told by the owner in a phone call before we travelled so we were prepared for lack of Books CD's Maps etc., also instructions for equipment, which did prove an issue although we were able to download the relevant manual. The property has the most stunning views, which can only be achieved by driving up this steep lane, BUT there are plenty of passing places, visibility is good and you just need to be vigilant and take it steady. Other drivers will respect you !. You will be rewarded by views that you will remember forever - of the mountains embracing the estuary enhanced by the ebbing and flowing of the tides - will simply wash all you current cares away

The cottage was fantastic everything was there that you needed as dish washer .... The cottage was fantastic everything was there that you needed as dish washer tablets washing up liquid ECT views from Windows stunning the area was lovely locals very nice garden area safe for our dogs only thing missing was some were to hang up a washing line overall we will be back best holiday we have had thank you

The cottage offered beautiful scenery and felt like home.. There were lots of opportunities to explore the surrounding areas. Will definitely be booking again in the future.

This is an old cottage but has a lovely feel to it.. It's warm and cosy (even when the Aga went out as there is additional heating). The one thing I would warn about is the road to the property which is narrow and winding so you need a strong nerve! The quickest route to the main road we felt was the better one as there were more passing places but it was an experience nonetheless. We really enjoyed our week here though and the views are magnificent. Would definitely recommend - especially for brave drivers!

The cottage was absolutely perfect - cosy and warm, and a lovely place to come back to after walking in the speculator surrounding area.. It was perfect for our golden retriever who enjoyed lying in front of the log fire and running around the garden after walks in the mountains and along the beach. It’s perfect for a relaxing getaway for anyone who wants a secluded retreat to get back to nature.

We had a lovely break - the cottage was comfortable home from home.. Sadly the weather wasn't very good so we couldn't sit out or BBQ

Cottage is cosy view is amazing we found it a lovely situation.. Yes the road is steep and narrow but you get used to it. I useable washing line is the only thing it lacked.

Lovely warm cottage with beautiful views and surrounded by amazing scenery..

Lovely warm and cosy cottage with a great AGA range, Fantastic views over estuary.. Very quite and peaceful. Very steep and narrow approach to cottage. Lack of garden chairs etc.

The cottage itself looks wonderful and the views are great, however getting to it is something else.. As stated the "road" is indeed very narrow and is not for a modern vehicle with parking sensors as they are almost consistently going off driving to/from the cottage. Likewise the steep approach is quite a challenge to a modern small engined vehicle, particularly when confronted with oncoming traffic and having to attempt to reverse up to the parking area. Others have commented how the Aga keeps the place warm during the cooler months, however we found the kitchen to be almost stifling during the few days of sunshine we had. The Aga unfortunately also heats up the master bedroom above it which again caused problems for sleeping.

EXCELLENTLY APPOINTED, WARM AND COMFORTABLE COTTAGE IN A BEAUTIFUL ELEVATED PEACEFUL LOCATION (THE GRASS COULD HAVE DONE WITH A TRIM! ), LOVED THE BED, REALLY COMFY, A KING SIZE WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT. THE AGA!!! IN THE KITCHEN, BRILLIANT, THE TROUBLE NOW IS THE WIFE WANTS ONE!!!! ON THE WHOLE VERY PLEASED

We’ve stayed at Groes Newydd a few times previously and always found it a great base for walking and mountain biking, being up in the hills.. Coed y Brenin Mountain Bike Centre is about half an hour away and Betws y Coed, 40 mins. There are farmer’s fields surrounding the front of the property and it was nice watching the spring lambs. The views over the estuary are great. Having stayed at the cottage a few times, we were disappointed to find a fair amount of mould on our last visit. However Sykes resolved the matter and the owners had replaced the curtains this time round :-) The Aga really warms the little kitchen up a treat, which when we’ve visited in the chillier months has been lovely. It’s also nice getting to know the neighbouring visitors at Groes Newydd Bach in the shared garden. Lovely, quiet cottage that’s away from the hustle and bustle.

Lovely cottage, met all expectations.. Some lovely walks to be had and fantastic scenery.

A great place for peace and quiet.. Cosy and warm right through the blizzards. Hard work for the van's clutch but my 20 year old Toyota managed it ok. Wild walking if you want it. A good base for exploring.

This was a lovely stay in a great cottage.. Spoke to the caretaker before on a detail and he was really helpful. Lovely Aga kept the place cosy and fine to cook on. We really enjoyed our stay and found all the local people very welcoming and friendly. Very good location for walks inland or access to coast, really quiet. Porthmadoc has everything you need and Black Rock sands is just as lovely as ever. We had a great visit to Harlech Castle, which has a lovely cafe and nearby beach. The VERY steep hills to and from the main road were accurately described and manageable but would be more of an issue in cold weather. Sheep only strayed into the garden once and were gently ushered out! Would like to visit again but did think the upper end of the price range for this cottage at certain times of the year would be excessive for the accommodation provided.

Nice warm cottage with great views from the lounge and bedrooms.. Clean and pretty well equipped. The Aga is lovely out of season in the chillier months. It’s a great base for Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. Porthmadog has a good variety of shops ten mins drive away. Quiet, with nice walks from the cottage. The not so good. There is a muddy garden that leads up to the front door. It’s hard not to walk mud in every time you enter the house. With dogs, it’s messy! The lane is steep as others have said. Stick it in first gear and hold your nerve. The mould in both bedrooms around the windows isn’t nice. The curtains in the twin bedroom had rotted through :-(

Groes Newydd is an attractive looking cottage, simply furnished, but providing all that’s needed for a holiday stay.. Views over the estuary towards Penrhyndeudraeth, Minffordd and Portmeirion offer an ever- changing landscape. The single track road leading to the cottage may be a little daunting to drive along, especially the shorter, steeper route from the A496, which would not be recommended attempting in icy conditions, and the pathway leading from the parking space to the front door can be muddy. Once indoors however, there is instantly a cosy feeling provided by the AGA in the kitchen. However, some may find using an AGA difficult to master, and apart from the toaster and microwave there is no alternative cooking method. Although suitable cleaning products are provided by the owners, it might be worth mentioning that these are a requirement for the plumbing system, as the cottage is not on mains drainage. The weather in late November was not expected to be ideally suited to outdoor activities, but the cottage was well located for several nearby places of interest and on the days we did not want to venture out, we were able to entertain ourselves well enough to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing break.

The cottage was set in a beautiful rural location.. It felt homely and had everything we needed so we relaxed fully from the moment we arrived. We loved the warmth of the Aga and enjoyed the new cooking experience. A Welsh weekend we will never forget.

Very nice cottage

Third time we’ve stayed at Groes Newydd.. It’s a great base for Snowdonia and the coast, Portmeirion, Borth y Gest etc. The cottage is warmed by the Aga as well as central heating and has fantastic views. Nice big lounge, comfy beds and nice garden. The owners had recently decorated throughout and look after the property. We will definitely go again. The walks to the rear of the cottage are very peaceful with lovely views. A few little cons, but nothing major. The country lane the cottage is on is steep and narrow, but I’ve done fine with a front wheel drive estate through wet autumn leaves. We do usually need to nip down to Porthmadog for some household items, loo rolls, kitchen roll, pedal bin liner bags. Porthmadog is only minutes away though, so it’s not a biggie. The cottage is always nice and clean. Great holiday cottage in a good area.

All round a great cottage with stunning views.. Good facilites and a nice atmosphere about the place. The only downside was we had to relight the Aga 3 times but thar was easy.

We had a great four-day stay at Groes Newydd and loved everything about the cottage.. The situation and views were magnificent, beds very comfortable (important!), everything we needed, and great walks all around. The sunsets were amazing. Altogether we had an excellent time - thank you.

This is a very nice cottage in a very quiet area with fantastic views and good access to many of the wonders of the Snowdon area.. Highly recommended.

The cottage was really lovely, the views during the day were outstanding and at night simply magical.. The cottage was well equipped, very cosy and we were both comfortable and warm. I especially enjoyed the numerous paintings displayed as they were really lovely. Using an Aga was a unique experience but I quickly got used to it and it kept the cottage really warm and the water very hot! The only downside for me was that the listing did not advise that the cottage has a septic tank which means only certain cleaning products are required to be used. My home is on mains drainage and so I took with me cleaning products I had BUT found instructions at the cottage advising not to use these. Being new to the area of Porthmadog, I did not know where to purchase the Ecover items recommended and so had to use up what had been left in the cottage (washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, kitchen spray, toilet cleaner etc) - sadly I could not replace these items and that concerned me - although maybe other customers would not have worried about this? Prior listing details would have encouraged me to search for these special cleaning items to take with me before going on my holiday. Maybe the Sykes listing could be adjusted to advise customers accordingly?

Excellent location, great walks all around, fascinating traffic system,I found it best to leave down hill and return via the alternative route, but every journey held that sheer adrenaline expectation of will I met another, and who will reverse, with the beginning of any journey being like that anticipation of the start of the first drop on a roller coaster.. The cottage was well equipped and lovely and toasty from the AGA, the location allowed you to sit in the window and become an expert on the tidal flows, watch buzzards soaring and hear sheep chomping the grass. Wonderful place to explore, the best being the small cwm just down the road, or up, to be precise, with its fairy tree, and ultimate reflections. Of course there were the alpine climbing sheep, and the line of followers going to a “ewenion” meeting up on the fell. Definitely time to unwind.

Fantastic views from your front door and a clean and tidy basic cottage that meets your needs.. A steep hill to negotiate on single track road but well worth the journey. Beautiful area to explore and walking from the door with the dog.

The cottage was lovely.. The location for the views was stunning and to get away from it all , perfect. The steep drive to the cottage was difficult and although we were aware it did mean we felt a bit restricted. That said, we would go back.

We found the cottage very welcoming, clean and warm.. Everything was just perfect from the comfy beds with fresh smelling linen down to the fact that there was even a knife sharpener in the kitchen draw along with some lovely sharp knives, which is a must for us who cook at home. The views and walks were fantastic and even the weather performed. It was very handy to have all the instruction leaflets for the various equipment, ie Wood burner, Aga etc We felt very lucky indeed to have found Groes Newydd and will definitely be back.

Lovely cottage situated in a peaceful location with magnificent views.

The cottage is a haven! It is warm, tranquil, comfortable, peaceful with all the facilities a guest could expect from a holiday cottage in the Snowdonia countryside.The final road to get there is narrow steep with twists and turns but plenty of passing opportunities. The area is outstanding with views over the estuary, a lake within a few hundred yards behind the house and endless walking opportunities.

This cottage was absolutely FILTHY which was apparent the moment we walked through the door. (The caretakers Neil and Christine should be ashamed!!) The two internal doormats were covered in dog hairs which drew us to look up the stairs directly infront and that carpet was also covered in dog hairs. Infact, the carpets were just a mass of dog hairs throughout the entire cottage as were the curtains at dog height. The sofa also had a fair few and the two armchairs were so tired looking we didn't venture near. The lounge just stank of dogs the entire holiday. The worktop was filthy along with the compulsory dog hairs. Dog hairs even on top of the toaster and the oven gloves were dirty and covered in dog hairs. The kitchen cupboards were filthy both inside and underneath. All the glasses and crockery had a sticky dirty feel so much so that the glasses had stuck to the cupboard shelf. Thankfully there was a dishwasher!! The whole cottage just had a feeling of dirt, grime and dog hairs and was desperately in need of a deep clean. The downstairs smoke alarm was not working and the hair dryer electrical safety sticker was not up to date. There were water marks in the carpet by the toilet and the bath in the bathroom as the shower screen did not fit properly. There are also watermarks in the walls and the ceilings in both bedrooms where there had obviously been various escapes of water. The downstairs TV made an intermittent buzzing noise which was very annoying and the microwave made a terrible noise - Personally not sure that was safe so kept it turned off at the wall between uses. A very very tired cottage that is in need of a very very deep clean. I spoke to Neil half-way through our holiday as he came to clean the windows. He seemed very surprised that I thought the cottage was filthy and assured me they had spent a great deal of time hoovering through but it had been left very “DOGGY”. He then mentioned that I didn't have a dog – What has that got to do with anything! However this cottage was left it was up to him to get it up to the correct standard ready for the next guests. Neil said that they needed to get the Rug Doctors out but needed a free week to allow the carpets to dry. When I asked him when this would be he didn't answer. This property was booked through Sykes Cottages. I contacted them on my return and a 50% refund was agreed upon as they could not dispute the photos taken of the property. They promised the property would be brought up to the required standards as the property was due to be vacant for a week after the following weeks rental. This was one holiday rental where I could have walked back out of the property the moment I walked in but unfortunately we arrived early evening on Good Friday. What a shame as the view over the estuary was beautiful and it was quite clear that this property had started out as a great holiday rental but hadn't really been cleaned since.

Lovely cottage situated in a peaceful location with magnificent views..

The location is idyllic and the cottage has an indefinably cosy feel to it; which makes it feel just like coming home. We have been here before and will certainly be back.

The attention to detail in preparation for our arrival was much appreciated. The cottage was warm, cosy and had almost everything needed to make our stay a comfortable and memorable one. With its idyllic location, views out of all the cottage windows were wonderful.

The attention to detail in preparation for our arrival was much appreciated.. The cottage was warm, cosy and had almost everything needed to make our stay a comfortable and memorable one. With its idyllic location, views out of all the cottage windows were wonderful.

The location is idyllic and the cottage has an indefinably cosy feel to it; which makes it feel just like coming home.. We have been here before and will certainly be back.

We really liked the location, enjoyed the walks around the cottage, the country side was breath taking, the locals were friendly and we enjoyed each evening in front of a lovely log fire.

The location is idyllic and the views were spectacular. The cottage is one of the best ones I have stayed in and I could quite easily live there. It's well equipped, well furnished and very homely. It was so relaxing and peaceful, I didn't want to come home.

We really liked the location, enjoyed the walks around the cottage, the country side was breath taking, the locals were friendly and we enjoyed each evening in front of a lovely log fire..

The location is idyllic and the views were spectacular.. The cottage is one of the best ones I have stayed in and I could quite easily live there. It's well equipped, well furnished and very homely. It was so relaxing and peaceful, I didn't want to come home.

The view and the location were so special - staring out the window, wandering up to the lake and the little chapel up the hill, watching the changing sky and the sea in the estuary, eating in the garden. The house is comfortable and just right - everything you need though nothing flashy. The area is less touristy and more rural than further north amongst the bigger hills, but still fantastic for walking and isolation. Had a perfect week - we were lucky with the weather too.

The view and the location were so special - staring out the window, wandering up to the lake and the little chapel up the hill, watching the changing sky and the sea in the estuary, eating in the garden.. The house is comfortable and just right - everything you need though nothing flashy. The area is less touristy and more rural than further north amongst the bigger hills, but still fantastic for walking and isolation. Had a perfect week - we were lucky with the weather too.

So many things we particularly like about the cottage; the Aga, the wood burner, the location, WiFi, the views, the beaches, the mountains and the leisure centre in Porthmadog. We both love the cottage, it's the second time we have been and it's always warm, welcoming and a wonderful relaxing holiday retreat.

The cottage is in a fantastic location with amazing views. Very beautiful area. It was nice, warm and comfortable. Great base for this area with some lovely walks close by.

The cottage is in a fantastic location with amazing views.. Very beautiful area. It was nice, warm and comfortable. Great base for this area with some lovely walks close by.

So many things we particularly like about the cottage; the Aga, the wood burner, the location, WiFi, the views, the beaches, the mountains and the leisure centre in Porthmadog.. We both love the cottage, it's the second time we have been and it's always warm, welcoming and a wonderful relaxing holiday retreat.

Loved the property and beautiful location, will certainly stay again.

Loved the property and beautiful location, will certainly stay again..

Liked everything! The home comfort of the cottage coupled with it being off the beaten track and still had Wifi and mobile signal! I have already recommended it to a friend for November.

This was our second visit to this cottage this year. We love the peaceful location as it's ideal for walking (our dog loves it) yet it's so convenient for visiting lots of places being only about a mile from the main road.

This was our second visit to this cottage this year.. We love the peaceful location as it's ideal for walking (our dog loves it) yet it's so convenient for visiting lots of places being only about a mile from the main road.

We found the cottage to be very comfortable and, as promised, the views from the front of the house and garden are amazing. It's well situated for walking and a good base for visiting places of interest. We enjoyed our stay so much that we have booked to go back later this year.

The cottage is warm and comfortable with all the modern convenient equipment, there are good walks and beautiful views. We had a wonderful stay at the cottage with plenty to do in North Wales.

We found the cottage to be very comfortable and, as promised, the views from the front of the house and garden are amazing.. It's well situated for walking and a good base for visiting places of interest. We enjoyed our stay so much that we have booked to go back later this year.

Fantastic place, amazing views, lovely garden. Have already recommended to friends and family and we will return again as soon as we can.

The cottage is warm and comfortable with all the modern convenient equipment, there are good walks and beautiful views.. We had a wonderful stay at the cottage with plenty to do in North Wales.

Fantastic place, amazing views, lovely garden.. Have already recommended to friends and family and we will return again as soon as we can.

The cottage has a lovely warm and welcoming feel, it is very comfortable, clean, and very well equipped, and the aga made easy work of roasts and casseroles. It also has really wonderful views. For us with our dog, there are some really good walks in the immediate area. In fact I would say it was perfect for us!

The cottage has a lovely warm and welcoming feel, it is very comfortable, clean, and very well equipped, and the aga made easy work of roasts and casseroles.. It also has really wonderful views. For us with our dog, there are some really good walks in the immediate area. In fact I would say it was perfect for us!

Set in a beautiful location! If you don't mind the narrow access lane and the steep hill this ticks all the boxes. The stunning view is something to savour!

The cottage was absolutely fantastic.. The aga kept the place beautifully warm and there was a welcoming wood burner in the sitting room. The setting is quite spectacular with views over the estuary and wonderful walks on the doorstep.

This cottage is great if you enjoy the fresh air and walking. My partner and I and our dog loved the way we could start our walks from the front door of the cottage. This Easter it was bitterly cold in Snowdonia and the snow was still covering low lying hills as well as the peaks of the mountains. But that made it all the more beautiful.We were lucky in that although the weather was cold, it was dry. The cottage was well equipped, but our first evening there was quite a cold one. The wood for the wood stove was too damp to burn and the cottage would have benefited from someone airing the cottage,switching on the central heating prior to our arrival and putting a feather duster round to get rid of a few cobwebs. However, once we warmed the place up it was comfortable, the kids appreciated the wifi and the kitchen was kept warm by the Aga. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and loved the surrounding countryside. We found two or three nice pubs for food and drink, but one last observation. The local economy is in a bad way. Many of the pubs and restaurants are closing or a bit run down; public transport is virtually none existent, prices in the local shops are much higher than in the towns and despite it being Easter, there seemed to be very few people visiting the area.

The cottage was absolutely fantastic. The aga kept the place beautifully warm and there was a welcoming wood burner in the sitting room. The setting is quite spectacular with views over the estuary and wonderful walks on the doorstep.

We had a lovely quiet relaxing break. The cottage is very homely, the views are breathtaking and beautiful walks, with the dog, in the woodlands all around the cottage. We loved trying out the AGA (great to slow roast local lamb. Fabulous break with fantastic scenery. Thanks!

We had a lovely time at the cottage, we loved learning how to use an aga ! Not too difficult to get right with the local welsh lamb from the local butcher. Perfect location to enjoy lazy nights in at the log burner, with a good book (loads to thumb through on the cottage bookcase) Cottage was really homely, beds were wonderfully clean and comfortable, great for lazy long lies waking up to views of sunshine over the bay. We took our dog, there are plenty of pretty walks in the woodlands all around the cottage.

We had a lovely quiet relaxing break.. The cottage is very homely, the views are breathtaking and beautiful walks, with the dog, in the woodlands all around the cottage. We loved trying out the AGA (great to slow roast local lamb. Fabulous break with fantastic scenery. Thanks!

Beautiful views, fire place, location and peacefulness.

This could easily be advertised as a writers' retreat. It is Wi-Fi connected and has an expansive library of books (some of the best stocked shelves I've ever seen.) It is utterly tranquil with lovely local walks and a view over the estuary to die for.

Could do with more kitchenware to help with cooking/ food preparation. Bed a bit too hard.

Beautiful views, fire place, location and peacefulness..

This could easily be advertised as a writers' retreat.. It is Wi-Fi connected and has an expansive library of books (some of the best stocked shelves I've ever seen.) It is utterly tranquil with lovely local walks and a view over the estuary to die for.

Wonderful, peaceful location, beautiful view.

Wonderful, peaceful location, beautiful view..

Facilities at the house were very good - I even learnt to cook on an Agar thanks to the appropriate instructions left by the owner. The staff were helpful and efficient with my short notice booking.

Facilities at the house were very good - I even learnt to cook on an Agar thanks to the appropriate instructions left by the owner.. The staff were helpful and efficient with my short notice booking.