Carol-lynn, Ian and all the staff from  the Lauriston Court Hotel would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who left a review about us on Tripadvisor. We have won a tremendous award http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cBargain for our customer service . Following this we were overwhelmed by media coverage, speaking on radio stations all around the country and abroad, in nearly all the national papers. We were even featured on ITV Daybreak with Lorraine Kelly and Aled Jones live from the hotel whilst serving Breakfast! The phone, e mail and online bookings have been coming in thick and fast along with many sending their congratulations in all sorts of ways from all around the world.

We were shocked when Trip Advisor rang us, we initially thought someone was having a joke! We were certainly not expecting so much interest, Ian and I were attached to the phone for three days, it was crazy! However we want our guests to know that we will not be changing anything at The Lauriston , we shall carry on as normal doing what we do best, nor will we ever be complacent.

Thank you all so much for your support, we value each and every guest

We are extremely proud and excited to be voted ‘World Best Service Hotel’ by Trip Advisor. To think our seafront hotel in Llandudno has been voted by the general public for best service in the world beating all the big boys, we are just over the moon.

It turns out that we have beaten off stiff competition from the US, Greece and the Czech Republic.

Our hotel has over 400 excellent review on Trip Advisors and counting.

We also made the top list for ‘Best Bargain Hotel’ in Trip Advisor Travellers Choice awards.

Please read the article below from the BBC website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21023507

“A hotel in the north Wales seaside resort of Llandudno has the best service in the world, claims the tourism website TripAdvisor.

The four-star Lauriston Court Hotel, near the pier, beat off competition from the US, Greece and Czech Republic.

The 11 rooms at the hotel, run by husband and wife Carol-Lynn and Ian Robbins, start at £35 per night a head.

The hotel has more than 400 “excellent” reviews on the website, although not all are glowing.

It’s about anticipating what people may need before they even arrive”

Carol-Lynn Robbins Hotelier

Another Llandudno venue, The Clontarf Hotel, also made the top list for worldwide service, at number eight.

The Lauriston also scooped sixth place for best bargain hotel in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.

It is not the first hotel the couple have run in the town: until 2003, the pair were in charge of The Milverson on the seafront for three years.

Mrs Robbins, a former nurse, said part of the success was about anticipating what a guest might want from the moment she dealt with them over the phone or online to take their booking.

On one occasion she helped an elderly female guest dress in traditional Highlands regalia for a wedding, and then helped her disrobe afterwards.

‘Personal service’

She said: “It’s not a job for us, it’s our life – it’s just what we enjoy doing.”

“It’s about the personal service. We just do everything that we can to made their stay memorable.

“It’s about anticipating what people may need before they even arrive – where they may be able to go if they have someone with a wheelchair or, if they’ve got children, where we can advise them to go.”

TripAdvisor spokeswoman Emma Shaw said: “For a British hotel to beat over 650,000 others to be named number one in the world for service really is something to be proud of”.

The firm defended its review system which allows people to comment even if they did not make the reservation.

A spokesperson said: “Ultimately, we believe all travellers, not just the one individual who made the reservation or has the receipt, is entitled to share their honest feedback.

“Requiring a proof of stay would also dramatically reduce the number of reviews on the site, and we know from user feedback that our visitors value both the quantity and quality of the reviews available.”

Happy New Year from Lauriston Court.

Well we have been rather busy over the last month or so having renovations works done throughout the hotel.  Some may call us mad as this is the second time we have renovated over the last two years, but we do like to keep our rooms in ship shape condition, modern and chic enabling our guests to have the best experience when they visit our hotel.  For those that have stayed with us before you will know what we are talking about.

So for those familiar with our hotel we have had the following works done, all our en suite are now fully refurbished, which are now looking inviting and fresh. Room 8 with it’s super king sized bed is completely different we have redesigned the whole layout with a new en-suite and new fitted furniture, we have found a brilliant Father and Son team who have listened to our requests, nothing was too much trouble for them, Thank you lads, the room looks so good and the furniture is such good quality. Lots of bedrooms have been decorated and new soft furnishings added to create a cosy yet contemporary feel. The hallway and stairs have now had new carpet and an ugly partition on the third floor has been removed. The bar is to be done in the next two weeks; we are told this will be done in a morning (thank goodness) we will be adding to our high gloss theme!! We can’t wait.

That will be it for a while, as we can’t think of anything else we can do, except focus on our guests who we will be pleased to have stay with us in the year ahead.

Our photographer will be visiting us next week to take some photos so look out for the new refurbished rooms on our gallery page.

We have also had some ‘much needed ‘work done on our windows. For those that have previously stayed with us, in one of our sea view rooms, when it has been blowing a gale may have experienced a slight draught or drips that used to seep through our single glazed sash windows.  This is because the local council insist on wooden framed single glazed sash windows for all Llandudno hoteliers.  We understand that the council want to preserve listed buildings, but some of these windows were fitted over 100 years ago. However to overcome the issues we were fortunate enough to have been awarded a grant by the council to have the majority of our windows treated with draught proofing.  This involved a team of 8 great guys from up North who worked very tidily.  All the windows were taken our luckily the weather was kind to us – it was January! They removed all layers of old paint repainted them and put in draught proofing brushes, renewed the sash cords and put on new shining furniture. The result is every single window on our sea front opens with ease and are without draughts and leaks and they look amazing.

This has greatly reduced our stress levels, reduced our energy costs and will enable a much better night’s sleep for our guests.

We hope to see you soon.

With the variety of restaurants in Llandudno, it would be beyond the scope of just one article to describe all of the great dining options available. You could write a short novella on the take away outlets alone! Llandudno restaurants offer high levels of choice, quality, hygiene, location and of course scrumptious cuisine!

If you fancy dining at a quintessential country eatery then you won’t go far wrong by visiting one of the area’s best restaurants; Llandudno is just a stone’s throw away from The Queens Head in Glanwydden. Their menu offers both hearty traditional meals and modern twists of popular dishes – they’re sure to cater for everyone’s palate.

Due to its distinct heritage, beautiful Victorian architecture, stunning beaches and wide choice of attractions, Llandudno consistently attracts holiday makers all year round. But when all your energy has been sapped by the sights and sounds of the Great Orme, the award winning pier and the Alice in Wonderland Trail you’ll be in need of some well earned grub.

Now, no matter what your favourite type of cuisine or restaurant, Llandudno and the surrounding area have all of the foodie options that you would normally associate with a city centre. There are many varieties of restaurants such as Italian, Thai, Welsh, Seafood, Indian, British, French and much, much more, which offer great food throughout the year. Many of these eating establishments use locally sourced meat, dairy and vegetables, and also use organic ingredients in their fine dishes.

Due to the fact that Llandudno is a popular tourist destination –a strong and competitive market has developed in the local dining industry. The restaurants in Llandudno now offer top class delicious plates of food at reasonable prices. If it wasn’t for the Victorians putting Llandudno on the map we wouldn’t have the luxury of all of this delectable food.

But by all means stray outside of Llandudno – restaurants on the outskirts offer some fabulous treats. There are Dutch, Nepalese, American, Japanese and Austrian eateries scattered around the outskirts of the area – it’s just a case of looking for them.

So even though you’re completely spoilt for choice; once you’ve decided what type of food you want to eat and where you’re want to eat it, spare a quick thought for and thank the Victorians. Without them this fine selection of Llandudno restaurants would not be here.

P.S.  If you’re shooting off to an art gallery or a play at the theatre and you need something to eat on the bounce, don’t despair – you won’t be disappointed with the fine array of fabulous Fish and Chop shops that Llandudno has to offer!

Those who aren’t already aware of the annual Christmas parade taking place in Llandudno this weekend should be! You don’t want to miss this great festive event in the area this year, as it promises to be the best one yet.

This year’s parade is taking place this Saturday 1^st December in the main town of Llandudno and hopes to get visitors into the cheery festive mood in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Residents, school children, notable town figures will all be coming together in what will be an exceptional afternoon’s event to see a parade that you’ll never forget.

Lining up to take part in the parade is a range of different figures, ranging from charitable groups and displays to independent entertainment acts. Spearheaded by the mayor of Llandudno – Myra Wigzell, the parade includes Miss Alice for 2012: Nicole Thompson, Father Christmas, Llandudno Daffodil Queens, a float full of Alice in Wonderland characters and various Nativity characters. Other members of this parade include heroes from the silver screen, a range of beautiful classic vehicles, therapy dogs, the city of Liverpool Pipes and Drums Band and an appearance from the head boy and girl of local school ‘Ysgol John Brights’.

The organizers of the parade believe that the combination and range of different parade members will make for a special, cheery, festive and ‘carnival-like’ atmosphere that is sure to entertain those that decide to pop over for the afternoon. Locals and those located close to the area are expected to show their support and come along for a few hours of entertainment, but visitors to the area are also encouraged to come over to experience Llandudno in one of its happiest and finest moments.

If you are a visitor staying in a hotel Llandudno, you should most definitely get yourself into the centre to view this rare occasion of festive fun! The beauty of staying in a Llandudno hotel, is that they are all located within walking distance of all of the towns facilities and amenities – Lauriston Court visitors will be pleased to know that they are just a few minutes walk away from the parade’s route.

The parade takes place from 3pm, so why not make a day of it and spend a few hours snooping around the fantastic range of shops in Llandudno for those special Christmas presents! The band performing with a range of local school pupils will mark the beginning of the parade, along with an address from Reverend Neil Kirkham of Llandudno’s Gloddaeth United Church at Llandudno Town Hall.

The parade is set to be the perfect run up to Christmas, which routes around the town of Llandudno’s main roads and areas.

If you are local or a visitor to the area, don’t miss this rare fantastic event which is guaranteed to put you in the right mood for the festive season!

If you fancy yourself as a culture vulture and are more comfortable standing in an art gallery half way up Snowdonia then the Mostyn Gallery is a must-see for guests from the Lauriston Court Hotel Llandudno and surrounding areas.  Llandudno is a coastal resort located in the picturesque county of Conwy.

The Mostyn Gallery is currently showing an exhibition with a unique installation from two celebrated artists, Radovan Kraguly and Fernando Garcia-Dory in which they give their perspective on the life of a dairy farmer.  The exhibition runs until the 6^th of January so you have plenty of time to fit in a visit between now and the New Year.

The Best of Contemporary Art in a Stunning Location

The Mostyn Gallery has a reputation for showcasing the best contemporary art in North Wales and has something for everyone in a stunning building that was designed by architect Dominic Williams. The building even won the Gold Medal for Architecture at the 2011 National Eisteddfodd held in Wrexham. The building has a terra cota façade dating from 1901, a remnant of the original building, and a golden spire fuses the old with the new in an iconic modern style.   The Mostyn Gallery is definitely worth a visit, even if it is just to admire the amazing building design.

The Milky Way

Radovan Kraguly is a well-known artist who is originally from Bosnia-Herzegovina and has spent a large period of his life living in rural mid-Wales.  In Kraguly’s exhibition named “The Milky Way” he aims to show the estrangement of man from nature by placing dairy farm animals in abstract situations.   Kraguly’s art makes you realise that you don’t think of milk coming from a farm anymore but a supermarket.

The Dairy Museum

Fernando Garcia-Dory echoes the work of Radovan Kraguly in a temporary art installation called “The Dairy Museum”.  The installation will be a museum within the Mostyn Gallery in which local dairy farmers are invited to contribute objects and texts that are significant to their lives and discuss issues that are affecting dairy farmers today.  Garcia-Dory has also produced a documentary video on Radovan Kragulys life and a few interpretations of Kragulys original drawings.

Looking for something a little different to do whilst staying at the Laurisotn Court Hotel Llandudno?  Then why not join an evening tour of the historical Plas Mawr building, whereby you will learn about the building and its heritage, along with some spooky stories that may send shivers down your spine! Did you hear the door creak or did you see something in the corner of your eye? Is this your mind playing tricks or is there really something there?

The tour of Plas Mawr incorporates a tour of the exquisite building from the Elizabethan era, where we’d find the Renaissance ad Shakespeare. Often considered to be the finest town house in all of Britain, this is one event not to miss! Located in the historical castle town of Conwy, you’ll find the building situated on cobbled streets, where once the settlers on ancient Conwy lived protected by the Conwy castle walls surrounding.

This event is one worth going to, either as visitors to the area, or even a local. You are guaranteed to have an inspiring and interesting time, with an element of spookiness that spices the experience up a little. The tours take place from the 2^nd August 2012 and go on until the 25^th October 2012, taking place every Tuesday evening. The price for the evening tour is £6 and tickets can be purchased on the Cadw Wales website, as well as by email (cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk) and over the phone (01492 580167).

People who have visited this event in the past have had nothing but positive things to say about the entire experience, from touring the building learning more about it and seeing its Elizabethan features, as well as hearing some spooky stories to add to the atmosphere

To mark the official opening of the Marie Curie Field of Hope and The National Daffodil Collection of Wales, a free family fun day with a wide range of entertainment is set to take place at Happy Valley on Sunday, 21^st October.

The event – hosted by Mark Clemson of Tudno FM features Cennin Pedr Bach, The opening of the Marie Curie field of hope and the planting of the National Daffodil Collection. Along with this, is a wide range of different acts and reps helping to provide entertainment and activities for those who attend, from music, fancy dress, football skills and gymnasts, to dog competitions, arts & crafts and bulb planting.

The event will be taking place from noon until 3pm on the Sunday, with the purpose of the day to help raise awareness and sponsorship for the Marie Curie charity, as well as provide a fantastic day out of entertainment and activities suitable for individuals, families, friends and couples who may attend.

Within the day’s events, is a Dog Competition, whereby your pups get a chance to meet one another, whilst being judged on ‘the waggiest tail’, ‘brightest eyes’, ‘shiniest coat’, ‘best trick’, ‘most obedient’ and ‘best lookalike’. This is perfect for those who love dogs and allows them to get together in a fun and entertaining way!

The afternoon is set to be a fantastic opportunity for those currently visiting and staying at Lauriston Court Bed and Breakfast Llandudno.  It will be a great day out, with a rare opportunity to see a fantastic array of entertainment all in one place!

After a good night’s sleep and a good hearty Welsh Breakfast at Lauriston Court Hotel LlandudnoI’m sure many of you will be raring to get going and enjoy some of the activities that Llandudno offers such as Llandudno ski slope.

Llandudno ski slope is a fantastic day out for all the family, offering a full slope of the amazing artificial PermaSnow, the best surface the slope’s had yet!

The slope can host a range of activities, including snowboarding, skiing and snow tubing. On site instructors are also available when booked in advance and group lessons are a great way to spend a family day out or birthday party.

You can learn the foundations of your chosen activity and lay down the brickwork for future visits, where you can return and hone your skills to a level where you are confident and skilled enough to have your free run of the slope.

Llandudno Ski slope is also home to the UK’s longest toboggan run, which doesn’t require any knowledge or experience to take full advantage of, and anyone above the age of 4 can ride!  The slope is located on the Great Orme, providing an incredible view of Llandudno and the scenery around it, which means you have a fantastic view while you get involved in some awesome sports. There is also the fully licenced alpine bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a well-deserved drink or meal after a hard day of downhill sport. Llandudno Ski Slope is a fantastic way to spend time, if you’re a skier or snowboarder looking for a local slope, or a family looking to spend some quality time together; there’s something for everyone.

Headstock is an annual music event that is set to take place in the Kings Head, Llandudno just a short walk from Lauriston Court Llandudno Hotel. Headstock takes place on Sunday 26^th August 2012. The event takes place each summer and showcases a range of very talented local and regional bands playing live music outside of the Kings Head pub on their raised patio area. The event organisers and pub guarantee that everybody who attends is guaranteed a great time, with great music, food and drink.

The Kings Head is proud to announce that they are the oldest pub in Llandudno and they aim to upkeep a reputation of being a friendly establishment with top quality food, drinks and music providing a wonderful atmosphere and range of entertainment for locals and visitors alike. The traditional pub has a friendly atmosphere, great range of quality cask ales, unspoilt décor and an open fire for those colder evenings.

This sets up the perfect venue for the Headstock 2012 event to take place, with some fantastic local and regional bands and musicians set to take the stage. The line-up includes; Beyond The State, Pocket Venus, Purple Fox, The Secret, Pressure Drop, The Ginger Kings, Nia Roberts, Poet & The Loops, Little Mac and the G Man, Sean Parry, Ellie Markham with special guest Sara Goddard and DJ Marc Roberts. The event is free to enter and has an outdoor bar and barbeque.

Headstock was started in 2003 when James Cassidy and other music minded staff at the Kings Head organised it for the first time. Since then the event has grown each year, with many local and regional bands and musicians taking part. Don’t miss out in 2012, with free entry and a fantastic line-up you would be crazy to miss it! The event starts in the afternoon and continues on to the evening this Sunday 26^th August 2012.