More than a B&B, but not quite a boutique hotel, Llety Bodfor, in the pretty mid-Wales coastal village of Aberdyfi, is a real find. The “contemporary townhouse accommodation” is the brainchild of Ann Hughes, an interior designer, and her husband Gareth. Part of a pastel-painted terrace of Victorian townhouses, the exterior gives little away, but inside, Llety Bodfor comes into its own. The welcoming lounge/bar/breakfast room is all funky sofas and rustic furnishings, with pleasing touches such as a collection of LPs for guests to play, and an honesty bar.

Check-in was so informal that we couldn’t work out where to go at first, but one look out of the window from our gorgeous third-floor suite and all was forgiven. Like the other seven rooms, it has views across the estuary and out to sea. The bed was big and comfy, and the look — Frette linen, brown leather sofa, wide-screen TV and DVD player — was both contemporary and homely. (It’s a look you can re-create at home, courtesy of Ann’ s shop next door, Seld Interiors.) The mini-bar was reasonably priced, and the bathroom oozed sexiness: roll-top bath, powerful shower and White Company smellies.

Llety Bodfor lacks a restaurant, but the village has a handful. We enjoyed a hearty dinner of seafood and chorizo stew in the Penhelig Arms (www.penheligarms.com), current AA Welsh Seafood Pub of the Year.

Nigglingly, our complimentary newspaper wasn’t brought to our room the next morning, but left in the breakfast room for us. Breakfast was great, though, served at two large oak tables shared with the other guests. We drained glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice, and I wolfed down a good, solid fry-up. My girlfriend finally chose the leek and laverbread tart with goat cheese over the Anglesey smoked salmon, though declared it “a bit dry”.

Aberdyfi is perfect for a simple, relaxing break — and if you’re feeling lively, there’s kitesurfing and waterskiing. But we preferred lazy meals and long walks on the beach.

Bottom line: Les Dunn paid £128 for a B&B suite; B&B doubles from £108.

Need to know: Llety Bodfor, Bodfor Terrace, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd (01654 767475, www.lletybodfor.co.uk).

Access all areas: No — steps up to the entrance.

Room: 9 out of 10.

Food: 8 out of 10.

Service: 7 out of 10.

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