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Fort Belan - By The Way

Fort Belan - By The Way

4.4
out of 5
Ratings from 10 reviews
90% of guests
recommend
Cleanliness
4.2
Comfort
4.4
Condition
3.9
Location
5.0
Value
4.3
Customer
Service
4.5

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Fort Belan a stunning 18th century fort on the coast of Caernarfon Bay. By The Way is a cosy retreat, sleeps three. Pets welcome. Beach front location.

Will certainly return

Review submitted on Sun, 24 Sep 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had the whole fort to ourselves when we stayed. Loved the remote location right on the beach. Very quiet and very comfortable cottage. Will certainly book again.



A unique venue in need of updating

Review submitted on Sun, 26 Jun 2022
3.0
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
2.0
Location
5.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
3.0
Fort Belan is a unique place to stay in a wonderful location. It is however, as a holiday rental venue, in need of a major updating, particularly in respect of the furnishings and fittings and as such does not represent good value for money.



Wonderful isolation

Review submitted on Tue, 14 Sep 2021
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Fort Belan defies easy categorisation. An extraordinary, historic and beautiful space - we were blessed with remarkable weather and could enjoy the whole quadrant to ourselves. The 270 degree views from the ramparts are as good as anywhere on the planet; in the more common wet weather it would be very cosy.

Our room was simple, clean, comfortable, well equipped and spacious. It was unusual to pay for electricity and linen. Our host kindly provided towels which we did not have during a mixed hotel and AirBnB-style trip.

The booking process was unnecessarily fiddly, time consuming, slow and complex - multiple-steps which are at odds with experiences elsewhere; joining instructions were fiddly/error-prone, but this did not detract from a remarkable place and special stay.



Fantastic location

Review submitted on Sun, 01 Aug 2021
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We absolutely loved our stay at Fort Belan's 'By The Way' cottage. The location is just amazing and feels so remote which we loved. The cottage itself is well equipped but a few aspects could be updated - especially the sofa which looked quite 'well loved'! I really enjoyed playing the beautiful piano. We would definitely return.



Glorious isolation, faded elegance with all mod cons.

Review submitted on Thu, 27 May 2021
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Fort Belan is a magical location. You stay in very quaint "cottages" around an immaculately maintained garden/courtyard, deep within the huge fortifications of a Napoleonic fort. By-the-Way is the smallest but cutest. It comprises a cosy bed/sitting room with a clever, tiny mezzanine built-in which really only a child could comfortably use. But there is a small but very grand, full bathroom and a super separate kitchen ( reached through a small tunnel through the massive fort wall! ) Staying Monday to Wednesday we had the whole place to ourselves and the peace and remoteness were heavenly.WE LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT FORT BELAN, BY-THE-WAY.
If I had to find fault I'd say it needs a new sofa, there's no life left in the current one and the arrival instructions need to make it very clear how remote you are... don't forget the wine, it's a looonnnng way to any shops!



Children's dream

Review submitted on Sun, 23 Aug 2020
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
What a magnificent place. A child dream place running round a fort with cannons pointing out to see aholiday where children can be children and let there imagination run free. Chris is a lovely friendly chap and nothing is too much trouble. We will definitely return.



An amazing location the eclipses any (small) shortcomngs.

Review submitted on Sat, 20 Jul 2019
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We had an absolutely wonderful time during our stay at Fort Belan we are already wondering how soon we can return. It is a magical place and we both enjoyed being able to visit such amazing sites in North Wales so easily, and the beautiful tranquillity of the Fort. The grounds are beautifully kept, with stunning planting tended with love and attention. I wish my garden was as nice. Yes the accommodation had a few spiders, yes the floor needed a sweep, the draw fronts needed a bit of TLC, and there was a musical recital taking place we weren't warned about one night. But the water was always hot from the tap and readily available. The bed was very confortable. The heater worked. The cooker and fridge were spotless. The electricity meter didn' speed through our poud conis, we spent £3 for the whole week. The site is so unsual, the scilence with just the sea and birds exquisit. The history and uniqueness of the site means I would be happy to overlook much more for the experiance and really the bathroom spider (who we called Phil) was never any trouble.

We visited:
Black Boy Inn, Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle
Menai Strait Pleasure Cruises
Parc Glynllifon
Dinas Dinlle Beach
Harlech Castle



Fabulous experience

Review submitted on Wed, 03 Jul 2019
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Really enjoyed our stay at Fort Belan. Loved the quirky property and its location. Beautifully maintained, would love to return sometime.



amazing location

Review submitted on Wed, 21 Jun 2017
3.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
we loved the location- very isolated and right on the beach with not a soul around- civilisation was only a mile away down the road to the shop though. we went out of season and it was very quiet. the building itself is a wonder but it is clearly a labour of love to make it all habitable and accommodation whilst ok was a little ramshackle- eg toilet seat that fell down on you all the time, windows that blew open because catch wrongly fitted, lots of bits missing from the inventory. But we had everything we needed and there was plenty of hot water, beds were comfy. No wifi and very limited mobile signal but thats a plus on holiday really and clear in the description. Snowdonia easily doable for the day. All in all memorable trip



Living history

Review submitted on Sat, 05 Sep 2015
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
An ideal place for those who want to get away from it all. A romantic setting on a spit of land jutting out into the Menai Straits, remote is the word. The accommodation was comfortable, well-equipped and spacious. I had a good view down the length of the fort. The views all round from the battlements is superb. To the North, Anglesey, to the South, Snowdonia. The cannons reminding one of the purpose of the fort, to protect the Straits from attack.
In the warm light of the sunset the place took on a magical air. The narrow channel between the mainland and Anglesey is a constantly changing vista, especially with wind over tide creating monstrous swells.
It is an ideal base for visiting Anglesey, all points west down to the charming seaside village of Aberdaron, Caernarfon with its castle and of course Snowdon and the mountain train at Llanberis. Just down the road (a bit bumpy) is Dinas Dinlle, nice beach, fish and chips, a little shop and an Indian restaurant (not tried by me), great views.
All in all a great place to stay, I heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a peaceful stay in beautiful surroundings.



Coastal Holidays replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for the great feedback, lovely to hear you enjoyed your stay at Fort Belan - By The Way and hope you found our service helpful when planning the trip! If we can assist with any future holiday plans please don’t hesitate to get in touch.