Llangoed Hall

Llangoed Hall is a historic 23-room hotel set in an classic Edwardian manor amid 17 acres of gardens. It was built in 1632 and was redesigned as a country house in 1912. The hotel has a stately appearance, with its grey-brick and sandstone facade looming over the driveway and several red brick chimneys rising out of its wood-shingled roof. Much of the exterior is covered in climbing ivy vines that turn a beautiful shade of red in the fall. Inside, guests will find elegant and charming features such as a beautifully carved mahogany-wood staircase and huge oil painting of colorful birds. 

There are more paintings like this scattered throughout the hotel, as former owner Sir Bernard Ashley (late designer Laura Ashley's husband) collected drawings and paintings by renowned artists such as James McNeil Whistler, Herman Dudley Murphy, and Augustus John. (These works of art are sometimes loaned out to museums.) The halls are lined with antique chairs and chaise lounges, side tables, and china planters. Llangoed Hall is a good choice for well-to-do adults who want to get away from it all in the Welsh countryside, and don't mind paying a pretty penny for it.

Llangoed Hall is located on a 17-acre plot in South Wales in the Wye Valley, about a five-minute drive from the village of Llyswen. The closest attractions are the Brecon Beacons National Park (a 15-minute drive away) and the small town of Hay-On-Wye (a 16-minute drive away), a place known for its numerous book shops and annual literary festival. In Brecon, there is the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh (a military museum that is 17 minutes away by car) and Dragonfly Cruises and Dayboats, which will take you on a two-hour cruise of the River Usk on a canal boat (19 minutes away by car). The closest train station is Builth Road, a 22-minute drive away. Free parking is available.

The 23 bedrooms of Llangoed Hall were individually designed and no two are alike. All are decorated in elegant, classic furnishings that include light pastel walls, gold or floral-patterned linens, and antique pieces that give it a homey feel. All rooms have small flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, Roberts Radios, and ironing facilities, as well as upscale perks such as free decanters of sherry, fresh fruit, and bottles of water. There is no coffeemaker or kettle in the room because fresh coffee and tea can be delivered to the rooms every morning, along with a free newspaper. Some higher-category rooms have lovely canopy beds and sitting areas, while entry-level rooms can be small. The bathrooms all have separate clawfoot bathtubs and showers, as well as beautiful wooden parquet floors, backlit mirrors, and towel warmers. Also provided are hairdryers, bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries. Cots and high chairs are also available upon request. 

Guests won't find a spa or gym here; instead, the fine-dining restaurant is the hotel's main focus. It's located in a small room with Wedgwood-blue patterned carpet and lighter-blue walls, and only eight tables that are set with white tablecloths, polished silver, crystal glassware, and fresh flowers. The restaurant is a rare find in that it sources or grows all of its food (except for fish) within a five-mile radius of the hotel. There are organic vegetable plots and a greenhouse on-site that the chefs tend to and eggs are provided by the chicken, ducks, and quails that live on the premises. Of course, this kind of local eating comes with a high price tag. The restaurant also offers a number of afternoon tea options (some with champagne) that must be reserved 24 hours in advance.

In addition to the kitchen gardens, the hotel offers a perfectly manicured croquet lawn and a small hedge maze. (There are galoshes and umbrellas available for guests if it gets rainy.) One side of the hotel has a truly lovely meadow of wildflowers. The hotel offers room service, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. There are two conference rooms and two smaller meeting rooms for business people, and weddings are a popular affair. Lastly, there is a helicopter landing pad for the more well-to-do guests.