The proprietors of The Falcondale, a four star country house hotel tucked away in the Cambrian Mountains near the university town of Lampeter, are celebrating 15 years in charge by running a special “15” theme throughout 2015.
Lisa Hutton runs the 18 bedroomed, Victorian, Grade II Listed, Italianate hotel with her husband, Chris and father, Derek Parton, who uses his background in civil engineering to handle development and ongoing maintenance of the building. This has proved a challenge over the years on a building that doesn’t have straight lines and has layers of history that need to be unravelled to understand its past.
Chris and Lisa’s background is within retail, specifically clothing, which is where they met. Having worked as buyers for a multi-national company around the world, they jumped at an opportunity to invest in their own business.
“Travelling was a big part of our work and we regularly stayed in hotels, where certain aspects were annoying and others very comforting,” explained Lisa. “Chris and I wanted to create a hotel that we would like to stay in ourselves, a comfortable home-from-home.”
Creating this “home-from-home” atmosphere is an ongoing challenge as Lisa explains: “I always think that after another year we will have finished, but I now realise that it never will and there’s always something new and exciting emerging that we would like to add or change.”
Recent changes have included new carpeting throughout the ground floor lounges and updating of fixtures and fittings within the bathrooms. Future projects offer the inclusion of an on-site treatment room, and re-decorating some of the bedrooms.
The family’s high level of commitment and drive has led to numerous awards and accolades being achieved by The Falcondale over the past 15 years. It began with one AA rosette in 2005 and 2006, which quickly changed to two AA rosettes in 2007 and this standard as been achieved every year to date.
A four star Country House Hotel rating has been awarded every year since 2013. Visit Wales recognises those hotels that offer the highest standards of quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality with Gold Awards, a standard achieved by The Falcondale since 2012. The hotel was also runner up in the best place to eat at the 2013 National Tourism Awards for Wales.
Falcondale is features in a number of exclusive publications, including Welsh Rarebits, Johansens, Britain’s Finest, Signpost, Good Hotel Guide 2014 and 2015 and Hardens Guide 2014 and 2015.
“We are very proud of our achievements”, says Lisa. “It’s very gratifying that the effort the whole team puts in is rewarded and recognised by the very best within the hospitality industry.”
For their 15 year anniversary celebration, Chris and Lisa are offering numerous escapes and offers with a “15” theme, which began on April 14. The hotel’s limited edition sale includes a one night stay for £75 with the offer code “sale”, one night dinner, bed and breakfast for £150 with the offer code “anniversary1”, two nights dinner, bed and breakfast for £225 with the offer code “anniversary2” and three nights dinner, bed and breakfast for £300 with the offer code “anniversary3”.
Limited to the first 150 room bookings made, these escapes are a perfect opportunity for first time visitors to try-out what Falcondale has to offer. To book, telephone 01570 422910 or book on-line at www.thefalcondale.co.uk using the correct offer code
Rooms are based on two people sharing a standard room. Upgraded rooms are available at £15 per person per night. Breakfast can be added to the “one night stay” offer at £15 per couple. The included dinner is from the set dinner menu. Upgrade to the a la carte menu at £15 per person per night.
Rooms are subject to availability up to December 23 and a £50 non-refundable deposit taken at time of booking. For full terms and conditions see the hotel’s website.
A three course lunch, costing £15, is available Monday to Saturday. The lunch menu provides a sample of what head chef Dafydd Davies and his team offer on their a la carte menu. Booking is essential.
Sample a recommended wine of the month, which you may not be familiar with, at just £15 per bottle.
