A famous Mid Wales country house hotel, which was rescued from administration in 2012 and guided back to the top of the UK’s hospitality industry, has been shortlisted for a National Tourism Award for Wales.
Llangoed Hall at Llyswen, near Builth Wells is one of three finalists in the Best Places to Stay – Hotel category at the awards, the winners of which will be announced at the Vale Resort, Hensol on March 25.
The award scheme and ceremony are organised by Visit Wales in commercial partnership with communications and event management company, Quadrant Media and Communications Ltd.
Winning the award would mark a remarkable transformation in the fortunes of the 23-bedroomed, Grade II-listed hotel, which was rescued from administration by managing director Calum Milne and a business partner in July, 2012.
Around £3 million has been invested in the historic property, which was restored by the late Sir Bernard Ashley, co-founder of the Laura Ashley fashion brand, from a parlous state in the 1980s.
The investment has been rewarded by a series of major awards over the past two years. Llangoed Hall’s award-winning restaurant was also named The Sunday Times Country House of the Year 2014-’15.
These latest accolades were added to the previous year’s coveted Condé Nast Johansens Best Restaurant accolade for Great Britain and Ireland, AA Hotel of the Year for Wales 2014 and Inspectors Choice 4 Red Stars, the AA’s supreme accolade.
The Best Places to Stay awards recognise the best accommodation providers in Wales that can demonstrate a unique, innovative, high quality and memorable guest experience whilst remaining true to the Welsh sense of place.
This category is open to all Visit Wales graded or listed accommodation, or to businesses that are part of a National Quality Assurance Scheme.
Award winners will be deemed to be exemplar businesses, offering the very best in quality in all aspects of a guest’s experience – from customer service, to comfort, hospitality and added value.
Mr Milne, who was general manager of Llangoed Hall when it was owned by Sir Bernard Ashley, said: “Since buying Llangoed Hall in 2012, our mission has been to restore the property to how it was under Sir Bernard’s ownership: the epitome of a Welsh country house offering the finest Welsh food and customer service,” he added.
“We aim to make it a leader in the UK hospitality industry and being shortlisted for a National Tourism Award for Wales is further recognition that we are on course to achieving our goal.”
