TOP PLACES TO EAT, DRINK AND STAY IN WALES
ACONTEMPORARY art hotel, a new beachside fine-dining restaurant and a former coaching inn have just been named the best in Wales.
They were all among the big winners in the AA Hospitality Awards 2017-18, which were presented at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
Twr Y Felin Hotel, in St Davids, took the AA Hotel of the Year Wales title; Beach House, in Gower, was named AA Restaurant of the Year Wales, and Bryn Tyrch, in Capel Curig, Conwy, is AA Pub of the Year Wales.
Meanwhile, Ynyshir Hall, in Machynlleth, was recognised for its wines, and two restaurants – Restaurant James Sommerin in Penarth and Sosban and The Old Butchers Restaurant in Menai Bridge – received four rosettes for dining, while Pale Hall, in Bangor, has been awarded three rosettes.
Twr y Felin is a luxury hotel in St Davids which has 21 ensuite bedrooms, including two suites, and more than 100 pieces of specially commissioned art inspired by the area.
Set in the shadow of St Davids Cathedral, its restaurant menu is influenced by the season and its dishes reflect Wales and its produce. Paula Ellis, group general manager of Twr Y Felin, said: “I am so proud of my team and their outstanding achievement in such a short time since opening. “This award will not only establish our reputation as Wales’ leading luxury boutique hotel, but hopefully will also lead the way for other luxury hotels to follow suit to help establish Wales as a truly international luxury destination.” The judges said: “Excellent design and presentation, with noteworthy attention to detail.”
Beach House overlooks Oxwich Bay, in Gower, has been amassing accolades since opening just a year ago and it has just been revealed as a new Welsh entry in the 2018 Good Food Guide.
Head chef Hywel Griffith, who is passionate about local produce, serves dishes like Oxwich Bay lobster and Gower salt marsh lamb in a relaxed setting with sea views.
Beach House is part of The Seren Collection, which includes Grove of Narberth and Coast in Saundersfoot.
Neil Kedward, managing director of the Seren collection, said: “We are immensely proud of the team and all they have achieved this year at the Beach House restaurant in their first year of operating.
“We are so excited about the future and what this venue can achieve under our Welsh head chef, Hywel Griffith. We look forward to helping the team achieve all their goals in this stunning restaurant.”
The judges said: “The Beach House restaurant offers a fresh contemporary cooking style to match the fresh sea air.”
Bryn Tyrch is a second-generation independently owned family-run inn, in the heart of Snowdonia.
Ten years ago Neil and Rachel Roberts took over the helm with a major refurbishment programme and took it from a hikers’ retreat to a one-rosette four-star inn.
Major emphasis was also placed on hospitality and this was reflected in the Welsh Award for hospitality awarded in 2016/17.
The aim was to prove that you could provide quality food and accommodation in Snowdonia and bring quality jobs to the area.
Rachel Roberts, marketing director of Bryn Tyrch, said: “We are very proud and honoured to get this award. This reflects a real effort from all the team and we thank them for all their hard work and for our clients for believing and supporting us.”
The judges said: “Charming old inn with mountain views.”
Meanwhile, Ynyshir Hall has been recognised in the awards for its wines. Once owned by Queen Victoria, judges said the hotel has a “highly individual and quirky wine list” which featured some excellent producers.
The presentation of four rosettes to both Restaurant James Sommerin and Sosban are the latest in a line of awards for them both.
Michelin-starred Restaurant James Sommerin overlooks the sea in Penarth and was named AA Restaurant of the Year in Wales in 2016/17. It serves both a tasting and à la carte menu featuring dishes like Welsh lamb, 32-day aged sirloin and quail.
Sosban and The Old Butchers is a Michelin-starred restaurant on Anglesey which doesn’t offer a printed menu to diners. Instead, customers are served a Surprise Menu of dishes which changes depending on what local produce is best in season.
Pale Hall is a luxury country house hotel and restaurant in Bangor created in association with Michelin-star chef Michael Caines, with signature dishes realised by the hall’s head chef, Gareth Stevenson.