Your South Wales Wedding - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 72)

Glorious gardens W hen I was invited to visit Llechwen Hall Hotel, the January blues had well and truly kicked in, so I jumped at the chance for some well-needed R&R. After a four hour drive from Essex, my partner and I couldn’t wait to see the property and take in the sights. We ascended the hill-top drive, and the country house came into view. We stopped to look at the breathtaking views of the surrounding Cynon Valley and take some pictures. The venue was transformed into a hotel in 1990 and has recently been expanded to include a two-storey wing and 24 additional high-end bedrooms. After hearing about all the hard work that had gone into transforming the property, I couldn’t wait to see our room. Once we’d checked in, we ventured upstairs, and it’s safe to say the space went beyond our expectations, with a king-sized bed, a TV, a sofa, tea and windows that overlooked the sprawling Welsh countryside. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we discovered the bathroom, complete with a grand bath, heated towel rails, gorgeous décor and complimentary toiletries, it was more than we could have asked for. FOOD FOR THOUGHT After a delightful bath and a cup of much-needed tea, it was time for dinner. The AA Rosette restaurant is located in the Oak Beam Orangery, which overlooks the terrace and lawns and is full of natural light. It can be used for weddings and has space for 60 loved ones for the vows, while larger celebrations of 300 can take place in the marquee. We were escorted to our table by a friendly member of staff who provided us with the menu. To start, I went for the seasonal homemade soup. It was delicious and perfect on a cold winter’s night. For the main course, I opted for one of my favourites dishes, pan-fried chicken chasseur, and to finish I had a Halen môn salted treacle tart. The staff were very attentive and went above and beyond to ensure we had the best meal possible. Once we’d finished, we made our way to the on-site bar. This charming space had a cosy and relaxed atmosphere – a must-visit if you’re staying at the hotel. A few hours later, we wearily climbed the staircase to our room, and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. A DAY IN THE CITY The next morning we awoke feeling relaxed and ready to explore. We once again visited the Oak Beam Orangery ready to try the hotel’s delicious breakfast. I opted for the continental option, and my partner had a scrumptious Welsh breakfast accompanied by a wonderful cup of tea. The hotel is located just 30 minutes from Cardiff, so we decided to spend the day at some of the local attractions. We visited Cardiff Castle, the National Museum of Wales and the oh-so-fabulous shopping district. After a long day of walking, we couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel. The hours just seemed to fade away, and I awoke the next day feeling completely relaxed. Once we’d forced ourselves out of bed, we headed downstairs for breakfast. On display was a selection of juices, teas, cereals and tasty pastries as well as cooked options. We choose the English muffin with scrambled egg, at first I was a little apprehensive as I can be fussy when it comes to how my eggs are cooked, but I’m happy to say they came out perfect! After such an amazing stay, I was sad to be leaving this little gem. The hotel is such a lovely place, and we will definitely be going back soon! Melissa Barker reviews the charming Llechwen Hall Hotel 01443 742 050 | llechwen.co.uk 34