Most hotels are keen to make their guests feel like they're right at home and this is something that Nanteos Mansion manages to pull off - in style.
Nestling in it’s own valley, set in 30 acres of rolling Welsh countryside, Nanteos is around 15 minutes drive from the seaside market town of Aberystwyth. The university town is skirted by the wide, sweeping waves of Cardigan Bay, and is a heady mix of sophisticated delis, good restaurants and familiar high street names.
Billed as a (rather grand) country house that just happens to be a hotel, the sight of the twinkling chandeliers, glimpsed through the elegant floor-to-ceiling windows, was a welcome sight after a rain-soaked drive on a Friday evening.
Work on the current building started in 1739 but the original building dates back to the 11th century. A warm welcome was waiting from the friendly staff in the opulent reception area - a theme that runs through Nanteos, thanks to its elegant and quirky detailing throughout the main house and the individual rooms and suites.
We stayed in the Dyfi Suite, large well-furnished, comfortable rooms with all the accessories we needed, apart from an iron and ironing board - I’d packed in a hurry and a quick call to reception saw that delivered promptly.
The bar area was our first port of call and although we could have sat down to dinner, we settled for sandwiches and a glass of wine - freshly prepared and absolutely delicious. And we chatted and relaxed on comfortable leather sofas with a nightcap before heading for bed.
A very comfortable night’s sleep later - a huge, comfortable bed with lovely linens made sure of that - we headed down for breakfast.
The breakfast room seemed as high as it was wide, with an enormous Welsh dresser full of copper pans and pots, and old cooking ranges serving as tables for a decent buffet breakfast option, although a full cooked breakfast was available.
We invariably find that the sign of a good kitchen is how well it delivers a poached egg - no complaints here, a pair of perfect ‘poachers’ arrived and a third cup of tea later, we headed outside for a nose around the grounds.
If you fancy some independence but would still like to pop back to the hotel for breakfast or dinner, the four bedroom luxury mews house is a one minute walk from Nanteos, and gives you the privacy of your own space, and the option to self cater but the convenience of a bar and restaurant next door. Nanteos also has pet-friendly rooms available, and some great circular walks right on its doorstep.
Now it was time to venture into Aberystwyth to explore. The rain had mostly let up but we still had to dart between squally shower but the refreshing sea breezes kept our spirits up. First stop was Ultracomida deli and restaurant ( https://www.ultracomida.co.uk/ ) We’d heard a lot about this place but nothing prepared us for the huge range of Italian foods and takeaway eats. Hidden at the back of the well-stocked shelves was a small restaurant designed for communal eating - we could’ve been in Bologna, with its famed family restaurants.
As we were still a bit too close to our hearty Nanteos breakfast, we spent an hour or so mooching around the town before settling in Agnelli’s (No website - on purpose!)
Agnelli’s is also on an Italian theme. If I hadn’t been told, I would have assumed it had been there for 70 years but it’s quite a recent addition and the understated, friendly service was perfect. People dropped in for espressos and a chat while we shared a very good, home-made parmigiana and smoked cheese and roasted vegetable panini. First class.
Take a look at some of Wales' beautiful coastline in this video featuring Hollywood star Luke Evans
Time to walk off some of that grub and a 20 minute drive out of town, through rolling hills that would make for a perfect Welsh version of the Tour de France before arriving at Devil’s Bridge Falls ( http://devilsbridgefalls.co.uk/ )
The world-famous walk plunges you down through Cambrian Mountain trails and precipitous steps. Walking boots are a must during the wet weather though there are less arduous trails for those less mobile. Truly breathtaking falls, woodland and views - and all so close to our hotel and the town.
We’d spent half an hour gingerly making our way down to the bottom of the gorge and it was quite some way back up - so we headed back to Nanteos Mansion for cups of tea and a chill out before dinner.
There’s a five or seven course tasting menu available for those (£50/£70) or a good dinner menu alternative, with mains from £14 to £25.
We opted for a Seafood Bouillabaisse and Salted Baked Beetroot for starters and a Cannon of Welsh Lamb and Chickpea and Spinach Curry for mains.
Each was beautifully presented, with good sized portions and incredibly tasty - a really good meal and the well-appointed dining room and light touch service made for an excellent atmosphere. We wrapped up the meal with treacle tart and clotted cream, and sticky toffee pudding with rum and raisin ice cream with a miso caramel sauce.
We were the last people in the restaurant - happy and replete before retiring to the bar feeling quietly pleased with ourselves for spending a nice day breathing in the fresh sea air, taking a good bit of exercise and eating good food in incredibly comfortable surroundings.
The management at Nanteos Mansions should give themselves a little pat on the back for the professionalism of their staff and for creating such a convivial, relaxing atmosphere.
Some might say it’s not rocket science to achieve this but so few hotels manage it. So promise not to tell too many people about this well kept secret. End
Fact Box
Prices:
- 4 bedroom Luxury Mews House Self Catering from £426.00
- Family Double, inc Bed and breakfast from £151.00
- Luxury Double inc Bed and breakfast from £140.00
- Pet Friendly Suite inc Bed and breakfast from £196.00
- Suite, inc Bed and breakfast from £186.00
Discovery break from £325 includes: - 2 night stay in a Luxury Double Room & Full Welsh Breakfast (upgrades subject to availability)
- Cream tea for two on arrival, followed by a personal tour of the house
- Copy of Jane Blank's novel 'Shadow of Nanteos'
- Packed lunch
- Bike hire
- 25% off your dinner if you choose to dine with us
How to get there and contact details:
Nanteos Mansion
Rhydyfelin
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
Wales
SY23 4LU
Phone: 01970 600 522
Email: info@nanteos.com
Website: http://www.nanteos.com/
