The Grove, Narberth wins Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year 2015
The Grove, Narberth in Pembrokeshire, has been named Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year 2015, triumphing over 48 properties in the collection of privately owned hotels.
Opened in June 2008, the 17th century country house has been fully restored by the owners, Neil Kedward and Zoe Agar, who have created a luxury 20-bedroom hotel with four cottages, which features Victorian stylings; ceramic fireplaces in the lounges, library and first floor bedrooms; deep mattresses and underfloor heating in bedrooms, and local artwork.
The hotel's three-AA-rosette restaurant - launched in November 2008 and run by head chef Duncan Barham - offers seasonal dishes including Preseli Bluestone lamb and spiced monkfish, complimented by a wine list that has received the AA Wine Award for Wales.
Surrounded by 26 acres of wildflower meadows and overlooking the Preseli Mountains, the hotel has a 17th-century walled kitchen garden stocked with 70 varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs.
New features for 2015 include two-day yoga retreats, while guests can enjoy in-room spa treatments including an Indian head massage and deluxe facial.
Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, said that the winning hotel had been selected purely on the hospitality it offers. The consortium employs two pairs of mystery guests who visit each of the 49 member hotels, who then make a recommendation for hotel of the year.
"We only do one award; we don't have a whole series of them because we are only a small collection anyway. So that makes it quite special receiving just that one award."
Kedward expressed his delight at winning the award: "This win represents seven years of hard work by our fantastic team, and whilst our journey continues, we feel we're making big steps towards achieving the exceptional standard of hospitality we have aspired to from the very beginning."
A double room at the Grove starts at £190, inclusive of full Welsh breakfast.
Other Pride of Britain hotels include the Goring, London; Lucknam Park, near Bath; and Calcot Manor, Tetbury.
