We are all about celebrating success here at SOUTH WALES LIFE and as far as a family-run hotel goes THE ANGEL in Abergavenny is one huge success story. They have just been named Welsh Hotel of the Year and when you consider the incredible competition, that is a fantastic achievement.

For those of us who don’t know about these awards, we can tell you they are a really big deal. They’re all about recognising exceptional levels of service and world class facilities to guests. As a visitor, or someone who is about to spend their hard-earned money, this recommendation gives you peace of mind as you check in for your stay.

To be presented with an award from Hotel of the Year signifies something truly special about a hotel. It’s a demonstration of impeccable standards of both service & facilities, a standard that is derived from professionally critiqued stays at each individual hotel. Judging is completely anonymous, so what the judge enjoys is what any visitor enjoys too.

Their awards cabinet is already bulging and will continue to do so if owners William and Charlotte Griffiths have anything to do with it. They already have AA Hotel of the Year and the Tea Guild’s Top City and Country Hotel Award under their belt.

At the time, Irene Gorman of the Tea Guild said…….

“The Angel Hotel was a delight to visit for tea. The Hotel offers an excellent range of teas with an extensive variety, served with perfection by attentive staff who are happy to advise on the choice of teas available, all of which are described well in the informative and tempting menu.”

Describing it as the “very model of a town hotel” they said the former Georgian coaching inn displayed an inspiring collection of original artworks. They said there was lots of choice when it came to food.

I think what’s important to say, and we’re sure William and Charlotte would agree. A hotel, of course, is run from the top, but for the those of us who visit, and our team here include ourselves in that number, it’s all about the welcome, atmosphere and staff. It’s clear THE ANGEL score highly on all those points.

The hotel location couldn’t be better. They are right in the heart of town, which means any guest can walk out the front door and enjoy what Abergavenny has to offer. The hotel themselves are very much a part of the community, taking in seasonal events throughout the year and the famous Food Festival in September.

The hotel also opened its own bakery three years ago, which not only supplies the hotel and their sister properties, but the bakery shop is thriving too, welcoming visitors to sample what they have on offer.

At this point I think it’s only right we mention the Afternoon Tea, which has become something of a ‘must do’ for any visitor to Abergavenny. In fact, the tea is what people tend to mention first when they think of THE ANGEL. It’s not just Afternoon Tea, they describe it as an ‘experience.’ We’ve had it and it is.

Each morning their specialist baker, Sally Lane, freshly prepares the sandwiches, savouries, cakes and scones ready for the afternoon. Sally will be the first to tell you that the famous Angel Custard Slice has to make an appearance. In fact, as they are award winning on the tea front, we think it’s only fair we whet your appetite with a look at the MENU.

As we come to the end and celebrate another great success story in South Wales, we just want to mention a couple of festive things which THE ANGEL do pretty well. Each year, along with lots of activities they put on, they have an Apres Ski Bar & Fondue, where you can relax and chat with friends over a drink or two. They also do a pretty mean New Year’s Eve Party too. We know, we’ve staggered home at the end of one.

So congratulations to THE ANGEL who, once again, have put themselves and South Wales on the map. Here’s to the next trophy in the cabinet. To find out more, just go here. ANGEL