A luxury Welsh hotel has been named the best in the UK at a prestigious awards ceremony. The Grove of Narberth won the top award in the Independent Hotel of the Year category at this year's Catey awards.
The Grove finally won the top gong after being shortlisted in the category in both 2017 and 2020. The hotel underwent extensive refurbishment in 2021 with 40% of its rooms upgraded and significant improvements made to its beautiful grounds and gardens.
The Cateys Awards recognises and rewards the best establishments, and the strongest performers in the hospitality industry across the UK. And it's easy to see why the Griove has pipped others to the post.
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Just a 15-minute drive from the coast, The Grove is nestled within 26 acres of grounds made up of woodland, well kept lawns and gardens. Set on a sprawling country house estate, the hotel is steeped in history with parts of it dating back as early as the 15th century. Earliest records of the premises show it was once owned by the bailiff of Tenby who would have lived in the 'longhouse' with his family.
The longhouse, the oldest building on the estate survives to this day - and can be stayed in - and set just apart from the main house. Next to the longhouse stands ‘Poyer’s Cottage,’ complete with inglenook, bread oven, and the original arrow slits. The architecture of the cottage suggests that it was likely built in the same era as the longhouse.
However, it is the main house that is the star of the show. Originally a two-storey masonry stone building, the centrepiece of the accommodation has been completely transformed into the art deco style hotel we know today.
There are 14 rooms in the three-storey main building, filled with beautiful soft furnishings, classic fireplaces and Welsh references throughout - from love spoons to the slate-sided bar to artwork of the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside.
The entire accommodation is made up of 26 bedrooms in total, split across the main building and cottages in the grounds. Rooms vary from traditional to a more modern finish. The Grove has two restaurants on site, The Fernery is a fancy dinner option made up of tasting menus while the Artisan Rooms are used for breakfast, lunch and dinner is less formal. And of course, there is an afternoon tea offering at the hotel. For both restaurants, most of the vegetables come from the hotel gardens.
Thomas Ferrante, the Hotel Director of Grove of Narberth said: “I could not be prouder of what the team at Grove have achieved this year. Winning this award is a testament to their skill, professionalism, and absolute dedication to continuously creating memorable moments and joy for their guests in this beautiful corner of Wales”
The hotel forms part of the Seren collection of hotels which specialises in holding a unique collection of Welsh hotels and restaurants by the sea
Managing Director of The Seren Collection, Neil Kedward, said: "We continue to raise the bar at Grove in every aspect of the operations and in the quality of the rooms and facilities. It’s been a tough few years but we managed to stay on our front foot throughout. Congratulations to Thomas and his whole team who are all simply amazing. The future is bright in the ‘Land of Song’!"
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