Pretty Special

SLEEPING in the same bed as Prince William has long been one of my favourite boasts.

And now, thanks to the delightful Ynyshir Hall in mid Wales, I do believe I can add Hollywood legend Richard Gere to that list.

And although the nine-bedroom country house hotel is very different in style to the Pretty Woman actor’s other well-known haunt of Los Angeles’ Beverly Wilshire, it is equally upmarket.

As soon as we entered the hotel’s hallway, complete with sweeping staircase and a beautifully tiled floor, a celebrity hall of fame told of the pedigree of former guests.

Richard Gere stayed here while filming First Knight with Julia Ormond.

Newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald also rested his head on one of the hotel’s oh-so-fluffy pillows.

After that – admittedly – the A-list slips somewhat down the alphabet but still includes soapstar Pam St Clement, comedian Eddie Izzard, West End star Denise Van Outen and actor Rob Brydon.

And once we were shown to our immaculately presented room I knew we were somewhere pretty special.

Each room is named after a well-known artist, and ours – known as The Renoir – was a riot of blue and yellow, with a huge bed, a stylish chaise longue and an Edwardian-style wardrobe.

Now it’s impossible to prove my celebrity bed boasts are true.

But what I do know is Prince William was a regular visitor to the safari lodge I stayed in a few years ago in Kenya, where I was lucky enough to land the best room in the place.

And I also know The Renoir was one of the top rooms at Ynyshir Hall – and certainly fit enough for Hollywood royalty.

Indeed, the hotel, with its expensive but homely feel, felt like it had come straight out of an Agatha Christie murder mystery despite its contemporary decorative twists.

This was a place with not a mini bar in sight – instead there was a regularly topped up decanter of sherry left on the dressing table.

And it wasn’t just the hotel itself, dating back to the 17th century and once owned by Queen Victoria, which was such a delight.

Set in acres of beautifully manicured lawns halfway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth, Ynyshir Hall also sits alongside a RSPB reserve.

We spotted a marsh harrier soaring in the thermals high above the wooded hills on our brief but sunny walk there. And just down the road live one of Britain’s few pairs of breeding ospreys.

Just a short drive away are the sand dunes at Ynyslas, best known for their starring role in the BBC trailer featuring the twirling red kites.

This felt very much like a traditionally upper class British weekend break, and true to form, the sea air was enough to give us a hearty appetite.

Luckily Ynyshir Hall has a restaurant boasting accolades from Michelin and The Good Food Guide and we were treated to an 11-course tasting menu, with half a glass of wine to match each serving.

Needless to say at the end of the meal, with my half empty wine glasses lined up on the table, I felt truly relaxed.

Whether or not I stayed in the same bed as Richard Gere didn’t matter.

Our stay at Ynyshir Hall still made me one pretty happy woman.

Ynyshir Hall, Eglwysfach, Machynlleth, Powys, Wales
Call 01654 781209
info@ynyshirhall.co.uk
Prices start from £310 per night for dinner, bed and breakfast for two people