Love The Angel – The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny Review

Earlier this week I spent some time at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny with a group of bloggers and journalists. We were invited to sample the festive afternoon tea, a Swiss fondue party at the Apres Ski Bar, lunch at the stunning Chapel and soak up all that Abergavenny and the local area has to offer.

The Angel Hotel is a former coaching inn built way back in 1829, located in the historic market town of Abergavenny. It has been completely transformed in the years since into the modern yet true to its roots property you will find today. There are 34 guest rooms, the Oak Room restaurant, Foxhunter bar and The Wedgewood Room where the high tea is served daily. The hotel is a member of the highly prestigious UK Tea Guild, only nine hotels outside of London have achieved this.

My room was just beautiful. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing about it. Everything has been so carefully considered, the pillows are like fluffy clouds, the cushions stylish and all  of the finishing touches such as the lamp, toiletries and alarm clock just fit in perfectly. And there was a bath…if you read any of my hotel reviews you will know I do love a bath.

This was my bed, all that space..just for me! The sofa looks onto a large flat screen TV on the wall and I can imagine it would be just lovely to cosy up and watch a film there.

This was the table set up for our afternoon tea, it was so impressively festive. I loved the crockery, the atmosphere and well the afternoon tea was just sublime.

The price of the High Tea is £27.80 per person and it’s served every day of the week in The Wedgewood room (Festive twists available in December only).
I am generally more of a savoury than sweet person and the savoury options on the afternoon tea were out of this world. My favourite was the Beef & mushroom choux buns and from the sweets it was the custard slice, closely followed by the scones which were easily the best scones I have tried. The festive sandwich was also a highlight with super tender turkey, stuffing and cranberry.

Just take a look at those scones – aren’t they just a thing of beauty??

I want to revisit the hotel and spend time in every cosy corner, I want to curl up on that sofa with an epic romantic novel and a mug of hot chocolate.

This was the view out of my bedroom window, overlooking the pretty street of shops and restaurants in Abergavenny centre. Yes there is a crane slightly marring the view currently but the Welsh countryside is still a wonder to behold.

Later that evening we spent some time in the Apres Ski bar which is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with traditional Swiss fondue each Thursday ( booking essential ) We were in for a treat with the Swiss fondue party, it was so much fun. Hats off to the kitchen team at The Angel, every morsel of food was just a delight. My photos of the food are shockingly poor as it was dimly lit and atmospheric – could also be a result of the mulled wine and prosecco. We also took part in a mannequin challenge which was pretty fun, you can view that here. The bar is stocked with German beers, mulled wine and festive cocktails as well as hot drinks and warm, hearty snacks.

The next morning, after a superb breakfast the group headed to the Brecon beacons for a hike with Drover Holidays – sadly I couldn’t go as I have had a minor operation recently and I am still recovering. I instead took a more leisurely stroll to Abergavenny castle situated right by the hotel. I was pretty much alone the entire time and it was idyllic. The scenery, the quiet and even the cold, crisp air. I can’t tell you how much I have begun to appreciate walking alone this year, it clears my mind and also it means I force myself to get out into the fresh air after hours of the day spent sat at my desk on the computer.

A rare selfie.

At lunchtime I met up with the group once more for an outstanding lunch at The Chapel. Situated in the heart of Abergavenny it combines an art gallery, shop and cafe/restaurant and is a sister property of The Angel.  It serves entirely fresh and mostly seasonal food, made to order in the open kitchen. It was the kind of vibrant and buzzing place which really makes eating a pleasure and I will be sure to return. It also serves the best coffee I have ever had and even just the process of it being made was mesmerising.

It is clear to see why The Angel was awarded ‘Hotel Of The Year’ for Wales in the annual AA hospitality awards. My stay was faultless and one aspect which is hard to force in a hotel is the attitude and personality of the staff but they have managed it. Every person we dealt with was incredibly warm and helpful – it makes a visit so much more pleasurable.

Thanks to The Angel Hotel, The Chapel, Drovers Holidays and A Marr Associates for a truly fantastic stay.

Check out what fellow blogger Sus from Rough Measures thought of the stay.

• My stay and all food and drinks were complimentary for the purpose of this post.