Mr & Mrs Smith have just returned from a stay at this rural boutique hotel in Wales, and just as soon as they've unpacked their walking boots and maps, a full account of their luxury country break will be with you. In the meantime, just to whet your wanderlust, here's a quick peek inside Fronlas…
If you’ve notched up a big, dirty carbon footprint, a stay at Fronlas will make you feel all squeaky clean and green again. Its eco-conscious credentials (you can even sleep and eat with pride, since the mattresses and breakfast are organic) really make the hotel stand out above the norm. But don’t confuse green with grotty, this earth-respecting hotel wields some serious designer style. The rooms are jewel-bright and luxuriously furnished, with local luxury legends such as Angela Gidden and Melin Tregwynt adding some design dazzle, and Colliss & Quinton wallpaper murals spicing up the space. Mohair cushions, funky lamps, vases full of vivid fresh flowers and White Company linens add up to a glamorous and cosy rural retreat. We haven’t even mentioned the town yet…
Llandeilo refuses to hide its charms beneath a bushel, whether they be natural (the Brecon Beacons in all their rolling, verdant glory and the rippling River Towy) or man-made – the market town’s historic charm and the surrounding castles. But Llandeilo also boasts some unexpected attractions. Firstly, a stay here will make your green halo glow; it’s one of several 'transition towns' seeking to slash carbon emissions and exploit alternative energy from local sources. Secondly, the town is a gourmet delight. Fresh fish from Towy waters, top-quality organic meat from the nearby farms, and world-class chocolate and ice cream from Heavenly make eating out here a foodie-fantasy come true. Thirdly, there’s the shopping potential. In such scenic, rural surrounds, you wouldn’t expect to find high-end fashion boutiques such as Toast and Mela, wonderful Welsh homeware from Scorpio, or gifts from Igam Ogam. Peppercorn is a cookery kingdom, you can find presents for the kids at Eve’s Toy Shop and presents for yourselves at Crafts Alive. You are bound to return home laden with Welsh wonders. Fronlas and Llandeilo are proof that eco-friendly can still be trendy.
