The Credentials
While some people are happy slumming it in a tent, when I go hiking in the Brecon Beacons National Park, I prefer a warm shower and a soft robe to slip into on my return from a long day exploring the Welsh countryside. Luckily, I’d booked myself and my partner into Peterstone Court, a Manor House and Spa, just 15 minutes from the town of Brecon.
The boutique hotel sits in the small hamlet of Llanhamlach, in the shadows of the iconic Pen Y Fan. Charming and elegant, with a relaxed atmosphere, many walkers use Peterstone Court as a haven for their Welsh escapes. And with a spa and five-star restaurant, too, it’s easy to see why.
Sleep
As a boutique hotel, Peterstone Court has just eight rooms in the main house, as well as four contemporary and spacious duplex loft rooms, in the converted stables.
We stayed in the main house, in one of the large yet cosy rooms, with traditional furnishings, and luxuriously soft beds.
Our modern bathroom had a large, open shower. But the highlight for me was the deep bathtub, nestled beneath the window, overlooking the Brecons. The second we arrived, cold and wet from running along misty, high peaks, I filled the tub high with bubble bath and relaxed with the late afternoon sun streaming in.
I might have sat there all evening if it wasn’t for the deep grumble in my stomach, reminding me that ’Steak Night’ awaited me.
Dine
Peterstone Court has just one restaurant, which overlooks the rolling hills, as well as a small bar with a few plush velvet arm chairs and tables. Guests can enjoy everything from the weekly special ‘Steak Night’ – which was available when we visited – to afternoon tea, Sunday lunch and a seasonal a la carte menu. Breakfast and lunch is also served here.
Thirsty from our 17k run, we enjoyed a beer in the bar before moving onto the restaurant’s beautiful terrace, where we ordered some olives and generously filled croquettes to nibble on, before selecting our steaks.
The steak menu runs alongside the a la carte, a seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients, with dishes such as seafood pasta, duo of lamb, stuffed peppers, braised ox cheek tagliatelle and much more. My partner and I both ordered the steak, which came with triple cooked chips, onion rings and a grilled mushroom and tomato – I also had a side of vegetables. The steak was perfectly cooked, succulent and full of flavour – enhanced by a drizzle of homemade peppercorn sauce. I washed it all down with a juicy red wine from South Africa.
Suitably full, we skipped dessert, although I was tempted by the traditional homemade puds: apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie, and Tiramisu.
The following morning we were heading to a running festival in the Gower, so we were keen to make the most of breakfast before a few days of festival food. Breakfast is served on the terrace and there are a variety of cold items, such as yoghurt, fruit, cereals, and sweet treats, which guests can help themselves to. There is also the option to order hot food, made to order, which includes a traditional fry up – using local ingredients – poached eggs, avocado and salmon on toast, and even local delicacies like creamy cockles and laver bread, or buttermilk pancakes for those after something sweet. It was absolutely delicious and certainly set us up for the day!
Out and About
Peterstone Court has many hiking routes on its doorstep and is just two miles from the ancient market town of Brecon, with its mediaeval castle and cathedral, which are both open for visits. If discovering literature and art is of interest to you, then the famous book capital of Hay-on-Wye is just 20 miles away, with no shortage of independent shops and antique galleries. For those wishing to visit a larger city, Cardiff and Bristol are both some hours drive away.
Back at the hotel, the relaxing spa awaits. The vaulted cellars have been transformed to a holistic space, with a sauna, jacuzzi, and relaxation room, as well as treatment rooms. There is also a swimming pool outside, which we used as more of a ‘plunge pool’, in between saunas, given the temperature was a little on the cold side!
The Crowd
Visiting in the middle of the week, the hotel was quite quiet, with just a few couples joining us for dinner. At breakfast, we met a lovely family, visiting to explore the local area. With so few rooms, it’s the type of hotel where guests either pass each other by or forge lasting friendships.
The Best Thing
The spa was a wonderful surprise. I really appreciated how the hotel had transformed a relatively small, dark space into something rather magical.
The Worst Thing
The fan in the room. It was so loud – but needed.
In a Nutshell
There aren’t many places to stay in the Brecon Beacons, so finding Peterstone Court was a real treat. The hotel is brilliant value for money and the kind and attentive staff really do make it a place you want to come back to.
From the 1st of August, prices on a B&B rate start from:
Stable rooms – £220, Best Country View – £270, Best Country Deluxe – £320, Best Mountain View – £320, The Master Suite – £430
enquiries@peterstone-court.com
+44 (0) 1874 665387
