NEARLYWED NEWS

AWARD-WINNING VENUE

The Good Hotel Guide (www.goodhotelguide.com) has revealed its annual list of César winners with Penally Abbey Hotel and Restaurant in Pembrokeshire taking home the award for the Best Hotel in Wales.

This year, the winners included a former motorway service station on the M6, a Grade I listed townhouse where the in-room coffee maker can be found in a doll’s house, a revamped 11th-century Cotswold stone inn and a 1950s Scottish youth hostel that is now a stunning hotel.

Penally Abbey Hotel and Restaurant is situated on the coast and is owned by Melanie Boissevain, who has created stylish, relaxing rooms filled with antiques, French market finds, blowsy wallpapers and Persian rugs.

To find out more about the property, visit www.penally-abbey.com

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Out Of The Box, a flower preservation artist based in Merthyr Tydfil, is celebrating one year of business and has also been nominated for an award at the Welsh National Wedding Awards. The owner, Kate Pugh, tells us: “I create timeless resin keepsakes from your wedding bouquet that you can cherish forever. I worked with my first-ever wedding bouquet just over a year ago and I’m so grateful for all the love and support I’ve received in that time. It’s been overwhelming at times but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love working with your beautiful flowers as my full-time job. Thank you all so much! I have a lot more to achieve and I can’t wait for the next year to grow bigger and better.”

Visit www.instagram.com/outofthebox_bykate for more information.

NEWS Nearlywed

All the latest from around South Wales

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

The King Arthur Hotel in Swansea are finalists at The Welsh Restaurant Awards (www.facebook.com/thewelshrestaurantawards) in the Hotel Restaurant of the Year category. Located in the heart of the Welsh countryside, this award-winning hotel is a hidden gem in the spectacular Gower peninsula. Family-run, it comprises of 18 en-suite bedrooms, an 18th-century Guinevere’s cottage and self-catering cottage apartments.

Rich in history, the King Arthur Hotel’s wedding venue, Avalon, has been popular since 2003. The large room boasts a high-pitched ceiling with exposed French oak beams, Welsh slate floors and arched windows overlooking the surrounding landscaped gardens.

Head over to www.kingarthurhotel.co.uk for more information.

ECO-FRIENDLY EXPANSION

Bluestone National Park Resort is situated in 500 acres of rolling countryside in the heart of Pembrokeshire. The first sustainable timber frame for 80 new lodges recently arrived at the resort as part of a £23 million expansion. The park comprises of 344 cabin-style woodland lodges, colourful cottages and studio apartments built around a traditionally-designed village featuring shops, a pub, six restaurants and an award-winning exclusive holistic spa. All of the accommodation and the picturesque village lie within the boundaries of the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, with more than 50 beaches within an hour’s drive.

Marten Lewis, the head of sustainability at Bluestone National Park Resort, tells us: “We know there’s a growing demand for a sustainable luxury tourism product in Wales and we’re confident that we can meet the need for an ecologically-sound product in natural surroundings. Sustainability is a key aspect across all of the design decisions. Along with the promotion of health and wellbeing, sustainability has always been an integral part of Bluestone’s business operations and will continue to be as we move forward.”

The new lodges will have their own private entrances with virtual check-in and luxurious facilities. Couples can now book the new lodges ready for the official opening in the summer of 2023.

For more information, go to www.bluestonewales.com

THE PERFECT GETAWAY

Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com have gone through more than 142,000 reviews and discovered that Wales is the most popular camping destination in the UK. Perfect as a family-moon or break for nature lovers, camping is a great way to see some of the region’s best spots.

Dan Yates, the founder of Pitchup.com, said: “People looking for an autumn getaway that won’t break the bank should definitely have a look at the accommodation on offer in Wales and our other top regions, which offers incredibly good value for money. As the reviews all come from past guests, couples can be reassured that these are genuine rankings and authentic feedback, based on real experience. Grass tent pitches can be as little as £10 per night, and as the weather gets colder, there’s a host of other affordable alternatives such as shepherd’s huts, lodges, camping pods and cabins.”

Discover more at www.pitchup.com

FLORAL WONDERS

Encapsulated Memories in Llanharan is offering new personalised heart frames. These flower preservation frames come in two different sizes and can be customised with names and dates or surnames.

The owner, Emma Cross, tells us more: “Encapsulated Memories started because I wanted to learn how to preserve my own bouquet from my wedding. My heart and soul go into every order and I feel so honoured to be able to preserve such precious, memorable handmade pieces.”

Emma offers a wide range of designs, including hearts, spheres, blocks, arches and hexagons, letters, coasters, tea light holders, teddy bears and frames.

Find out more at www.encapsulatedmemories.com

TREND SETTER

The Bridal Boutique Narberth has been nominated for Best Bridal Boutique and Business Woman of the Year at the Best of Welsh Wedding Awards (www.bestofwelshawards.co.uk).

Denise Clewes says: “We are a family-run business that stocks and adjusts a wide range of wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ outfits and more. Our line-up includes fantastic options from well-known designers such as Ronald Joyce, Sophia Tolli, Morilee and True Bride. Our team can spend time with you and your bridal group picking the right dress, and our talented seamstresses will ensure it fits perfectly. No detail is too much, and our team is here to help ensure your gown is exactly how you want it.

“Thanks to our lovely couples, I’m one of the finalists at the Best of Welsh Wedding Awards, which I can’t believe. This is all down to your votes, so thanks so much!”

For more info, check out www.bridalboutiquenarberth.co.uk