The four-star Metropole Hotel, located in Llandrindod Wells, secured a six-figure sum to expand its spa facilities, supported by Barclays.

The new development will include high-end treatment suites, nail bar, spray tan facility, and a comfortable relaxation and reception area.

The facility will create five new full-time posts, and will enhance the current facilities which include an 18m heated swimming pool and whirlpool spa, gym, sauna and steam room.

The Metropole is a family-run business, and MD, Justin Baird-Murray, and his sister, finance director, Sarah Hill, have overseen a £5m refurbishment of the prestigious Welsh hotel, resulting in an upgrade to its current four-star status.

“The spa extension will widen our appeal, both to our local customer base, and to our overnight leisure visitors,” explains Justin Baird-Murray.

“From a tourism point of view, our bespoke spa packages, which feature high-end treatments and spa beauty products, will bring in a greater range of guests. Over a three-year period we expect to generate an additional income of £175,000 per annum.”

Minister for the Economy, Edwina Hart, said: “The tourism sector is one of our key growth markets and is worth £5 billion to the Welsh economy and employs more than 8% of the workforce. Our tourism industry will only remain competitive if we continue to invest in upgrading the products that we offer. I’d like to congratulate the family team at the Metropole for their continued investment and effort which makes the hotel such an asset to Wales.

“The extended spa facility will help the hotel increase its appeal to a wider audience, and capitalise on the fact that people are taking fewer overseas holidays, but still need to recharge their batteries with weekend breaks. I’d like to wish the team a successful summer season and hope they reap the rewards of this latest investment.”

J S Jones. Chairman, Somerset Walking Club.

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On behalf of all the attending members of the Jowett Car Club Limited, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Management and Staff of The Metropole Hotel for the care and professional attention which we received during our stay while celebrating our annual rally.

As a club we would certainly have no hesitation in recommending The Metropole to other organisations and will certainly consider our return to the hotel.

We would be delighted if you could pass on our praises to all the staff involved.

Yours sincerely

D L P Black

Treasurer / Director

Jowett Car Club Limited

As the organiser of the Bristol Owners’ Club motoring tour in Wales, based at The Metropole Hotel, I write to thank you and your team for looking after us. Having accepted the recommendation of other car clubs who had stayed with you previously, your hotel came well recommended. Following our stay I would now be more than happy to endorse those recommendations fully.

The staff were outstanding, always helpful, efficient and friendly. The food was superb and how you managed to maintain that standard with so many dining at once remains a mystery to me. The rooms were clean, comfortable and well furnished. The other hotel facilities were all well up to standard. I had nothing but praise from my group who would all be pleased to return.

Yours sincerely

P Campbell OBE

Secretary

Bristol Owner’s Club Wessex Section

46 members left Sandy Car Park on Monday 30 April 2012 with local coach company Saffords Coaches of Great Gransden. En route to Llandrindod Wells we stopped at a service station for a comfort and refreshment break and then on to Worcester for a spot of lunch and sightseeing.

Our hotel in LLandrindod Wells was The Metropole Hotel. A 4 star privately owned hotel that included a superb health Spa. Porters took all of our cases to the rooms direct from the coach. The car park was sufficiently large to allow the coach to park there.

At The Metropole we were on bed, breakfast and evening meal. The buffet breakfast was superb with freshly cooked food and a wide variety of other items. The evening meal was a choice of three starters, main courses and deserts that were ordered at the table. The service from the smiling staff was very efficient.

It was noticeable during our stay that in all areas—bars, restaurants, reception and cleaning staff—that there were sufficient on hand to ensure prompt service.

On Tuesday morning the rain prevented some from going for a walk but a few ventured a few yards to The National Cycling Museum to view some interesting displays. Of those that stayed in the hotel some made use of the excellent swimming pool.

At lunch time we set off for the short journey to The Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir and were met by the owner Paul Humpherston, who gave some brief outline details of this 52 roomed house. We had been warned that we would need to take shoes off for the tour of the house and some of our members were well prepared by bringing slippers. Our party was then split into 2 groups and were taken on a conducted tour by Paul and another guide, Val. As we went from room to room they gave detailed descriptions of the interior furnishings and the contents of each room, giving numerous humorous anecdotes on the way. It was pleasing on the tour that we were allowed to sit down where we liked and could touch any objects—unlike a lot of houses that we visited. The weather prevented us going outside in the garden but everyone looked out of the windows and was impressed by how well they had been kept.

To finish our afternoon we were served with tea or coffee with a large piece of home-made cake (5 different types were available!!).

On the coach back to the hotel and in the evening everyone said it was one of the best houses they had ever visited and it would be virtually impossible to fully describe the house to their friends.

On Wednesday we returned just over the border to Leominster where we had a free morning looking round the shops and had lunch. Some found the Mousetrap Cheese Shop and any purchases were stored in the coach refrigerator until the end of the break.

In the afternoon we made the short journey to The Judges Lodging at Presteigne. The group, with the aid of audio guides made their way round the Judges Quarter, the Servants Rooms, the Kitchen, The Cells and then into the Magistrates Court, listening to a 20 minute tape of a trial. The tour concluded with tea and biscuits.

On Wednesday evening The Metropole Hotel mad available a room, complete with microphone, and a quiz run by our President was thoroughly enjoyed.

On Thursday we made our way to the coastal town of Aberystwyth. Here there was free time in the morning and some visited the Ceredigion Museum, some went on the Electric Railway and others went to the National Library.

After lunch we joined the Vale of Rheidol Railway, where we had seats reserved on the 12 mile steam train journey from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge. The group enjoyed some spectacular views from the train. We were met at Devils Bridge by our coach for the return journey to the Hotel.

On the Friday we made our way home, stopping at Evesham for an enjoyable lunch.

The bedrooms at The Metropole were a very good size and spotlessly clean. All the staff at The Metropole were pleasant and extremely helpful. Our members felt this was the best hotel we had ever had on our Annual Break.

All of our members remarked how they had enjoyed such a sociable and friendly break. This was achieved with the service provided by The Metropole Hotel, our local coach company , Saffords Coaches, together with all the places we visited.

Nigel Westhorp, Social Secretary, Probus Club of Sandy and District

●5/6th May; The International Antiques & Collectors Fair of Wales at Royal Welsh Showground; expect the BBC Bargain Hunt crew to be there too. Click to visit website.

●4/5/6th May; The Mach Comedy Festival at Machynlleth; in its 3rd year of growing popularity. Click to visit website.

●5th May; Brecon Toy and Train Sale at Brecon; many top dealers and 60 plus tables. Click to visit website.

●5/6/7th May Painting workshop at Erwood Craft Station 10am to 1pm for £20 including materials with Amanda Skipsey. Pre-booking required. Click to visit website.

●5/6th May; Elan Valley Outdoor Activities weekend; a range of adrenalin activiites near the Caban Coch reservoir. Pre-booking required. Click to visit website.

●5th May; Wildlife tracking and field skills with a countryside ranger at the Elan Valley visitor centre. Pre-booking required. Click to visit website.

The Metropole which has been owned by the Baird-Murray family for over 110 years employes 80 people in Llandrindod Wells and has invested over £5 million in the last 8 years. This award is the 2nd prestigious award won by the hotel on recent years having previously won the Wales conference hotel of the year.

Set in the heart of mid Wales and perched upon the brink of the picturesque river Wye 7 miles south of The Metropole, Wyeside Arts Centre has very friendly welcoming atmosphere with a broad programme of arts and entertainment. During July and August sees the last Harry Potter film, X-Men, Larry Crown, Cowboys and Aliens and more.

Get free tickets when staying on our Summer Attractions Package – Click here

See below summer film programme or visit www.wyeside.co.uk for further info.

29*, 30*, 31* July

• Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Cars 2

2*, 3, 4 August

• Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Cars 2

5, 6*, 7*, 9, 10, 11 August

• X-Men First Class
• Bridesmaids

12*, 13*, 14* August

• Larry Crowne
• Zookeeper

16, 17, 18* August

• Zookeeper
• The Tree of Life

19*, 20*, 21*, 23*, 24, 25, 26*, 27*, 28*, 30*, 31 August

• Cowboys & Aliens
• Spy Kids 4

*Donates two showings, afternoon and evening otherwise one showing on evening showing only; with exception 12th August there are 2 showings of Zookeeper and 1 showing of Larry Crowne.

Dates and times subject to change.

For more information ring the Wyeside Box Office 01982 552555