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NEWS AND REVIEWS
On 14 January 2006 in the Travel section of "Saturday Guardian", Sally Shallam in the "Weekend" page wrote '...Almost from the minute we swung into the drive I
could feel in my bones it was going to be a winner. This handsome rectory, just across the Menai Strait, has an ancient church in its backyard and pastureland in its front but this isn't why the term B & B doesn't do it justice...The best description I can come up with is a country house restaurant with rooms - but that's not very snappy. So let's just say this is in a class of its own... '
On Sunday 8 October 2006, Fiona Duncon, in her regular Hotel Guru section wrote 'It's difficult to pigeonhole Neuadd Lwyd...the room in which I am dozing, tucked
under a goose-down duvet on a deep mattress, is one of the most attractive hotel bedrooms I can recall, equipped with flat-screen TV, DVD's, digital radio, walk-in shower and separate bath (no phone though). All the furniture, the beds, beaded throws and cushions, pictures, lamps even the clock on the mantelpiece, are new and carefully chosen, lending the feel of swish bedroom in a luxury hotel for which you could be paying three times the price... '
On 31st August 2008 a “Times Escapes” supplement of the Sunday Times listed 350 hotels and B & B’s across the British Isles and Europe as ‘a great place to escape to’ which included;- Description: Neuadd Lwyd is a five-star country house in rural Anglesey with magnificent views of Snowdonia. Acclaimed for its four-course evening dinners using local, seasonal ingredients and sumptuous accommodation. Other awards: Welsh Rarebits, Good Hotel Guide, Michelin Guide, Alistair Sawday, Good Food Guide. 
In May 2008 the Guardian produced a Bed and Breakfast Directory which was introduced by Sally Shalam who had visited Neuadd Lwyd in 2005;- Neuadd Lwyd is a four-bedroom B & B located in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, the village with the longest name in the UK. It has four bedrooms, each with an en-suite and flat-screen TV and it is a five-minute drive from the Menai Straits bridges. Breakfast is made by Susannah, who trained at the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork. 
The April 2008 edition of Country and Border Life magazine reported that:-‘ The inaugural Anglesey Tourism Awards, held at Tre-Ysgawen Hall Hotel, saw a total of 11 tourism businesses from across the island recognised... The Best Bed and Breakfast/Guesthouse of the Year award went to Neuadd Lwyd Country House in Llanfair PG. The five-star country house opened in 2005 and offers bed, breakfast and gourmet dinners to its guests, and judges commented that the overall quality of accommodation was “exceptionally high”, describing the entry as “outstanding”. Owner Susannah Woods is delighted “ Although we’ve been awarded Best B&B/Guesthouse of the Year, that doesn’t properly describe the wow factor here at Neuadd Lwyd”, says Susannah. “Every dinner at Neuadd Lwyd is a gastronomic experience not to be missed, and we enjoy outstanding views across the Anglesey countryside and the Snowdon mountain range. At any time of year, a short break at Neuadd Lwyd offers a relaxing experience in elegant surroundings where you’re made to feel special.” 
On 1st March 2008, in an Independent Traveller feature entitled “Five Best Luxury Hotels in Wales”, Harriet O’Brien wrote;- ‘It took Susannah and Peter Woods more that three painstaking years to refurbish this greystone Victorian rectory, before finally opening it as a small country house hotel in 2005. Just across the Menai Strait, it sits in pastureland adjacent to a church dating to the 6th century. This is a great place for relaxing, taking in sweeping views, and visiting rocky beaches and secluded coves. But the real joy here is the restaurant’s modern Welsh cuisine, such as roast venison with celeriac remoulade and Caws-y-Graig goat’s cheese shavings. The four bright spacious bedrooms have original fireplaces and are kitted out with soft wool blankets, roll-top baths and antiques.’
On 1st December 2007, Fiona Laird, National Theatre Director, was interviewed for an article on “Where I’d rather be” in the Saturday Travel Guardian;- ‘Where would you rather be? What’s so special about it? What would you do there? Where would you stay? 
On 14 October 2007, The Observer Magazine ran a feature called”20 Travel Secret” “in which Desmond Balmer (editor of The Good Hotel Guide) extolled the virtues of unsung Wales saying;- Typical of the new order is Neuadd Lwyd, a Victorian rectory on Anglesey given a makeover by Susannah and Peter Woods and run as an upmarket guest house…Welsh speakers, they are enthusiastic about the area and promote local produce in their meals. The décor is a neat blend of traditional and modern. 
Following the Royal Visit of Prince Charles to Neuadd Lwyd on 7th June 2007, the Holyhead and Anglesey Mail reported;- Beneath azure skies in an idyllic rural setting His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales launched the Prince Cymru volunteer mentor project at Neuadd Lwyd, Penmynydd. The Prince toured the exclusive five star hotel whose owner Susannah Woods was helped by Prime Cymru to set up the venture…Before launching the initiative, Prince Charles toured Neuadd Lwyd which has a reputation for fine food using local produce and sampled some of the fare… When launching the Prime Cymru Volunteer Mentor Project, Prince Charles said “I’m so pleased that Prime Cymru were able to give Dr and Mrs Woods assistance to set up their operation here and I’m very glad to hear from them that mentoring had made a difference which is enormously encouraging”.
The August 2007 edition of North Wales Living magazine reported the visit of Prince Charles under the headline “Royal Approval at Neuadd Lwyd”;- On 7th June, the Prince of Wales selected Neuadd Lwyd Five Star Country House on Anglesey to visit as part of his “Week in Wales”…Prince Charles was enchanted by the splendid interior, fine kitchen garden and magnificent views of Snowdonia, and he particularly complimented the quality of the food which had been prepared by Susannah and fellow chef, Delyth Gwynedd Jones…The intimacy and welcoming atmosphere of the boutique country house together with the kitchen philosophy of using only the finest and freshest of seasonal local produce to create the fine cuisine met with Prince Charles’ royal approval… 
On 8th June 2007, Hello magazine reported a news item under the heading “Happy days for Prince of Wales as he visits principality”;- Prince Charles’ newfound joie d vivre has been more evident that ever as he and Camilla continue their summer tour of Wales. The 58-year old was in stitches during a visit to Neuadd Lwyd B&B on Anglesey, as he attempted to open a gift. Creasing up with laughter, he eventually gave up on the task and accepted a helping hand… 
The August 2007 edition of the national magazine Woman and Home featured a two page article by Vanessa Howard entitled “Our homes are our new workplace”. In it she described how Susannah had established Neuadd Lwyd and included;- Susannah Woods runs Neuadd Lwyd, a country house restaurant with rooms on the isle of Anglesey. She lives there with her husband Peter…Susannah saw to every detail in the pretty bedrooms. She enjoys using delicious local and seasonal produce in the kitchen…” I really enjoyed my career as a midwife, but once I reached 50, I craved a new experience”I used my savings to do a three month course at Ballymaloe Cookery School, where I learnt how to be a chef to a business…My cookery course gave me confidence to turn a passion into a profession…It was a lot of hard work but my husband and I managed to turn my passion for cooking into a house with an income…There have been setbacks, but when I look back at what Peter and I have achieved together, I’m so proud”. 
The October 2007 edition of Country Living magazine included a three page article, illustrated with ten colour pictures, by Kitty Corrigan headed “Birth of a new business”;- Experience of dealing with the unexpected proved to be a winning asset for former midwife Susannah Woods when she decided to muse a new ambition and run a country house hotel. It is two years since Susannah opened for business. Soon after the Wales Tourist Board awarded her a coveted five-star rating and, at the 2006 National Eisteddfod of Wales, she was awarded the Menter Busnes prize for promoting Welsh language and culture – richly deserved recognition for the midwife who followed her instincts and refused to settle for anything less than the best… Susannah received help and guidance from Menter Mon (http://www.mentermon.com/) and Prime Cymru (http://www.prime.cymru.co.uk)/... This is one of Prince Charles’ charitable trusts and on 7 June 2007 she received a royal visit, when the prince praised her kitchen philosophy of using only the freshest and finest of seasonal local produce.
On 10th March 2007, The Independent Traveller ran a feature on “The Complete Guide to Wales in Style” by Harriet O’Brien which included;- A Room With a View?
On 24th February 2007, The Independent ran “The Information” supplement on “The 50 Best Weekend Breaks” by Lucy Gillmore and Sophie Lam which features places from throughout the world;- Neuadd Lwyd Country House 
The February 2007 edition of North Wales Living magazine ran a Food and Drink feature entitled “Gourmet Meals at Neuadd Lwyd”;- The reputation of Neuadd Lwyd on the isle of Anglesey for its gourmet meals has rapidly grown in the eighteen months since it opened. Owners Susannah and Peter Woods have refurbished this fine Victorian Rectory in a lavish but tasteful style, with all the trappings of comfortable luxury, to create an elegant Welsh Country House that was immediately grade Five Star by the Welsh Tourist Board. Having only four sumptuous bedrooms, guests enjoy exclusive hospitality and the chance to ‘chill out’ and relax in opulent splendour. Susannah and fellow chef Delyth Gwynedd both trained at the world famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland. Pre dinner drinks and canapés are served in the elegant Drawing Room, the set menu changes daily and you may get ‘Gorau Glas’ Soufflé, Menai Sea Bass, Cemaes Lobster or Crab, Anglesey Rack of Lamb, Free Range comfit of Duck, cardamom panacotta and much more, and always a selection of Welsh farmhouse cheeses followed by coffee and handmade petit fours. Another attraction is the location, with views from the south facing terrace and the dining and drawing room across the Anglesey countryside to the panoramic Snowdonia Mountain range are spectacular. Penmynydd has fascinating connections with the Tudor Monarchy whose ancestors tombs can be seen in the adjacent ancient church where they worshipped centuries ago. For further details or to make a booking, please contact Neuadd Lwyd, Ynys Mon, Anglesey, LL61 5BX. Tel 01248-715005.
"The 2000 square kilometre Snowdonia National Park is a must-see. Named after Snowdon, its highest peak at 1085 metres, the park offers some of the best climbing, walking and mountain biking in the UK. The less active can view spectacular scenery on the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway.
On Sunday 22 October 2006, the Observer newspaper, in an "Escape Guide" introduced an article entitled "20 Great British Hotels" with 'Now in its 30th year The Good Hotel Guide continues to be the leading independent guide to the best hotels in Britain and Ireland, with 600 impartial reviews. Editor Desmond Balmer selects some personal favourites from the new edition... NEUADD LWYD. PENMYNYDD
On Sunday,December 3rd 2006, in the Sunday Times Travel section, Adam Raphael in an article entitled "Raphael's Choice - 10 hotels on the way up" wrote;- NEUADD LWYD, PENMYNYDD
On Saturday 8 April 2006, Marred Glyn Jones in her article "Rectory ResulTection" reported on the episode of S4C's series "04 Wal" which was scheduled for televising the following Wednesday. She wrote;- Honoured guest Aled Samuel makes full use of the facilities on offer including the luxury bathrobe! After snooping in every nook and cranny in the house he was last seen waxing lyrical about a stunning French bed. "There's nothing better than being swallowed by the luxury of such a wonderful bed", he muses while laying back amidst the plump pillows.
Shortly after opening in July 2005 in an article in "The Chronicle" that was headed "New lease of life for Rectory", Prime Cymru's Client Advisor for Gwynedd and Anglesey, Gwilym Roberts, was quoted as saying ' Susannah's eye for detail both in the kitchen as a cook and as a host means that people can enjoy both a relaxing and friendly break at Neuadd Lwyd. Her efforts and commitment in developing the venture are to be congratulated, and I am sure the hotel will soon become a gem on the tourist map of North Wales".
On Thursday 11 August 2005 in "The Times" of London. Tony Dawe recommended Neuadd Lwyd as 'A new country-house hotel on Anglesey. converted from a Victorian rectory and with views of Snowdonia'. At the same time Neuadd Lwyd |
