Newsletter 2009: The Book of Lloyds

Click to view the photos accompanying this year's newsletter.

Words on our 2009 Christmas card courtesy of Bruce, a neighbour, calligraphy by Stephanie, a friend of regular guests, and in this flyer, the four seasons in mid-Wales and a winter view of Lloyds taken from what was Llanidloes's railway station, presented by local photographers Adrian, Mike and Richard (full credits are with our contact details).

As we enter our 18th year as hoteliers and restaurateurs (terms even VisitWales cannot prevent us using), three thoughts come to mind: retirement - health permitting, that won't be until after the younger of us, Tom, turns 65, in 2015; when and what further improvements we should make to our facilities for guests and the building; and how to get Cringoed Bach, our cottage near Llanerfyl comfortable to live in and welcoming to guests. Little serious work has been done there since we took over Lloyds in late 1992, and an added urgency has come from news of applications for five windfarms in the vicinity, so that the silence and views of nothing but valleys and distant hills we fell in love with when we bought the property 25 years ago, are likely to be spoiled by some 125 turbines. Our immediate response has been to plant even more trees, to block the views we had deliberately left open, and reduce the impact of noise, but when advance bookings are quiet at Lloyds, we are going to have to spend more time working at the cottage.

Improvements for 2010

During our closure in 2010 (from 10 January to 19 March), our plans include entirely refurbishing the sitting room; replacing the bath of the first floor single, room 3, with a walk-in shower; redecorating and replacing the carpets in rooms 3 and the first floor double, room 2; and replacing more of the televisions with wall-mounted sets. We have also some external work to do to maintain the fabric of the building. Our holiday this winter will be short, mostly in Scotland to visit friends.

Our tariff for 2010

Bed & breakfast for two people in a twin or double £72; superior twin or double £80;
family (double + adjoining single) £87.
... for one person.- £44 in a single; £50 in a double/twin; £57 in a superior double/twin.
Our five-course dinner £37 per person, pre-booking essential with details of any dislikes so that we can avoid them on your no-choice menu.
Our special break for two people staying and dining two nights or more in a twin or double room £132 per night, £140 in a superior double/twin (saving about 9 percent).

Our accommodation

We have seven bedrooms to accommodate up to 12 guests. On the first floor (reached by 14 narrow and quite steep stairs) are two singles (Rm 3 with walk-in shower, Rm 4 bath with overhead shower), a superior twin (Rm 1) and a superior double (Rm 2), each with walk-in shower. On the second floor (12 further steps), we have a twin (Rm 5) and double (Rm 6), each with bath and hand-held shower, and a superior double (Rm 7), which has a roll-top bath and walk-in shower. For partners staying with one child, the second floor double (Rm 6) becomes a family room by opening up the adjacent small single room. The double rooms have king-size beds, the twins have 4ft wide beds (ie two small doubles), and the singles metric width beds. The twins and singles are routinely made up with sheets and blankets, the doubles with duvets, but with advance notice, alternative bedding and non-allergenic duvets are provided. All street-facing windows on the bedroom floors have secondary glazing.

Our dining experience

We offer dinner any night, but only when booked in advance, and sometimes cannot, either because other evenings are so busy, or we are already full, or the need to meet VAT deadlines, or simply because we must have some rest evenings to be able to do what we do.

We ask guests to assemble at around 7.30 for pre-dinner drinks, and for Tom to describe the menu, so that any wines can be chosen. The meal service starts soon after 8, proceeding at a leisurely pace. On most evenings, it is somewhere between 11 and midnight (or later for those who wish) before guests are ready to retire or leave for home.

Roy decides the menu on the day, avoiding what diners have told us they dislike or cannot eat, choosing what is good from the nearby organic vegetable shop and other local suppliers, and endeavouring to come up with dishes that will surprise and delight both returning and new guests. No menu is exactly repeated.

From our 2009 Guestbook

Fabulous evening! We felt nourished, relaxed and pampered!
Hattie & John, Llanidloes, October

So appreciate the lengths that you go to for your guests. Well I say guests, you feel much more like family - Lloyds is very special.
Julia & Reg, Ashley, October

Long may we continue to visit you - you cannot retire yet! Thank you also to the ladies who help you - always so pleasant and nothing too much trouble.
Ruth & Gwen, Rugeley, October

Awesome food and lovely hospitality.
 Sandy & John, Georgia, USA, October

Perfect for our 'double' celebration. The 'children' were utterly charmed. The Tom and Roy experience never fails.
Tim & Julia & family, Newbury, September

... the beautiful duvet, the fresh milk in my bedroom, the wonderful shower -quite the best ever, Roy's delicious meals. Never have I been so spoilt.
Sheila, Norwich, September

A super way to celebrate one's 70th birthday.  Elegant, comfortable, relaxing surroundings. Delicious food superbly cooked and presented by Roy and charmingly served by Tom, surrounded by family and special friends.
Beryl & Martin, Bury, August

Heard between walkers on Offa's Dyke, "It's worth doing Glyndwr's Way if only for the experience of staying at Lloyds".
Reported by Gill & Garry, Dereham, July

Your standard of hospitality and the wonderful food are still 110%. Your menus are always so imaginative, Roy.
Maureen & Roger, Standbridge, June

At Lloyds you have created something unique and very special. Hospitality at such a personal level with food and drink to match  is utterly beguiling.
James & Fiona, Amersham, May

How good it was to return to Lloyds, you make us so welcome. You both work so hard at providing "effortless" service.
Jenny, Broomhill, May

I don't think that there was anything which could have been better. So I want you to give yourselves a big pat on the back.
Sheila, Sutton, April

One day back in the real world and we wish we weren't. Everything was fantastic: the room, the bathroom (oh, I loved the bath!!), the wonderful meal. Actually, we haven't stopped talking about it since.
Andrea & Nell, Saddleworth, April

You make us feel so special, as if we are your only customers.
Pauline & Bryan, Wolverhampton, March

As I dragged my weary limbs up and down hills on Glyndwr's Way, I thought of the delicious meal Roy was cooking for us and my step got lighter and my blister almost stopped hurting.
Marjorie & Peter, Shrewsbury, March

We always look forward to and enjoy our visits mainly because of your keen, close and personal attention to our comfort and well-being.
Kit & Ann, Church Stretton, March