A \u00a33 million transformation of a former Carmarthenshire care home has created 55 jobs with the launch of a luxury country hotel.<\/p>\n
Andrea and Tudur Williams have poured their hearts into turning the historic Y Seren (The Star) property in Llangunnor into a 23-bed boutique hotel and restaurant.<\/p>\n
The venture has been backed by award-winning Harlech Foodservice whose team is supporting the couple as the ambitious business gets off the ground.<\/p>\n
The redevelopment has written a new chapter for the landmark building which dates back to the 1890s.<\/p>\n
According to Andrea, the new hotel has got off to a flying start after it opened in December, with strong demand already for weddings, family celebrations and special events.<\/p>\n
She said the glowing feedback from guests has made all the long hours and challenges of transforming the former care home into a luxury hotel worthwhile.<\/p>\n
\u201cCreating the hotel and restaurant was a big decision, but it was something that we really wanted to do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really is nothing like this around here and it is in such a beautiful location.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have poured our hearts and souls into this project; we\u2019ve put everything we\u2019ve got into it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd since Christmas and New Year we have been so busy, which is wonderful, it is a huge relief that people have been coming and they really like it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have created the decor to make it really welcoming and cosy because we didn\u2019t want it to feel pretentious at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted everyone to feel welcome when they walk in, whether you\u2019re wearing a pair of joggers or you\u2019re in a smart suit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reaction from guests has been wonderful – many of the visitors have asked me if I am a designer, I have had a few requests asking for me to go and design their houses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrea said they had received vital support from Harlech Foodservice and its territory account manager Kimberley Williams.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThey are very helpful and I have got to say Kim herself is really lovely.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarlech are very approachable, very helpful and they have been supplying us from the very start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kimberley Williams praised Andrea and Tudur for their determination in turning their vision into a reality and said it had been a pleasure to support the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a lovely couple and it is such a privilege to have played a part in their ambition to turn the property into the beautiful hotel and restaurant that they have created,\u201d said Kimberly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have done an absolutely brilliant job, ensuring that every detail reflects warmth, elegance, and a welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been so impressed by what they have done with the property, they haven\u2019t missed any little detail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rooms are stunning, the restaurant is beautiful, and the food is gorgeous – they have just thought of everything, it\u2019s really lovely.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe property is a lovely bit of history and it\u2019s so nice that they have chosen Harlech to be a part of their journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been supplying them since they opened at the beginning of December so we\u2019ve been part of their journey from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n
The business is family-orientated, with Andrea\u2019s daughter Amy, 31, the assistant manager and her son Tommy, 23, assisting with IT and event management.<\/p>\n
Andrea was delighted to be able to provide employment for local people.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe have created 55 jobs, and the roles are everything you need for a hotel and restaurant – front of house, housekeepers, reception staff, kitchen staff, restaurant servers, bar staff – everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmy and I spent about three weeks solid interviewing staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur kitchen team is led by head chef Navi Mudaly, who is originally from South Africa and who is very highly trained and who has great experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe compliments we get for his food are just never-ending – people say he does the best steak in the area!\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrea said the name Y Seren was chosen to honour some local history, as there was once a public house called The Star Inn less than 55 metres away from the hotel\u2019s driveway.<\/p>\n
The property began life as a grand Victorian country house and was the home of the Prosser family.<\/p>\n
Its most famous occupant was David Prosser, who was Bishop of St David\u2019s from 1928 to 1951 and Archbishop of Wales from 1944 to 1949.<\/p>\n
The building first became a hotel in 1979, before closing in 1984 to become Brynderwen care home.<\/p>\n
Andrea explained she and Tudur first met after he became the owner of the care home.<\/p>\n
Tudur at that time owned two other care homes and was looking to invest in a third site.<\/p>\n
Andrea said: \u201cI\u2019m a nurse and this was a care home, so I came to work here as the manager in 2011. Tudur then bought it and that was how we met.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we were running it as a care home for 14 years in his ownership and we got married and then about two years ago I had this crazy, silly idea to do this.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe closed the home in March 2024 and since then we\u2019ve been renovating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrea said as well as the hotel and restaurant, husband Tudur is still involved in the social care sector, and is the owner of a care home in Henllan, Llandysul.<\/p>\n
Andrea said while the work to create the hotel rooms, restaurant and bar and snug area was now complete, finishing touches were being made to the outside and to an extension which will be used for weddings and events.<\/p>\n
A terrace is being created and landscaping works are underway, with work set to be finished by the spring.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe know once the outside is done we are going to be inundated with weddings because we are having loads of inquiries now.<\/p>\n
Further work this year will also include the creation of a gym building and hot tub facility.<\/p>\n