The Angel in Wales

The Angel Hotel (15 Cross St., Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, NP7 5EN, U.K.; phone 01873-857121) is a great hotel located in the market town of Abergavenny. My wife, Rose, and I were introduced to the Angel by our English friends Betty and Alan Madden, who stayed with us there in May ’09.

The Angel is a rather plain-looking building at one end of the main street. It’s old, and the floors are a bit uneven and creaky at times. There are 32 rooms, large but not lavish, with en suite facilities and wonderful beds. It has a wonderful pub with paneled walls.

For two nights’ lodging plus two breakfasts and one dinner, each couple paid £230 (near $340).

The best part of staying at the Angel was the food. For breakfast, we could choose different fruits, cereals and yoghurts and then order from a menu offering a full Welsh breakfast, omelets with fresh salmon or even smoked haddock with poached eggs. It was just wonderful.

But dinner was better. For starters, we had many choices, such as a large salad, leek soup or a plate of local meats and sausages. We each ordered a different entrée and shared; it was hard to know which was best. Rose had scallops and I had grilled lamb chops done to perfection.

Add in delicious chocolate desserts and it was one of the best meals I have ever had.

JOE PHELAN

Lincoln, CA