He had thought that he was staying in a private house." Sir Bernard says that's just about the perfect compliment and he always quotes it as an example of what he hopes to achieve.He hasn't stinted, and even though the tariff is high it's hard to see, with a mere 23 rooms, how it can turn much of a profit. "I wouldn't say it was a spectacular success financially," he concedes, without sounding particularly bothered.Spurred on by the experience of Llangoed Hall, he bought two hotels in the US, one on Chesapeake Bay and the other, the Keswick, in Charlottesville, Virginia. But despite the fact that they made money, his heart didn't appear to be in them Not like Llangoed. Eventually, Jim Sherwood, the Sea Container and Orient Express man, made him an offer he couldn't refuse and he sold up.Sir Bernard visits Llangoed when he can He has a house up the Elan Valley near Rhayader "We farm there My brother lives there and the rest of the family," he says "I live in France and on my boat I love Wales but I'm not so keen on Welsh weather. I suffer from arthritis so I really like to be in warm places, which is where the boat is useful."A place the size of Llangoed doesn't really need heavy management so I tend to rotate it, rather like the old Polish monarchy It's more important to have really good department heads.
I draw a lot of inspiration from the Trust Houses of the old days, which were usually run by a husband-and-wife team That's the ideal. It's the sort of style you can't replicate, which is one reason why I'm not keen to expand. If you do then I think there's a danger that the spirit of the place starts to fall apart."There are rumours that a health spa may be built in the stables The owner sounds uncertain "Well I'm not sure about that. The staff seem to want it and if they do, well we'll talk about it and I'll listen to what they say.
But I'm not sure I'm all that keen on people sitting about in towelling robes. I hate seeing people jogging round hotels."Arthur Miller jogging before dinner? It's hard to picture. And it's probably not what Laura Ashley would have wished either. After all, Llangoed was her dream, too.Llangoed Hall, Llyswen, Brecon, Powys, Wales (tel: 01874 754525; www.llangoedhall ). A two-night break costs £210 per room per night, including dinner, bed and breakfast.Memo to Mr Clinton: here's what to do in Hay when you've had enough cultureSo far, the highlight of this year's Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival (24 May - 3 June) has been Bill Clinton's speech.
