Situated in the beautiful Welsh countryside, just a five-minute stroll from the small picturesque town of Usk, you will find the stunning Glen-Yr-Afon House Hotel. We stepped through the door on a cold winter’s evening and were warmly greeted. The location had already set our expectations high, and an appetiser of smoked salmon and some sunflower seed, honey and apricot bread heightened them even further. Fortunately, the meal delivered. I started with the chef’s signature dish of smoked trout fillet and crab risotto with rarebit sauce. The flavoursome smoked trout was beautifully complemented by the sweet and creamy crab risotto. My partner ordered the king scallops and was delighted with them.

Next came a lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate before the main courses – Bwlch venison strip-loin steak with a fresh mixed wild mushroom and Madeira ragout, and Brecon 10oz rib-eye steak with beer-battered onion rings and peppercorn sauce. Both dishes were perfectly cooked. If you can manage dessert then you’ll find such delights as banoffee trifle, fudge cheesecake and a selection of local and Continental cheese. Nothing is too much trouble for the excellent staff here. And to make your visit to Glen-Yr-Afon House Hotel even more memorable, why not book into one of the 27 luxurious rooms? Each one is sumptuous and unique.