Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire has won Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s ‘Hotel of the Year’ award for 2023.

Founders Neil and Zoe Kedward of five-star, boutique country house hotel, Grove of Narberth said they were delighted to be awarded their first major international hotel award last week.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s™ (SLH) ‘Hotel of the Year’ Award was presented to them last week at the SLH Conference at the Puerto Romano Hotel in Marbella, attended by over 300 hoteliers, corporate partners, travel media and industry luminaries from across the globe.

SLH is a community of independently minded travellers and independently spirited hotels across the world. Grove of Narberth is one of 540 hotels in the consortia across more than 90 countries.

As the overall winner from the SLH hotel portfolio, Grove of Narberth was also awarded $2,000 to plant trees with Tree Nation, to start their own forest.

Award winners are judged on their annual mystery inspector's report score, customer feedback across all platforms, hotel sustainability, and engagement with the SLH brand.

Grove of Narberth’s inspector report scored 98.8% and its customer feedback scores and engagement with SLH were all exemplary, whilst their commitment to sustainability in every aspect of the hotel is sincere.

In announcing Grove of Narberth as the winner, SLH shared that what Neil and Zoe have achieved is remarkable, and Grove exemplifies everything that is great about independent hotels.

The story of growing the hotel from a derelict unloved country house to one of the finest country house hotels in the world is a true inspiration for independent hotel operators everywhere.

Neil Kedward, Founder and Chief Executive of the Seren Collection said: “Everybody plays a part in our ongoing success across Seren in so many ways, but Grove is where it all started and so this award in particular brings great joy to Zoe and I.

“Our warmest congratulations to Grove of Narberth Hotel manager, Karen Weisheit, and her entire team.

“I know they're over the moon to have been acknowledged by one of the leading international hotel consortia – for sure it’s one of our proudest and most humbling moments in our 15 years of operating.”

Grove of Narberth is a lovingly restored, independent country house hotel, idyllically set in the heart of Pembrokeshire and nestled in the rolling hills of Narberth to offer an intimate countryside escape.

As part of family-owned hospitality business Seren, people and community are at the centre of all that Grove of Narberth do.

Staff are on hand to offer an unrivalled guest experience throughout each stay, leaving guests to focus on nothing but precious moments with their loved ones.

Grove of Narberth’s tranquil setting is just one of the many alluring elements which makes the property perfect for a relaxing British escape.

With 25 individually designed rooms and suites that boast a seamless blend of Welsh heritage and modernity, in close proximity to the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, guests of Grove of Narberth can lose themselves in all that this picture perfect, rural destination has to offer.

Guests can also enjoy fine-dining at the 4 AA Rosette restaurant Fernery for a special dining experience to accompany their relaxing retreat to the Welsh countryside.