THE Angel Hotel in Abergavenny has been crowned the Welsh hotel of the year in the 2020 edition of the Good Hotel Guide.

The four silver star-rated former coaching inn in Cross Street was one of 10 hotels to win the guide's prestigious Cesar awards for excellence.

Named after Cesar Ritz - founder of the famous Ritz hotels in London and Paris - these awards are dubbed 'the Oscars of the hotel industry' by the Good Hotel Guide.

"The very model of a town hotel, in the heart of Abergavenny, this family-run former Georgian coaching inn displays an inspiring collection of original artworks," the guide reads. "There is dining in the Foxhunter Bar and Oak Room restaurant – or head to Michelin-starred sister restaurant, The Walnut Tree.

"The famous afternoon tea offers delicious cakes and pastries from the hotel’s own bakery."

Some of the hotel's famous visitors include Hollywood star couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, who dropped in for a meal – steak and kidney pie – at the Angel in 1963.

Oscar-winner Gregory Peck was another star to dine at the hotel, according to the Angel's website. He and director John Houston visited the town on their way to Pembrokeshire to film Moby Dick.

Jo Nugent, marketing manager at the Angel Hotel, said: “We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award from The Good Hotel Guide and are honoured to be included in this year’s Cesar list.

“The whole team at The Angel work tirelessly to make the hotel a shining beacon of hospitality and this is great recognition of their daily efforts and enthusiasm.”