You only need to take a quick peek at the website to know that this is one very special, very different place, Upper Gelli is a lodge, painted an arresting shade of blue, set in green rolling border country near Welshpool.
Within, it’s quirky, inventive and eminently luxurious, with a living space that mixes (and nicely matches) a chandelier with state-of-the-art woodburning stove, creamy slatted wood walls with contemporary furnishings. There’s also a high-spec, high-end kitchen.
The two bedrooms – with comfy brass beds – are vintage styled to give a chic yet homely feel, and can be configured as two twins or two super kings. A lot of thought has gone into Upper Gelli and the comfort of its guests. You’ll be greeted with a complimentary basket of local produce, enjoy luxury Welsh toiletries and beauty products, and be able to peruse books and maps. It doesn’t end there.
Ros and Gary will be only too happy to advise on the local food, wine, art and music scene, local events and walking routes. They will even put you in touch with beauty salons, spas and a personal chef. Upper Gelli, once part of a working dairy farm, is surrounded by acres of undulating hills, vales and woods. Its terrace is the perfect place to ‘stand (or sit) and stare’, in the words of the famous poem by WH Davies. Or enjoy a soak in the hot tub. As you do, you may well catch site of red kites.
A new addition to Upper Gelli in 2015 are two luxury Shepherd's Huts. This unique accommodation has a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room and a log burning stove as well as a compact kitchen and dining area which is available as a self catering or B&B basis.
Directions
By train
Please make prior arrangements with Ros to pick you up from the train station.
By car
Take the A458 out of Welshpool towards Dolgellau for approximately five miles. After the signpost for Cyfronydd take the turning on the right into Gelli Lane.
If you are using sat nav it might tell you that you have arrived when you reach Lower Gelli Farm. Ignore it ! Keep driving up the hill around a couple of sharp bends and you will reach Upper Gelli.
The main house, a cream and brown building, will be on your left. The entrance to the parking area is just past the house through a five bar gate on the left hand side of the road.