At Llangoed Hall I slept like a queen – and in the end smelled and shod like one.

The luxury British country house hotel in the Wye River valley amid the Black Mountains in mid-Wales near Brecon has hosted the Clintons, the Clooneys and Prince Charles. A letter of thanks from him hangs in the Great Hall, along with a letter from former British Prime Minister John Major.

Entrance to Llangoed Hall

The standouts are never far away. They are on every corner. I spent a lot of time in the shower with a famous Cornish man. When I emerged, in the oak-paneled library and along the colonnaded gallery of the classic Jacobean mansion, I was surrounded by “real modern dandies and brave women who knew how to forge their own path.”

Although they weren't aware of it.

Every step around Llangoed Hall (sacred meeting place) is a step into history.

Step into the shower or your bath and you'll meet William Penhaligon, Queen Victoria's Cornish court hairdresser, who invented the Blenheim Bouquet for the Duke of Marlborough in 1902 and was rewarded by royal appointment with the appointment of Manufacturer of Toiletries.
The royal family has issued over 850 royal warrants. There is a royal chimney sweep and even a royally approved manufacturer of “corsetry, lingerie and lingerie.”

Lounge area with the famous Laura Ashley fabric

For a riverside walk in Llangoed, choose your Her Majesty's Appointment footwear from a selection of Hunter Monarch boots. The bed linen in the hotel is the same as in the Crown Estates. The cushion covers are filled with feathers from Sandringham ducks, the bathtubs and toilet cisterns are from Chadder and Co, the porcelain tea sets are from Caverswall, the bathrobes are from Mitre, the retro radios are from Robinson's. , the carpets from “Brintons” and the stationery from only the very best – “Smythsons”.

The hotel is an art gallery. It features – discreetly – a collection of nineteen “Whistler” lithographs (1888-1902), as well as works by Andrew Melville, Wiliam Sickert, John Duncan Ferguson, Albert Lynch and Tenbys Augustus John.

The hotel is a popular wedding and honeymoon venue. Honeymooners often return. The couples are transported in a Rolls Royce, which was given to the Queen Mother for the birth of Elizabeth, Princess of York (the Queen). The whiskey decanter is appropriately empty. A Bentley, which once belonged to the Duke of York, is also available for events.

GM Calum Milne, a relative of AA, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, says: “If it’s good enough for the Queen, it should be good enough for anyone!”

The new owners have invested in renovating what previous owner Sir Bernard Ashley wanted to describe as “a home in the country”. Janet in the dining room tells a story about how Sir Bernard (who died in 2009) asked his butler to bring his shotgun. He immediately turned the television when Arthur Scargill appeared. Calum says, “We won’t see his kind again.”

The former Fusilier and Gurkha Army officer, an engineer and pilot (model trains sit on window ledges and “Airfix” Spitfires hang from the ceiling), married Laura Mountney (née Ashley) in 1949 after meeting her at a London youth club had. Ashley was born Merthyr Tydfil in Dowlas, the daughter of a civil servant.

As a Royal Navy Wren, she began doodling designs for headscarves, napkins, placemats and tea towels. The couple set up a printing company and in 1953 the ultimate cottage industry – Laura Ashley fabrics – was born.

Llangoed Hall is also a veritable art gallery

2015 marks the 90th anniversary of Laura Ashley's birthday and the 30th anniversary of her death. The Ashley family moved to Wales in 1961. The factory was originally based at the social club in Carno, Montgomeryshire (where both are buried), and moved to the village's railway station.

In 1966 Laura produced her first dress. In 1974 she opened stores in Paris and San Francisco. At the time of her death, the company had 220 stores in 12 countries. Their first store at 35 Maengwyn Road in Machynlleth, west Wales, is still open.

Suites at the 17-acre, 23-room Powys Hotel are named after the Ashley family's homes in Machynlleth, Rhydoldog, Paultons, their home in Brussels, Treveraux, the family castle in Picardy and Lyford in the Bahamas.

In a simple frame along the corridor of the Paultons master deluxe suite in Llangoed is the first object designed by Laura Ashley – a striped apron (1950). Room 7 is a tribute to her flock.

The motto of the former owners, the Christy clan, hangs above the fireplace in the hotel's lounge: “Sic Viresco” – “Flourishing”.

The hall was probably the seat of the first Welsh Parliament, whose origins date back to 560 AD. It was an episcopal estate. It belonged to a prominent hatter and was once lost in a card game during the time of the “Regency Hellfire Club”.

In 1912 it was remodeled by Clough Williams-Ellis before he founded the quirky Italian village of Portmeiron in North Wales. Work on Llangoed's 'majestic chimney outline' was completed in 1919. Sir Bernard Ashley bought it in 1987 and converted it into a hotel in 1990.

Llangoed is ideally and idyllicly located for visiting the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Elan Valley, where Barnes Wallis tested his jump bombs before the Dambusters attack in 1943. Also Llandrindod Wells (the town hosts the Victorian Festival and Old Things exhibitions in August), Hay on Wye (the literary festival takes place in May), Brecon (jazz festival in August) and the site of the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells Here you can watch the pony sales and bid at auction for your own speckled-face breeding sheep. Wales' only distillery, Penderyn, is also not far away.

But Llangoed is the right place to stay.

Under chandeliers, enjoy infused petit fours, beetroot and macaroon bites, homemade cheese with quince paste, homemade scones, 'Bra Brith' (Welsh speckled or speckled currant bread), elderflower champagne, Llangoed chicken truffle eggs and Miss Milligan's signature and very Bespoke egg and watercress sandwiches.

All that chintz, all that high life and sophistication, the four-poster beds and fine valances, the crystal tableware, the free sherry in a decanter in your room, the Frambuie in your porridge, the Camden Town group and the Slade School on the walls, the gouache and gum arabic, the thin wash, the aquatint on vellum paper, the famous bohemians, Scottish colorists, the masters of the “Blottesque” and the Glasgow Boys.
And all royal warrants.

And the Laura-Ashley connection.

Llangoed Hall, named Best Hotel of the Year in the UK and Ireland 2014 by the AA, is enough to drive any sensible person to Paisley.
And monarchist.
To boot.

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Many Californians would love to stay in a luxury hotel during a trip, but not everyone can afford it.

Luckily, CashNetUSA compiled a list of the cheapest luxury hotels in each state that are perfect for anyone’s next vacation.

This is the top rated fast food chain in California

Researchers were able to identify the cheapest luxury hotel one-night stay rates by searching Hotel.com. The hotels included in the study each had the same proposed check-in and out dates.

When information regarding the cheapest five-star hotel wasn’t available, four-star hotel rates were included instead.

In California, the lowest-priced luxury hotel is the Mansion of Sutter in San Francisco, and a one-night stay at the five-star hotel will cost $261, according to the finance website.

While there are plenty of cheaper hotel stay alternatives in the Golden State, hotel guests at Mansion of Sutter can enjoy free WIFI throughout the property, a pool, a 24-hour gym, concierge services, and travel and tourism assistance, along with other perks .

The study found that the cheapest luxury hotel rate was at a DoubleTree by Hilton Deadwood at Cadillac Jack’s in South Dakota. One-night rates there were only $73, according to the study.

The most expensive rate was found at a Four Seasons Resort in Jackson, Wyoming. A one night stay would cost $2,805.

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The developer and OCM property owner, Kilroy Realty Corporation, has a constellation of high-end commercial and residential properties throughout the Bay Area, Washington, the greater Los Angeles area, San Diego and Texas. While Bay Area representatives didn’t respond to SFGATE’s questions about specific development plans at OCM, its website shows that it is planning on building a 3 million-square-foot office and retail space right where the modest boat community is located. The five-phase, 50-acre project, Kilroy Oyster Point, boasts plans to erect a dozen buildings including an “urban village” with an outdoor meeting space and amphitheater, conference center and “amenity building.”

KPIX says that the corporate developer served notices to longtime OCM residents on June 16, 2022.

“As a part of our planning for the neighborhood, we are currently re-evaluating the long-term use of the marina and intend to terminate all OCM leases on October 15, 2022,” the notice reportedly said. “We will not be providing return rights of any kind to existing tenants of OCM.”

Meanwhile, the “liveaboard” residents—all of whom are reportedly on fixed incomes—must leave by then or face eviction. Even though Kilroy offered a $10,000 relocation payment to those who sign the agreement within two weeks, longtime OCM resident Matt Klein and his neighbor, Lucia Lachmayr, told the outlet that it’s still “devastating” to the community.

“We are going to be left homeless,” Klein told KPIX. “We were given a very, very swift notice after very little warning.”

“It’s a huge, not just an endeavor, but it’s a life change for people who have been here for decades,” Lachmayr told the station. “It’s basically saying, here, go somewhere far, far away, and just uproot your life.”

The city of South San Francisco is reportedly asking Kilroy to accommodate the boat residents by extending their time to leave, if needed. In response, a Kilroy spokesperson issued the following written statement to SFGATE:

“As the Oyster Point development moves forward, we are re-evaluating the long-term use of the marina. As a result, we will be requiring existing boat owners to relocate,” it says.

“We understand the uncertainty that these changes will introduce to our boat owners, which is why we are working with them to make their transition as painless as possible. We are providing all boat owners with four months to prepare for their next move, while offering We will continue to offer our support to these boat owners throughout this process and look forward to working with them collaboratively as we prepare for the next phase of Oyster Point.”

KPIX says that 11 out of 14 residents have accepted the $10,000 and the deadline to accept has been extended to July 31.

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“It’s going to be a big community. We range from independent, to assistant living, to memory care. We dedicated a support and care team trained through the Mayo clinic,” said Michael Pounsberry, Coterie Cathedral Hill’s General Manager.

Located at 1001 Van Ness Ave the Coterie Cathedral Hill luxury senior complex is three months from opening its doors.

RELATED: Rent will cost up to $27,000 a month at new and luxurious senior living complex in SF

“Welcome to Coterie Cathedral Hill. We are right now standing in our 3,500 square foot living room and library space. It’s a beautifully designed space with hardwood floors, white oak throughout and accents of brass and leather,” said Tansy Mak, Related Companies Design Manager.

Waiting to move into one of the 208 units is Jim Meehan.

Luz Pena: “What was it about this specific community that attracted you here?”

Jim Meehan: “I’m in excellent health, but I live alone and I’ve reached the age where it’s sort of prudent for me to have assistance available, if I need it. I’m also looking forward to being part of a community of people.”

Residents will have access to an on-site nursing and wellness team.

“A lot of safety programs here at the property as well. We even have a watch called ‘Care Predict’ so residents will have a two-way communication should they need any assistance,” said Pounsberry.

WATCH: Inside a $27 million San Francisco mansion

The units are on a month-to-month basis, ranging from $7,700 for a studio and more than $17,000 for a two bedroom.

“That price is all inclusive. Everything you see here at Coterie Cathedral Hill. We’ll have a concierge team downstairs, we’ll have 24 hour security. That includes transportation for our residents also in a 5 mile range of the city,” said Pounsberry.

Food and utilities are also included, “Michelin-inspired cuisine. Over five dining options throughout the community,” said Pounsberry.

The 14 story building is built by the two national developers Related and Atria Senior Living. This San Francisco location is the first of its kind, followed by a second location in New York City.

RELATED: SF tennis community outraged over real estate developer’s revision plan to not rebuild sports club

“We have 25,000 square feet of amenities which is amazing,” said Mak and added, “We have a fitness center with an outdoor pool, which is unique for San Francisco. It has a yoga room, fitness equipment. We also have a 6,000 square foot roof deck with a bocce ball and a pet run for all of our pet guests and BBQ’s throughout.”

Luz Pena: “How did San Francisco inspire some of the rooms here?”

Michael Pounsberry: “Now we are staying in the beautiful cocktail lounge. This is actually called Karl after Karl the fog.”

The luxury complex will open March 1st, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 KGO-TV. All rights reserved.

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Prices run to $27,000 per month for a two bedroom unit on Coterie Cathedral Hill in Van Ness and O’Farrell.

Studios start at $8,000 per month.

The 208-unit complex includes amenities such as Michelin-starred meals, which residents can enjoy 24-hours a day in the restaurant or in their room.

There are also health facilities, a fitness center, heated pools, a movie theater, a hair salon, and more.

WATCH: Inside a $27 million San Francisco mansion

Copyright © 2022 KGO-TV. All rights reserved.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A 58-story luxury apartment building in San Francisco continues to sink, tilting at about 3 inches a year. The engineer responsible for repairing the problematic building says that without a repair, the luxury building’s incline could reach a pitch of 40 inches, which would be the point at which the elevators and plumbing would potentially stop working. KNTV-TV reports that the engineer told the San Francisco board of directors in an updated hearing last week that the building remains safe and that installing 18 steel piles on bedrock is the best way to stop the tilt and possibly one reverse part of it.

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SAN FRANCISCO – A 58-story luxury San Francisco apartment building continues to sink, sloping about 3 inches per year.

Construction of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco began in 2005 and was completed in 2009. According to Curbed San Francisco, the tower is the sixth tallest building in the city. But since construction was completed, officials say the building is sloped about 26 inches to the north and west where it was originally built.

“We’re starting this New Year 2022 as we ended last year and many other years, with the Millennium Tower continuing to fall and tilt,” City Mayor Aaron Peskin said before a recent meeting on KNTV-TV in San Francisco.

The engineer in charge of repairing the problematic building says that without a repair, the luxury building’s slope could reach a slope of 40 inches, which would be the point where the elevators and plumbing may stop working.

KNTV reports that the engineer told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in an update hearing last week that the building would remain secure and that installing 18 steel piles in the bedrock is the best way to stop and potentially part of the tipping of turning back.

“The building continues to rise at a rate of about half an inch per year and lean at a rate of about three inches per year,” he said, according to KNTV. “It does this whether we are working on the site or not. The building will remain secure, but while the building will remain secure, we believe the project needs to resume construction and complete this construction quickly.”

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SAN FRANCISCO – A 58-story luxury San Francisco apartment building continues to sink, sloping about three inches per year, said the engineer in charge of repairing the troubled building.

At the current pace with no fix, the Millennium Tower could reach a 40-inch (1 meter) slope in just a few years, which would be the point where the elevators and plumbing may stop working, said Ron Hamburger, the technician.

Hamburger told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in an update hearing last week that the building would remain secure and that installing 18 steel piles underground was the best way to stop the tipping and possibly reverse some of it, reported KNTV TV.

“The building continues to rise at a rate of about half an inch a year and lean at a rate of about three inches a year,” he told supervisors last week. “It does this whether we work on site or not.”

The Millennium Tower opened with fanfare in 2009 and all 419 apartments sold out quickly. Celebrity residents included former San Francisco 49er Joe Montana, late venture capitalist Tom Perkins, and San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.

But by 2016, the building had sunk four inches into the soft ground and landfill of San Francisco’s dense financial district. It was also sloped, creating a 5 cm slope at the base and a 6 inch (15 cm) slope at the top. Local residents sued the developer and designers.

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Posted: Jan 10, 2022 / 12:17 PM PST
/ Updated: Jan 10, 2022 / 12:17 PM PST

This September 26, 2016 photo shows the Millennium Tower in San Francisco. (AP Photo / Eric Risberg, File)

The Millennium Tower in San Francisco continues to sink, leaning about three inches a year, said the engineer in charge of repairing the troubled building.

Ron Hamburger said the luxury building’s slenderness at the current speed could reach a 40-inch slope, which would be the point where the elevators and plumbing might stop working, in just a few years without repair.

Hamburger told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in an update hearing last week that the building would remain secure and that installing 18 steel piles underground was the best way to stop the tipping and possibly reverse some of it, reported KNTV TV.

“The building continues to rise at a rate of about half an inch a year and lean at a rate of about three inches a year,” he told supervisors last week. “It does this regardless of whether we work on site or not.”

The 58-story tower opened to fanfare in 2009 and all 419 apartments quickly sold out. High profile residents included former San Francisco 49er Joe Montana, late venture capitalist Tom Perkins, and Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.

But by 2016, the building had sunk four inches into the soft ground and landfill of San Francisco’s dense financial district. It was also sloped, creating a 5 cm slope at the base and a 6 inch (15 cm) slope at the top. Local residents sued the developer and designers.

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The post Sinking San Francisco luxurious high-rise tilting 3 inches per yr, engineer says appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The Millennium Tower in San Francisco continues to sink, leaning about three inches per year, said the engineer in charge of repairing the troubled building.

Ron Hamburger said the luxury building’s slenderness at the current speed could reach a 40-inch slope, which would be the point where the elevators and plumbing might stop working, in just a few years without repair.

Hamburger told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in an update hearing last week that the building would remain secure and that installing 18 steel piles underground was the best way to stop the tipping and possibly reverse some of it, reported KNTV TV.

“The building continues to rise at a rate of about half an inch a year and lean at a rate of about three inches a year,” he told supervisors last week. “It does this whether we work on site or not.”

The 58-story tower opened to fanfare in 2009 and all 419 apartments quickly sold out. High profile residents included former San Francisco 49er Joe Montana, late venture capitalist Tom Perkins, and Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.

But by 2016, the building had sunk four inches into the soft ground and landfill of San Francisco’s dense financial district. It was also sloped, creating a 5 cm slope at the base and a 6 inch (15 cm) slope at the top. Local residents sued the developer and designers.

The post San Francisco luxurious high-rise tilting 3 inches per 12 months appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.