Decided to stay at this hotel as a stopover on a trip to West Wales. Having read the reviews it seemed ideal, although after confirming my booking and asking what time last orders for food was, I was told they no longer did evening meals, just breakfast. We arrived about 5pm with the place locked up and no obvious signs of life. On making our way to what turned out to be the main entrance of the building, not particularly well signposted, we were met by Peter, the owner. We were given a warm welcome and Peter took my wifes case and led us to our room. It was exactly why we love to stay at such old inns for short breaks. It had the most wondrous view, quirky but large room, clean and tidy and well stocked. The sound of the stream babbling down by the side of the building on a beautiful warm sunny evening really set the tone for a relaxing stay. We drove the short distance into Hay On Wye for a delightful evening meal, then headed back to the inn for a nightcap. We had a most entertaining couple of hours with Peter and a couple of the locals who regaled us with some great stories. In no time we felt like locals ourselves.Peter explained his reasons for discontinuing evening meals, both the sheer scale of competition, some 12 food pubs in the local area, allied to the fact that he is indeed looking to close the pub as a going concern and sell up, pending approval by the local authorities.
After a wonderful nights sleep we were treated to a superb breakfast that set us up for the day . All in all we had a wonderful stay, and its such a shame this magnificent old building may soon be seeing its last paying customers. Thanks Peter, you were a wonderful host.

We booked this at the very last minute, just an hour before we left home. We arrived to a very picturesqe old building, with a note on the door saying the restaurant was closed, no mention of this on the website.
Snug bar with log fire, bdrooms comfy ans spacious with lots of storage, but very dated. The bathroom had carpet, no shower and the hot water was just a tiny trickle, it took almost 10 minutes to fill the sink, so a bath was out of the question. The breakfast was excellent. On googling the hotel owner, it seems he wants to turn the house into a private dwelling and is in dispute with the local council, perhaps this explains some of the problems.

This was the fourth time we have stopped at the RhydSpence and it never fails to impress. We got engaged at the Rhydspence in 2006 and try to get back every year.

The rooms are always warm, clean and well looked after, the food is always wonderful and the beer is always well kept.

Peter the landlord/Owner is the very definition of charming and efficiently.

The Rhydspence is always my first choice when staying the Hay on Wye area..............

Mark and Amanda Davies

The inn is steeped in history, and clean comfortable.Anyone looking for 21st century fixtures and fittings will be disappointed, but for me the room and ensuite were perfectly adequate for the property. The purpose for my stay was to visit historic sites and buildings in the Hrefordshire/Wales border region. Peter was extremely helpful in suggesting many locations that I had not been aware of prior to arriving.
With regard to food I found it excellent quality, and good value for money. The ambience in the bar was very comfortable, and all the visitors were very happy to enter into conversation about anything and everything. I will certainly return, and have already recommended the Inn to many of my friends