Latest news with #CésarAward
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Wales Online
The best hotels in Wales 2025
The best hotels in Wales 2025 Our picks for seriously lush stays in the city With its glorious views and elegant décor, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel has always been popular to enjoy a traditional afternoon or cream tea. (Image: Lake Vyrnwy ) Who says you need a passport for a lush hotel stay? Wales has you covered. We've got the full accommodation roster from coastal spa escapes to grand country house hotels. This isn't just a roll call of five-star showstoppers and the most luxe stays. These are the places we love. The ones we book again and again. The characterful hotels we rave about to our mates. Expect standout food, spot-on locations and bags of character. Maybe the homemade sourdough at breakfast, the epic lake views, or the quirky design pulls it all together. Whatever the hook, these standout places leave a lasting impression. From cool little boltholes in lively towns to grand spa hotels, we've rounded up our favourite spots for a fabulous Welsh getaway this year, in no particular order. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . If you're after somewhere to dine rather than stay, find our top 50 restaurants in Wales list, here. 1. The Harbourmaster Hotel The Harbourmaster (Image: Harbourmaster Hotel ) Crowned 'Wales hotel of the year 2025' by the Sunday Times for its 'old splash of style and substance,' this coastal hotel overlooks the colourful Georgian quayside in Aberaeron. The deep blue landmark hotel is no stranger to accolades. It has won several awards, including the Good Hotel Guide's César Award for Best Hotel in Wales in 2024. The Harbourmaster opened as a hotel in 2002 and now offers 13 maritime-themed rooms in three historic harbour-side buildings. Once used as homes and offices, these buildings now welcome guests with character and plenty of maritime charm. Climb the spiral staircase to reach seven original rooms in the former residence, where you'll get sweeping sea or harbour views, rolltop tubs, and balconies. The top-floor suite often books up first, so get your dates locked down/ Stay in a converted warehouse room if you prefer lift access, roomy bathrooms, and stylish sofas. Check into the self-catering cottage just across from the main building for more space. You can expect marine blues and panelling, huge tin baths and cosy beds inside swish rooms. The rooms feature Melin Tregwynt fabric stylishly used in headboards, blankets, cushions, and squishy armchairs that look out over the harbour and the sea. Why we love the Harbourmaster The Harbourmaster in Aberaeron has stylish rooms (Image: Harbourmaster Hotel ) While the uniquely designed rooms are a big draw, we just can't get enough of those sunset harbour views from the on-site restaurant, which the Sunday Times describes as offering "unfussy but bang-on flavours." As you'd expect from a dining room within reach of the local fishing fleet, it strongly emphasises locally caught seafood dishes, such as Cardigan Bay shellfish, Welsh beer-battered haddock, and Cardigan Bay crab linguine. There's also plenty of other local produce, including Welsh lamb and beef sirloin, Ammanford's Coaltown coffee and Welsh spirits, beers and wine from vines in the nearby Llaethliw vineyard. Order a Welsh gin and a beautifully presented charcuterie board and enjoy a sundowner on the small terrace. Book here 2. Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa This show-stopping hotel commands epic views of forest-hugged Lake Vyrnwy in the glorious Powys countryside. Its origin story is closely tied to the creation of the lake and dam, which were built in the 1800s to provide drinking water for Liverpool. A grand hotel quickly followed to house the dam's senior engineers and visitors, and over time, it has evolved into a stylish countryside retreat. Today, the hotel features various garden and lake view rooms, a spa, a conference and banqueting suite, and a cosy Tavern bar. The Bisiker family now owns it, and Anthony Rosser has managed it since 2000. Lake Vyrnwy has all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a four-star stay, but with a bonus historic personality. Fancy restaurant dishing up posh plates? Check. Grand drawing room straight out of a period drama? Check. Glass-fronted spa with a whirlpool and views so dreamy you'll simply forget your life, admin and stresses—big check. And yes, there's a bar with a lake view, because it would be rude not to. The view from the hotel (Image: Portia Jones ) This sprawling lakeside hideaway is full of nooks and crannies to explore. Sip fizz on the terrace while the sun dips behind the hills, head to the small but mighty spa for a steam and soak, or cosy up in the homely Tavern Bar with a pint. Food-wise, the Tower Restaurant is the hotel's main dining option. It serves breakfast, afternoon tea, and classic British cuisine with a Welsh twist. Typical plates include Welsh beef fillet, truffle mashed potatoes, pan-fried seabass fillets with roast Mediterranean vegetables, and roast duck two ways. The spa and wellness centre also enjoys lake views from a sun trap terrace, a big bubbly hot tub, and heated loungers. The 'thermal suite' offering includes Showers of Monsoon & Fragrant Mist, which blends cold and warm water and promises a "multi-sensory experience." Why we love Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa Morning coffee with a view (Image: Portia Jones ) Scenic Lake Vyrnwy is the star attraction here, and the hotel is ideally positioned for panoramic views across the water and alpine-looking landscape. Perched above the reservoir, you're just a short walk or drive from a nature reserve, forested trails and cascading waterfalls. We love this property for its historic charm, lake panorama, quality dinner dishes, and fancy afternoon tea. Sure, the hotel might benefit from a few interior design touches to update it, but who cares when the views are this magnificent? With a fizz in hand and the sun setting over that woodland-hugged reservoir, you'll feel like you're in the Alps, with fewer zeroes on the bill. Book here or check out 3. The Angel Hotel, Monmouthshire Originally a coaching inn on the London to Fishguard route, this foodie Georgian hotel is right in the middle of Abergavenny. (Image: Keith Davies 2018 ) Named 'Best foodie hotel' by the Sunday Times, the Angel in the centre of Abergavenny is one for the gastronomes. Previously scooping the AA Hotel of the Year for Wales, the luxurious, four Silver Star property began life as an 18th-century coaching inn. It's now a popular and thriving hotel renowned for its fabulous food offerings. The Angel has 31 guest rooms in three categories: executive, superior, and deluxe. Most rooms are within the hotel; however, The Mews, a former stable, is adjacent. Chef Wesley Hammond is at the helm, offering fine dining in The Oak Room, crafted cocktails in the stylish Foxhunter Bar, and award-winning afternoon tea in the Wedgewood Room. The Art Deco Oak Room restaurant has an ever-changing menu bursting with seasonal dishes and local produce. Here, you can admire artworks in a warm and welcoming ambience while nursing a robust Rioja or sparkling Cremant de Loire. Typical dinner dishes include Cefn Mawr Farm dry-aged beef ribeye, Wye Valley asparagus, pea and feta risotto and a seafood platter loaded with oysters, mussels and octopus carpaccio. Why we love the Angel Hotel This is one of the best foodie stays in Wales (Image: The Angel Hotel ) Aside from its excellent dining offering, The Angel is also ideally positioned to enjoy the gastro offerings of Abergavenny. This lively market town is already renowned as a foodie haven, with the artisan Angel Bakery (described by Times writer Caitlin Moran as 'the best in the world. In particular, the white sourdough, whose crust is sticky, chewy, mahogany-coloured and savoury as a steak') and The Walnut Tree Inn, a popular Michelin-starred restaurant with cottages led by legendary chef Shaun Hill. For die-hard foodies, the best time to stay at the Angel is during the famous Abergavenny Food Festival, a celebratory weekend of all things food held every September. Expect the best Welsh, British, and international producers to showcase exciting dishes and homegrown produce. Book here or visit 4. Pale Hall, Bala Palé Hall, located in the scenic Dee Valley, is far from your average hotel (Image: Portia Jones ) Palé Hall, located in the scenic Dee Valley, is far from your average hotel. With its rich history and opulent décor, this Victorian mansion provides the ideal backdrop for a posh getaway on the fringes of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). The arrival at this grand hotel is an event in itself. The majestic exterior, set against manicured gardens and rolling hills, instantly sets the tone. Throw in a Michelin Green Star dining experience, sumptuous rooms adorned with extra special touches, and the epic natural beauty of Eryri right outside your door, and you have the ultimate Welsh retreat. Constructed in 1871 by the esteemed railway engineer, Henry Robertson, this mansion encapsulates the grandeur of the Victorian era whilst providing contemporary comforts and stylish interiors. Why we love Pale Hall You can stay in a suite named after Sir Winston Churchill, who was an occasional guest at Palé Hall in the 1950s (Image: Portia Jones ) The property boasts 18 uniquely designed bedrooms, each with its own charm and four garden suites for guests desiring more private lodgings. What distinguishes Palé Hall is its extraordinary attention to detail, from the majestic entrance featuring Jacobean-style elements to the stained-glass skylight adorning the main hall. The hotel's AA Five Red Star rating and membership with Relais and Châteaux guarantee guests will experience top-tier hospitality. The Henry Robertson Dining Room is a must-visit. With its marble fireplace and ornate plaster ceilings, this elegant space creates the perfect setting for a memorable feast. The dinner menu is a testament to the culinary team's skill and creativity, showcasing Pale's relationships with local farmers, growers, fishermen and food producers. Choose from four or six-course menus or spoil yourself with an indulgent afternoon tea with fizz featuring finger sandwiches, scones and beautifully presented cakes. Find a last minute deal, here, or visit Pale Hall's website 5. The Grove of Narberth, Narberth Fernery restaurant is at the Grove hotel in Narberth (Image: Grove of Narberth ) Grove of Narberth has received many accolades, including Independent Hotel of the Year at the 2024 Independent Hotel Show in London and Hotel of the Year award for 2023 from the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Awards. In October 2024, the Grove also won a coveted Michelin Key, recognising hotels for outstanding stays. It's a wildly popular destination hotel in the heart of Pembrokeshire, in a gorgeous glade surrounded by cherry blossom trees and the rolling Welsh countryside. The hotel is just a 15-minute drive from the coast and overlooks the town of Narberth and the Preseli Mountains. It is gorgeously nestled within 26 acres of woodland grounds, well-kept lawns and gardens, and pretty meadows. This historic property is set on a sprawling country house estate steeped in history, parts of it dating back as early as the 15th century. The property was once owned by the bailiff of Tenby, who would have lived in the hotel's 'longhouse' with his family. Why we love The Grove of Narberth Each bedroom at the Grove of Narberth has been individually designed, with a modern twist on a traditional Welsh country house (Image: Phil Boorman ) The resort has 26 rooms, including the main building and cottages scattered around the grounds. Rooms vary in décor, with some sporting a more traditional look while others are a little more modern. There are also two restaurants on site. Dining-wise, Head Chef Douglas Balish, who came to The Grove from the Michelin-starred Tudor Room in Surrey in 2019, has firmly made his mark at this luxury hotel. So much so that in 2022, his restaurant at the hotel was awarded four Rosettes at the AA Hospitality Awards and won Wine List of the Year for Wales. And surrounded by the excellent local produce of Pembrokeshire and The Grove's kitchen garden, he's got plenty to work with. Book here 6. St Bride's Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot The infinity pool at St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot (Image: DAILY EXPRESS ) Unparalleled sea views can be found at award-winning, clifftop St Bride's Hotel and Spa, where you can gaze over Saundersfoot Bay from their jaw-dropping infinity swimming pool and elevated rooms. This privately owned hotel is a few minutes from the beach, allowing guests to enjoy ocean therapy before indulging in the many spa treatments. Nearby are the flat, sandy beaches of Saundersfoot and the popular seaside town of Tenby, where boutique shopping, diverse dining and boat trips are plentiful. Why we love St Bride's Spa Hotel Bright and airy rooms are thoughtfully styled with hints of coastal chic and feature quality bedding and furnishings. At their cliff restaurant, you can also taste Pembrokeshire produce and locally landed fish, with seasonally informed dishes. The main attraction is the dreamy infinity pool and marine spa offering. Unwind in a full thermal suite with a rock sauna, ice fountain, steam room and marine hydro pool. Individual treatments featuring marine-sourced products and spa packages can be booked. Choose from massages, facials, and holistic therapies expertly delivered by excellent therapists. Book here 7. Penally Abbey, Pembrokeshire Penally Abbey (Image: Good Hotel Guide ) Built on the site of an ancient monastery, the magnificent Penally Abbey is a treat for those looking for history and prestige and is just a stone's throw from the beach. Located at the far end of South Beach, this is one of the premier places to stay in Tenby. It offers glorious sea views and an award-winning restaurant. The pretty garden also features a Holy Well and a medieval ruined chapel, St Deiniol's. Acquired in 2014 by its new owners, 18th Century Penally Abbey is a real labour of love for Lucas and Melanie Boissevain, a husband-and-wife team who saw a gap in the market for an intimate luxury hotel and upscale restaurant to serve Tenby and the wider Pembrokeshire area. The coastal chic rooms are spread over three floors and feature big ocean views, swish furnishings, and super king-sized beds. For dinner with a view, the two-AA Rosette-awarded Rhosyn Restaurant serves a seasonal à la carte and tasting menu with a range of tasty plates, including Monkfish, pork cheek, and Mushroom parfait. This 'faultless' retreat has bagged a coveted César Award (organised by the Good Hotel Guide) and has excellent reviews. It has a rating of four and a half out of five on Tripadvisor, based on 450 reviews, one of which states: 'Just back from a fabulous birthday break at Penally Abbey. The hotel had been recommended to us by several friends, and it more than exceeded our expectations. Why we love Penally Abbey Rhosyn restaurant at Penally Abbey Hotel (Image: Instagram / @penallyabbeyhotel ) Magnificent Penally Abbey is a rare treat if you want to combine history, prestige and a short walk to the beach. Along with the gorgeous décor and exceptional dining, we love that the origin of Penally Abbey is shrouded in mystery. Legend says a monastery existed on the site in the 5th century before the advowson was given to the nuns of Aconbury in 1301. Eight nuns and their prioress lived in the rectory until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The abbey has been in private occupation since the beginning of the 20th century. In 1916, the Jameson's Whiskey family came from Ireland and stayed until 1925. Military personnel resided there in the '30s and '40s; in the '50s, it became a country club. The Boissevain family now owns it, and it has become a must-visit in Pembrokeshire. Book here or visit 8. Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel, Gwynedd Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel (Image: Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel ) A luxurious stay in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), the Penmaenuchaf was snapped up in 2022 by Seren Group, which also owns the five-star Grove of Narberth hotel in Pembrokeshire, the Michelin-starred Beach House restaurant in Oxwich and Coast restaurant and Kiosk café in Saundersfoot. The revamped historic manor house has 21 acres of pretty woodland and landscaped gardens. However, the estate once covered thousands of acres and included landmarks such as the Cregennan Lakes, the George III Inn, and the wooden toll bridge in Penmaenpool. Thirteen uniquely designed rooms blend traditional styles and textures with original features. Choose from superiors and deluxe rooms with balconies to swanky suites with mountainous views. Depending on your booking, expect a range of roll-top baths, four-poster beds, and picture windows. Why we love Penmaenunuchaf The award-winning Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel (Image: Publicity handout ) Set by Cadair Idris overlooking the Mawddach Estuary in the Eryri National Park, you couldn't ask for a better hotel location. Penmaenuchaf is the perfect base for exploring this spectacular landscape. With picturesque towns, mountain walks, lakeside exploring, and plenty of opportunities for adrenaline-fuelled adventures, you'll have an endless list of places to visit during your stay. Michelin-starred dining is also knockout here, and the conservatory has the best seats. The Michelin guide review notes that the "cooking's strength is drawn from the prime quality produce." It also recommends staying overnight to "make a proper occasion of your visit". The independently owned Penmaenunuchaf was also awarded a Michelin Key for its excellent accommodation. This new award is the hotel equivalent of the Michelin Star. While the star recognises the most incredible restaurants globally, the Michelin Key does the same for outstanding hotels. Book here or at 9. The Albion, Cardigan The Albion, Cardigan (Image: The Albion ) Perched on the riverside in Cardigan, The Albion Aberteifi blends seafaring charm with maritime design, featuring original sketches and calculations of shipwrights in the 1800s. Just four months after opening, The Times and The Sunday Times named it the Best Place to Stay in Wales 2023. The Times journalist said of the property, "Expect more of a grown-up vibe here (no children are allowed) with a moody bar serving the Albion Collins, a heavenly blend of mead and local gin." It's perfectly positioned to explore Cardigan, a traditional Welsh market town with a creative streak—a place steeped in history yet buzzing with indie vibes. As the birthplace of the Eisteddfod, Wales's most important cultural festival, the town has long been a hub for storytelling, music, and art. Wander its streets, and you'll find charming cafés, proper pubs, and a thriving collection of independent shops and businesses. Why we love the Albion Each of the 12 en-suite rooms feels like a captain's cabin, with reclaimed wood-panelled walls, 150-year-old oak floors, Welsh wool blankets, custom furniture, and river views from every window. Breakfast is served in the relaxed resident lounge, where you'll also find cocktails by night and coffee and cake by day. Yr Odyn restaurant offers weekend dining in the guest lounge and is soon moving to a beautiful new riverside space next door. Across the river, Forest's Pizzatipi and cosy Smwglin pub are just a short stroll away. Book here or click 10. Quay Hotel & Spa, Conwy The Quay Hotel and Spa (Image: The Quay Hotel and Spa ) This destination spa hotel has striking views of the majestic Conwy Castle and estuary and is conveniently located near the Welsh towns of Conwy and Llandudno. Over £1 million has been invested in revamping and updating the Quay Hotel & Spa, which focuses on guest experience and well-being. Nearby in Deganwy, you'll find bracing coastal walks, tea shops, a shingle and sand beach and the ruins of a stone-built fortress. The hotel's 77 bedrooms, from classic rooms to suites, feature coastal colours and hints of maritime design. Several rooms offer balconies and private outdoor space for additional luxury and space. Extensive leisure facilities are available for guests, and the on-site Marina Spa offers luxurious pampering. Why we love the Conwy The Spa At The Quay (Image: The Quay Hotel and Spa ) Their ambient relaxation rooms overlook the pretty Deganwy Marina, and ESPA products are used in various treatments and seasonal packages. Indulge in a full-body salt and oil scrub, personalised facial, or revitalising back, neck, and shoulder massage. The best Welsh produce can be found at the hotel's Ebb and Flow Restaurant, serving contemporary dishes packed with responsibly sourced meats and seafood prepared by their award-winning chef. Their Wales-inspired menu takes full advantage of the coastal bounty of the River Conwy, home to mussels and mackerel; both are regularly incorporated into delicious dishes. Book here 11. Hotel Portmeirion, Porthmadog Portmeirion is also well-known as the home of the TV cult classic The Prisoner, (Image: Portia Jones ) Inspired by Portofino's multicoloured façades, Portmeirion is a uniquely constructed tourist village that offers a slice of Italy on the bracing Welsh coast. Alongside its unique architectural heritage, the private, ticketed site features two swanky hotels, self-catering cottages, an indulgent spa, gift shops, cafés, restaurants and an authentic Italian-style gelateria. Walking into Portmeirion for the first time is undoubtedly an experience. The village rises like a painted mirage, with pastel-coloured buildings and whimsical towers that seem plucked from a fairytale. Here, clusters of lush and green trees frame the view while the estuary beyond glitters under the changing light of the Welsh sky. You can stay overnight in Hotel Portmeirion, a Gothic Castle or a twee 'village room'. The flagship 4-Star Hotel Portmeirion has stylish bedrooms, a fine-dining restaurant, a bar and terrace, and relaxing lounges. Founder and visionary Clough Williams-Ellis opened The Hotel Portmeirion in 1926 as the focal point of his ideal village. He retained much of the Victorian interior, including an intricate Italian fireplace, a Mirror Room, the Great Exhibition of 1851 library carvings, and a grand eighteenth-century oak staircase. Why we love Hotel Portmeirion Portmeirion was born out of the long-held ambition of its founder, architect Clough Williams-Ellis (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) Portmeirion was born out of the long-held ambition of its founder, architect Clough Williams-Ellis. His creative vision for an Italianate-style, private peninsula village on the Welsh coast resulted in a charming tourist destination with a Mediterranean feel, very much reflected in the hotel's offering. The hotel has undergone refurbishments over the years to modernise its style while retaining some original features. The Grade II-listed hotel is also famous for being the place where English playwright Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit in 1941. We love that the hotel offers guests a chance to explore the hotel when day trippers have gone, and you can roam the surreal site with fewer crowds. Only overnight guests can be on site after the village has 'closed' for the day, so make the most of the near-empty streets. Dining at the Portmeirion Hotel Dining Room is the perfect end to a whimsical day. The village has plenty of dining options (Image: Portia Jones ) With its elegant décor and sweeping views of the estuary, this Award-winning Art Deco Restaurant offers a refined dining experience deeply rooted in the local landscape. Executive Head Chef Mark Threadgill and his skilled team, led by Head Chef Daniel Griffiths, work their culinary magic in the kitchen. They source the finest local ingredients, some even foraged within the village, to craft a distinctive modern Welsh cuisine. Book here 12. voco St. David's, Cardiff Spoil your loved one with a break at the voco St. David's in Cardiff Bay. (Image: voco St David's Cardiff ) One of Cardiff's flagship hotels, voco St. David's, is in a commanding position in the marina, overlooking the cosmopolitan waterfront area. Stylish rooms have expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the bay and come with little luxuries such as fluffy robes and high-end toiletries. Casual dining and Welsh-inspired dishes can be found in their on-site restaurant, Tir a Môr, and wellness can be sought out in their gym, indoor pool and luxurious spa facilities. You can even turn it into a mini-break by booking 'the great snuggle-up package,' which includes a cosy overnight stay with dinner and breakfast. Then kick your relaxation up a notch with a 50-minute spa treatment each and two cinema tickets to watch a movie of your choice at the nearby Everyman cinema. Why we love voco St. David's One of Cardiff's flagship hotels, voco St. David's, has a commanding position in the marina, overlooking Cardiff's cosmopolitan waterfront area. (Image: Portia Jones ) As a hotel guest, you'll have complimentary access to the impressive boutique spa, an indoor pool with a toasty water corridor, bubbly spa pools, and soothing steam and sauna rooms. Fancy a little extra pampering? You can book holistic face and body treatments in advance, all using top-quality products to leave you glowing. There are wellness packages to suit every budget and mood, whether you're looking for a quick refresh or a full-on spa day. We love the 'great snuggle-up package,' which includes a cosy overnight stay with dinner and breakfast. Then, kick your relaxation up a notch with a 50-minute spa treatment each and two tickets to the nearby Everyman cinema to watch a movie of your choice. When it's time to relax in your swanky room, you have four options – from cosy standard rooms to suites with sweeping sea views. Expect crisp white linens, fluffy towels, and luxe Antipodes toiletries. Book here 13. Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront The Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront (Image: The Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront ) Tŷ Milford Waterfront, part of Milford Haven's new multi-million-pound waterfront development, covers everything you need for a Pembrokeshire family staycation. Opened in 2022, this waterfront is managed and operated by the team responsible for the iconic five-star Celtic Manor Resort. It's a welcome addition to The Celtic Collection and the Tŷ Hotels family's expanding portfolio, which is in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven. Featuring spectacular scenery of the Pembrokeshire coastline and situated right on the water's edge, it offers picture-postcard views over the marina and beyond and is the ideal base to stay and explore the stunning west Wales coast. The 46,000 sq ft property will feature four floors of contemporary bedroom accommodation, benefiting from superb views across Milford Marina. Why we love Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront Housed inside the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, Dulse is one of the best places in Pembs for delicious seafood (Image: Portia Jones ) All rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, Elemis toiletries, and TV. The largest rooms feature a seating area, waterfront views, and balconies to experience the incredible sunrises and sunsets over the marina. Family rooms are super comfortable and stylish and accommodate up to two adults and two children. Due to the hotel's convenient location, they are perfect for relaxing after days out adventuring at some of west Wales' finest beaches and attractions. Tŷ Milford also offers accessible hotel rooms to make guests with disabilities feel more at home. The glass-fronted dining exceeded our expectations and is a proper destination dining hotel for foodies. Housed inside the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, Dulse is one of the best places in Pembs for delicious seafood. The stylish restaurant is named after Pembrokeshire's edible and versatile seaweed that grows abundantly around the rocky coastline. Decked out in soothing shades of deep-sea blue contrasting with muted tones, the light-filled restaurant strives to provide a relaxing and memorable dining experience. It offers big marina views from floor-to-ceiling windows and locally sourced seafood. Typical dishes include Dulse Welsh Tea Hot Smoked Salmon, Market Fish in Tenby Harbwr Beer Batter and Miso and Welsh Honey Marinated Prawn Salad. Book here 14. Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff The Parkgate Hotel (Image: The Parkgate Hotel ) Located within touching distance of Principality Stadium, the stylish Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff city centre was named Hotel of the Year in Wales in 2024. The entry says, "The Parkgate Hotel is a luxury hotel that echoes all the elegance and glamour of its historic setting. It is the combination of the grand former Post Office and the city's old County Court. The Postmaster Suite is a large conference suite, while the Telegraph Room is for private dining." It adds: "The prime city centre location is ideal for world-class venues including the Principality Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium, Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, Motorpoint Arena and Wales Millennium Centre." Bedrooms are a chic blend of classic-meets-contemporary luxury, from sumptuous superior rooms to the extra-special Parkgate Suites. There's also a spa and the Sorting Room restaurant, a chic spot in the city's heart. Why we love Parkgate Hotel Food-wise, Savour The Sorting Room, a 2 AA Rosette-awarded and MICHELIN Guide-listed restaurant, is a swish spot to dine in the city's most luxurious destination (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The five-star hotel at Westgate Street, which boasts a thermal spa from its highest floor overlooking the city, has hundreds of nods to its industrious history, including the remaining sign at its front. Embracing a chic blend of classic-meets-contemporary luxury, no two rooms are quite the same, each styled around unique features in keeping with the hotel's historic architecture. Food-wise, Savour The Sorting Room, a 2 AA Rosette-awarded and MICHELIN Guide-listed restaurant, is a swish spot to dine in the city's most luxurious destination. The real highlight, though, is the bougie spa with commanding views of the city skyline and a small pool to unwind in while gazing out over the Diff.' Book here or visit . 15. Plas Dinas Country House, Caernarfon Plas Dinas Country House (Image: Plas Dinas Country House ) Plas Dinas Country House is no stranger to accolades, having received the Wales AA Wine Award and been featured in the Michelin Guide. The Sunday Times described the 5-star property as 'serene, never stuffy. Homely, even.' The former home of Lord Snowdon, this luxurious property features 11 bedrooms and the award-winning Gunroom restaurant, which serves a hybrid taster menu. Why we love Plas Dinas Plas Dinas Country House (Image: Plas Dinas Country House ) Rooms are individually designed and themed around the person or role in the Armstrong-Jones family that they're named after. Thoughtful extra touches include quality robes and slippers, sherry, biscuits, Welsh fudge and teas in silk bags, found in all rooms, for an indulgent stay. Dining here is also a must. Award-winning chef and TV personality Daniel Ap Geraint updates the menu monthly, using the freshest seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Book here 16. The Metropole, Llandrindod Wells Exterior of The Metropole Hotel & Spa in Llandridod Wells at night (Image: Metropole Hotel & Spa ) The charming spa town of Llandrindod Wells is home to the luxurious and Victorian-style Metropole hotel and spa, known for its striking forest green exterior and opulent interior style. This independent hotel is ideally located for exploring the verdant landscapes and dammed reservoirs of the Elan Valley, where scenic solace can be found along its peaceful hiking and biking trails. The best time to visit is in June , when the weather has improved but the school holidays have yet to begin . Llandrindod Wells has welcomed wellness seekers for many years, thanks to the discovery of mineral springs in the 18th century, which propelled the area from a rural outpost to a fashionable spa town. Why we love the Metropole Pool at the Metropole Hotel and Spa in Llandrindod Wells (Image: Metropole Hotel and Spa ) Today, visitors can admire Victorian architecture and soak away their worries in the warming pools in the Metropole. The Radnor and Miles Restaurant serve modern British cuisine expertly created from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Spencer's Bar and Brasserie offers relaxed dining, with evening and lunch menus available. The Metropole's sublime Rock Spa is the standout feature for guest use and packages. Swim lazy lengths in a heated, 18-metre indoor pool and continue your wellness journey with their sauna, whirlpool spa, and steam room. Treatments include soothing massages, scrubs, and facials, which use natural products where possible to help you feel rejuvenated and relaxed. Article continues below Book here or visit
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kristen Stewart Wants to 'Crash and Burn' in Cannes: 'We Barely Finished This Movie'
Kristen Stewart is issuing a PSA. 'Stay vigilant, and look alive,' she urges her fellow Hollywood creatives. The 35-year-old, a longtime icon of the screen thanks to her starring role as Bella Swan in the era-defining vampire franchise Twilight, admits that the industry is in a dark place. More from The Hollywood Reporter Cannes Rising Star Earl Cave on Being Directed by the "Generous" Kristen Stewart 'The Plague' Review: Joel Edgerton in a Thrilling Drama That Captures the Terror of Adolescent Masculinity Legendary Entertainment Names Di Mu CEO of China Division '[Trump's] shadow is bleak. You could almost say opaque,' Stewart tells The Hollywood Reporter in one of her first interviews as a filmmaker. 'I think we're all looking over our shoulders going, 'Holy shit.' The slippage is just terrifying.' Perhaps no one is more qualified to talk on the downfall of the movie biz. Through her 20-plus years as a film star, Stewart has grown into a self-assured and cool-as-a-cucumber celebrity. She departed from mainstream productions after an appearance in the twisted Disney adaptation Snow White and the Huntsman in 2012, instead opting for indie sets like Olivier Assayas' Personal Shopper (2016) and his Clouds of Sils Maria (2014), the latter of which earned her a prestigious César Award for best actress. And then, just like that, she was back in mainstream territory with a remake of Charlie's Angels in 2019 and Pablo Larraín's Princess Diana biopic Spencer in 2021, securing Stewart her first Oscar nomination. The beloved actress returns to Cannes' Un Certain Regard in her directorial debut. She's no stranger to the Croisette, of course — she presided on the Feature Films jury in 2018 (and, lest we forget, gave us a legendary bare-foot red carpet look on the Palais steps). But Stewart's wanted to direct since the age of 9. So what's finally got her off the mark? 'When I read [the book], I just went, 'Oh, fuck. We need to put this on its feet so we can do it all together,' she says of Lidia Yuknavitch's 2011 memoir The Chronology of Water. Stewart, recruiting British stars Imogen Poots and Earl Cave for her first outing behind the camera, commits herself to a story of tragedy and triumph, detailing the life of the once-hopeful Olympic swimmer Yuknavitch. 'I cannot believe it,' she says about returning to the Côte d'Azur to present her film. 'We barely finished this movie. It's not even done. This is my fucking first draft…. We're running in here half-dressed. But I'm into it.' As candid as ever, Stewart discusses with THR why she hopes The Chronology of Water 'crashes and burns' in Cannes. She explains why making mistakes is 'fucking hot,' how the state of the industry is more treacherous than ever and premiering a film that has become the first of 10 she plans on making: 'This fucking thing should sprawl. It sounds so dramatic, I mean this in a way that is incredibly celebratory — it should be a woman limping and bleeding.' Kristen, how long have you wanted to direct? I think I asked a couple of actors on one of my very early projects [about] the youngest director they could stomach working with. And I was sat down by most of them and asked, 'Why are you even asking us that question?' I had to wait until right now for this to be actualized, because there are portals that set you free. Texts or songs or conversations that give you ways into figuring out how you want to wield your voice. And even though I always knew that I was waiting for that trigger, I hadn't found it yet until [The Chronology of Water]. This was eight years ago. So it's been a slow and laborious birth, but I've wanted to direct movies as long as I have been an actor and it's been a multitiered development. But for some reason, psychotically, I've wanted to do it forever, because I do think the exchange between an actor and a director is a bridge between two very different positions. You actually have to end up doing the same thing together to hold this reciprocal energy in this emotional space and make something feel congruent. So I was like, 'Oh, I'm half of you.' And I feel like my actors are half of me and I just wanted to do both. I wanted to get onto the other side. I think I was, like, 9 years old, but then I figured out how to actually fucking do it. And now I'm 35. Can you think of any directors who along the way served as inspiration for you? I don't want to make any kind of exclusive list in terms of the people I've bounced off of, even though there have been some standouts that have felt like people that have given me keys to a certain castle. Pablo Larraín, Olivier Assayas, so many other people, but I will say that there are certain relationships that just make you go, 'Holy fuck.' It feels unleashing in a way that, again, feels very reciprocal. But yeah, in terms of inspirations and movies, it's so personal. My whole life, I always want to process in cinema. I always want to figure out a way to lay it down in a subconscious sense, because there are literal ways you experience your life, and then processing and memory and transfusion — and turning those things into art, you always make a different statement. I feel like I've basically taken every experience making films and living my days on earth into every day that I directed this movie. And it's really hard to be hyper-specific about it. I've been lucky enough to work with people that I've felt so instinctively drawn to that they've shaped me in every way. You mention this trigger… The word trigger is triggering! What I meant is really more of a catalyst. Your trigger should be something that gets you up and want to say something about the fact that you've been triggered. There are different starting guns. And yeah, this starting gun fired eight years ago. It's been really hard to wrangle. What was the starting gun then — reading the memoir? Meeting Lidia? Why did Kristen Stewart land on The Chronology of Water for her first directing gig? It was just a book that I read and impulsively, after 40 pages, put down and reached out to the writer. I thought, 'There are certain things that I've read that really do live in your brain and it would be an honor for them to live there.' And they get to multiply within your own personal experience. But this one felt like it needed to get up and share space with a lot of people. It was one of those books that I wanted to read out loud with all of my friends. It was one of those books that felt like a choir that you wanted to join. It felt like permission. And also this relationship that the book has to the corporeal and the physical…it's uncharted territory in the cinema that I have personally consumed. We're not reinventing the wheel or saying anything that someone else hasn't said before. But in terms of saturation, the territory that we traverse, the things that we look at, [they] excite me. They feel revealing in a way that is loving. [We're] definitely looking at things that hurt, but in a way that encourages active transformation and restoring, rebranding, reframing, in order to make those things that can steep us in shame feel actually good. That's the stuff we can do for our friends. That's the stuff that we do in conversation, in therapy! I felt like this movie, and when I read [the book], I just went, 'Oh, fuck. We need to put this on its feet so we can do it all together.' I just hadn't read anything like that until then, and it also felt like it was breaking a seal because now there's 10 more movies I want to make fucking yesterday. I have a million questions based on what you've just said. Why was Imogen Poots — someone I consider quite an under-loved actor in the U.K. — the right person to go on this journey with? It's been funny describing Imogen because I also always want to say under-utilized, under-loved, and I don't want that to imply that people do not take advantage of her incredible nature all the time, because everything I've ever seen her in is my favorite performance. It's not that she's not enough — it's that it's never enough for her. I'm like, 'Give this girl more!' I have just loved her for so long, and I felt connected to her before I met her. She sent in an audition tape and it blew me away. Auditioning is such a beautiful process of getting to know each other. It's weird to not audition for parts. It's nice to get to know whether or not this is the right thing, respectively, for each artist. It's almost like a mutual consent process where you're like, 'Do we want to do this together?' But when she sent the tape in, I was like, 'Wait, this is one of my favorite actors.' And then we did a quote unquote 'callback,' and we spoke, I think, in the lobby of a hotel in London a couple of years ago. There are just so few people that you immediately trust and that you feel seen by and like. I wish I had newer words! I think we were both recognizing this as an opportunity to make a really good movie that's important, that girls need to have and eat and metabolize. I felt from reading the book and our endeavors on set, even in just a really personal and selfish way we were both like, I think we can big each other up and we can look at each other in new ways. We're both 35, ready to stop perpetuating other people's desires and stop checking other people's boxes. And figure out what ours are. This introduction happened to coincide with this release in both of us, and I caught it on camera. The fact that we both felt emboldened enough at this stage in our lives to listen to each other, trust each other enough and really release and break and put the pieces back together in a way that feels cohesive…. And we'll have it forever. I love her so much, and I've gained a sister in this. She is one of the best actors I've ever been around in my entire fucking life, and I have worked with so many actors. I couldn't believe it. She is so good at living. Wow — I hope she reads this interview and hears how you speak about her. She hears it all the time. I have to [tell you], just so she knows it's not bullshit. Well, Earl Cave speaks about you the way you speak about Imogen, I think. I wanted to ask you about the industry you entered all those years ago compared to the one that Earl is entering now. Has it changed? And if it has, has it been for the better or for the worse? I do think there have been some tectonic shifts in terms of who's allowed to take up space and be heard, but at the same time, I don't know what the filters are. The really quick acceleration…. It's not super easy to keep up with the process and be able to describe [what's happening] in real time. It's almost easier to say in retrospect that it's definitely not the same as it was. It's tricky to put into words — and when I say words, I mean print. By the way, Early is such a beautiful man. And those two words are really satisfying to say with a straight face. I could be best friends with that kid. What is he? 23? Is he 24 now? I guess I'm using all the same words because I referred to Imogen as my sis but he could be my little brother. I would be so lucky. And I have no fear for that kid, he is so honest and present and concerned about the most pure things. And I do think that there is a little modicum of room — compared to what I experienced — for people to be out there and for people to find ways and paths and tributaries toward each other. I sound like an old person or whatever, but I think kids like that can find them, and I'm very happy to see that there is possibility. But at the same time, we're also living in a world that's literally folding in on itself by the split second. So, who the fuck knows? That is completely apt. The loss is so palpable. It's an exciting time to be alive. And it's cool that we all get to be loud together, but at the same time, is that going to do anything? What's gonna happen? I think we're all looking over our shoulders going, 'Holy shit.' The slippage is just terrifying. How big a shadow do you think Trump has cast over Hollywood and the film industry? You mean like, for fear of being put on some 'fuck you' list? And also the movie tariffs, encouraging such polarizing belief systems, or making Hollywood even more risk-averse than it already is. We discuss this every day, like, what's gonna happen? [Especially] now that we've finally found our voices…. Not that it wasn't treacherous before but now, [it is] in a way that is so literal, so strikingly essential and vital than ever, but naturally terrifying. I think [Trump's] shadow is bleak and very dark. You could almost say opaque. And I think to try and work through that is what we're going to do. But in terms of knowing anything, I think we should expect the worst and fight for the best. Stay vigilant. Look alive. I think a lot of people on the Croisette agree with you. You're arriving as a director, rather than onscreen talent. What kind of creative fulfilment does directing give you that you don't get from acting? Would you ever consider starring in a project you're also directing? I would love to be in something that I was directing. I would love to work with the actors. There's always a singular perspective that is honored and serviced, but at the same time, the writers that you have on set with you, they're so important. And I know that I could create a dynamic that would support me, while uplifting and preserving the initial impulse and the perspective, as long as you design the process. My system runs on acting. It's my favorite part of directing, being with the actors. But at the same time, to be able to really make something from the ground up all the way up to the sky with your bare hands and with your exclusive and specific eye, there's nothing more satisfying than allowing other people to step in on that. It's like planting seeds everywhere in a big, huge field, waiting for all your best friends to go pick the flowers and go look at these seeds you planted. I'm like, 'Good job going and finding them!' Then as an actor, I'm out there searching for flowers. They're different jobs, but they hold hands. They're so related and I want to make 10 movies in the next fucking five minutes. But there's something oddly more methodical about acting because you're serving someone else's vision. So you have to create a huge emotional foundation over a two-month period as you never really have much more time to prepare for a role than that. It's really based on other people's desires and your own. You have to make this cocktail of what you both want, whereas as a director, everything is about what you want, and it's incredible. It's just the most indulgent, spectacular beast in which other people help feed you. Then it becomes something that you share, and you look around the table and there's fucking 50 people there that love it just as much as you. Do you feel like you're reinventing yourself with The Chronology of Water? Are Kristen Stewart the director and Kristen Stewart the actor two separate people? I think that you can do that within performance to a certain degree, especially with the way that you choose your bosses and the people that you're going to follow. But once you're following someone, you're following them into singularity, and that is not yours at all. And I love that. I love being in service of something that I believe in, but then also feeling the risk of not knowing what that ultimately is until they figure it out. Because making a movie is predetermined to a certain extent, but absolutely ephemeral. I'm not trying to show anyone anything. I am trying to learn some stuff. I'm just trying to move toward the things that feel vital to me with my own eyeballs and my own two hands. That's directing, that's not acting. But I think being an actor has been the thing that has led me here in the first place. There's just something forensically connected about positions. It's just about finding voice. I'm just uniquely primed at this stage in my life to listen to myself, so therefore I think I need to step behind the camera but not ignore the fact that what put me here was being in front of it. How do you feel about arriving in Cannes as a filmmaker rather than an actor? I cannot believe it. There's not a more eloquent way [to say it]. We barely finished this movie. It's not even done. I need to come home and literally have two more weeks in color and sound. This is my fucking first draft. Like, we are picture perfect. But when I tell you, we slid a very thin piece of paper under a closed door and they were like, 'Sure.' My head blew off. This was such a fucking Hail Mary, because [Cannes] is the place that you would like to go have conversations. So I was like, 'Fuck it. We might as well try it.' I am not being false humble — we're all running on fumes. I was like, 'We can do it.' I was like an absolute basket case. I'm kind of happy to take on something vulnerable. I'm happy to take something with mistakes. Mistakes are fucking hot. I love stories about movies and filmmakers that have taken their films to Cannes and had to come back and fix a few things and release a different movie. It's all about revealing yourself. So it's very meta that we're running in here half-dressed. But I'm into it. How do you hope audiences react to The Chronology of Water? I've said this, but people can interact with all of my work however they see fit. I really invite all of it. And that's not like a self-preservation thing to say. I mean it. I'm like, this was the best we could do. This is what we meant to say. It might not land on everyone the same. In fact, when I say it absolutely won't land on everyone the same. That's not the point of — and I say this in a French accent — cinéma. We're supposed to have relationships with the art that's put into the world. And they're not all good ones. I guess as long as you do something that feels authentic in the very present moment. I can feel differently about it tomorrow. I can regret everything tomorrow. Right now, I don't, so I'm very, very, very grateful to be in the place that I've always wanted to be. I've always looked up to [Cannes] with such reverence. Even if it's messy, and honestly, my movie should be messy. This fucking thing should sprawl. It sounds so dramatic, I mean this in a way that is incredibly celebratory — it should be a woman limping and bleeding. These 10 films that you want to make in the next five years. Can you talk about any of them? Definitely not. This is something I do, I always tease too early. But the nuggets are there? Oh, yeah. I mean, we've started a production company, which is an insane thing to say, because I really never thought I would be that person. But then I just felt like I suddenly graduated to a place where I was like, 'Okay. Mine. M, I, N, E.' So we're cooking. We are voracious. I hope everything goes smoothly in Cannes… Hopefully not smooth! Hopefully, we crash and burn, but in a way that feels correct. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Louane? Meet the singer representing France at Eurovision 2025
Singer and actor Louane is representing France at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. French music fans might know her from her rise to fame aged just 16, when she competed on The Voice and made it to the semi-final . She was then crowned with a César Award for Most Promising Actress, for her performance in the critically acclaimed 2014 French-Belgian coming-of-age comedy drama La Famille Bélier . Louane has experienced tragedy in her life, having lost both parents while she was still a teenager. Her performance of 'Imagine' on The Voice, was dedicated to her father, who died three months before her appearance on the show. Her mother died in 2014 after a lengthy illness. Follow live updates from the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 here . Louane is competing at Eurovision 2025 with the song 'Maman'. As one of the 'Big Five' countries, France has automatically been granted a place in the Grand Final on Saturday (17 May). Can you tell me how you first got into music? Hello! I'm Louane, a 28-year-old singer and actress. I've always been passionate about music. When I was 8, my nanny Momo signed me up for a singing competition. Later, I was discovered by Bruno Berberès, a casting director, who invited me to audition for The Voice when I was 16. I ended up as a finalist on the show. How did you end up representing France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025? Alexandra Redde-Amiel reached out to offer me the chance to represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest. I hesitated for a long time before accepting, because it was such a big decision. My mother was a huge Eurovision fan, and it had always been her dream for me to participate. For me, it's a tribute to her, and I needed to feel truly ready to do it. After many long talks with my family and my fiancé, we decided I should go for it. I feel incredibly proud and honoured to represent France for my mom. (AFP/Getty) What's the meaning and inspiration behind your song 'Maman'? - I had a song called Maman on my first album. That version was too sad and deeply emotional. This new song is completely different. In a way, it's a continuation of the first one — but more importantly, it reflects who I truly am today. For the first time, I'm genuinely doing well. And that's why this new song exists. I hope that's what people take away from it. It's a message of hope for anyone who has gone through deep sadness — to let them know that healing is possible, and that you can build a life in spite of everything. How are you feeling about this year's competition? This year, the other contestants are incredible. Everyone is so kind and extremely talented. The welcome in Basel has been amazing, and I can't wait to see what everyone has prepared for their performances. It's going to be a tight competition, but we've already become great friends so no low blows :) We even have a group chat on Instagram where we literally talk every day. We go live on Instagram, we FaceTime each other privately—we're constantly in touch. It's going to be a lot of fun.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Gérard Depardieu guilty of sexual assault: A look back at his acting career
Gérard Depardieu guilty of sexual assault: A look back at his acting career Show Caption Hide Caption Actor Gerard Depardieu begins trial for sexual assault in Paris French actor, Gerard Depardieu is standing trial in Paris following accusations that he sexually assaulted two women on the set of a film in 2021. unbranded - Entertainment French actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021 and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence in a Paris court on May 13. Depardieu has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer said he plans to appeal the court's decision. The actor has faced a over a dozen sexual assault allegations in recent years. Depardieu has appeared in more than 200 films since he began his career in the late 1960s. He has also acted in television and stage productions and is a two-time César Award winner, which is France's national film award. Here's a look back at his career. Who is French actor Gérard Depardieu? Depardieu grew up in Châteauroux, France, which is in the central part of the country. He is known for acting in both English and French speaking roles. He began acting in 1967 and first gained prominence with his role in the 1974 comedy film "Les Valseuses," which translates to "Going Places." In 1976, he appeared alongside Robert De Niro in the historical film "1900." Four years later, he starred alongside Catherin Deneuve in "The Last Metro," which earned him his first César Award for Best Actor. He became better known around the world by the 1990s, when he starred in "Cyrano de Bergerac." For that role, he won a second César Award for Best Actor as well as the Cannes Film Festival for Best Actor. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for the role. Depardieu also won a Golden Globe Award for co-starring in the 1991 romantic comedy "Green Card." Gérard Depardieu movies According to IMBd, Depardieu is known for the following movies: "Cyrano de Bergerac" (1990) "Green Card" (1990) "1492: Conquest of Paradise" (1992) "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998) Depardieu also starred in 1994 romantic comedy "My Father the Hero" with Katherine Heigl and Dalton James. Gérard Depardieu children, personal life Depardieu has four children, including actors Guillame and Julie Depardieu. Guillame Depardieu won a César Award for Most Promising Actor in 1995. He died in 2008 after contracting severe pneumonia. Gérard Depardieu has been married once, to Élisabeth Depardieu from 1971 to 1996. He is currently in a relationship with Magda Vavrusova, according to Reuters. Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. She can be reached at MKhan@
News.com.au
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
What Leonardo DiCaprio's The Beach love interest looks like now
She achieved global stardom alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in trippy thriller The Beach. And that same year the stunning French actress became the face of L'Oreal after signing a lucrative contract. But rather than chasing bumper paycheques in Hollywood blockbusters, Virginie Ledoyen, 48, was content to pursue passion projects in her native France. One of these was the award-winning 2002 hit 8 Women, which featured esteemed French actresses Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Fanny Ardant and Emmanuelle Béart. Fast-forward 23 years and stylish mum-of-three Virginie looks just as radiant as she did at the turn of the millennium. Virginie was already a rising star in France prior to working with DiCaprio in the late 90s. She received prestigious César Award nominations for her work in A Single Girl, Les marmottes and L'eau froide. Staying true to herself, Virginie became a mum aged 24, refusing to swap her baby dream for superstardom. She reasoned to The Standard in 2012: ' … maybe because my mother had me young, I always wanted to have a baby. It was just obvious to me. And I wanted that baby so much, it was not even an issue.' Virginie's eldest daughter Lila was born in 2001 from her relationship with production designer Louis Soubrier. She also has a son called Isaac, 14, and an 11-year-old daughter called Amalia from her relationship with Arie Elmaleh. In between her child-bearing partnerships she was briefly married to director Iain Rogers, divorcing him after a year in 2007. In many ways, the biggest thing she learned from her foray into international cinema was that she didn't want the success bestowed upon leading man DiCaprio. While she was full of praise for him in an interview with The Guardian, calling him 'a great actor. Intense, emotional, intelligent,' she saw the struggle he endured offset. She candidly said: 'DiCaprio's life is the perfect example of how not to be. 'I would not wish his life on anybody. I can understand how it might seem a bit flattering to be in every newspaper and to have everyone imagining how your life must be. But frankly it's not. 'When you see this poor guy being followed everywhere he goes by hordes of people, it's actually terribly sad. Nobody should live like that.' The film was an adaptation of Alex Garland's novel and was directed by Danny Boyle. In it, DiCaprio's backpacker character, Richard, befriends fellow tourists, Françoise [Ledoyen] and Étienne [Guillaume Canet]. Together, they discover an uninhabited paradise island near Thailand. It emerges other likeminded people have set up a small community in the idyllic location and, while initially harmonious, the group dynamic soon takes a dark turn. Money has never been a driving factor in Virginie's decision making process. Her association with L'Oreal brought in enough money to keep her content while she cherry-picked projects. 'I didn't want to go to Hollywood in order to play the French girl who always wants to be nude,' she said. 'I wanted to keep working in Europe. And I would never accept a film because of the money. I have enough money. I don't need to be getting $20m a movie.' That's not to say she doesn't have a strong work ethic. Credits have been continuous over the last two decades and most recently she appeared on television in four-part drama The Au Pair starring David Suchet.
