Wales : In their own words : Lise Chesters, Holiday in Brecon

In my blog series Wales : In their own words I am introducing readers to the people behind the businesses I have got to know and love in my travels around Wales. A huge thank you to Lise of Holiday in Brecon who kindly gave up her time to answer my questions.

Name Lise Chesters

Business Name Holiday in Brecon

What does your business do? We have 5 holiday rentals in and around Brecon

Llwyn Llwyd Farm Cottage Sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms, has a huge log fire and accepts up to 4 dogs. Next door and can be booked together is Ty Glo Cottage sleeps 5 and accepts 2 dogs. We live across the yard from the cottages in our barn where we also have an additional room for guests that sleeps just 2 Altogether sleeping 15 and perfect for family gatherings or wedding guests. In Brecon town we have March Cottage that sleeps 6 and our one bedroomed apartment No 6 Boleyn House

What is our most popular product? Each of our 5 holiday rentals has unique features, all linked by the same high standards.

What is your favourite property? I love all the cottages but my personal favourite is Ty Glo Cottage which is our newly renovated cottage and loved by couples and families alike and has stunning views of sunsets.

When did you start your business? We have been in business since 2012.

What are your hours? We are open 365 days of the year 24/7

What is the best part of your business? I love getting to know our guests especially as many have returned year after year and have become more like friends than guests.

What is the worst part of the business? Well this used to be changeover days as the big cottage alone takes 4 hours to clean and prepare but now we have the fantastic Chamber Maids cleaning company that do all our changeovers so it's just washing and ironing I need to worry about.

How do I relax ? I love walking and nothing I like more than walking in the woods at the bottom of our garden. I've just come from there today and there are numerous beds of wood anemones, celendines and bluebells. The sounds of the Afon Bran meandering in the valley below.

Where are you from? I was born and raised in the welsh valleys town of Pontypridd. This is where I did my Orthopaedic Nurse training and afterwards my Registered Nurse training.

If I wasn’t doing this what would I be doing? Apart from owning the holiday cottages I am also a wife to Ian, Mum to 3 grown up children and Granny to 6 year old Ffion, that keeps me busy but I am also an NHS Staff nurse working in our local hospital.

Would you ever leave Wales? Yes I did when I was newly qualified I applied for a nurse job in Harrow Middlesex where I worked from 1982-1992. I returned with my family to Brecon in 2001 .

Would you ever leave wales now? NO!

How have you adapted my business during the pandemic? I have registered with the local council and Powys Local Health Board as key worker accommodation.

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Can you recommend one of your favourite websites? Yes just a couple of months before the pandemic my hard working daughter ran a local retreat / wedding venue but was made redundant. She has bounced back and started Laura Beth, her own events and wedding planning business, pop over and have a look.

Where can people find you online? Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and of course the website.

Anything else? We are looking forward to welcoming guests to the Brecon Beacons when it is safe for you to travel, whether you are single or a family of 15 you will have a warm Welsh welcome.