Penally Abbey unlikely to open this summer after fire causes significant damage

A fire has caused “a significant amount of damage” to Penally Abbey hotel in Pembrokeshire, leaving its owners with little hope of reopening this summer.

Flames damaged the historic building on the morning of Saturday 30 May. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one wing of the property and nobody was hurt.

Owners Lucas and Melanie Boissevain acquired the property in 2014 and had extensively refurbished it.

In a statement published to the hotel’s website they said: “The firefighters acted with total professionalism, utter bravery, kindness and empathy both to us and to this beautiful and historic building. We owe them our heartfelt gratitude.

“As a result of this, we are so sad that the hotel is now unlikely to be able to open at all this summer. It has been such a privilege to spend the last five years restoring the abbey to its current beautiful state. Penally Abbey is a Grade II-listed Strawberry Hill gothic house and will need the utmost care and precision in the months to come in order to restore it to the level that it deserves.

“In the coming days and weeks, we shall find a way forward both together as a family and with our team and know that the hotel will return more beautiful and stronger than before. Of that you can be sure.”

The hotel had closed at the end of March, in response to government directives to stem the spread of Covid-19. The owners have said that all guests with bookings will be contacted.