In 2015 Joan Reen graced the cover of InBusiness which included a feature on Ynyshir Hall, one of our all-time favourite hotels. Joan was special; one of those rare people that made you feel at home even though you’d just met her. Peter Da Silva, PR and marketing consultant, remembers a truly great lady.
R EMEMBERING JOAN REEN Unfailingly modest, there is no doubt about Joan’s charisma (in 2015 she had a ten page cover interview in this magazine). She cites her parents as role models; “Together they created a fantastic business and ran it very successfully for 50 years. They made sure each of their four daughters had a university education, but most important, they instilled into all of us a work ethic that has stayed with us all our lives.” Fiona Duncan, the UK’s leading hotel critic of the Daily Telegraph reviewed the hotel in May 2015 awarding it a 9 out of 10. She commented; “It would make a good book, even a film.” Joan Reen was a truly remarkable woman and made a huge impact on all those she met. Running one of the UK’s leading country house hotels with her husband Rob, Joan would meet many thousands of people over the years, and all who met her felt compelled to return if only to spend some time with her. I know this first hand. When I first met Joan, I was working for a hotel group and she instantly became my favourite hotel manager. Ynyshir Hall is such a special place and Joan and Rob made the hotel even more appealing. I’ll never forget her warmth when I started my own PR business six years ago and contacted Joan first to work with her once again. Along with Rob and her business partner John, Joan accepted my proposal and from there a friendship grew and grew. On Friday 12th February 2016 aged just 67 Joan died. It was a shock to everyone. Her funeral attracted hundreds of people, all of whom felt like family. Joan had that unique quality to make everyone feel welcome, to make everyone feel included and ultimately she made you feel like you were family.
“Her beloved hotel is a testament to her creativity and passion.”
Over the last six years Ynyshir Hall has appeared in many national, regional and local newspapers and magazines. Every journalist who wrote about Ynyshir Hall also wrote about Joan and Rob Reen. Both had such a huge impact on everyone they met and this resulted in rave reviews from people in the UK but also globally with fans of Ynyshir visiting regularly from the USA, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand and Germany. The family at Ynyshir Hall continues today and Joan personally chose her loyal team. Gareth Ward is the awardwinning chef, one of the UK’s best who has been at the hotel for several years now. Throughout the years, Joan and Rob transformed Ynyshir Hall into one of the UK’s finest country house hotels. Under the Reens, the hotel became a foodie destination holding a Michelin star over thirteen years. Last year, it became the only place in Wales to be awarded 4 AA Rosettes having held 3 AA Rosettes for twenty years. Ynyshir Hall has appeared in ‘The Good Food Guide’ for the last 26 years. It was also awarded AA Hotel of the Year, Wales in 2014. Gareth Ward has been part of all of these recent wins. Joan and Rob Reen took ownership of Ynyshir Hall in 1989. Prior to acquiring and managing Ynyshir Hall, Joan and Rob were both teachers. Famous guests have included Richard Gere, Julia Ormond and Eddie Izzard among many others. 22
There will be no one like Joan again in this industry. Her beloved hotel is a testament to her creativity and passion. Joan is celebrated at Ynyshir Hall, and over this year several commemorative areas, dedicated to her memory, will be unveiled in the hotel and in the grounds. I miss Joan tremendously and am fortunate to be able to look back at the times I spent with her and also read the many hundreds of articles of happiness all describing Joan’s warmth. May she rest in peace.
Ynyshir Hall Eglwysfach, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8TA 01654 781209 www.ynyshirhall.co.uk