Built sometime between 1763-1779 for General Valentine Jones after his return from War in America, when it was known as Trewythen House. The grounds were large and included extensive gardens, which could also be approached from a lane off China Street. In 1834 it became an inn, and on the 29/30th April 1839 it was at the centre of a chartist uprising, when the hotel was stormed by the rioters and policemen were brought in from London. The house, originally rectangular, was later considerably extended by a cross range to the rear, ca 1860. The porch may have been added at that time or shortly after.

A symmetrical 3-storey building with a 5-window red brick front with a plinth, a hipped slate roof with slightly swept eaves, a modillion bracket cornice and blue brick chimney stacks. There are brick voussoirs to the small pane sash windows which are 6-pane to the second floor and 12-pane below. Lettering of the hotel name projects at second floor level and there are flags at first floor level.

The ground floor has a broad timber porch with paired Greek Doric columns surmounted by a cornice, with full classical detail including metopes composed of cameo-like roundels. There is a central lamp bracket and half-glazed doors in the round arched entrance are surrounded by a panelled soffit and a fine fanlight.

The first 2 bays of the left hand side are of the earlier period, with the windows of the later cross range beyond being of painted brick and have similar details to the originals. Some sash windows are horned and without glazing bars and an extra ground floor window has been inserted, as well as a modern door at the extreme left end. The rear is slate hung rear with bracket eaves, and there is a modern extension to the inner side of the cross range and on gable end. To the rear of the main range the original stairwell projection survives.

The interior retains considerable Georgian classical detail. The entrance hall has an oval ceiling rose and a cornice with modillions and rosettes. The dog leg staircase has a swept up handrail, turned newel and fluted balusters, and arched openings at landing level which are now partly blocked. Also surviving are 6-panel doors with 6-panel reveals and dado rails. The dining room has a fine cornice enriched with bukrania and cameo-like profile figures and a marble fireplace. There are many ceiling roses to the upper floors and a dentil cornice to 1st floor landing.

To the rear of the building (and not included in the listing) is the former stable block. This is constructed of random rubble stone, partially rendered and limewashed, with a slate roof. The window are a mix of fixed, two light, timber windows, 12-pane fixed windows and more modern timber casements.

(Source; Cadw listing description/ RCS2/1/835) S Fielding RCAHMW 08/11/2005