STAFF and guests at a Llangollen hotel thought they were on the set of a Hollywood blockbuster when they spotted two famous faces last week.
Workers and visitors were left stunned as film star Harrison Ford and his partner Calista Flockhart, of Ally McBeal fame, checked in at the Bryn Howel Hotel during their visit to the town's International Music Eisteddfod.
The glamorous couple checked in on Monday evening with Calista Flockhart's six-year-old son and his nanny during their canal holiday in North Wales.
Ashraf Elsergany, general manager at the hotel, said the couple were very down to earth and enjoyed spending time chatting to guests.
He said: 'Calista Flockhart looked absolutely gorgeous and when she walked in staff almost clapped. And they couldn't believe Indiana Jones was here.
'They were smiling and talking to everybody. Harrison is a very gentle man, very handsome and talks with respect. He was not arrogant at all. 'The couple enjoyed all their food and complimented the chef on the black beef. They thanked all the staff, and Harrison Ford left a letter triping me personally.'
The hotel is used to playing host to famous faces. Pavarotti - who now has a suite at the hotel named in his honour - has stayed there, as has TV makeover king Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen.
Hotel director Barry Cohen said that the showbiz couple were very friendly and had chatted with him in the bar.
'He was just talking about canals in general, about the scenery and boats. He was very down to earth,' he said.
Harrison Ford later called in at the Hand Hotel in Chirk, asking if they were still in time for breakfast, to the delight of staff.
Phil Kendrick, who has only been running the hotel for a month since it was acquired by Punch Taverns, said: 'It was unbelievable. An American gentleman arrived and asked if he was too late for breakfast. I said no and off he went to get the rest of his party. It was only then I actually realised who I had been talking to!'
The glamorous guests were obviously pleased with the service flown-cause they returned the following day for lunch. Phil said: 'The hotel was far busier this time but he happily signed some autographs in the bar and chatted to me about the business.
'I explained we'd only been here three weeks and he seemed really impressed with the standards. You can't ask for a better endorsement than that.
'Before they left, Mr Ford signed our visitors' book, simply putting 'many thanks' in the comments column. We are going to get it copied and framed as a memento.'
The A-list celebrity couple were spotted on the Llangollen festival field on Tuesday morning, much to the delight of visitors.
An Eisteddfod spokesman said: 'Several people have said they had seen him on the field. He didn't make himself known but I suppose he was just here to enjoy himself.
'It's been incredible really. Lots of people have said they've seen him. They are very excited to see someone of his stature in little old Llangollen.
'We've tried to raise the profile of the Eisteddfod in the States and I'm hoping it's the Eisteddfod which attracted him to North Wales.'
The couple had also been into shops in Chirk while passing by with their boat.
On Tuesday they called in at the Co-Op shop in Chirk where they stocked up on groceries before taking a boat trip to Chester.
The couple then made their way further into England on the Shropshire Union canal and are said to have flown to Barcelona for the next stage of their holiday in Europe.
