Whilst very few of us can write with such poetic beauty as Dylan Thomas, we can appreciate the spectacular scenery of Laugharne in understanding how it inspired Dylan Thomas to create his most famous works. The ebb and flow of the Taf estuary are some of the most magnificent sights to behold in Wales, and there’s no better place to absorb this splendour than staying at the cosy self-catering lodges of Dylan Coastal Resort.
Resort
Driving through quaint Laugharne, you wouldn’t expect to find such an extensive luxury complex of lodges nearby. It is a £20 million investment that is destined to boost the tourism sector in the local community and bring much-needed jobs. The sheer size of the resort means arriving after dark and trying to find your accommodation can be a tricky process, especially as they have a no-contact check-in system.
If you are arriving in the daytime, you can get help with directions by speaking with the staff based at the Milk Wood House facility. The £7.5 million state-of-the-art building is where the restaurant and spa are based (more on those later). The resort is strategically built on the hillside slope, so you get mesmeric views of the estuary no matter where you are. And the view is something you can enjoy whether it is a moody wintry scene or during the warmth of summer when the wildlife is bursting with vibrancy.
Lodge
We stayed at their Milk Wood Lodges and it truly exemplifies the adage ‘a home away from home’. There is a fully-fitted kitchen, the cosiest of fireplaces, and three well-sized bedrooms. Although, I am not sure how many homes in the UK have the luxury of their own high-spec hot tub overlooking the gorgeous Taf estuary. We were welcomed with a luxury hamper, a bouquet, and a bottle of Champagne.
Tea and coffee making sets are provided along with a cleaning set and iron and ironing board. If there is anything else you need, the local supermarkets are not too far away in Carmarthen, which is around a 10-minute drive away.
The design is bright, airy and it’s just the kind of welcoming staycation you would happily book in for a month if you can work from home as lodges can be hired either Monday to Friday or Friday to Monday.
Food and drink
If you don’t fancy cooking in your lodge, they do have the Milk Wood Bar and Kitchen offering modern British cuisine and sourcing their ingredients from local farmers. The highlights include freshly baked pizzas from their wood-fired pizza ovens, and they have a steak and tapas night, where you shouldn’t be surprised to see ginormous-sized tomahawk steaks flying out of the kitchen.
Above all, they are champions of Welsh produce. It’s not just the Welsh lamb and beef they offer, but they add Penderyn (a famous Welsh whisky) to their onion chutney, for example. There are also a few select dining options in Laugharne should you decide to venture into the local village.
Spa
The spa is where they truly stand heads and shoulders above their competition. Their first-class facilities offer an infinity pool, tepidarium, mezzanine relaxation zone, techno gym equipment, herbal steam room, outside infinity hydrotherapy pool, and themed showers. You will struggle to find a more impressive spa in any resort in the UK.
The treatment area is particularly impressive with heated massage tables and well-trained masseurs using organic, seaweed-based ishga treatments. Although the closing time is marginally on the early side around 5pm, so do get your treatments booked in as soon as you check in.
To do
Staying at the resort is all about relaxation, so you probably don’t want to be rushing around all that much. However, if you do want to discover the local area, there is plenty to see including the Dylan Thomas Boathouse and Laugharne Castle. And it is a great base to discover the ‘Garden of Wales’ with the National Botanic Garden of Wales not far away from the resort.
In a nutshell
Travel is well and truly back on in 2022 but with great accommodation like Dylan Coastal Resort, a staycation is likely to be an ongoing trend for the Great British public this year. This is the perfect escape whether you want to visit as a family or as a romantic getaway.
Factbox
Dylan Coastal Resort offers lodges from €293 per night.
Address: Laugharne Park, Laugharne, Carmarthen SA33 4SG
Phone: 01994 426006
Website: luxurylodges.com
