I stayed at holiday destination that is one of UK’s best kept locations

Convincing the younger members of any family to embark on a holiday can often be met with indifference. This was the reaction I received when I suggested a few days stay at a place they’d never heard of.

However, my trump card was photos of the luxury lodge and facilities at the resort I had in mind. Needless to say, I emerged victorious. The prospect of an infinity swimming pool, hot tub, and spa managed to quell the complaints. 

The journey to the  Dylan Coastal Resort is straightforward, with clear signage from the main road that winds down into the charming town of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire. The lane leading to the entrance of this secret holiday spot is lined with period properties and traditional terraces, giving no hint of the luxury experience awaiting you atop the hillside, reports Wales Online.

This unique location, nestled next to the Taf estuary, is already a landmark for being the site of the famous Welsh poet and author Dylan Thomas’s boathouse. The charming cottage by the water was his home and where he penned some of his most celebrated works. However, hidden within fields is another special spot, the Dylan Coastal Resort. 

The resort was once a caravan and cabin park, owned by a local family for decades. However, in recent years they have invested a staggering amount to replace the worn-out structures with high-end, detached lodges that boast stunning views of the estuary from their elevated position.

The first thing that strikes you as you enter the resort is the breathtaking, panoramic view. To the right, layer upon layer of stunning landscape create a picture-perfect scene that you can’t tear your eyes away from. I was instantly captivated by the location.

During my stay, I noticed that the view is constantly changing. It shifts every hour, even every minute, as the weather changes and day turns to night.

As the first day drew to a close, we were treated to a spectacular sunset. We watched it intensify from the comfort of our luxury lodge’s rooftop terrace before a clear, starry sky took over.

The headquarters of the resort, Milk Wood House, is a detached, modern structure made primarily of glass, stone and slate that impresses as soon as it comes into view at the end of the driveway. Upon entering, we were greeted warmly by the reception staff who couldn’t have been more helpful from that moment until our departure.

I’ve always believed that the success of a hospitality business hinges on its customer-facing staff and that a building only becomes inviting when filled with positive and vibrant people. I must say, the staff at Dylan Coastal Resort brought both these elements to work in abundance.

Every single staff member was helpful, knowledgeable and, without prompting, expressed how much they enjoyed working at the resort. They spoke of the joy they derived from meeting and assisting guests and local visitors, as well as appreciating the stunning view from the multiple windows.

Collecting the keys for our luxury lodge and driving to the top of the site, I thought I had identified the first challenge of staying here: the site itself is nestled into the hillside so the walk back to the lodge from Milk Wood House after a day at the spa or a meal at the restaurant could leave you breathless.

But that was easily rectified with a free concierge taxi service on site. A simple phone call would have a staff member at your lodge within minutes to drive you down to the site entrance or Milk Wood House, and then you could call them again when you needed a lift back up to your lodge.

And in any case, strolling down or up the hill in dappled sunlight surrounded by water, country and village rooftop views was not a hardship. However, I did take advantage of the taxi service after dining at the restaurant in Milk Wood House – much to the amusement of my family.

I wasn’t being high maintenance, I was just tired and full, and grateful for the evening ride up the hill which, I should add, the family also took.

The restaurant is located on the first floor of Milk Wood House and is a beautifully designed space that fully embraces the estuary and coastal view that sets it apart from most. The floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the ever-changing landscape is a constant and welcome guest at your table.

If the weather permits, the outside covered terrace is the perfect spot to become so engrossed in the view that you might forget to eat. We tried the lunch, dinner and breakfast menu and, while everything was delicious, the breakfast was so memorable we still talk about it to this day.

Gareth, the newly appointed restaurant manager, revealed plans to revamp the menu and interior. The menu will soon feature a French cuisine section alongside locally sourced classic dishes.

The Glan Y Mor Terrace is another highlight, serving pizzas that can also be ordered as takeaways. The first floor of Milk Wood House boasts an indoor seating area with comfortable chairs and an outdoor terrace, perfect for enjoying a drink with a stunning view.

The resort aims to maintain strong ties with the local community, welcoming non-residents at the restaurant and offering memberships for use of the gym and leisure facilities.

The resort employs most of its staff from Laugharne and the surrounding areas, contributing significantly to the local tourist economy. It operates all year round, regardless of weather conditions, thanks to the wonderful Milk Wood House.

Milk Wood House itself offers excellent facilities, including a well-equipped changing room, a gym with arguably the best view in Wales, and a spa area, providing guests with ample opportunities for relaxation.

I was initially apprehensive about strolling around the spa in a swimsuit on the first day, but with a dressing gown, towel and slippers provided either from your luxury lodge or reception, it’s easy to dip into one of the pools and then unwind at one of the seating areas or on the mezzanine level.

The infinity pool is housed within a striking double-height space, with a wall of glass on one side perfectly showcasing the breathtaking view. Warm enough for a leisurely swim and cool enough for more vigorous lengths, the pool was constantly inviting and a hit with visitors.

Next to the pool, there’s a large sauna and a separate herbal steam room, both featuring a glass wall so you can continue to enjoy the iconic view – unwinding in the sauna while overlooking the pool and the landscape beyond was immediately soothing.

A cold water shower and wash facilities by the pool can quickly rejuvenate you, or you could head up to the cosy mezzanine seating area for some quiet time away from others. As I wandered back towards the changing rooms, two enticing spaces became my favourite spots to visit.

One room, featuring a glass wall for an uninterrupted view, initially puzzled me with its four ‘beds’ crafted from concrete and adorned with metallic mosaic tiles. However, the secret lies in the heated beds, making them a delightful part of a tepidarium – a concept I was unfamiliar with until now.

The beds were so soothing that a family member dozed off on one, resulting in tile imprints on his back for the next hour. But perhaps my favourite spot at Milk Wood House was the infinity hydrotherapy pool. Nestled under the first floor, it offers the dual advantage of fresh estuary breezes and birdsong, while also providing shelter from any potential rain.

This pool is warmer than its larger counterpart, and it was instantly gratifying to be enveloped in the warmth. A surprise awaited beneath the water – a sloping ‘bed’ constructed from metal pipes.

It may sound strange and uncomfortable, but it offered a perfect angle to recline and enjoy the view as we floated in the hot water.

It was only on our second day when we discovered a button hidden on the top ledge of the pool that activated bubbles, transforming it into a delightful hot tub experience.

During our stay in June, outside of school holidays, the resort was bustling but never uncomfortably crowded. Even when the hydropool or hot beds were occupied, there were plenty of other fantastic facilities and areas to explore, with guests frequently moving between spaces.

The resort also offers pampering treatments. I treated myself to a facial, a much-needed indulgence for my weather-beaten, city-polluted face.

While it’s not guaranteed you’ll emerge looking like a teenager, I certainly felt rejuvenated and my face had a healthy glow – a result of pampering, not a menopausal hot flush!

The treatment room was as tranquil as I had anticipated – beautifully fragrant, atmospheric with dimmed lights and soothing music that nearly lulled me to sleep as Cara, the fantastic therapist, pampered my skin. The resort had recently expanded its treatment offerings, dedicating an entire lodge near Milk Wood House to popular services such as manicures and pedicures, as well as holistic treatments.

These treatments must be booked in advance or included in a pamper package, but they are also available to non-residents. This means locals or visitors to the area can easily pop up the hill for a nail treatment or indulge in a facial or massage.

We were having a splendid time, but sometimes the best way to gauge people’s true feelings about a place is to overhear their conversations. In the changing rooms, I overheard one woman discussing their stay at the resort with her sister.

The family had gathered for a few days of luxury, renting three lodges. The group ranged from toddlers to grandparents, and everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves, doing as they pleased – whether that was splashing around in the swimming pool, unwinding in the hydropool, exercising in the gym, or savouring complete tranquillity back at the lodge.

One of the standout benefits from the first day of my visit was the variety of options the resort provides, allowing you to customise your experience to your liking.

The secluded lodge offers a private retreat with stunning panoramic views. It was noticeable that our neighbours seemed to spend their entire stay on their deck, enjoying their hot tub.

However, Milk Wood House also provides enticing reasons to venture out, including complimentary spa days as part of your stay, which can be enjoyed alone or with family and friends. Additional pampering sessions are available for a fee.

The site’s location is ideal for those wishing to explore the beautiful surrounding landscape and local areas around Laugharne, from the famous seven-mile stretch of Pendine Sands to the lush Carmarthenshire countryside.

Despite these attractions, we were content to spend most of our time at the resort, either at Milk Wood House or in our lodge. We usually squeeze into a quaint apartment on the Cornwall coast each year, so the spacious three-bedroom luxury lodge in Laugharne, complete with an open-plan lounge kitchen diner, felt incredibly roomy.

The front deck was perfect for alfresco evening drinks under the stars, and our sunken hot tub with multiple LED light options was a favourite spot for unwinding and chatting at the end of the day. We stayed in one of the Sonnet lodges, which also featured a roof terrace with a sofa – the perfect place to take in the panoramic views.

The kitchen was well-equipped and two luxury bathrooms were available, with dressing gowns and slippers provided for each guest in the three bedrooms’ wardrobes, making it incredibly easy to relax and feel pampered.

There are various ways to experience the resort – you can purchase a lodge for exclusive use, easing the burden of second home ownership in the area, or buy one and rent it out during periods when you’re not using it. Alternatively, you can book directly with the resort to stay in one of their owned lodges, which is what we did.

I had a conversation with Simon, the general manager at the resort owned by Luxury Lodges, to understand the range of prices. It became clear that depending on factors such as length of stay, time of year, size and location of the lodge, and group size, a stay could start from as little as £389.

Ann Marie, a member of the administration and reception staff team, informed me that the resort is increasingly popular for hen weekends and gatherings of family and friends to celebrate special events or anniversaries, or simply as a treat. The cost of the larger lodges can be shared by up to six people, making it a feasible option for many.

Upon arrival at Dylan Coastal Resort, we were unsure of what to expect – the pre-visit photos were enticing, but would the reality live up to our expectations?

Our experience at the resort far exceeded our hopes. The location, amenities, staff, lodge and restaurant all contributed to a fantastic stay. We are all eagerly anticipating our return.

For more information about Dylan Coastal Resort, visit www.luxurylodges.com.