Carmarthenshire is a beautiful and historic part of South Wales, which borders the ancient and breath-taking Brecon Beacons with their warm, red sandstone peaks, whilst also nestling alongside the golden sandy beaches of Carmarthen Bay. It’s no small wonder Carmarthenshire has inspired so many artists, poets, and writers, including Dylan Thomas, who lived in the ancient estuary town of Laugharne nearby and wrote ‘Under Milk Wood’ about this very area. Carmarthenshire truly promises natural beauty and adventure to all who visit it.
Set on the striking south coast of Carmarthenshire, Dylan Coastal Resort combines therapeutic relaxation with as much exercise and adventure as you choose. It draws inspiration from the surrounding lush green landscape and the majestic Taf Estuary that stretches out before it. This brand new collection of luxurious holiday homes, luxury lodges, a world-class spa, and dining facilities only opened very recently, post-lockdown, after millions of pounds of investment. It’s now the perfect base for all ages to discover everything this beautiful part of the world has to offer.
The resort itself comprises almost 60 contemporary hilltop and cliff-front lodges, with more to come in 2022, each with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that capture the snaking estuary below with its ebbing and flowing tides, and out beyond you can glimpse white horses in the sea and the North Devon coast in the distance.
Why We Love This Resort
This stunning resort offers everything you need to relax, recharge and thoroughly escape from your everyday life. Whether you want your stay to be geared to total relaxation in the zen-like spa with its two infinity pools and impressive views; or to strike out on a path of discovery in the surrounding rugged countryside of ancient forests crisscrossed by walking trails, coastal paths, and unspoiled golden sandy beaches, Dylan Coastal Resort truly has it all.
If you somehow don’t fall for the serene, breath-taking views, delicious cuisine, and excellent service, you are guaranteed to be wowed, just as I was, with the incredible Wellness Suite with its magical outdoor hydrotherapy pool, indoor infinity pool, hot stone loungers, sensory showers, steam room, sauna, relaxation area, and treatment rooms. Everything you need for utter relaxation!
Location
Dylan Coastal Resort is tucked away in a stunningly picturesque corner of Carmarthenshire in Southern Wales, overlooking the Taf Estuary and Gower Peninsula. Right on your doorstep, you will find popular destinations including the town of Carmarthern with its quaint shops and market stalls, the pretty seaside town of Tenby with its colorful harbor and beautiful beaches, and Pembrokeshire, rated by National Geographic magazine as the second-best coastline in the World, with 186 miles of magnificent and varied coastline and over 50 beaches to choose from!
The resort itself lies on the edge of the ancient town of Laugharne, set amongst acres of green woodland that stretches down to the golden sands of the estuary below.
Best Time To Visit
There’s really no wrong time to visit this stunning part of the world, as we have just enjoyed a bewitchingly wonderful Halloween break there with clear starry skies, cozy nights, crunchy golden leaves, crackling fires, and dewy mornings. However, if you’re looking for the warmest and driest months, I’d recommend June and July when you are most likely to experience good weather with average temperatures of between 20 – 25 degrees Celsius. Throughout the summer you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and coastal walks, but even in the stormier autumn and winter months you can take advantage of the resort’s incredible spa and pools and visit the local markets and quaint shops nearby.
How To Get There
At just over 4 hours by car down the M4 or a little over 5 hours by train from London, you can set off after breakfast and really feel like you’re in another part of the world by afternoon-coffee-time, which is the perfect time to enjoy a delicious, warm and toasty welsh cake!
Style & Character
Recently redeveloped, the multi-million-pound contemporary and stylish Dylan Coastal Resort is surrounded by idyllic Welsh countryside. Envisage floor-to-ceiling windows, coastal vistas, spacious timber decks with bubbling hot tubs, transparent Perspex balconies offering uninterrupted views and decors that could have walked right off the glossy pages of Ideal Home or straight from a luxury hotel!
At the heart of the resort, you will find the 7 million pound Milk Wood House complex with its Milk Wood Kitchen & Bar, spa, and infinity swimming pools which both overlook ‘Milk Wood’, which was immortalized in Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood novel, and onwards to the twinkling waters below.
All the lodges are ultra-modern and bright with subtle coastal touches to remind you of where you are, though you’re unlikely to forget the stunning views from the many windows. Rustic stone and wooden exteriors are met with modern bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers or free-standing baths. Open-plan living areas feature fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, and spacious lounges with all the modern amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel.
Service & Facilities
Dylan Coastal Resort is home to the Milk Wood Spa, which easily boasts some of the best spa facilities in Southern Wales. Bringing together first-class wellness facilities and innovative therapies, guests can indulge in organic, seaweed-based ishga treatments, spend time in the mezzanine relaxation zone, or take a dip in the mesmerizing outdoor hydrotherapy infinity pool with its bubbling chrome underwater sofa (my happy place). The spa facilities include the indoor infinity pool with its two storey high glass wall, tepidarium, mezzanine relaxation zone, pedicure and manicure stations, treatment rooms, herbal steam room, outside infinity hydrotherapy pool, themed showers, and a gymnasium packed with Technogym equipment which also enjoys the incredible views.
The spa offers an excellent range of facial and body treatments and massages in two elegant treatment rooms, including organic ishga seaweed therapies, and my favorite: the invigorating body massage that eases away all your stresses and strains. Outside the treatment rooms, you will find the luxurious manicure and pedicure area complete with a stylish, modern fireplace, that makes the most of the views through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Tip: make sure to book your sessions in the spa and at the pool at least 24 hours in advance as it’s very popular, however, it’s never too busy as guest numbers are kept to a minimum to ensure you enjoy uninterrupted and peaceful moments of pure relaxation.
The service at the resort is simply excellent, nothing is too much trouble. The team on the main reception are only a phone call away to resolve any issues you might have and Suzie on the spa reception is so welcoming and goes above and beyond to ensure you have a magical and memorable stay. If the short walk up the hill is too much for you after a relaxing hour at the spa, then let one of the many resort golf carts or buggies take the strain and deliver you right to your door.
Other facilities at Dylan Coastal Resort include a children’s playground and two tennis courts.
Food & Drink
As well as the spa, the resort also makes a feature of its panoramic bar and restaurant: Milk Wood Kitchen & Bar on the first floor with entirely glass walls, making the most of the stunning Welsh coastal and countryside views below. The restaurant has a bright and airy feel with plenty of seating inside and outside on its three separate terraces. There is an open kitchen featuring a wood-fired pizza oven and a menu that showcases ingredients sourced from local farms and fishermen. It’s the perfect place to drink, dine, and spend time with your loved ones.
By day, you can soak up the sun on the terrace with a selection of seasonal salads, sandwiches, and sweet treats. And by night, you can sample hearty fare paired with the finest wines, or sip on classic cocktails by the fireside whilst catching up with friends and family. I can highly recommend the delicious Milkwood Burger and purple slaw, followed by the warm fudge brownie and vanilla ice cream, and kids aren’t forgotten about with four delicious meal options to choose from, my two loved the delicious local sausages!
Tip: Milk Wood Kitchen & Bar is very popular with guests and locals alike so again, book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Lodges
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday in South Wales, a romantic hot tub break for two, or are in search of a base to explore the likes of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, and the Brecon Beacons, the resort’s range of beautifully furnished lodges offer everything you and your loved ones need for an indulgent getaway.
The resort boasts six different styles and sizes of luxury, contemporary lodges to choose from. The Ferry Hills and Milk Wood Lodges sleep 4 guests in 2 bedrooms with a spacious open-plan living area and outdoor terrace or balcony. Milk Wood Spa Lodges also sleeps 4 across 2 bedrooms with an outdoor private seating area on the timber deck and bubbling hot tub. Dylan Lodges sleep 4 guests across a double master bedroom and twin bedroom, family bathroom, and a large open plan living space with • stunning lounge, stylish kitchen, and dining area with doors opening on to spacious decking area with outdoor hot tub. View Lodges sleep 4 in a master king-size double with ensuite shower and one twin room, while their spacious open plan living areas feature a modern kitchen and dining area and spacious outdoor decking area with hot tub. Finally, the Glan y Mor Lodge sleep 6 guests in three bedrooms: one king-size double with ensuite shower and two twins, while the open plan living area leads out onto the spacious decking area with an outdoor hot tub, ideal for families or a relaxing getaway with friends.
Best Lodge
We stayed in, and would absolutely recommend, a stylish stone-clad Dylan Lodge. They offer everything a family of four would need with a Master Bedroom with a dressing table, a built-in wardrobe and TV, all overlooking the Taf Estuary, and a second twin bedroom next door with a built-in wardrobe, and chest of drawers. The light and airy open-plan living area and kitchen featured large floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors out onto the large timber terrace with stylish wicker seating for four and a bubbling hot tub. The lounge had two comfy sofas from which to drink in the stunning views as well as a fury beanbag stool (loved by the children) and a large wall-mounted TV. The kitchen had everything you needed from fridge/freezer, oven, ceramic hob, microwave, toaster, kettle, washing machine, and all the cookery and cutlery implements you should need. We found the complimentary wifi to be great too.
Purchase a Lodge
If this all sounds too idyllic for just a week-long stay, then why not buy yourself a slice of Welsh luxury living with a luxury holiday home of your very own at Dylan Coastal Resort. You will be in good company with Alun Wyn Jones OBE having recently purchased a property here! The exclusive collection of coastal lodges combine the luxuries of hotel living with the freedom of holiday homeownership. Prices start from £250,000 per property, and there are flexible finance options available with just a 10% deposit.
Things to do
As well as the multitude of pastimes available to you at the resort, the surrounding area offers plentiful excursions and activities to enjoy too.
Explore secluded forests, towering cliff tops, and the lush green landscape surrounding the resort – a path runs down from Milk Wood House to the waterside where the Wales Coast Path, which stretches 870 miles, passes by. To one side you will find Milk Wood, which got its name from the carpets of snowdrops in early spring, in the other direction you will happen upon Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse, where he lived from 1949 to 1953 and where you can experience the inspiring views over the four estuaries from his Writing Shed, or head over the hilltop to the cemetery where a painted wooden cross stands at Thomas’s resting place. There are also miles of cycling paths throughout Carmarthenshire for guests to enjoy too.
If you wish to discover more about the region’s fascinating history and culture, there are many treasured landmarks, quaint towns, and villages, and breathtaking natural wonders to visit. Discover more about Laugharne’s rich history at the 13th century Laugharne Castle and Victorian gardens before taking in views over the estuary.
A short drive away, or five miles on the Coast Path, lies the seven miles of Pendine Sands with its sandy beach backed by a belt of sand dunes.
If you’re looking for somewhere to spend time as a family, embark on an aqua adventure at the Blue Lagoon water park; board a steam train at the Gwili Railway, or get up close to rare and endangered species at one of the nearby wildlife parks or the Natural Botanical Gardens. Perfect for children, Folly Farm is home to a vintage fairground, a world-class zoo, indoor and outdoor play areas, and plenty of friendly farm animals. Xcel bowl will allow you to unleash your competitive side at a vibrant, family-friendly bowling venue which also features a soft play center for little ones. Or why not try the National Showcaves Centre where you can journey underground and explore mesmerizing caves and see over 220 life-sized models at the world’s largest dinosaur park!
So, if you’re looking to explore this beautiful part of the world then look no further than Dylan Coastal Resort, so much more than a home away from home, it’s a little slice of Welsh gold.
Four nights in a two-bedroom lodge, sleeping four, starts at £1,100.
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