When in Wales, one experiences unparalleled natural beauty – with myriad opportunities for escaping into nature, and bluff-side castles with eons of history to be told. The small country of ravishing beaches and myth-laced mountains is home to three of the world’s most spectacular luxury boutique hotels, a collection overseen by the Retreats Group in Wales. From artful architecture to stunning panoramic views, each of their hotels offers a unique and magical experience for five-star lodging, exquisite dining, and nuanced adventuring alike.
In the heart of St Davids, Britain’s smallest city sits the magnificent Twr y Felin – a luxurious boutique hotel that fills the walls of its meticulously restored structure with stunning contemporary art. Twr y Felin was designed around a 19th-century windmill, housing 21 ensuite bedrooms overlooking the Pembrokeshire coast and several unique suites such as the Tyddewi Tower Suite – a three-floor abode within the original windmill observatory with a 360-degree view of the peninsula. If you take a ten-minute stroll, you find yourself walking along the coast path, Britain’s only coastal National Park, wandering alongside Caefai beach or meandering through what’s known as the holiest site in Wales, St David’s Cathedral. Fine dining is offered by the two AA-Rosette awarded Blas Restaurant, which has a seasonally curated menu of local and foraged ingredients, while the Oriel Lounge houses some of Twr y Felin’s 100+ specially commissioned art pieces as a gallery space fit for lunch or afternoon tea.
Nestled into a rocky knoll surrounded by sloping greenery, Roch Castle is in a historical haven halfway between St Davids and Haverfordwest. The 12th-century castle turned bed & breakfast has six luxurious rooms, each filled with stunning modern updates and panoramic views of the sea across St Brides bay or the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside. In communal spaces such as the Court Room and the Sun Room, guests can enjoy historical characteristics while appreciating floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the vast countryside. Many guests also venture out to the village of Roch or the coast at Newgale – just a five-minute drive away. As the winner of the Best Bed & Breakfast for the National Tourism Award for Wales 2018, Roch Castle offers excellent service, aesthetic wonder, and historic relevance along the Welsh coast.
Tucked into several acres of private gardens Penrhiw Priory offers guests a private and picturesque stay near the historic St Davids Cathedral and Whitesands Bay, one of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches. Adding to the backdrop is the border of woodland paths and rivers, inviting guests to stroll through the property at their leisure. Each of the eight luxurious bedrooms provides a unique experience within the late-Victorian mansion, styled with grand proportions and laden with bold artwork, commissioned specially. Each morning, breakfast consists of locally sourced produce and traditional Welsh dishes. For dinner, you might take a 20-minute stroll or a complimentary transfer to the Blas Restaurant at Penrhiw’s sister hotel, Twr y Felin. Penrhiw is unmistakably unique – the 19th-century Caerbwdi rubble stone structure is surrounded by pristine gardens and rolling meadows, providing a magnificent stay in what will feel like a tranquil, private residence in this wild and scenic region of the Welsh countryside.
These three stand out hotels, curated by Retreats Group, are among the most elegant and unmissable luxury hotels in Wales – each offering a unique and extraordinary stay on the St Davids peninsula. From coastal panoramic views to five-star guest services, from pristine garden paths to dramatic 12th-century architecture – these three leading hotels will offer a lavish contemporary experience with award-winning service. Head over to Cals-List to see other boutique properties around the world.