There’s no option but to totally relax and unwind at this very special location
03:00, 27 Jul 2025Updated 14:00, 28 Jul 2025
Time to relax and do nothing for 48 hours(Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
How often in life do you really feel totally relaxed, with the mind at peace and the body at rest and nothing to distract you back into hectic everyday life?
Some people relax by wandering out into nature and getting away from people, but although this sounds appealing I was looking to try and destress with a touch of luxury too – a spa break maybe, but one that could add a stunning view and landmark location that I truly adore.
I came across a very special place last year and due to work commitments could only spend a brief time at the location, but as I left I vowed I would return when I had more time to indulge. A year later I arrived with the family for 48 hours of zero interruptions apart from spa treatments and lolling about in hot tubs as I was kindly invited to try out the resosrt’s facilities further. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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Every hour the incredible view changes at this landmark location(Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
The Dylan Coastal Resort is a secluded hamlet of lodges nestled into the hillside in one of Wales’ most well-known locations, Laugharne, just above Dylan Thomas’ famous boathouse and looking out over the Taf estuary with Gower Peninsula and Worm’s Head on the horizon.
It’s a living piece of artwork that changes hourly, from sunrise to sunset, from blazing sunshine to stormy skies, from the tide being in and creating a wonderful water vista to the tide retreating to reveal massive sand banks happy to host hoards of birds taking advantage of the newly exposed feature.
One of the lodges you can rent or even buy(Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
The mesmerising panoramic view is the first thing that greets you when you arrive at this hidden gem, tucked away at the end of a small lane before the path wanders away towards the famous Welsh poet’s former home.
Instantly the location, with the backdrop of birdsong, takes your stress level down a level and the luxury lodges welcome you with contemporary and spacious interiors and outdoor areas that include a terrace with hot tub and zones for eating and relaxing – all with the enchanting view as a close neighbour.
Every lodge has a hot tub on their private terrace (Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
In my view, what sets this lodge complex apart from so many others is Milk Wood House, where the spa facilities are waiting to embrace you and ensure you leave feeling on cloud nine – or even higher.
Off to the spa building to try and find total relaxation (Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
The facilities within this building are reason enough to stay and offer the welcome chance to fully immerse yourself in relaxation. After utilising the lockers and showers in the lovely changing rooms you can opt for visiting the gym with arguably the most stunning view in Wales or venturing into the spa area.
Gym with a view(Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
Initially, I was slightly apprehensive about strolling around the spa area in my swimming costume on the first day, but you’re provided with a dressing gown, towel and slippers either from your luxury lodge or reception, making it easy to dip into one of the pools and then unwind at one of the seating areas relaxing in your dressing gown.
The infinity pool is housed within an impressive double-height space, with a massive wall of multiple glass windows on one side perfectly showcasing the breathtaking view. Warm enough for leisurely swimming and cool enough for more vigorous lengths, the pool was constantly inviting.
The infinity pool easily tempts a visit(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
Adjacent to the pool is a substantial sauna and a separate herbal steam room both featuring a glass wall so your connection with the stunning view remains uninterrupted – unwinding in the sauna whilst overlooking the pool and the landscape beyond was instantly soothing. For more property, renovation, and interior design stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
There was one room that was a puzzle – four ‘beds’ made out of concrete and topped with metallic mosaic tiles – with a glass wall looking out over the view, but they didn’t look very tempting.
Hot beds that might look uncomfortable but they are wonderful(Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
However, this room and these concrete beds became a favourite place for relaxing during our 48 hour stay – the secret lies in the fact that these beds are heated, making them a delightful part of a space known as a tepidarium, something I had never encountered before and am now very much a fan of.
However, my favourite spot at Milk Wood House was perhaps the infinity hydrotherapy pool. It’s situated outdoors but tucked under the first floor, offering the combined advantage of fresh estuary breezes and birdsong wafting towards you, along with protection from any rain that might disrupt your relaxation.
The hydro pool was the favourite space(Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
This pool is warmer than its larger counterpart and it was instantly wonderful to feel immersed in the heat. There was a surprise structure hiding under the water, a sloping ‘bed’ made out of metal pipes. It sounds uncomfortable but actually it provided an angle to lay back and see the view as we floated in the hot water. On a timer the pool erupted into bubbles as the metal pipes turned the still water into a giant hot tub.
I have an issue with my shoulder and arm and although I am not a medical professional and not qualified to recommend this to anyone else, I found the hot temperature and the buoyancy of the water very beneficial indeed, and with the immense view of the estuary as the view to accompany this space, I came back to visit time and time again.
Large steam room plus a sauna next door has a view over the swimming pool to the estuary (Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
A cold water shower and wash facilities by the poolside can quickly rejuvenate you, or a trip up to the cosy mezzanine seating area that offers some tranquillity away from others, is an option. I have to admit, I ‘lost’ a few hours drifting off into dream land on the mezzanine level – that’s how relaxed I was.
Choice of places to relax on comfy seating(Image: Jo Ridout, Media Wales)
Extra temptation is on offer as you can book a pamper treatment. I indulged in a facial as this poor, weather-beaten, city-polluted face hadn’t seen much love recently but Lily, the wonderful therapist, was there to put that right.
The room was as relaxing as I had hoped for – wonderfully scented, atmospheric with dim lights and soft, relaxing music that was on the verge of sending me to sleep. The resort has also extended the treatments on offer, dedicating a whole lodge near Milk Wood House to popular offerings such as manicures and pedicures as well as holistic treatments.
Lily Mathias spa therapist(Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
Of course, the site has a location that can easily tempt you to use it as a base and leave it to explore the glorious surrounding landscape and access to local areas around Laugharne, from stunning beaches to visit such as the famous seven-mile Pendine Sands, but we were here to spend 48 hours at the resort and totally unwind.
The resort is unusual in that it offers a number of ways to engage with the facilities and the very welcoming staff. If you’re local you can become a member to use the facilities, or anyone can enjoy a meal in the restaurant. Residents of the resort who have hired a lodge for a week, fortnight or weekend can use the facilities for free although any treatments are extra.
Open-plan kitchen lounge diner inside the lodge(Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
But there is also the opportunity to buy one of your own lodges to use exclusively for yourself, family and friends or to also rent out as an income generator to holiday-makers when it is not in use. Personally I think it’s a fantastic idea as you get a holiday home that doesn’t take housing stock away from the local community, plus the benefit of having use of the resort’s facilities.
The lodges are well equipped – better than my home – with a hot tub, alfresco dining and sofas on the terrace with an estuary view. Beats the view out of my window of the neighbour’s pants on the washing line!
Well-equipped kitchen(Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
Milk Wood House has a bar and restaurant offering a delicious menu from breakfast through to evening meal, including a children’s option, but the luxury kitchen also had all we needed to create our own feast, including a coffee machine, and there were televisions in all bedrooms and large screen in the lounge, which was much appreciated as we got over-excited watching the rollercoaster ride that was the 4-3 defeat of Wales versus Belgium – luckily the lodges are detached so no-one heard us shouting at the TV screen.
Ensuite principal bedroom plus two more double bedrooms and a family bathroom(Image: Alex Ridout, Media Wales)
There are also a choice of lodges too, starting from £345,000 for The Sonnet residence up to The Solace at £650,000. But if buying is not an option, staying might well be, with weekends, especially out of season, especially popular with families and groups of friends in a three-bed lodge sharing the cost. For exact prices and available dates to stay or for more information about buying a lodge call reception of Milk Wood House on 01994 427332.
Driving back home, after a few lattes as I was just a little bit too relaxed, I was so smitten by my experience I am determined to go back one day and indulge in doing nothing again as soon as possible.