Roch Castle and Twr y Felin Hotel: Named in the Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels list

TWO west Wales hotels have been ranked amongst the best in the UK in the annual Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels list.

Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle, both located on the St Davids peninsula, have for the first time been named in the Romantic and Seaside categories respectively.

Paula Ellis, Group General Manager of Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle, said: “This accolade is a reward for the hard work of the entire team who work in our properties and is a tremendous boost for the development of Pembrokeshire as a tourist destination of world renown.

“We are so excited to have not one but two properties in The Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels list, an achievement which will enhance our profile internationally and importantly will bring benefits for the local economy and community in which we reside.”

Twr y Felin hotel, which opened in March this year, is a former windmill that has been restored and extended and is now home to 21 ensuite bedrooms including two suites, one of which covers three floors and occupies the original windmill tower and boasts 360 degree views over the St Davids peninsula. As described by Susan D’Arcy, Travel Writer for the Sunday Times: “…St Davids has a coastline made for romantic windswept walks”.

The hotel features a gallery of artwork from 20 Welsh, British and international artists including Harry Adams, Mr Jago and the Swansea-born Pure Evil. Over 100 pieces of specially commissioned works of art inspired by Pembrokeshire are on display throughout the hotel and in the dedicated gallery space, Oriel Lounge.

Twr y Felin is also home to Blas, a fine dining restaurant featuring fresh locally sourced produce under head chef Simon Coe. Guests can enjoy Welsh breakfast featuring laverbread and cockles, afternoon tea and contemporary fine dining.

Roch Castle is a 12th century Norman castle set high above the Pembrokeshire landscape and delivers panoramic views of St Brides Bay and the Preseli Hills, which is just one of the reasons the castle features in the Seaside category. Just a few minutes from Newgale beach, The Sunday Times discovered “you can be sinking your toes into sand as soft as clotted cream, which stretches for more than two miles – or taking on the Atlantic rollers.”

Meticulously restored, Roch Castle offers six ensuite bedrooms, a sun room with alfresco viewing platform, private dining and exclusive use stays. Luxurious contemporary design sits amongst the original features of the castle, which also houses specially commissioned artworks from Pembrokeshire and British artists.

Together with Penrhiw Hotel, a former vicarage also located on the St Davids peninsula, Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle complete a trio of luxury hotels and exclusive stay properties created by Welsh-born international architect and patron of contemporary art, Keith Griffiths. Set in 12 acres, Penrhiw also features a collection of contemporary art and is available for exclusive use.