Hotel Review: Sea View, Laugharne

Hotel Review: Sea View, Laugharne

Wednesday 26 September 2012

My room

I fell in love with Laugharne almost as soon as I saw it. It's a quintessentially Welsh village, with tiny streets and paths, a dramatic coastal view and proper little pubs. It took a little finding, but that was down to Google map issues rather than a tricky location. Once you have a handle on the village, you realise everything is on your doorstep.

It was late when we rolled up to the Sea View, so we had to trust their name, but the cosy beds sure were calling us after a loooong drive. There are only four rooms at the guesthouse, so you feel like you're staying in a cool friend's house, rather than a faceless hotel.

Location
With all the rooms facing the Laugharne estuary, the Dylan Thomas Boathouse just around the corner and the castle just steps away, the location can't be beaten. It's set away from the main street, so there's not a sound to be heard, bar a few seagulls. Seconds away is the Three Mariners pub, serving delicious homemade pizzas and flatbreads.

The reception isn't open all night, so it's a good idea to call them to let them know what time you'll be arriving. We were horribly late, and got the housekeeper out of her bed in her jammies. She still had a grin on her face as she bounded up the path, but it made me feel a little bad.


Rooms
As I mentioned, each room looks out to the sea, which is the perfect way to start any day in my opinion. The beds are like huge marshmallows, with mattresses you could hide away in, and bedding that calls for you to stay in bed all day. Each room has a little shower room and toilet, and big bottles of shower gel and shampoo, doing away with the little bottles that are horrifying for the environment.

There's also a good selection of teas and coffee, with little homemade Welsh biscuits.

Handmade Welsh biscuits

Breakfast
Now we're talking. Each night, you fill out a little menu card, stating what you'll want the next day. As well as the usual fruit, muesli, yoghurts etc set out on the side board, there's a choice of gorgeous Welsh cooked breakfasts. On the first day, we had thick pancakes, folded into triangles and drowning in maple syrup. I finished one, before admitting defeat. The following day I went for the full breakfast, with bacon so thick it was more like gammon. Dee had the vegetarian eggs Benedict, with mushrooms.

Neither day did we need a lunch. In other words? It gets the fatty thumbs up.

The view from my room

Service
Natalie, the housekeeper, was around for any advice should we need it, and there was always someone around in the day. In the evenings, Suzy the owner was behind the little bar downstairs, for any pre dinner tipples. Everyone we met was so lovely and helpful, and people in the village seemed to agree.


Rates
For what you're getting, the guesthouse offers great value. Double rooms with full breakfast cost from £89 Sun - Thurs, and Friday - Saturday £109. If you're staying more than two nights, you can probably haggle a discount.

Seaview Laugharne

Market Lane
Laugharne
Carmarthenshire
SA33 4SB

T: 01994 427030
W: www.seaview-laugharne.co.uk