My trip to the Corran Resort
Posted April 20, 2012 by Jean LiggettTravelling to the Corran Resort in April via train was an inspirational journey, in the last part of the journey between Cardiff and Carmarthen were stunning views of the coast. From which a 20 min taxi ride takes you through beautiful winding roads between small villages and towns to Laugharne. The small country roads looked as Britain did in the early 20th century with stone wall fences and open fields.
The green fields and marshy lands took my breath away with their beauty. In this magnificent setting stands a bewitching boutique hotel which was originally a dairy farm dating back to the late 16th century. The Corran is a stone’s throw from Dylan Thomas’ last home.
The former owner of this hotel (Matt Roberts) is from the music and recording industry, he has put his own artistic and creative flavours and touches on all the rooms in the hotel – each with its own individual distinctiveness and personality. This approach has earned it accolades in the travel and national media.
The new owners are Welsh and have the capital, commitment and passion to transform the Corran to the premier boutique resort in Wales and for that matter in the UK. They have taken on many staff and have trained them to a level of staff in the Savoy Hotel in London.
Peter has excellent relationships with the local council in Carmarthenshire and Wales. They have asked the Corran to host a large festival which will become an annual event. The likes of the rock icon Alice Cooper was seen on Laugharne recently. And Patty Smith of the Pretenders stayed at the Corran about 4 months ago.
This partnership with the Welsh government and the council will no doubt book out the rooms at the Corran and make this area in Wales, a destination for the Brits and also for internationals.
The actor Neil Morrissey (‘Men Behaving Badly’) was a part owner of the hotel along with Matt Roberts. Peter is going to expand the hotel and is building a further 28 rooms by renovating a nearby building. Planning permission was received a few months ago. This will include a music recording studio. There is already there is a heli-pad at the hotel to add to its glamour, and I think three now!!
The rooms are on 999 year leases and each owner will have his/her own title. The freeholder will retain the common areas of the hotel such as the restaurant, spa, land etc. The hotel can host wedding receptions and parties up to 140 people; a marquis is erected in the area for such events as indicated in my photo.
The Look and Experience of Hurst House on the Marshes
Historic furniture and pieces coupled with quirky finds give this hotel a real distinctiveness and personality, certainly not a Marriott or Intercontinental Hotel uniform bland look!
Bang & Olufsen sound systems coupled with an under-floor heating system in all the rooms are amongst the hidden delights. Juxtaposed the rural scene you see when you look outside the window that has not changed in 400 years.
I was struck by the sense of ‘getting away from it all’ and feeling straight-away de-stressed, it’s a real energy booster. Indeed, this has been one of its key appeals to its guests, a number of them whom are celebrities. With the addition of the recording studio in phase II, Matt has ambitions to attract the likes of Rihanna and Adele. Given his connections, this is totally achievable.
The hotel consists of a few buildings including:
- The main house where the reception, bar and restaurant are:The Great Barn
- Byre Cottage
- Orchard Cottage (I was not able to view this as there were honeymooners in this cottage!)
In the Media
Hurst House (now known as the Corran) has been written up in many national newspapers and glossy magazines, including:
- Daily Telegraph ‘Sophistication and understated chic‘
- Sunday Times ‘The World’s 100 Best Hotels’
- Marie Claire ‘Spectacular views’
- Telegraph Luxury ‘The most glorious rural setting’
- The Independent
- Living etc
- Food & Travel
My Conclusion
This is the type of hotel that provides an experience that we all crave:
- Getting away from it all
- De-stressing
- Located next to the coast in beautiful country
- Delicious freshly prepared food prepared for its own garden and other ingredients locally sourced
- Beautiful, comfortable rooms, each with a unique touch (that is a plus)
- Under-stated glamour, slightly quirky
- A place to be pampered
- It is unique and memorable – I spent an afternoon there and want to go back.
- Has real celebrity appeal and Matt is known in this community
Peter is committed to expanding the hotel and building a recording studio, which will enhance its appeal to the people looking for luxury in a coastal rural setting and to those in the music and performance industries.
It is the type of hotel/resort that people love and return to, as they already do. Whilst lots of developers build hotels and resorts that do not create that unique experience you want to re-explore.
Peter and his team have a vision for the hotel which will make it even more successful, and the hotel already has an established track record – being called in the Sunday Times one of the top 100 hotels in the world.
Availability
Phase 1 is sold out, and sales are moving quickly in phase 2, which consists of 28 large luxury suites.
Full hotel suites and fractionals are available.
Tucked away on the far South-Western corner of the Welsh coast, this world class boutique Hote is an unexpected haven of luxury, a unique Grade II listed 18 bedroom hotel dedicated to fine food, rest and relaxation.
Originally a 16th century dairy farm, the hotel’s main house and restaurant overlooks acres of marshland and an organic kitchen garden, whilst a large courtyard is enclosed by beautifully renovated outhouses containing sumptuous bedrooms and a bijou spa.
Elegant bedrooms are individually designed with luxury and relaxation in mind
The main house is home to a spacious penthouse and three further suites, whilst the outhouses enclosing the courtyard contain a mixture of suites and mezzanine rooms. The Cottage adjoins the old dairy and incorporates a bedroom, bathroom and living room with wood burning stove, set over two floors.
Hidden away in the far western corner of South West Wales and nestled in the Dylan Thomas homeland, the restaurant is relaxed, comforting, and superb quality. If you just fancy a hearty warming dish that’s great, or choose to indulge in a more refined supper from the House & Tasting menus. The restaurant overlooks the kitchen garden, the fruits of which feature exclusively on the menus. Glass fronted & punctuated by olive trees, featuring colourful local works of art, it’s a convivial space within the hotel.
Overseen by Head Chef Dave Watts, the kitchen produces seasonal dishes that are comforting & homely, such as braised feather of Welsh beef, baby onions, & roasted winter vegetables; followed by Bara brith pudding. A finer more intricate dining experience is offered by our 6 course tasting menu. Dave is very keen to utilise & promote their local produce. He is always onthe lookout for new producers, growers & suppliers to influence dishes within the menus.
Then walled kitchen garden supplies the restaurant with an abundance of year-round seasonal fruits, vegetables and salads.
The garden has recently received full organic accreditation, which ensures that everything is grown in harmony with nature and it all tastes just as it should. The garden team liaise with the kitchen daily to finesse the menus according to ideal ripening times. They are firm advocates of seasonal eating; this ensures that everything on guest’s plate is fresh and perfectly ripe.