Twr y Felin Hotel - A former windmill and Wales' first contemporary art hotel in St Davids

In October, we headed out to explore the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a part of our holiday was spent in St Davids.

St Davids is a charming little city, the smallest in the UK, and we absolutely loved it. With its cosy feel, stunning coastal views, and friendly atmosphere, it was the perfect getaway spot. And we were lucky to have fantastic weather throughout our stay, which made exploring the area even more enjoyable. The sunshine (we weren't expecting it to be this sunny in the last week of October) highlighted the beauty of the landscapes and it felt like the ideal place to unwind and soak up the natural surroundings.

While in St Davids we stayed at the Twr y Felin Hotel.

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Twr y Felin Hotel is known as Wales' first contemporary art hotel. Set in a former windmill, it offers unique and modern accommodations, featuring over 100 pieces of commissioned artwork inspired by the Welsh landscape and culture. The hotel is also highly rated for its proximity to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, with beautiful coastal trails and views.

When we arrived at Twr y Felin Hotel, the check-in process was quick and easy. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which made us feel right at home. A staff member guided us to our room and took the time to show us everything — from how to adjust the room temperature to working the curtains, using the TV, and even the best way to reach reception if we needed anything. We really appreciated how helpful and friendly everyone was.

Another thing that immediately caught our attention was the art. It felt like there was something beautiful to look at on almost every wall in the public areas, and even in our room. The artwork was amazing and added so much character to the hotel.

 

Accommodation Types and Room

Twr y Felin Hotel has 39 ensuite bedrooms including one room designed for accessibility. Each room is modern and stylish, featuring handcrafted furniture, luxurious fabrics and unique artwork.

The ground floor of the hotel is fully accessible.

The room types at the hotel are categorised as:

• Windmill / Oriel Standard: ground or first floor rooms with coastal or countryside views.
• Oriel Unique: courtyard-facing rooms with views of the original windmill.
• Rhosson Windmill Suite: second-floor suite with countryside views.
• Windmill Indulgent: individually shaped rooms located in the original hotel with unique features and offering distant coastal views.
• Oriel Spacious: located adjacent to Oriel Lounge, these are ground-floor rooms with terraces.
• Oriel Indulgent: coastal facing with sit-out balcony or terrace and views of St Brides Bay.
• Grand Oriel Indulgent: the most spacious bedrooms with views of St Brides Bay or the original windmill.
• Tyddewi Windmill Tower Suite: a distinctive suite spread over three floors of the original windmill tower, offering spectacular 360-degree views of the St Davids peninsula from its observatory.

We stayed in one of the Oriel Indulgent rooms on the first floor.   

Our room was coast-facing, with a lovely view of St Brides Bay that was absolutely beautiful to wake up to each morning. The room had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. 

Since we were on the first floor, our room featured a Juliet balcony (pictured below) with double sliding glass doors that let in plenty of natural light and fresh air. The space felt open and inviting and was furnished with a comfy sofa, armchairs and even a small coffee table.

The room was equipped with all the essentials, from a super king bed that could be set up as a twin or double, to a luxurious bath and a walk-in shower. We had access to a TV, coffee maker, kettle and a mini-fridge, which made things extra convenient. They even provided thoughtful touches like plush robes, slippers and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries. 

It was the perfect retreat after a day of exploring, with every detail taken care of.

Dining Experience at Blas Restaurant

Dining at Blas Restaurant (3 AA Rosette) was a real treat. The menu offered a mix of creative dishes, many of which were made with fresh, local ingredients.

The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and you could feel the attention to detail in every dish. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, making the whole experience even more enjoyable.

I started with the smoked baba ghanoush, which was rich and flavourful – a perfect way to begin the meal.

For the main course, we chose the kohlrabi with walnut, mustard, spelt and parsley. It was an amazing combination – earthy, slightly tangy and full of flavour. Every bite was a pleasant surprise, showing how well the chef brought out the flavours of local ingredients. When it came to dessert, each choice looked as delicious as it tasted, with beautiful presentation and rich, balanced flavours. 

Blas Restaurant truly delivered in both taste and presentation – we'd give them full marks!

Art and Ambience

The art collection at Twr y Felin Hotel is one of its most unique features and truly sets it apart. Nearly every wall is adorned with artwork, from abstract pieces to portraits to landscapes inspired by the local area. Walking through the hotel feels a bit like wandering through a contemporary art gallery, with each corner offering something new and interesting to see. The art captures the essence of Pembrokeshire’s landscapes, colours, people, culture and history which adds a strong sense of place and character to the hotel.

Art in the garden (below)

Seventeen artists (including Sarah Shaw, Harry Adams, Brendan Burns, John Uzzell-Edwards) were commissioned for the Twr y Felin collection which comprises of 220 pieces of art that are shared between Twr y Felin and its sister venues, Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory.

This extensive collection does more than just decorate the walls; it creates a warm and inspiring atmosphere. The pieces add personality and charm to every space, making it feel like an art lover’s haven. One of my favourite pieces was Grahame Hurd-wood's ‘City of Portraits’. Over 10 years, Grahame has worked on his collection of portraits featuring people of St Davids. A selection of these portraits (from a total of around 900 portraits) is currently on display at the hotel.

Read more about the art at Twr y Felin here.

Services at Twr y Felin

While we didn’t try the treatments ourselves, Twr y Felin Hotel offers a range of natural, holistic options for anyone looking to relax and recharge. They have a treatment room where a professional therapist provides massages and therapies designed to ease stress and aches. You can choose from various massages, like Aromatherapy or a Therapeutic Body massage, or go for something more focused, such as an Indian Head massage or Reflexology for tired feet. They even offer complementary therapies like Qi Gong Meditation and Reiki for a full mind-body experience.

 

What to see and do in St Davids

   
Twr y Felin Hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of St Davids. One of the highlights nearby is St Davids Cathedral, a stunning and historic building that has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Right next to the cathedral are the atmospheric ruins of the Bishops Palace, where you can wander through the remains and imagine life in medieval times. 

The hotel is within walking distance of the Oriel y Parc National Park Visitor Centre and National Museum Wales Gallery.

Being close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Twr y Felin is also a great base for outdoor activities. Just a short distance away, you’ll find coastal walking trails with incredible sea views and diverse wildlife. St Non’s Chapel, overlooking the cliffs, offers a quiet spot to take in the scenery and enjoy the coastal breeze. 

For those keen to explore the sea, there are boat trips to spot marine life or simply enjoy the beautiful coastline. The nearby harbours add to the experience, with picturesque views and the opportunity to watch the boats come and go. With so much to see and do right outside the hotel, the location truly brings together culture, history and natural beauty.

For those interested in exploring beyond the city, the hotel’s location provides easy access to many natural and historical attractions, which makes it ideal for both relaxation and adventure.

Sustainability and Environmental Efforts at Twr y Felin

At Twr y Felin Hotel, I noticed right away how much thought has been put into making a positive environmental impact. The hotel is passionate about sustainability and is always looking for new ways to reduce its footprint. I learned that they’ve planted thousands of trees and shrubs across their properties, adding to the local landscape and contributing to cleaner air. They even use a natural seaweed fertilizer from a local initiative, Car y Mor (Love of the Sea), to help these plants thrive in an eco-friendly way. The grounds look beautiful, and it’s nice to know that this beauty supports a healthier environment.

Throughout the hotel, we saw several other efforts they’ve made to go green. From solar panels on the roof that help generate energy, to LED lighting, it’s clear they’re serious about reducing energy consumption. They also provide electric car charging stations, which is a thoughtful touch for guests traveling with EVs. In the rooms, they’ve switched to refillable toiletries, reducing plastic waste, and they encourage guests to reuse towels to save water and energy. Each room has a recycling bin with biodegradable liners, making it easy for guests to contribute as well.

When it comes to food and drink, the hotel sources a lot of its produce locally, including seafood from Car y Mor. They also offer locally sourced bottled water, which means fewer delivery miles and less carbon impact. Altogether, it’s impressive to see how committed they are to sustainability — it feels good to stay somewhere that’s taking real steps to protect the environment.

Book your stay at Twr y Felin

Our stay at Twr y Felin Hotel was truly enjoyable from start to finish. The room was excellent, with a beautiful view of St Brides Bay and had everything we needed to feel comfortable and relaxed. The dining experience at Blas Restaurant was fabulous, with delicious dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. Every staff member we met was friendly and helpful, which added to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. 

Twr y Felin is also a perfect base for exploring the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, making it a fantastic choice for anyone looking to experience the beauty and charm of St Davids. We couldn’t have asked for a better stay.

To book your stay at Twr y Felin, use the details below.

Twr y Felin Hotel | Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA62 6QT
Phone +44 (0)1437 725 555
Email [email protected]