Cathy Owen
Glamps it up in a luxury lodge at a bang tidy mid-Wales resort
When I told people we were going on a halfterm holiday to “Powys”, some, confused by my accent, thought I said “Paris”. But there was no disappointment on our part about spending four nights in mid-Wales, after enjoying a thoroughly picturesque journey through the Brecon Beacons.
Booked through Hoseasons, Love2Stay Mid Wales is a stunning resort with stylish lodge accommodation, a spa and a private lake, situated in a beautiful spot above the Severn Valley.
Just a mile or so east of the village of Caersws, it has truly breathtaking countryside views in all directions.
Opened in August last year, the plan is to build more than 120 pods and lodges across the 28 acres over the next five years.
So it’s a work in progress, but the building going on around the site is very low-key and being carried out in stages, so we were blissfully unaware of any construction taking place during our Monday to Friday autumn stay. With the resort being so recently opened, the onsite facilities looked like they had only just been unwrapped... everything was pristine.
The resort’s reception is in a swish leisure complex that sits unobtrusively next to a hillside, and houses a stylish cafe, gym, a superb swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
If that’s not enough to put you in a relaxing mood there is also a spa, with a range of treatments costing around £45. There’s also wi-fi and dogs are welcome – they have their very own exercise area.
Visitors can choose from a selection of very stylish accommodation full of trendy accessories, which make the most of the scenic surroundings.
We opted for Wren’s
Nest Lodge for the extra space for our ever-growing (and ever-eating) teenage boys.
The lodge has three bedrooms – one master and two twins – that makes it ideal for larger families.
There is a fully fitted kitchen with beautiful oak worktops, dishwasher, washing machine, wine fridge and log burning stove, while a bi-fold door leads onto a large decked outdoor space, with a hot tub, fire pit, family picnic bench, egg chair and a bean bag to crash out on and gaze up at the stars.
The views of the surrounding green hills from the hot tub were spectacular and they couldn’t be ruined by the vagaries of the Welsh autumn weather.
You could also go for one of the innovatively designed Hillside Cabins, also perfect for those who want a very upmarket glamping experience, with all the luxuries of a hotel room, private bathroom, open-plan living area with TV and kitchen with SMEG appliances, plus their own decking and hot tub.
The woodland lodges come with plenty of space to spread out, fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, king size beds and firepit.
The team at Love2Stay have plenty of local knowledge to point you in the direction of the best attractions to visit and places to eat during your stay.
We were steered towards the Nags Head in nearby Garthmyl, which hit the spot in every sense. Roaring log fires, first-class service and a burger described by one of our tough-to-impress teens as “the best I have ever tasted”.
We also tucked into a terrific takeaway supper from the
Caersws Fish Bar, a few minutes’ drive from the resort.
Back at the resort there are two playgrounds for tots to teens to enjoy, plus a football pitch, a den-building area and a basketball
The pristine facilities looked like they had only just been unwrapped