The Welsh family escape that felt a world away with luxury lodges, blue lagoon and panoramic views
Here's why this Pembrokeshire resort has instantly become one of our favourite UK family escapes.
With magical woodland adventures, splash-filled days at the Blue Lagoon, luxury lodges and a golf buggy the kids still can't stop talking about, our family break at Bluestone's exclusive Merlin's Crest proved you don't need to fly abroad to enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
If you're looking for a fabulous family break where you can genuinely switch off and spend quality time together, Bluestone National Resort absolutely delivers.
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We stayed in the gorgeous St Gowan's Lodge in Merlin's Crest with our three children – Alice, Ada and Tommy (aged 8 to 2) – and from the moment we arrived it felt like we'd escaped the rat race and landed in our own little bubble.
Merlin's Crest is something really special. The lodges are stunning, the views are incredible, and everything feels just that little bit more luxurious.
Our St Govan's Lodge was honestly out of this world. The beds were ridiculously comfy, there was a gorgeous freestanding bath that became my evening sanctuary, and there was so much space.
Ada happily claimed the cosy TV room, Alice disappeared into the games room, Tommy was perfectly content playing in the lounge, and one of us could actually sneak away for a peaceful bath. With five of us, having space to spread out made such a difference.
And then there's the golf buggy! I know it sounds funny, but driving our own six-seater buggy around the resort was genuinely one of the highlights of the holiday. Childhood dream? Tick. Lifetime goal accomplished? Absolutely.
The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever, and it made getting around the resort so much fun (adults included!).
We barely needed to leave the site because there is just so much to do. Alice tackled the Sky Walk while Ada loved the Mini Sky Walk, and all three children were completely enchanted by the Secret Village and the Whimsical World of Fairies. Every day there seemed to be another little adventure waiting.
Camp Smokey was another huge favourite, especially the Shindig Night. Generous BBQ platters, live music playing and the kids dancing around in the woodland atmosphere made for one of those holiday evenings you don't want to end.
We also loved the Serendome. The mix of sand and water play kept the children entertained for ages, and it's those thoughtful little extras that really stood out too – like the little balls you can race around the tracks. They're such a simple idea but had our three completely hooked.
Of course, no trip to Bluestone would be complete without the Blue Lagoon. We visited a few times and discovered the quieter sessions are first thing in the morning or towards the end of the day. There really is something for everyone. Tommy adored the baby splash area, the girls couldn't get enough of the bigger slides, and we all loved jumping in the wave pool together.
We did venture off-site for one day, but honestly, we didn't need to. There was more than enough to keep us entertained without ever leaving the resort.
Evenings quickly became my favourite time of day. We'd wander through the beautiful Bluestone village, stop at the park for one last play, then head for dinner.
We enjoyed meals at the Knights Tafarn and the Farmhouse Grill, grabbed delicious pizzas to enjoy back at the lodge one evening, and even treated ourselves to a takeaway another night. It was all so easy and relaxed.
What really made the holiday special wasn't just the activities or the beautiful lodge – it was the time together. No rushing around, no endless car journeys, no trying to cram everything into one day. Just slowing down, laughing together, making memories and letting the kids be kids.
Bluestone really does feel like a world away from everyday life. We came home with muddy shoes, tired children, hundreds of photos and some very happy memories. We were already talking about when we could come back before we'd even unpacked the car – and I think that says it all.
One thing we really loved about Bluestone was the pace.
We've done holidays at places like Centre Parcs and Butlin's before, and while we've had great trips there, Bluestone just felt so much more relaxed - and in such a beautiful setting.
There wasn't the pressure to rush from one activity to the next or pack every minute of the day. Instead, we could wander at our own pace, stopping wherever caught the kids' attention.
It all felt wonderfully easy-going, giving us the freedom to simply enjoy being together without constantly watching the clock.
But there’s also plenty to do -this summer sees the launch of the Salt & Soil campaign - and not forgetting the Bluestone bucketlist. There are so many activities like the Secret Fairy Village, the ziplines, climbing and much more. The Bluestone Bucket List is a series of simple, family-friendly activities designed to help you make the most of your stay. When you arrive, you’ll receive your own Bucket List lanyard, filled with over 30 ideas to inspire your time away, from splashing and exploring to creating and discovering something new together. See the full list here.
Before heading home, we made one final stop that rounded off the holiday perfectly. Just around 20 minutes from Bluestone, we called in at Saundersfoot for breakfast, and it was well worth the detour.
The beach is absolutely beautiful, with soft golden sand, crystal-clear water and a lovely family-friendly atmosphere.
The children loved one last run on the beach while we enjoyed soaking up the sea views before the drive home. The village itself is full of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, making it the perfect place to stretch your legs, grab a leisurely breakfast or coffee, and squeeze every last drop out of your Pembrokeshire escape.
So what are the prices like?
If you're budgeting for a Bluestone break, it's worth knowing that prices vary significantly depending on the season, lodge type and school holidays.
As a rough guide:
- Value/off-peak breaks: From around £280 for a 4-night midweek stay in a standard lodge sleeping four.
- Peak summer holidays: Expect to pay anywhere from £800 to over £2,000 for a family lodge during the school holidays, depending on dates and accommodation.
- Premium Merlin's Crest lodges: These Platinum lodges, which include the private six-seater electric buggy, are among the most expensive options, but they're ideal for larger families or special occasions.
The good news is that your accommodation price includes plenty of the resort's biggest attractions, including unlimited access to the Blue Lagoon, Serendome, The Hive and the woodland playgrounds, so you don't need to budget for entertainment every day. Some activities, such as Sky Walk, archery and laser tag, are bookable extras.
You can often save money by:
- Booking 18 months in advance (10% off selected breaks).
- Rebooking while you're still on resort (another 10% off selected stays).
- Travelling outside school holidays.
- Keeping an eye on Bluestone's seasonal offers page.
We could easily have spent our entire holiday on-site without feeling the need to pay for lots of additional days out, making it feel like a worthwhile investment in proper family time.
Find out more here for the Bluestone website.
For more on Visit Pembrokeshire go here.
- * 2 night breaks arrive on 28th December 2026.
- Caldey lodge available for 4 nights in September from £480 (Sleeps 4 people)
- St Govans Platinum lodge (including buggy) available for 4 nights in September for £1,040 (Sleeps 6 people)