In the know

Our favourite rooms: Each room contains a kingsize-or-larger antique Indian or Lombok bed. We love Room 104, in the main house’s attic, for its evocative estuary views. Room 106 has a roll-top bath and wood-burning stove, which comes into its own in winter. Families or groups of friends should book the self-contained, four-bedroom Byre.
Packing tips: Welsh-English dictionary.
Also: Hurst House can arrange clay-pigeon shooting and quad biking, among other activities. Opening in 2009, the spa's bespoke-treatment menu will list massage, beauty therapy and holistic remedies, such as reiki, and features luxury products, including the Organic Pharmacy range.

Current offers

Smith card offer: A bottle of pink champagne in your room

Wales hotels: Hurst House, food and drink

More photos

Hurst House on the Marsh

Carmarthen Bay, United Kingdom[view map]

Style: Contemporary countryside clubhouse
Setting: Lost in Wales

Hurst House on the Marsh in Carmarthen Bay was once a farm estate, but, thanks to a multimillion pound overhaul, you'd never know that now. Its handsome chrome-and-glass bar looks like an art installation on loan from Tate Modern; it has a helipad, a gastronomer's dream of a restaurant; and there's a fire-breathing dragon in the courtyard. For real.

Need to know

Rooms: 18 suites, including six Mezzanine rooms.
Rates: £265–£450, including full Welsh breakfast and afternoon tea.
Check-out: Midday, although this is flexible; earliest check-in, midday.
Facilities: Helipad, library of books and DVDs., spa, gym and heated indoor pool. In rooms: flatscreen TV, DVD player, free WiFi, Frette linen, underfloor heating, REN toiletries.
Also: The car-weary will appreciate the valet parking. There's a two-night minimum stay at New Year.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: Pass through towering Moroccan hand-carved doors into the expansive Hurst House restaurant to sample star chef Michael Bulnos' Modern British cuisine. Local produce’s the thing here: expect lashings of salt marsh lamb and sea trout.
Dress code: Be extraordinary... anything goes, especially if it can be layered (this is the coast, after all).
Top table: Pick any window table for tranquil views over the walled garden, where many of your greens will have grown.
Last orders: The restaurant is open for breakfast from 7am to 11am; last orders, 10.30pm.
Room service: A 24-hour, reduced-menu service and snack menu springs into action between meal times. If you’d rather laze low, breakfast – or even afternoon tea – can be taken in bed.
Hotel bar: A homely and relaxing oak-floored space that juxtaposes a landed-gentry fireplace (ideal for lolling beside with a tumbler of whisky) and dark tan leather sofas with a contemporary-cool bar layered with chrome and stained glass.

Also worth knowing

Children: Welcome, but no special provisions. Extra beds and cots available (no charge). Babysitting can be arranged.

Smith card offer

A bottle of pink champagne in your room

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member

Smith travel team

If you'd prefer to talk to someone, or don't want to book online, call our travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.