Dog friendly and true five-star luxury are two phrases you seldom find in the same sentence. That is until you’ve discovered Brecon Retreat.
Nestled at the foot of the Brecon Beacons, amidst twenty-five acres of breathtaking countryside, these luxurious oak-framed barns are worlds apart from anything else I have stayed in.
They just ooze style, character, and sophistication. Whilst at the same time encapsulating the natural beauty of their surroundings, creating an idyllic indoor-outdoor experience.
Picture a scene from a high-end glossy homes and gardens magazine, and you can begin to appreciate the luxury that awaits you.
Situated nine miles west of the bustling market town of Brecon, Brecon Retreat consists of three luxury holiday dwellings.
Each barn is very individual and unique in style, yet equally exquisite and immaculately decorated.
When I say immaculate, we’re not talking bland and hostile. We’re talking about inspiring, tasteful decor that has been ingeniously combined to transport you to a different world.
Staying here really is the epitome of indulgence and relaxation.
Time to come clean about Brecon Retreat!
I was stoked when owner Helen asked me to write a review of her stunning accommodation, but I’d be lying if I said this was our first visit to Brecon Retreat.
We discovered this idyllic haven of tranquility back in 2020 during lockdown.
It was our tenth wedding anniversary and we wanted to mark the occasion with something suitably special.
Having lusted over Brecon Retreat for some time it seemed the ideal opportunity to experience it firsthand.
When I tell you that we have visited every year since, you can appreciate just what a magnificent place it is.
Alpaca Lookout
We always stay in Alpaca Lookout, which is situated on the end of the terrace of barns.
Being a self-confessed animal worshipper, nothing quite compares to drawing back the curtains to find three inquisitive furry faces staring back at you!
Inspired by Ophelia, Sidney and Doris the Alpacas [as pictured above], the interior of Alpaca Lookout transports you to a South American paradise.
A perfect blend of vibrant exotic colours and rich bohemian textures fuse to create the ultimate recipe for rest and relaxation.
From inside the barn, your eyes are automatically drawn to the stunning views that adorn every window.
And the large bifold doors open out onto a large paved terrace. Home to the outdoor kitchen, seating area, and simply stunning garden spa room.
On Arrival at Brecon Retreat
After arriving, it never takes long to hop into my bikini and sink into the bubbling jacuzzi, a glass of Rosé in hand!
I mean, is there a better way to start the perfect holiday?
Awaiting you on arrival is a generous hamper containing lots of local goodies, along with the most magnificent balloons and a chilled bottle of Prosecco.
Being supremely dog friendly, four-legged guests are equally well catered for. [More on that later].
The Living Area
When you first walk into Alpaca Lookout, it really does take your breath away.
The stylish cornflower-blue, modern kitchen provides the most exquisite open-plan space to make the most of your stay.
The kitchen has every utensil, pot, and pan you could possibly wish for. There are even scales to weigh out your dog’s food!
Adjacent to the kitchen is a lovely relaxing living area. With large reclining leather sofas, you can put your feet up in front of your favourite movie or get lost in the mesmerising flickering flames of the fire.
There is also a beautiful downstairs cloakroom.
The Dilemma – Which Bedroom to Choose?
Upstairs there are two generously-sized ensuite bedrooms, both of which offer stunning views of the surrounding meadows and farmland.
We take it in turns each year to sleep in one room or the other! We can never decide which is our favourite!
Both are equally spectacular and luxurious.
I love the room with the full-length window as it is light and airy and it overlooks the characterful alpacas.
However, the other room immerses its guests in true South American culture. With flamboyant wallpaper, snuggly throws, and an old travel trunk at the foot of the bed, I find the decor encapsulating.
I could (and do!) spend hours admiring the tasteful collection of memorabilia from the New World. Everywhere you look, there are alpaca-inspired artefacts. It’s fascinating!
Taking the inside out
If the weather allowed, I’d be more than happy to live outside in the garden at Alpaca Lookout!
The heated outdoor spa room is just out of this world, and the jacuzzi is cleaned every day to maintain a high standard of cleanliness.
There is a luxury shower to hose off before you dip your toes into the hot tub. And the flames from the wall-mounted fire create a perfect focal point, whilst supping on a glass of your favourite tipple.
Inside the spa room is a relaxing sofa area. The perfect place to hunker down with a good book if there’s a bit of a nip in the air outside.
One of the features I love most about the garden is the impressive outdoor kitchen.
Whilst Mr. T seems unable to operate any cooking appliance at home, he loves nothing more than stoking up the ‘barbie!’
The dogs and I always enjoy waiting for our fare to be cooked by the master at work!
For the dogs
From the minute we pull up on the drive, tails are wagging when we arrive at Brecon Retreat.
My precious Poppy dog always used to adore spending holidays here, and now little Winnie is just as impressed with our choice of destination!
Dogs are provided with their very own bed, along with dog towels to use throughout your stay. (Dog crates are also available upon request and there is an outside tap, with warm water, to clean off muddy paws and bellies).
Food and water bowls are provided, and there were even Frozzy’s doggy ice creams waiting for Gerts and Winnie in the freezer.
Canine guests receive a bag of homemade dog treats and a complimentary roll of biodegradable poo bags, complete with a dispenser.
[Brecon Retreat goes out of its way to be eco conscious. Alpaca fleece has even been used, in part, to insulate the walls of the barn].
The huge garden is fully enclosed and considerately set back from the neighbouring barns to allow for privacy and prevent unwanted canine interaction.
That said, there are gates in between the gardens so if you fancy inviting fellow canine guests, they can join you for zoomies!
When it comes to stretching those legs, there are walkies aplenty on your doorstep.
With woodland walks, babbling rivers to splosh about in, and a local pub within easy walking distance, you are spoilt for choice.
Out and About in the Brecon Beacons
There are so many gems to explore nearby when you stay at Brecon Retreat.
It is a dog walkers paradise, with a network of meandering footpaths, waterfalls, and mountains to explore.
A firm favourite for us is always the walk from the Brecon Visitor Centre in Libanus. You may encounter sheep as you stroll across the common land, [you are in Wales after all] however much of the walk can be enjoyed off the lead.
Not only is it a fabulous walk with uninterrupted views of Pen-y-Fan, but it also has a lovely cafe and gift shop for a post-walkies pit stop!
Caffi Y Fan has recently been taken over by new management and they have worked their magic with the place. The cafe has a fresh new feel, and decked out with bright and vibrant decor, it has such a welcoming vibe.
They offer a great range of tasty delights including, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and of course the obligatory doggy ice cream. I opted for a cheese and ham panini which was delicious, whilst the dogs shared their pot of Utterly Mutterly!
They have indoor seating (with a dedicated doggy area) and plenty of tables to sit outside and appreciate the stunning views of the Brecon Beacons.
Dog Walks in Brecon
Within a twenty minute drive of Brecon Retreat is the iconic Pen-Y-Fan, the highest mountain in Southern Britain. If you’re feeling energetic it’s well worth the 886m climb to the top. [Don’t panic, you can park at The Storey Arms which is part way up the ascent].
The views from the summit are just spectacular, and on a clear day, you can see as far as the Bristol Channel and across to Exmoor. [As you can tell, Winnie was just a little bit ecstatic to reach the top]!
The Sugar Loaf peak makes for much easier walking and offers magnificent panoramic views across South Wales. It overlooks the town of Abergavenny, which is well worth a visit if you have a few hours to kill.
With plenty of dog-friendly cafes and eateries [Cwtch Cafe and Coffi Lab being particular favourites of ours], it also has lots of independent shops to nosey around.
One walk you simply must do is Llyn y Fan Fach. This relatively easy four mile walk takes in bustling rivers, a lonely llyn and a wild mountain ridge. It is stunning, and the views of the glacial lake are just magical.
Dog Friendly Beaches Near Brecon
If you fancy a day out at the beach the coast is just over an hour from Brecon Retreat. We particularly love Gower Peninsula, and Rhossili Bay is unbeatable.
Miles of sandy beach and dog-friendly all year round, it really is the perfect spot to spend the day.
The King’s Head pub in Rhossili village comes highly recommended too. They serve food all day and are super dog-friendly. They even have a limited doggy menu!
I hope you have enjoyed reading all about our stay. If you’d like to see more of our adventures, please check out our Instagram stories.
Even though selfishly I’d like to keep Brecon Retreat all to myself, I guess all the best-kept secrets have to be shared at some point in time!
And before you wonder…..yes, we have already booked for next year!
If our blog has inspired you to make a booking, please let us know, and be sure to post some pics on social media. If nothing else to make me insanely jealous!
Woofs and wags
Kate, Rob, Winnie and Gertie
[Now that’s a rarity, Mr. T’s name making an appearance on the credits!]
