Saundersfoot Escape: Amber Cottage's Hot Tub, Sea Views & Cozy Fire!
Saundersfoot Escape: Amber Cottage – Where the Sea Whispers and the Hot Tub Bubbles (Plus, My Thoughts, Honestly)
Alright, alright, settle in. I've just wrestled my way back from Saundersfoot, courtesy of Saundersfoot Escape: Amber Cottage. And, let me tell you, I've got opinions. This ain't your cookie-cutter review; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, seasoned with a healthy dose of "I'm still unpacking and slightly sand-logged." Prepare yourselves.
First Impressions: The Sea's Siren Song
Okay, picture this: you pull up, and BAM - the view. Seascapes you could drown in (metaphorically, of course, though the crashing waves were tempting after the drive). Amber Cottage, well, it looks like the pictures (a rarity, I’ve learned). Nestled, I think, on like, the top of a hill, so obviously, the sea views are the real selling point. Forget the brochures – the genuine article smacks you right in the face.
The Hot Tub: My New Therapy
Let's get to the good stuff. The hot tub. Oh. My. God. It's not just a hot tub; it's a vibe. Sun setting, glass of something sparkly in hand (they left a lovely welcome basket – thank you, kind souls!), the bubbles easing away the stresses of…well, adulting. The water was HOT, just how I like it. I spent a solid two hours just… existing. No thoughts, just bubbles. Honestly, if I could live in that hot tub, I would. And the view from the bubbles? Perfection. I'm still day-dreaming about it. The hot tub is located outside, I think, which is cool if you aren't bothered by it, and it is well-maintained for safety.
Inside the Fortress of Cozy (and my minor issues)
The cottage itself? Cozy Fire is mentioned in the name, and it delivers! (Okay, I’ll admit, I had trouble lighting it at first. Smoked out half the living room. But the second time, it was glorious). The rooms themselves were clean – very clean. And the bed? Cloud-like. Seriously, I think I slept for a solid 10 hours one night. Which is saying something, considering my usual pre-dawn insomnia.
They've got this whole "Available in all rooms" thing going on. Let's break this down, shall we?
- Additional toilet: Excellent, especially after those celebratory beverages.
- Air conditioning: Okay, it's the UK. AC is a luxury I didn't expect. But appreciated.
- Alarm clock: (sigh) Useful for the wake-up service. I’m so not a morning person.
- Bathrobes: Luxurious, and surprisingly practical for hot tub dashes.
- Bathroom phone: I didn't use it. Who calls from the bathroom these days?
- Bathtub: Beautiful. I failed to make the time for a luxurious soak.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial. Those sunrises are relentless.
- Carpeting: Standard.
- Closet: Ample space, though I did bring a lot of outfits.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential. The included coffee was decent, although I’m a bit of a coffee snob, so I packed my own.
- Complimentary tea: See above.
- Daily housekeeping: Discreet and efficient.
- Desk: (I’m working from a cottage? Really? )
- Extra long bed: A lifesaver for us long-legged folk.
- Free bottled water: Nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Works.
- High floor: Not applicable, it's not on a high floor.
- In-room safe box: I didn’t use it. I don’t trust myself with valuables.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: I’m not sure if it was available. My room seemed self contained.
- Internet access – LAN: I didn’t touch this due to the WiFi.
- Internet access – wireless/Wi-Fi [free]: Worked well for the most part!
- Ironing facilities: Didn't need them. Thank God.
- Laptop workspace: See Desk above.
- Linens: Clean, fresh, and plentiful.
- Mini bar: Standard.
- Mirror: Plenty of them.
- Non-smoking: Essential.
- On-demand movies: The selection was…eclectic. Good for a lazy evening.
- Private bathroom: Yes!
- Reading light: Excellent for late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator: Perfect for storing snacks and drinks (and leftovers from the many restaurants).
- Safety/security feature/Smoke detector: Reassuring.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of options when it’s raining, as it often does it Wales.
- Scale: Sigh. Useful, if a little demoralizing after a week of overeating.
- Seating area: Comfortable.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Useful.
- Shower: Works.
- Slippers: I wore my own.
- Smoke detector: Needed!
- Socket near the bed: Essential for phone charging.
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Soundproofing: Actually pretty good.
- Telephone: Did not use.
- Toiletries: Decent quality. (But I still bring my own, because I'm picky.)
- Towels: Plush and plentiful.
- Umbrella: Essential in Wales.
- Visual alarm: Didn’t need, thankfully.
- Wake-up service: I used the alarm clock (sigh)
Rambling Time: The Annoyances and the Awesome
Now, for the less-than-perfect bits. Not dealbreakers, mind you. But still.
- Parking: They have a car park [free of charge]. Which is great, because parking in Saundersfoot can be a nightmare.
- Food Delivery: Not available
- Babysitting service: Not available for my use, although I did see some kids.
- Breakfast in room: They do offer breakfast in room, but I opted for the Breakfast takeaway service. It saved me from the shame of eating breakfast in my robe.
- Food & Drink: There are restaurants everywhere. Good ones. Bad ones. Ones that served me, and ones that didn't.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Great! Worked well.
- Daily housekeeping: Not really a problem.
Safety and Cleanliness: Very Impressed
I'm a bit of a health nut, so I was relieved to see: Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff looking like they took the hygiene training seriously. They even had anti-viral cleaning products, and I appreciated the Room sanitization opt-out available.
Overall:
Would I recommend Saundersfoot Escape: Amber Cottage? Absolutely. It's not flawless. No place is. But the hot tub, the view, the overall vibe? Worth every penny (and the drive). Just be prepared to, you know, relax. And maybe bring your own lighter for the fire… or just give them a call.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (For the Robots):
- Keywords: Saundersfoot Escape, Amber Cottage, Hot Tub, Sea View, Wales, Pembrokeshire, Vacation Rental, Cottage Rental, Romantic Getaway, Family Holiday, Pet-Friendly ( Check specific listings).
- Meta Description: Unwind at Saundersfoot Escape: Amber Cottage, featuring a private hot tub, stunning sea views, and a cozy fire. Read a candid and honest review of this holiday haven.
- Accessibility: The listing doesn't explicitly state wheelchair accessibility, so confirm directly for individual needs.
- Amenities: Details provided throughout.
- Cleanliness & Safety: High standards observed with multiple safety precautions.
- Dining: Many options in Saundersfoot.
- Services & Conveniences: Everything to make your trip a breeze!
- Getting Around: Car is likely the best option.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a chaotic, glorious, possibly slightly disastrous (but hopefully mostly awesome) plan for a trip to that Amber Cottage in Saundersfoot. Prepare for opinions, tangents, and a whole lotta love (and maybe some mild swearing, sorry Mom!).
The Amber Cottage Crusade: A Saundersfoot Saga (and Possibly a Cider-Fueled Meltdown)
Day 1: The Arrival & The Anticipation (and the Great Welsh Bread Heist?)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up! (If you can. Seriously, I'm a terrible morning person. This is optional. Maybe just start with a grumpy groan and a coffee. Strong coffee.) Pack the car. Realize you've forgotten something vital (probably your toothbrush, or your sanity). Panic. Then, a moment of zen, because we're going to Wales!
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The Great Escape! Driving. Sunroof open (weather permitting, of course. British weather is a fickle mistress. Expect rain. Embrace it). Play awful music (the kind you secretly love). Snack breaks are mandatory. If anyone spots a decent farm shop on the way, we're stopping. I have a serious weakness for Welsh cheese and crusty bread. Speaking of, I have a vision: this is a must have - a huge loaf of warm, still-steaming Welsh bread. And, oh god, the butter. We're talking proper, salted Welsh butter melting on the bread like pure, golden joy. We'll need to guard it with our lives. It's a matter of national (okay, personal) importance.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Arrival at Amber Cottage! (Hopefully it lives up to the hype.) Unpack (ish. More like "dump it all and sort later"). First impressions are everything. I'm hoping for "oooh, sea views!" and not "oh dear god, a damp smell and cobwebs." Let's pray to the holiday gods for cleanliness. And a functional hot tub. The hot tub must be working. My entire wellbeing hinges on it.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Explore Saundersfoot! A quick wander around town. (Find a good pub! Prioritize finding a good pub. This is not negotiable.) Look longingly at the sea. Breathe in the salty air. Take a picture of everything. Try to contain the overwhelming joy of being by the sea. Fail miserably.
- Evening (8:00 PM onwards): Pub grub, preferably fish and chips (I’m a cliché, I know, but it’s delicious), and a pint of something local. Then, the hot tub. Champagne? Prosecco? Cider? Decisions, decisions… Okay, let's be real, it's probably going to be cider. Then, the absolute bliss of staring at the stars, slightly tipsy, and feeling the stresses of everyday life melt away. (Cross fingers for clear skies. Curse the clouds if necessary.)
Day 2: Beachy Bliss & Cliff-Top Capers (and Possibly a Sandcastle Catastrophe)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Beach time! Walk on the beach! Swim! (Okay, maybe not swim in January. Dip toes in the water?). Build an epic sandcastle. (This is where the perfectionist in me emerges. It will be a majestic fortress of sand. It will be the envy of all beachgoers. It will probably be demolished by a rogue wave within minutes. Such is life.)
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Picnic on the beach (sand in sandwiches is totally part of the experience, right?). Or find a cute cafe. See how things go.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Coastal walk! Somewhere dramatic and scenic (because, Wales). Cliff-top views are a must. Take a breath and soak in the view. Take a photo with the wind. Maybe get a dodgy photo.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): A bit of shopping. Maybe a little souvenir-buying. I have a feeling a Welsh blanket might be necessary. More cider? Maybe.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Home cooked meal and board games at the cottage, or go out for another pub night. I don’t care. Whatever feels good. This might involve more cider. Is there ever enough cider?
Day 3: Exploring More! (And a Possible Culinary Disaster)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Driving through the country! There are castles and quaint little towns, I'm hoping. We'll see where the road takes us! The best part will be the journey itself.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Try something new. This could include some fresh seafood.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Return to the cottage. Maybe spend the afternoon lazing around. Sit in the hot tub. Sip on something interesting.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Time for the cottage. The second hot tub session.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Pack the bags. Make a meal.
Day 4: The Departure (and the Sadness… and Planning the Next Trip)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Wake up (or attempt to). Slog through the remnants of cider induced headaches. Pack the car. Sigh heavily.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Great Escape part two.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM onwards): Arrive. Unpack. Put all of the souvenir things around.
- Evening (7:00 PM onwards): Plan the next trip.
- Night: Sleep.
Important Considerations (aka, things that could go horribly wrong, but hopefully won't):
- The Weather gods: Pray. A lot. For sunshine.
- The Hot Tub Gods: Pray the hot tub functions.
- My Ability to Stay Calm: I’m not the best flyer when it comes to time.
- Welsh-ness: Embrace the Welsh language! Even if you only learn "bore da" (good morning) and "diolch" (thank you). Try the local cuisine. Listen to the music. It's all good stuff.
And that’s it. Wish me luck! It'll be a bloody adventure. I can guarantee it.
Escape to Paradise: Dev Bhoomi Camping Resort, Kanatal, India
Alright, Let's Talk Amber Cottage & That Blasted Hot Tub (and Everything Else!)
So, is the hot tub *actually* any good? Like, Instagram-worthy good?
Okay, deep breaths, let’s unpack this. The hot tub... it's a character, alright? It's not some pristine, professionally-lit, perfectly-angled Instagram backdrop. I mean, sure, the first time I saw it, I *thought* "Ooh, potential!" But then I realized the view... oh, the view! It's insane. Like, you're basically perched on a cliff, looking out at Saundersfoot Bay. The water in the tub? It’s properly hot. Not lukewarm disappointment. Properly, skin-tingling hot. And the bubbles? Well, they bubble. Look, it's more "stunning views, bubbly water, and a distinct lack of pretentious perfection" good, if you catch my drift. One night, after a horrendous journey down from the North (traffic was a NIGHTMARE, honestly, you should have seen it!), I nearly cried as I sunk into that thing. Just. Pure. Bliss. Took all the stress away! Almost. (More on that later.)
And that "sea view"... is it, you know, *actually* a sea view? Or a glimpse of sea through a hedge?
Oh, the view. Honey, it’s a *view*. You’re not just peering at some sad little patch of water. No. You're getting Saundersfoot Bay in all its glory. Seriously. You walk into this cottage, and BAM – the vista hits you. Dramatic cliffs, the curve of the bay, the colorful boats… There’s a reason they lead with that in the description! One morning, I swear, I saw a seal. A *seal*! Okay, it might have been a rock, but I *wanted* it to be a seal, and that's what mattered. It’s a view that makes you want to sit, just *breathe*, and maybe shed a few happy tears. (I swear I’m not a total softie, just… overwhelmed by the beauty of it all!)
Let's talk about the "cozy fire." Is it a real fire, or one of those fake electric things that just *pretend* to be cozy?
A real fire! Thank GOD. It's the heart of the cottage, I swear! We're talking logs, the crackle, the smell... pure hygge. (And yes, I *did* know what that word meant, even before this trip!) Building the fire the first night was a bit of a challenge. Me, with my "I'm a perfectly capable adult" attitude, and the logs, which, let's just say, weren't entirely cooperative. I may have smoked out the living room a little. Okay, *a lot*. The smoke alarm went off. Twice. But hey, once it got going, it was glorious! Bring marshmallows! And maybe a fire starter... or two. And a fire poker. (Note to self: buy a decent fire poker next time.)
Was the cottage *clean*? Because, honestly, that’s important.
Alright, the cleanliness. The most important thing, right? Well, Amber Cottage was pretty darn good. I'm not a "white-glove" type of person, but I appreciate a clean space, you know? I'm happy to say, it was definitely clean enough to relax and enjoy the break. It felt fresh. No rogue hairs in the bathroom, which is always a good sign. I did, however, find a rogue sock under the sofa, which I promptly attributed to the previous occupants. (It's a story I like to think about)
What about the kitchen? Is it actually equipped for cooking, or just for making toast?
The kitchen. Okay, this is where things get a little… real. Yes, it *is* equipped for cooking. It has pots, pans, a kettle, a toaster. The basics. But don’t expect to whip up a Michelin-star meal. It’s more for casual cooking. I tried to make a complicated pasta dish one night (because, you know, aspirational goals!), and let’s just say the sauce ended up a bit… *rustic*. And I’m pretty sure I set the smoke detector off again. (Note to self: learn how to cook without burning things!) My advice? Stick to simple stuff. Or order a takeaway! (Saundersfoot has some great options.)
Is there parking? because, honestly, driving in the UK can be a nightmare..
Yes! There *is* parking. But it’s, shall we say… "intimate." Meaning, it's a bit of a squeeze. I have a pretty decent sized car, and getting it IN was a whole ordeal. The first time, I swear, I thought I was going to scrape the side. (I didn't, thankfully!) The most stressful part? Manoeuvring out. Practice your parallel parking beforehand, or leave the bigger car at home. Just a warning, it's tight!
Okay, the big one. Would you go back?
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Smelly socks, smoke alarms, and slightly dodgy parking aside. After a particularly brutal year, Amber Cottage was exactly what I needed. That hot tub? That view? The cozy fire? It was like a giant hug. It’s not perfect, but that’s part of the charm. It's a place to breathe. It has its quirks, and the memories made within them. Yes, really, and I'm already figuring out when I can book again. (Shhh, don't tell anyone!) It’s a place to reconnect with yourself, and the amazing scenery.
Any other advice?
Pack layers! The Welsh weather is… unpredictable. Take some good books. Saundersfoot has some brilliant pubs and restaurants, so explore, but don't overdo it. Maybe bring some ear plugs, in case the sea gets dramatic. Bring... well, bring *you*. And be prepared to fall a little bit in love with it all. It's just that kind of place. Oh, and don't forget the marshmallows. Seriously, the marshmallows are essential.
