Founder and Owner
Keith Griffiths
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
Retreats Group is my dream to create a luxury hotel offer for guests to enjoy the unique, beautiful and historic city and landscape of St Davids.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Halfway along the Caerfai to St Nons coastal path between the path and the cliff edge is a natural stone seat which is protected from the wind by its high rock back and looks south over St Brides Bay.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Solfa lobster with a crisp white wine, followed by an Old Fashioned cocktail in Oriel Bar, whilst looking at our latest 3 artworks by Michael Azgour.
General Manager
Emma Bowen
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people. Whilst it can be challenging to manage a large team, they all have a good sense of humour and work hard. There are lots of laughs each day.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Abereiddy is my favourite spot for a walk or swim.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
My favourite dish is the cheesecake, and my favourite artworks are Vanessa Kocking in Room 106.
Food and Beverage Manager
Peter Kusy
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
I think for me, it’s the way these historic buildings have been brought back to life without losing their character, but also the people behind them. There’s a real sense that everyone’s working together, and you can feel that when you’re there.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Abereiddy Blue Lagoon probably isn’t much of a hidden gem anymore, but it still feels pretty special, especially if you get in for a swim. The colour of the water is unreal.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Solva Crab at Blas Restaurant is legendary. It’s caught just down the road in Solva Harbour, making dishes so fresh and light. My favourite artworks are urban street art by Pure Evil and the striking landscapes of Phil Ashcroft.
Reception Manager
Lawrence Pethick
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The connections that we make, both within the team, and with our wonderful guests. There is no better feeling than helping a guest plan and tailor their perfect stay, and then seeing and hearing how much they are enjoying it when they are here.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
It would be remiss of me not to highlight St Davids Cathedral, considering I am member of its choir! The whole building is full of history, including the only in-situ Cathedral Library in Wales, but in particular I enjoy spending a few quiet minutes in the beautiful Holy Trinity Chapel, tucked away in the east end of the building. Make sure you look up to see its exquisite fan-vaulted ceiling!
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Nothing beats a classic Negroni for me, and I’ve never had a better one than here from our amazing R&B team! My favourite dish from Blas has to be the Chicken Parfait, though I am looking forward to trying the Grill menu when I next dine! I love the paintings by Xenz, in particular Red Sky in the Morning.
Accounts Manager
Sarah Goddard
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people are what make the Retreats Group what it is.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Plumstone Mountain – less visited than the coastal areas, with absolutely gorgeous views.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
I really like Searocks by Xenz.
HR and Training Manager
Meg Winnicott
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people and the culture. It’s supportive, friendly, and full of smiles, even in the busiest times.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Pencarnan Farm in St Davids is my happy place — I love camping there, paddleboarding at Porthsele beach and seal spotting.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
My favourite piece of artwork is in Blas Restaurant — Bambi: You Want the Moon. It reminds me to enjoy the simpler, more meaningful things in life, rather than chasing after material or monetary things we can’t have.
Head Chef
Gareth Evans
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The team I get to work with.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Traeth Llyfn, not far from Porthgain.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
The artwork at the castle. It stirs up a conversation.
Head Chef
Dan Slipakiv
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people I get to work with/my team.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Newgale beach, as this was my most visited beach during lockdown.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
The cheesecake.
Facilities Manager
Martin Priest
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
I often say that we all come to work to earn a living, but if you enjoy your job, that is a bonus. I genuinely enjoy my job, and during my time at Retreats Group, I’ve found the environment, staff and guests very welcoming, making it more so.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
I’m relatively new to the area, and there are several, but my current favourite locally is Aber Bach, which is a small secluded bay with a pebble beach accessed by foot.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
I haven’t yet experienced the full dining menu, but the dishes I have sampled offered incredible depth of flavour, far beyond what I’d usually expect, so I’ll focus my comments on the artwork. Personal taste always plays a part, but my current favourites are ‘Mineral Information Study’ by Duncan Jago and ‘Untitled IV’ by Vanessa Kocking.
Housekeeping Manager
Wendy Stratton
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The team, they lift you up even on a bad day.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Abermawr, my favourite swimming spot.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Sunday lunch, best roast potatoes ever!
Roch Castle Manager
Lily Stokes
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve formed within my 6 years working at Retreats Group. Also, the growth/opportunities it’s given me.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Nolton Haven, not so much a hidden gem, but I love it there!
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
The sourdough bread is amazing!
Laundry Manager
Tracey Wilson-Croft
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
A feeling of us all being one team and helping each other out.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
Abermawr woods and beach.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Breakfast at Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle.
