Special of the day with your Welsh floatel

For a weekend of kayaking, seal spotting, hiking and delicious fresh seafood, STEPHANIE BALLOO finds Milford Haven an unexpected gem... with a floating hotel

- STEPHANIE BALLOO

It's not the obvious first port of call when exploring Pembrokeshire. In fact Milford Haven is perhaps best known for its oil industry, not weekends away.

Search online for the hotspots of the national coastal park, and you get the likes of charming Tenby, surf-spot Freshwater West and the smallest city of St Davids. But between these obvious Welsh destinations this little-known port boasts romantic hotels, hidden charm and fresh-as-can-be seafood - without the crowds.

With the addition of the three-year-old Ty hotel and its relaxed “floatels” on the redeveloped waterfront, we found Milford Haven an unexpected, but ideal, anchor for a weekend of kayaking, seal spotting, hiking and swimming.

As we arrived at the smart Ty - meaning house, in Welsh - we were surprised to be directed away from the towering 100-bed building and told to make our way down to the marina itself with a yellow buoy key ring.

My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to stay in one of the Ty's four exclusive floatels, right on the marina. Luxuriously decorated, but with bobbing boats as neighbours, we felt at ease admiring the floor-to-ceiling view.

As if in greeting, a swan glided over as soon as we stepped out on to our own waterside porch. Rolling out from a soft slumber in the king bed, we enjoyed our morning coffees al fresco, breathing in the crisp sea air and taking in the slow marina life.

One morning, we woke early enough to see the thick fog blanketing the waterfront as it rolled in with the sea tide.

Nestled in with Gulliver, Wanderbird and the Merry Fisher, coupled with the occasional sway on our porch, we felt as though we too were on a boat at times. Save of course, for the welcomed luxuries of the ensuite shower and spacious cabin.