Completion of £8 Million Investment in Resort Lodges
Bluestone National Park Resort has completed an £8million development of 60 new luxury holiday lodges at the five-star short break destination in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
The development adds 420-bed spaces to the existing 914 and includes three new types of luxury lodges that can cater to between six and 14 people. The resort now has 268 lodges catering for family and non-family markets.
“This is a significant milestone for Bluestone,” said CEO, William McNamara who had the vision to establish Bluestone as an economic driver for rural Pembrokeshire.
“The addition of these 60 new lodges means we can now cater for a much larger and wider market while maintaining Bluestone’s unique approach to making each and every guest feel special at what is an exclusive, luxury short break destination in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.”
Bluestone employs over 400 people at the Canaston Woods site near Narberth. Around 40 people have so far been recruited as part of the new development, with more expected once all the new lodges come on-stream in July.
The new lodges have been built with continued emphasis on high environmental and sustainable standards that Bluestone has built its reputation on. The development includes the Dinas Bunkhouse, a luxury lodge catering to up to 14 people.
“Our ethos is based on high environmental and sustainable standards and the design of the new development has had this at its heart at all times,” added Mr. McNamara.
He stated that while the family market was central to Bluestone, it was seeing strong growth within the non-family market, including couples and the ‘older’ market. “We can now cater for a much wider market which will attract more visitors to Pembrokeshire and West Wales as a whole,” he said.
Bluestone, which opened in the summer of 2008, has continued investment in its Blue Lagoon Water Park, Adventure Centre, Well holistic spa, and Steep Ravine outdoor activity areas to ensure it maintains its position as a five-star short-break destination.
Dawnus of Swansea undertook the construction of the development, employing up to 160 people at its peak, along with contractors from throughout South and West Wales.
Russell Evans, Regional Director at Dawnus said: “Bluestone has placed emphasis on the environmental and sustainable aspects of the development and we’ve kept to that throughout the development, ensuring the impact on the local area and environment has been minimized at all times.
“Through early engagement and collaborative working Dawnus has been able to gain an understanding of the sensitive nature of the site and has been committed to carrying out the works in a considerate manner. This has been extremely successful, with the Bluestone Resort maintaining its unique rural feel during the construction works.”
Key supply chain partners engaged by Dawnus to carry out the works included Sevenoaks (timber frame and cladding), Castle Scaffolding Wales, Strasdin Joinery, Hartley Roofing, EMC (electrical), PBK (plumbing), BCDL (drylining and plastering), Kellaway Carpentry, Craftsman Flooring, Sigma Kitchens and Dick Parkin (Painting). Dawnus has carried out all groundworks and infrastructure utilising its local, directly employed workforce.
In March Bluestone added a rail package to allow guests to book and travel from London and key stations including Swindon, Milton Keynes, Bristol, and South Wales.
It has seen its market widen significantly throughout the South East of England, Oxfordshire, the Midlands, and the South West of England. It has also seen significant growth from the in-Wales and North West of England markets.
It recorded its best Easter holiday period to date with 100 percent occupancy and is on course to have record Spring visitor numbers.
The new lodge development was completed on time and within budget. Investors in Bluestone include Lloyds TSB Banking Group and Finance Wales.