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.
Director of Facilities and Capital Projects
Maria Jones
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
I feel privileged to work in and take care of Retreats Group Limited’s immaculately restored historic buildings.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
The circular, coastal walk on St David’s Head – stunning Whitesands Bay, Iron Age roundhouse remains, glacial striations from the last Ice Age, Neolithic burial chamber Coetan Arthur and being amongst the oldest geology in Wales – all within a short walk.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Cherry Pickles’ series in the Cornel Meeting Room at Twr y Felin.
Food and Beverage Manager
Peter Kusy
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Johanna Slade
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people, the artwork, and the beautiful properties, plus the opportunity to work in Pembrokeshire.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
The coast path, with all its hidden coves and secluded beaches, is my favourite place to explore.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
I’m especially drawn to Remi Rough’s Dark Sands XI in the Oriel Lounge, Brendan Burns’ pieces at Penrhiw, and Phil Ashcroft’s Ramsey Bay (Small Sunset Version). I also had the pleasure of attending a workshop led by Phil, where we created quick chalk compositions of St Davids Cathedral.
Reception Manager
Fiona Willcox
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
Our guests. I enjoy building relationships with them and sharing my knowledge and fondness for Pembrokeshire, and hopefully inspiring them to return.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
I enjoy walking the coastal path at Pwll Deri, the headland near Strumble Head Lighthouse.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
I love the cheesecake (all flavours) it’s is unlike any other cheesecake I have eaten. My favourite drink is our Sauternes dessert wine. I love the artwork inspired by Penrhiw of the woodland walks by Xenz.
Accounts Manager
Sarah Goddard
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
Restaurant Manager
Bob Evans
What makes Retreats Group special to you?
The people – both the team and our guests. It’s a genuine pleasure to welcome guests and help make their experience feel special. There’s also something truly inspiring about our space: the art, the atmosphere, and of course, the exceptional food.
What is your favourite spot or hidden gem in St Davids or Pembrokeshire?
The walk from Bosherston Lily Ponds through Barafundle Bay and on to Stackpole Quay. It’s one of the most incredible routes – quiet, scenic, and endlessly rewarding.
What’s your favourite Retreats Group dish, drink, or artwork?
Our Solva-caught crab with crispy chicken skin is a standout for me. I’m also a big fan of our signature cocktail, Red Sky at Night (El Rayo Reposado Tequila, Velvet Falernum, Cacao Blanc, lime, rhubarb & strawberry).
In the restaurant, the Xenz pieces are my favourites. The paintings depict the walks surrounding our sister property, Penrhiw Priory, and draw your eye down the most beautiful pathways.
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.
Night Manager
