I'm not particularly fond of lengthy car trips, especially when travelling with toddlers. My struggle with travel sickness, which has intensified since my pregnancy, only adds to the chaos of a car journey with little ones. However, the prospect of a few days away - exploring new surroundings, unwinding and recharging - makes the hassle of packing and travelling worthwhile. On this occasion, we were venturing to the end of the M4 to west Wales, to stay at Bluestone, a resort that prides itself as "a 5-star luxury holiday destination located within 500 acres of wild Welsh countryside in Narberth, Pembrokeshire". Bluestone also boasts the title of being the top holiday park in Wales - and third in the UK - for three consecutive years, according to Which? magazine's ranking of the UK's best and worst holiday parks 2024/25, reports Bristol Live. With this accolade in mind, we were all eager for our Welsh adventure. Our journey there on a Monday afternoon proved to be quite smooth with no traffic congestion, not always the case on the M4 in Wales. Upon reaching the site, we mistakenly joined the queue for check-in before realising that platinum lodges had a separate check-in area. Once we found ourselves in the correct spot, the check-in process was swift and seamless. As we arrived at 23 Merlin Crescent, it was immediately clear that our choice was a good one. We opted for the St Govan Lodge, a three-bedroom lodge sleeping six, and it handsomely surpassed my anticipations. The lodge's design placed the living quarters upstairs and right away it felt like a warm and welcome haven for the duration of our stay. The king-size bed was so inviting as I glimpsed it from the hall. The master suite boasted an expansive ensuite bathroom, easily outstripping my own at home in size. Featuring not only a shower but also a freestanding clawfoot bath and a double sink, it was quite literally the bathroom of my dreams. Below, we discovered two additional bedrooms each housing a pair of single beds that we swiftly paired up to fashion two doubles. Additionally, a second bathroom complete with both a bath and a shower rounded off the lodge's luxurious amenities. One aspect that immediately caught my attention was the child-friendly nature of the lodge: it featured a nappy bin in the bathroom, stair gates at both ends of the staircase, and two travel cots as requested. There was even a potty, which proved useful as we began introducing my two year old to potty training. The spacious upstairs area was equally impressive. The open-plan living space housed a well-equipped kitchen complete with everything one could need, from ample plates and cooking utensils to a dishwasher and microwave. It was a delight to cook in. We all admired the large wooden table and benches and the expansive living area also boasted a large sofa, a TV, and a cosy electric fireplace. Additionally, there was a small snug with a TV, which we didn't get around to using, and a sunroom with vast windows where we unwound a few times. Given that Bluestone is a car-free site, once we had unpacked, I took over child supervision while my two thrilled friends went to fetch the golf buggy. As expected, driving the buggy around emerged as one of the holiday highlights. We opted to spend that evening in - preparing a meal in the delightful kitchen and unwinding on the plush sofas before heading off to bed. Our first full day at Bluestone kicked off with a swim at the indoor water park, Blue Lagoon. As we hadn't had much opportunity to explore the site yet, we ended up getting lost trying to locate it, seemingly taking the buggy around the entire site before we stumbled upon it. This resulted in us arriving at Blue Lagoon a bit late (and somewhat frazzled), but what ensued made the early morning chaos worthwhile. The swimming sessions commence at 8am, prior to the pool opening to the general public, so only a few families were present. The absence of music contributed to a serene and inviting atmosphere - crucial for children who might be apprehensive about water, like my friend's son. We were both uncertain how her two-and-a-half year old would react, but were overjoyed and impressed when he took to the water. The pool's gradual depth allowed him to walk in and take things at his own pace. He wasn't rushed or pressured by the instructor, which was exactly what he needed. The lesson was engaging and focused on playful learning, sparking my interest in enrolling my water-enthusiast toddler back into swimming classes now that we're past the cycle of illnesses. Most significantly, my friend's son has found newfound calmness in water since then, making the early morning hassle completely worthwhile. The pool was vast, accompanied by a smaller, toy-filled area for toddlers. As 9am struck, other eager visitors were already trickling in. Post-swim, we headed to Serendome - dubbed the park's "indoor-outdoor adventure play area". The concept intrigued me, given how often rain seems to grace our country. We frolicked in the playground before seizing the opportunity to interact with Bluey and Bingo - an encounter that provided top-notch amusement, with my child utterly enraptured. The wait for the meet and greet was lengthy, yet witnessing my son's joy upon meeting Bluey up close was worth every second. Feeling the need to unwind, we retreated to our lodge for lunch and a brief rest. We capped our day with a leisurely visit to the village, where the children played in the playground there. By 5pm, we were back at the lodge, drained from a fulfilling day. We spent the evening cooking in the lodge and unwinding on the plush sofas. Regrettably, our second day was a bit subdued as I woke up with a severe migraine. All I could muster was a leisurely stroll and a visit to the playground and shop. Despite my condition, I conserved energy for our dinner at the Farmhouse Bar and Grill that evening. As a family-friendly establishment, the restaurant was bustling when we arrived at 6pm. We kicked off our meal with some tasty appetisers, including sweet corn rib fritters - a new culinary experience for me. They were packed with flavour, and the lime added a nice touch. The hearty comfort food was exactly what I needed to feel better. Our third day at Bluestone began with a visit to the Hive - the resort's latest hub for activities and play. The expansive space is filled with diverse activities. Although we were blessed with good weather during our stay, the Hive would be perfect for a rainy day. I appreciated the climbing frame designed for young children, while my child was particularly taken with the inflatable park. We wrapped up our morning with a messy play session, which was a riot of fun. The colourful room reminded me of Bristol's own Wake The Tiger amusement park. The space is creatively designed with various areas for children to explore. While my toddler was hesitant about the slime table, he thoroughly enjoyed the water station and the sandpit. I spent the afternoon at the site's spa, indulging in some much-needed self-care. The tranquillity was palpable upon my arrival, with only a few people around. I confess, I kicked off my spa experience with a well-deserved nap in the meditation room, followed by a leisurely exploration of the spa facilities. The saunas were appropriately hot, and I appreciated the abundance of spaces designed for relaxation and lounging. Nestled within 500 acres of countryside, Bluestone felt like a world away from everything else. We were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the accommodation, as well as the variety of activities on offer. Bluestone is genuinely child-centric, and one of the highlights for me was having the opportunity to truly bond with my son and friends. Given our hectic lifestyles, sometimes a short break is all we need to reconnect with our loved ones.