I’ll never forget the drive to Saundersfoot that crisp autumn afternoon – leaves swirling like confetti from the slowing trees along the A478, the Pembrokeshire coast putting on its moody seasonal show. It was mid-October, that sweet spot where summer’s warmth lingers just enough to tease, but winter’s nip reminds you who’s boss. I’d booked Sonnet 2 Spa Roof Terrace (Pet) for a three-day getaway with my daft border terrier, Monty, figuring a pet-friendly pad with a hot tub would chase away the post-summer blues. Little did I know how the season would wrap the whole trip in its golden, blustery embrace from the off.

The journey was a dream until Carmarthen, when Monty decided my pasty from the services was fair game. One sneaky chomp later, crumbs everywhere and me swearing like a sailor while hoovering them up at a layby. “You little git,” I chuckled, wiping sauce from his whiskers. Classic Monty – turning a simple 90-minute drive into a comedy of errors. But as we crested the hill into Saundersfoot, the harbour came into view, boats bobbing under a sky streaked with amber clouds. Autumn light does that here, doesn’t it? Turns the sea from summery turquoise to a deep, brooding slate, with the beach glowing like polished copper at low tide.

Pulling up to Sonnet 2, tucked in a quiet row of holiday lets just a stone’s throw from the sandy strand, I felt that first hit of anticipation. The property’s modern terrace house vibe screamed cosy escape – whitewashed walls blending into the village’s charm, and that promised roof terrace peeking over the rooftops. Key in hand from the discreet lockbox, we tumbled inside, Monty sniffing every inch like he’d claimed the place. First impressions? Spot on. The open-plan living space was bathed in that soft, diffused October light filtering through big windows – none of summer’s harsh glare, just a gentle glow that made the leather sofas and wood-burner look even more inviting. I could already picture evenings to come, flames crackling against the chill.

Up the stairs to the bedrooms, and blimey, the views stopped me in my tracks. Overlooking Saundersfoot’s beach, where families were still paddling at the edges despite the cooling air, and the tide pools shimmering like jewels. Autumn’s magic was everywhere – seagulls wheeling in the strengthening breeze, the distant headland at Amroth hazy with sea mist. Monty bounded straight to the en-suite spa bath in the master, paws slipping on the tiles as he tried to drink from the plug hole. “Not a bath for dogs, mate,” I laughed, hauling him out. The hot tub on the roof terrace was the star, though – steaming gently under a pergola strung with fairy lights, positioned for panoramic harbour vistas. In summer, it’d be scorched by midday sun; now, with the sun dipping early, it promised balmy bubbles against the evening’s frosty bite.

Stepping out onto the terrace for that first proper look, the seasonal shift hit home. The air carried that earthy tang of fallen leaves mixed with salty brine, and the beach below was dotted with dog-walkers in woolly hats, kickable waves lapping at fossil-hunting kids. No crowds, just that peaceful hush that autumn gifts the coast – perfect for unwinding. I cracked open a local Tenby ale from the fridge, Monty at my feet gnawing a chew, and watched the sun sink behind St Brides Hill, painting the sky in fiery oranges. It was one of those moments that sneaks up on you, prompting a quiet reflection: rushing through life back home, I’d forgotten how a change of season can reset the soul. Here, with the wind whispering through the village and the spa calling, Saundersfoot in autumn felt like the best decision I’d made all year.

That first afternoon melted into dusk, the terrace hot tub bubbling invitingly as stars pricked the clearing sky. Monty curled up by the heater, and I slipped in, letting the warmth seep into my bones against the dropping temps. Arrival at Sonnet 2 wasn’t just checking in – it was stepping into autumn’s warm hug, Saundersfoot-style. Can’t wait to see what the next days bring.