Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant — Hotel in Great Britain

Summer lodge is a perfect English countryside escape. |It maybe a little heavy on the chintz (which I’d normally avoid) but it all adds to that English country manor escape it’s trying to portray. |The staff in general are lovely, so welcoming and friendly (breakfast waitress on our last day could’ve have been a little more helpful) but I can honestly say the others are so lovely and go out of their way that just 1 member of staff can not undo all the others best. |The cocktails and drinks are superbly made and very delicious. |The food (our favourite part of any stay away as we are big foodies) was very mixed. Breakfast was average, although we did find it odd that an English country manor does not offer a full English breakfast, and the toast was unfortunately far to thin and crispy that was cold by the time we got it. What we did have was nice but nothing to write home about, which surprised us greatly as dinner was absolutely amazing, they were able to cater for my fish allergy too and the menu was informative to for all types of allergens. Hubby would go as far to say the desserts was some of the best he has ever eaten. |The cream tea was also lovely, with a good choice of teas available although we had coffee, and being illy coffee that was served it went down very nicely with the scones. |The common areas through out the hotel are inviting and comfortable, open fires in some areas, staff discreetly nearby if you need anything without being over bearing or intrusive. |Now on to our room, We booked a courtyard suite. |It was big and airy, with a huge bed. A small walk in wardrobe, and good size bathroom. There was also a small patio area outside but being January it was a bit to cold to make use of. |The decor was pleasant, and the bed comfy. |We also made use the spa, it was a clean peaceful area with fairly good facilities, however the treatments we felt were average. Both hubby and I had full body aromatherapy massages and a facial each. However i found my facial left my skin dry and sore, hubbys however left him with dewy soft skin so very mixed reviews and experience with those. |We did find the heating was always a little to high, 30 degrees in the spa which did feel a little to warm, and our room was set to 24 degrees on arrival which was also a little too warm, room was easily adjusted though and also had good aircon (good for the ladies at certain points in there life). Breakfast in the conservatory was also a little warm but only had to ask and it was cooled down to a more comfortable level. |After staying at several red carnation properties, summer lodge has become one of my favourites and I’m looking forward to returning in summer and seeing the beautiful gardens alive with flowers. |The village it’s set in is very quaint and beautiful, I highly recommend a walk around to appreciate the area. The local bakery is also another place definitely worth a visit, the cakes are amazing, As is the local pub (the acorn) full of friendly locals. |The deer park is another place of beauty...

Me and my partner attended the Summer Lodge Spa on the 16th of August for the Spa Retreat Day package.

Firstly, I’d like to say how accommodating the Spa team were. They were in no way to blame for the substandard experience of our Spa Retreat Day package.

When we arrived at the Spa on the morning of the 16th, we were asked to choose our lunch options. I found the menu to be very poor and with little choice so I questioned the option of a cream tea — I was informed this wasn’t an option with the package we paid for (the most expensive package, that is). We didn’t receive any guidance on what to wear for lunch… Do we go to lunch soaking wet in our dressing gowns? We asked another Spa attendee for advice on the matter.

The first of many woes was my partner’s supposedly clean towel, which had a yellow stain on it.

I understand children are allowed in the swimming pool until 10:30. Therefore, I believe the Spa Retreat Day should begin at 10:30 (not 9:30 as we were instructed). I don’t believe sharing the pool and jacuzzi facilities with children would be the best start to a day of “rest and relaxation”.

We were informed prior to the day, there would be fresh fruit, pastries and light refreshments on offer at the Spa… Which was in fact a mediocre muffin alongside some warm fruit-infused water which were served in very tatty plastic cups. Definitely not what you’d expect as luxury.

I understand the spa facilities are in a conservatory but I would have thought cobwebs and dead flies (three in the pool) would be disposed of at the beginning of each day?

Prior to lunch, I was trying to relax in the pool and to my amazement two individuals jumped in with their goggles on and began doing aggressive lengths of the pool. I was in turn forced to leave the pool due to the tidal waves hurtling towards me. Absolutely unbelievable! For a leisure centre - believable, a spa - definitely not.

At lunch, my partner had requested an egg mayonnaise sandwich and when it was served to him it also contained meat. As vegetarians, this was unacceptable and yet another dissatisfaction. When the replacement was served, the side of fries were then missing (to which he highlighted).

Our spa treatments: I can appreciate temperatures are really quite warm at the moment but both our treatment rooms had air-conditioning on which contributed to yet another negative experience as we were both rather cold. We both found the massage benches to be very dated and uncomfortable, again something you’d expect at a leisure centre.

I’m very saddened to have to write such an email of disappointment regarding Summer Lodge Spa but I do hope this comes across as constructive criticism and improvements can be made. As users of another luxury spa in Dorset (which we would pay £20 extra for) the comparison between the two is world’s apart.

Alas, we didn’t stay for the full day as we were both incredibly disheartened on what was offered to us for the £270 paid.

I have emailed the Spa Manager / Director personally but I have not received...

My partner and I have just spent two nights at Summer Lodge, a lovely Country hotel in the Dorset countryside. The initial welcome and throughout our stay from the staff was very warm and attentive. We were shown to our Principal King room (16) which was roomy, with a comfy bed, fluffy pillows, superb bathroom with two wash hand basins and walk-in shower. The hand made shortbread in the room was delicious. Dinner in the restaurant was excellent, albeit small portions (fine dining) and limited choice menu. Special mention goes to Phillip, who was continually checking all was ok and Kinga. Breakfast was also excellent, with a good choice, looking out over the lovely garden with its deckchairs and swing seats. We would certainly stay there again, but had a couple of minor gripes, hence the four stars. A fridge in the room would have been nice, to keep the milk cold, especially as it was warm outside and our milk had turned. Our room decoration was dark and not brightly decorated as shown on the website for a Principal King ( the reason for booking that type of room) |We looked out mainly at the wall of the building opposite and only enjoyed a vista of the gardens and countryside as advertised. As part of the break, we were expected to eat at the Acorn Inn, which we had assumed beforehand was another restaurant on-site, but is actually a pub in the village. We weren't happy about this and, to be fair, the hotel allowed us to eat in the main restaurant again. Charging £5 each for green beans and potatoes though was unnecessary, especially as the three courses were £85 each. I stress these were minor issues and would not prevent us from returning . To summarise, Summer Lodge is a wonderful hotel and well worth a visit for a relaxing break, cared for by...