Summer Lodge Country House Hotel

I really don't know where to start with this review. Everything and I mean everything was just perfect. The room (23) in the coach house was superb. Bed was extremely comfortable, room was immaculately clean, it had controlled heating/air conditioning that you could regulate, it was very peaceful, fruit, chocolates, biscuits and water in the room. The staff were all particularly friendly and helpful especially Philip and Louise in the restaurant. Breakfast was good and evening meal was exceptional with staff being very attentive. Nothing was too much trouble for any of them. Cream tea with mine being gluten free scone was the best I have had anywhere. I can't even think of one constructive thing to say as it was all just perfect. Congratulations on such a wonderful hotel and making our stay so pleasurable. We will most definitely be back as we really enjoyed our anniversary break.

A luxurious couple of days for my birthday left us feeling pampered and spoilt. The staff were charming and engaged, ensuring we had everything we wanted. The gardens were beautiful, pool and spa were spotless. The bed was huge and very comfortable. Our package included a 3 course meal at the hotel and a 3 course meal at the Acorn Inn in the village .. both were superb. Home made shortbread in the room was delicious as were the special birthday chocolates and welcome glass of fizz. Quintessential old style charm in abundance.

We had a lovely weekend 2 night stay in a Superior King Room (No.05) on the second floor with dual aspect views, separate bathroom to walk in-in shower room. Our promotional rate include breakfast, welcome cocktail and nibbles on arrival. A Cream tea on one day of our choosing and use of the spa and indoor swimming pool facilities, and then on leaving a bag with two bottles of water and cookies. All very good gestures and much appreciated. This is a beautifully decorated hotel adhering to its historical character going back to the 1700's. Very good location in the village and near to its 'sister' ANCHOR INN Hotel and restaurant and Bar. The Hotel is immaculate and the service from all the staff extremely good in all aspects from service to advice on outdoor walks etc. They all made us extremely welcome. The rooms are all different and it is worth calling the hotel first and see if they can allocate you the room of your choice. It was following our telephone call and obtaining their views and room descriptions that we booked our room category. Breakfast is from 8am-10.30am and has a small buffet but then a comprehensive full menu and is cooked beautifully. We did not have dinner in the hotel but it has a very high quality menu but is on the expensive side. We enjoyed the breakfast in the heated conservatory overlooking the grounds. The Hotel directory in the room is one of the best we have seen, and is full of relevant information. There are many walks from the hotel and we did the 7kms Marlborough Park Walk and the hotel can give you the map and booklet for this. Relaxing afterwards in the Spa and swimming pool was very pleasant. This Hotel being 5 star and with all its history and ambience is expensive but when offering promotional Rates gives exceptional value for money. We would certainly return here again.

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 friendl

Lovely way to spend time with my daughter, enjoying the sun baked spa pool with a glass of lemon water and fresh fruit at hand. Followed by a wonderful facial which left us feeling refreshed and yet calm and relaxed and ready for the weekend.

We spent a long weekend here for a special celebration with some close friends. We booked three of the cottages which were all different and all charming. The beds were extremely comfortable and the bathrooms equipped with luxurious towels and toiletries. There were welcome drinks and a lovely bowl of fresh fruit on arrival. In our cottage we enjoyed the fire and a very comfortable sitting room. We used the hot tub attached to our cottage one afternoon, it was well-equipped and the room heated. We took breakfast in the main house, with a very good choice of dishes available to set us up for each day. On the first evening we dined in the main house. The meal was outstanding, certainly worthy of a Michelin star. With this dinner we chose the flight of wines suggested to accompany each dish, an excellent decision and avoided a compromise on choosing wines by the bottle. The second evening we ate in the Acorn Inn, another delicious dinner and a relaxed setting for the evening. The service in the hotel and the inn was unfailingly good. A couple of our friends brought their labrador and she was given a warm welcome with treats provided in their cottage. We would certainly return!