California Lodge

Stayed here for 1 night in April 2022 and it was ok so decided to book again for the 2nd night of a 2 night break to portrush/ portstewart. Decided to drive over for check in around 4pm. Hadn't received a code for the check in boxes but didn't worry as didn't the last time either and there was someone there. Not a person about. Another man trying to check in too. What was strange was door was unlocked. Decided to read the last few reviews om here and lo and behold others had same problem lately. The owner hadn't let *********** know they had closed for end of summer. By this time a couple just arrived from France had arrived too. Rang ***********. and they said it was coming up as open for bookings on their site, despite this has been happening for days. Waited in car in the rain for good while as *********** were to get back with alternative accommodation. Gave up and booked into Cromore halt b n b across the road which was lovely. ..was eventually rang back by *********** 4 n half hours later who were going to send us 12 miles away to bushmills. They are giving us refund though. Shame om california lodge for treating people this way. By the way I rang their number and was getting a ringing tone from.abroad Obviously away and didn't care. Wont be booking here again

Please don't book this dreadful B&B. The owners aren't on site. They were happy to take our booking and money - but weren't there to check us in to the property and wouldn't answer their phone. Cost us a lot of money on a wet dark night finding alternative accommodation

Under no circumstances book this b&b we turned up at the accommodation and there was absolutely no one there and we where not the only one waiting that had booked to stay and no one turn up to fulfill our booking long story short do not book this place unless u don’t mind looking for somewhere else to stay at short notice

Booked and paid for on ***********, arrived but the place was deserted and the property phone number didn't pick up when called. A neighbour confirmed the place was closed for the season and a nearby hotel (where we re-booked) said a few people had had a similar experience to us over the last few weeks. But still shows as available on ***********! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.

So delighted to find somewhere dog friendly. On arrival we had been given the code to get the key ourselves which was so flexible. Our room was ideal size for our dog crate for our westie without tripping over ourselves. Access out the back brings you to the main road where there is a restaurant and supermarket as well as laundry facilities. The location so handy to many tourist attractions. We have been in the area many times so we did not go far and recommend the Tides restaurant as well as Toms home bakery. In the dining room there is a fridge and microwave ideal for lunch. Kettle and biscuits in room. Really home from home. Lovely hot shower and comfy bed. Loved the shower gel so much just purchased some online. The kitchen staff were so lovely and excellent providing us a lovely fry each morning very efficiently. Other breakfast items such as croissants and pastries much appreciated too. Very good value stay especially for the days we are living in. We will be back as out Westie loved it as much as us.

We arrived at California Lodge exactly at the agreed time and found all the doors locked and no one inside. We had not received any information from the BnB other than an acknowledgement of our arrival time several days earlier so presumed someone would be there to greet us, how wrong we were! After waiting 30 mins we rang the owner using the contact number on the front door and after another 30 mins of ringing and leaving voicemails we contacted *********** who said they would contact the owner Long story short and after sitting in the car in pouring rain for two hours, *********** eventually sorted out another place for us to stay which was 14 miles away back in the direction we had come! Later that evening and after no contact from the owner whatsoever we received an email from *********** to apologise and state that California Lodge were unable to accommodate us and *********** refunded us the cost of the room Fair play to *********** for finding us alternative accommodation on a wet and windy Sat night. Shame on California Lodge Portstewart for treating their customers in this way and not having the decency to apologise!

We stayed for 1 night as part of our weekend break to the North Coast (Portrush & Portstewart) in the California Lodge & had a nice stay. We arrived a bit earlier than expected but the manager was very helpful when we phoned her & she gave us the code for the key box so we could settle into our room with our dog. The room was a bit smaller than we needed as we brought our Dog Crate but we decided to use our blankets instead from the crate. the Lodge is a bit of a walk from town but since we had to give the dog some excercise we didn't mind. the room had all the basics we needed including kettle, bottled water, coffee & tea. We had a nice breakfast next morning when the owner arrived to meet the guests.

We had the misfortune to stay two nights and still await the advertised snack and drink on arrival! Rather mediocre and soulless. The B&B is unattended and staff only appear at 8am before 8:30 breakfast time. Late arrival of staff on the second morning meant a rush of breakfast guests and folk being served out of order and late. The bathroom had no working ventilation, a mouldy shower which was tiny. Cold tap on sink barely gave any water. The mattress which was not king size had seen better days too. Despite a curfew from 10pm to 8am, other guests provided a barking dog first night and people noisily talking, walking up and down stairs with doors opening and closing from 11 until midnight. The car park was very tight and we were blocked in the first morning having arrived first the evening before . Cars were parked next to our downstairs room meaning that opening a window was likely to add fumes to the small room which was far from deluxe sadly. Too many people in too small a property with zero management.

Strange set up, self check in, didn't encounter anyone until breakfast the next day, and then apart from being asked "do you want hot food" there was no interaction from the staff at all. Room very small, despite being a deluxe double, en suite was no more than a cupboard with a very small shower cubicle, if you opened the door to the ensuite you couldn't get round the bed. Blinds didn't work properly, and although the room was clean, there was a visible mouse bait box behind the door. Check out was a farce, as the lady cooking the breakfast for quite a few people was also who had to deal with our bill, so when we asked if we could check out we were told to wait as she was in the middle of breakfasts, we were kept waiting for about 20 minutes. I wouldn't class this place as a B&B more of an upmarket hostel, certainly not as described on the website