We opened in June 2021, and slowly the bookings started to come in via the holiday company we were using at the time, bearing in mind this was when people were now allowed to holiday after the pandemic, but many were still choosing not to venture abroad. Very soon we were booked for the summer through to October.
We were on tenterhooks when our first guests arrived! We had ample hand sanitizers, deodorizers and masks on hand.
What a joy our first guests were (Mr A.S. from Weymouth) and they had beautiful weather (my prayers to the God of sunshine paid off!) – they left us a lovely review which gave us much encouragement: “Wow certainly exceeded expectations. Brilliant hosts, could not have been better. A brand new enterprise for them and they couldn't have got it better. No complaints from us, everything you need is there. High quality furnishings and fittings. Two very close pubs that sell excellent food. A very friendly community, locals will always say hello and happy to talk. Would recommend this retreat and village to everybody. Thankyou Paul and Maria.”
Every review we have had after that was of a similar ilk with just some comments highlighted here:
(Mr S.C. from Stafford) “Lovely stay. Lodge very clean and welcoming, bed VERY comfortable”
(Mrs S.C. from Poole) “Accommodation was spotless everything needed was provided and the hosts were so welcoming. Couldn’t fault the Lodge LOVELY”
(Mr & Mrs LR G from Birmingham) “Cosy clean lodge, enjoyed the beautiful secluded courtyard. Lovely friendly village and well stocked village shop. The locals made us welcome and so friendly. Would recommend 100%”
(Mrs D.A. from Chichester) “My husband, myself and small dog spent a week at this lodge, welcomed by the owners and given a rundown of the lodge, we were left scones, biscuits etc. and there was a dog box with throws, poop bags, bowls and treats, very thoughtful. The lodge is very modern and everything works well, bed very comfy now husband thinks we need a new mattress at home! We found it quite a central location for the places we wanted to visit I.e. Coombe Martin, Ilfracombe and Dawlish. The village is lovely and the post office shop sells a variety of anything you would need, there's also a butchers and two pubs, lots of pub/ restaurants in close villages for a variety, everywhere was dog friendly, the nature reserve was lovely and we also visited the War horse museum well worth a visit and quite close to Dolton. We would definitely recommend this holiday lodge, forgot to mention the lovely, enclosed courtyard, lovely to have two seating areas either in sun or shade, lovely potted plants and equipped with sink, hose, welly stand after muddy adventures not that we needed this as was a dry week. Thank you to Paul and Maria for a lovely stay, you have put a lot of thought into this lodge and we believe you got it right”
Mr & Mrs S.H. from Brighton) “I would definitely stay here again. Loved the secluded garden too, will miss staying here. Home From Home that’s how comfortable our stay was. Thank you”
In this first year we welcomed over 10 doggy guests with their owners, it was great to meet them all 4-legged and 2-legged alike!
Now on with 2022!
Catch up soon.