Kielder lodges

The cabins are clean, delightful and very dog friendly, with lots of modern additions. We also appreciated the courtesy call after check in, and everything there was as expected. But we've been visiting Kielder every winter and have stayed in several places, and this isn't a favourite. It doesn't feel the way it used to. If clear skies are the aim, there are better places nearby, as the lights around the lodges stay on at night and can't be switched off. We had trouble with the restaurant too. Both the hot drinks and meals arrived lukewarm: the chicken was barely warm one day, and the lamb only mildly warm another. The restaurant hours sent to us before check in week weren't followed either. We planned to go out one evening, only to find the bar and kitchen shut when the posted hours said they should be open. The cleared area around the accommodation was much larger than we expected. I read that storms caused it, but the online photos of the accommodation we booked and paid for don't show the change. The cabins now feel exposed after the trees were removed, and the luxury cabins' hot tubs have no privacy or fencing. The external photos need updating. We also weren't told about construction on site when booking or afterwards. There was loud machinery around us, roads were closed, and diversions around the park were poorly signed. I understand it was low season, but some notice about the ongoing work would've been appreciated.

It was the people who made this stay so special. We came to Kielder Forest Luxury Lodges for a friend's 40th birthday, and the lodges and setting were beautiful. From the moment we arrived, everyone made us feel welcome and comfortable. Two friends went out cycling on a route that should've taken about 2.5 hours. When they didn't come back, reception staff Lou, Cat, and Dion stayed close and reassured me and my other friend. It felt like being among friends. We missed our dinner reservation while they were missing, and the mountain rescue team, local police, and lodge staff worked tirelessly to find them while looking after us too. The lodge arranged free pizzas and fries from the restaurant and wouldn't take payment. When we tried to buy drinks for the rescue team, Kielder Forest again told us it was taken care of. The care and kindness from everyone was incredible. The place itself is breathtaking and the lodges are lovely, but the staff, rescue team, and police are some of the best people you could hope to meet. A huge thank you to Lou, Dion, and Cat. One to remember ❤️🫶🏻 x

The kids had a great time visiting in winter, even with the snow, and the scenery is lovely. The restaurant staff were friendly and the food was great. Our only real trouble was the lodge heating. It was fiddly, and when we turned it up because we were cold, it kept resetting itself to a cold temperature. Still, we had a great stay. I'd recommend stargazing from the hot tub.

We're already planning to come back this year. We've been here for the last two years, and I spent childhood holidays here too. We stayed 2-5th Jan in the Beech Premier Spa, which felt so luxurious and cosy. The lodges are spotless and well equipped, and the service is outstanding. Everyone was so welcoming when we arrived, offered a free glass of fizz, and helped us out. My partner proposed on our second day. He'd called the team ahead of time to ask them to decorate the lodge, and they were happy to arrange it. A big thank you to Kielder waterside for making the occasion extra special, and for the lovely card and free bottle of Prosecco. xx