Hollybush Lodges

We didn’t stay in the end. The lodge itself looked lovely and the location was nice, but when we arrived at the agreed time, it wasn’t ready: the beds weren’t made, the toilet hadn’t been cleaned, and towels were in the bath. There wasn’t even tea or coffee to welcome us. We struggled to reach the owner at first. When they called back and we explained, there was little apology and no offer of compensation. We felt unwelcome and uncared for. I’d come to recuperate after an illness, so it was a particularly poor start. The way the owner treated us felt shabby.

Our place was quite far into the property, and getting our suitcases from the parking gate meant walking over dirt and soil. There’s no paved path through the yard. The house was also missing a few basics for a five-night stay. We found one medium towel per person, which felt stingy, and only two toilet rolls, one already finished and the other half used. When we called, the owner said toilet paper wasn’t provided. The kitchen photo showed a washing machine, but we found a dishwasher instead, which wasn’t much use in a village, especially for a five-night visit. Honestly, I was a little disappointed.

The view was beautiful, and Hollybush lodge was clean, cozy and very quiet. We enjoyed our stay. A barbecue area would be a good addition. Also, if you’re staying longer than two days and don’t want to wash dishes by hand, bring dishwasher tablets, as only two are supplied.

The owner was a very pleasant, helpful lady, and the cabin was spotless, tidy and fitted out really well. It’s a first-class self-catering log cabin in a beautiful wooded setting, with everything needed for a stay. The owners can be proud of it. I could easily have stayed for weeks.