The Willows

The location is great and it’s convenient, with lots of green space for dogs to explore. They’re accommodating for dogs too. But we were quite shocked it’s classed as luxury. We stayed in the lakeside apartment. There were cigarette butts on our decking, and the outdoor seating area was very dirty. They cleaned the decking promptly after we raised it, but this isn’t what you’d expect at a 2-star place, let alone a “luxury 5 star resort.” We only had half a loo roll, and it took a while to get another despite asking loads of times. When we tried to cook, the oven wouldn’t work. The staff understood, but weren’t apologetic. We’d been looking forward to the restaurant, The Lookout, but breakfast was like Wetherspoons, and the meat was inedible. For a family stay, it’s a nice place with a range of facilities, though the pool needs cleaning because there was algae on the sides. I wouldn’t recommend it for couples, given the lack of attention to detail.

We’ve stayed at this resort many times and it used to be exceptional, so this recent visit was especially disappointing. We came for a short break with friends and first stayed in a barn that felt tired and visibly damaged. The hot tub was old, and the area around it was broken and poorly maintained, well below the “luxury” standard Away Resorts promotes. After raising around 10 issues, we were moved to a lake house described as an upgrade. It was acceptable, but still not luxurious. The hot tub was small, and the indoor and outdoor furniture felt worn and dated. The app showed the restaurant was open, but it was closed for breakfast and dinner on two days. When we did get breakfast there, the quality was poor, with sausages so overcooked they were inedible. The staff we dealt with were understanding and tried to help, though we had to keep going back to reception for updates, which took away from what should have been a relaxing break. It’s disappointing to see the standards fall so much compared with past visits. We won’t return for now, and hope things improve.

We all had a great time during our two-night hen weekend. The location was great, the views from the top terrace were lovely, and we really liked the restaurant food. The accommodation, though, was quite dirty, especially in the lounge, and very dusty. The glass around the hot tub terrace was green with algae, and there were lots of spider webs. We know weather and nature can affect things, but expected it to be a bit better. The lounge curtains were falling down and one bedroom curtain had a big stain. Still, we had a good time together and would definitely return, hopefully to better cleanliness next time.

There were eight of us at Retallack, and the lodge was a good size for our group. It felt peaceful, and we enjoyed the hot tub, which staff maintained regularly throughout our stay. We didn’t use the site facilities since it was February and too cold for water sports. Just be aware that there’s little privacy, as neighbouring lodges can see into most bedrooms and balconies. On arrival, the lodge was clean, and the dog welcome pack was a nice touch. We liked having TVs in several rooms, a lounge on each floor, and lovely lake views from upstairs. The wood burner was welcome this time of year. A few things felt tired: the kitchen tap wobbled, and one gas ring went out on and off. There was only one small vegetable knife, which wasn’t ideal for self-catering. I’d bring your own pillows too, as all of ours were flat.