A lodge that sleeps 4 guests in 2 bedrooms

We booked this lodge for a week instead of our regular trip abroad so we could holiday with our dog this year. After looking at cottages and other lodges we chose Arlington Lodge at Kentisbury Grange. After looking at the reviews we thought that following previous customers saying about the lodge requiring some TLC it would have been rectified, how wrong we were. On arrival we collected our keys from reception and headed to the lodge. Before entering straight away there was a smell from the dog waste bin that hadn’t been emptied for some time (okay minor issue). After that the problems really started, the composite decking felt very bouncy and unsafe, on entering the lodge it did not look as if it had been cleaned very well, kitchen surfaces were dirty and cobwebs visible all over the curtains and blinds. I phoned reception, and they sent somebody down straight away to start cleaning. Whilst we were putting some stuff away we noticed how dirty the cutlery and crockery was, so the went straight into the dishwasher (that was not fitted correctly). On opening some of the cupboards that were a mismatch we noticed the veneer coming off. Wallpaper was peeling off the walls in every room (would have been an easy fix) and the bi-fold door in the lounge was broken so that couldn’t be opened, the sofas and cushions had seen better days. All in all the lodge was tired, and needed a refurb. Hot tub was nice, but I don’t think anybody came to look at it whilst we were there. We booked it through Luxury Coastal so I emailed them to report these issues, and fair play they were very good, as were Kentisbury Grange in offering a partial refund, and a voucher from Luxury Coastal. We were also told that they were not booking this lodge until the decking had been sorted. We ended up leaving a day earlier than we should have because it just didn’t feel clean. It would have been nice for a hoover to be in the lodge especially as it’s dog friendly, a broom, dust pan and brush is not enough. It’s just a real shame as the setting is lovely (our dog fell in love with the ducks on the pond) and the food in the restaurant very nice.

When we booked to stay here we were looking ahead for somewhere we could stay for 3/4 days once a month with friends and we thought with it being so expensive that it would be top notch. How very wrong we were. The location and design of the lodge would have been fantastic in its day, but sadly it has not had any updating, maintenance or care taken for a long time. The TV and all the other electrical items were outdated, very limited dining equipment and the cooking pans were awful, loose handles on the pans, the frying pan was completely scratched, making it useless. Everything was so tired and worn, damaged or uncared for, bits of melamine hanging off or missing off the units in the kitchen and the bedroom making it all look very shabby . The decking looked like hadn’t been swept clean for ages not pleasant to sit out in. The windows were all dirty and the grounds / gardens were unmaintained. We don’t know if this lodge was a fair example of the others but it was bad. Unhappy customers.

In a poor run down condition, sub standard cleaning, door handles hanging off, & damage to furniture. Flooring in a poor condition, dish washer full of dirty water, microwave didn’t operate properly, & decking outside was very dangerous. These Lodges were probably very luxury when new, but the photos on line don’t represent the condition at present, not worth the money !!!

We stayed here at the end of summer, it was a great location and a good base for us. The Cabins/Shalets are a good size for a small family or perhaps two couples and lookign out over the lake is lovely. The hot tub is also a very nice addition. However the Cabins/Shalets are in need of some love and care, much of the furniture and the floor is peeling and even some of the wallpaper. The kitchen is fairly well equiped but there are many broken items or items that are past their best use.

Staff were very friendly and welcoming, the Lodge being next to the Lake was a beautiful setting, Lodge and hot tub was very clean, given a starter pack of wash up bits and loo roll which was great, would definitely go again, only downside was that some parts of the lodge were starting to look a bit worn and tired but apart from that loved every minute!

On arrival we were told that there was no such lodge called Arlington as apparently they had been numbered years ago. Therefore what we had paid a large sum for did not exist. Despite what the brochure states, not all lodges have parking alongside and are not all on the lakeside. We booked the Arlington because my wife is partially sighted and disabled and would have been suitable if details in the brochure were correct, but reception had us booked into a lodge not on the lakeside, no parking and at the top of a fairly steep pathway. This was definitely not suitable. Staff blamed Luxury Coastal for the brochure misinformation. We had to wait some time for a suitable lodge to be cleaned for us ( the housekeeping staff were excellent). .Having lived in North Devon for many years our homecoming was most dissapointing and we will not be returning to Kentisbury Lodges again.

Me, my wife and two children really enjoyed our stay. Lovely lodge and excellent friendly staff. Highly recommend.

Stayed for 4 nights at this ideal location, fantastic food in the restaurant and excellent value for money

The location is amazing, the lodge is a little tired but clean and very spacious. The property and grounds are kept beautifully and we will definitely come back to stay.

Lovely location, lodge has everything we needed, comfortable and warm, we really enjoyed the hot tub