Dog Friendly Lodges & Log Cabins in Dumfries And Galloway

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Allister Smith - Verified booking

  East Lodge, Ardwell, is a delightful location for a relaxed holiday. The lodge is comfortable and pleasantly fitted out and for our purposes it provided all that we desired for a very enjoyable visit. It is in a relatively isolated position so on our way to the property we collected sufficient provisions to be self catering although there is a very good restaurant about a mile away. As we were visiting in November, we anticipated cold weather and thoroughly enjoyed having a wood fire in the evenings as well as having the central heating at other times. The beds were very comfortable and warm, the living/dining room allowed us splendid coastal views, and the kitchen was well kitted out for us to prepare whatever meals we fancied and looked into the garden with its bird feeders which were eagerly used by several bird species as well as a number of the local red squirrels - great entertainment. The 'Murder stone' just alongside the garden was an interesting feature and is explained in the lodge information folder. It was great to explore the estate of Ardwell House and there are numerous obvious paths which can be followed. Although we were out of season and the walled garden was closed, the estate gardener did open the gate for me to view the garden. Several marked paths direct one to interesting parts of the estate and Ardwell Church is a lovely building and from there one can do a cross country walk to Ardwell village and the coast. Wildlife along the coastal mudflats is abundant and the coastal sunrises were often spectacular. The lodge is a perfect location to explore the Mull of Galloway and the Rhins Peninsula and it is well worth visiting some of the historical sites signposted locally as well as the local towns and gardens. At different times of year the rhododendron displays would be fantastic and we certainly have intentions of returning in the near future.

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• T Barnes - Verified booking

  Good location. Easy access to most points of interest as long as you have a car. Mull of Galloway, Port Patrick, Logan Gardens, Galloway Forest Park/Dark Skies, Kirkudbright, Bladnoch Distillery all within up to 90min drive. Nearest major supermarkets at Stranraer 30 min drive. Public transport is at approx. 150 mins intervals until 19:00 and not always on time. Taxi's can be 30+ minute waits. Excellent pub/restaurant in the Tigh-na-Mara at Sandhead 3 miles north of Ardwell on bus route. Handy general store for essentials (McKenzie's) also in that village. (nothing of that nature in Ardwell itself). Accommodation is very good. Loads of character, good size rooms for a couple. Warm in summer/autumn. Open wood/coal fire a nice comforting touch. Used twice on raining days after long walk. Plenty of hot water on demand. Peaceful grounds on Ardwell Estate to walk in. The lake especially. The road outside is the only thorough fare into the area. Traffic can be heard during day/evening (no double glazing/listed building I expect), but you get used to it. Sun trap on the decking up to 15:30 in Sept. Lots of wildlife to watch. Including an unidentified visitor from the woods at the rear, several early mornings testing the cat flap on the rear door. Luce Bay makes for a good place to walk/sit quietly in the sun, with stunning view. Good communication from owners. No Wi-Fi, radio (brought our own - although stations available on the Freeview TV) iron, shaver socket (bring a 3-pin to 2-pin adapter for electric toothbrush) or washing machine (kitchen small but easily useable with all essentials), otherwise would give 5 stars.

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• Mark - Verified booking

  Site of lodge peaceful and quiet, surrounding area glorious.

  Lodge itself overall poorly maintained, tired looking, unhygienic, poor cleanliness. Decking area full of cobwebs, green mould and algae, bird poo, dead plants in pots, seating rusty, discoloured, stained. Entrance step broken temp mend with gaffa tape, as is shower enclosure with hazard tape, mould and dirt ingrained in shower enclosure. Smoke alarms held on by blue tac as one fell off during our stay. Kitchen utensils pots and pans, glasses and cutlery filthy and requiring cleaning before use. Previous occupants food, slippers, toothbrushes and toiletries left in cupboards. Wifi not working as was television, sound only no picture ( known problem). Battery powered bedroom side light not working. Overall very disappointed as have used Sykes before, spent most of our time away from lodge and left early, Did not complain to Sykes or owner at the time as in my view to many problems and issues requiring solved and many of them already aware of by owner according to welcome book and cleaning schedule etc in folder. All above documented in various pictures I am able and willing to share on request with owner and Sykes, although I strongly recommend both require to visit lodge as my pictures and summary above are a true reflection of what we experienced and nothing like what you describe on your website. This customers journey was not a happy one. Mark and Fiona

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• Hilary - Verified booking

  The location is lovely.

  Unfortunately our hearts sank when we saw the caravan next door's motorhome parked a foot away from the side lounge window of the lodge. There was a really nice view from the decking of the fields to the left, but obliterated by the motorhome. The decking of the lodge was covered in dog hair and bird droppings, and a broken pot by the French doors also covered in bird droppings. The lodge has obviously been lovely at one time, but has an air of neglect about it, frayed curtains, dirty blinds and window ledges, fluff and dust behind the bathroom door, the oven and toaster were filthy, the kitchen cupboards dirty, especially the one under the sink. Utensil rack on the wall ingrained with grease. Dog hairs stuck to the valance on the double bed. No bedside lamp. Personal items, presumably the owner's, in cupboards and drawers, even shoes and socks in one of the bedroom drawers. Despite the property being advertised as having central heating the handbook stated that there is a fire in the lounge and a portable heater, and not to touch the controls of the boiler. All in all a total disappointment, made worse by the lack of attention to cleanliness.

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• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  Great house in a fantastic location. Very warm and comfortable and loved all the walks and wildlife. Unfortunately, the hottub was not working and whilst we were told about this a few days before arriving, from reading the visitor book, it's obvious the hottub hasn't worked much since the start of the year. We think it's disingenuous to keep marketing the hottub if its mostly not working! We also had no way to light the wood burner, as the gas lighter was empty and no matches provided. There were emergency matches but these were old and damp so of no use to us, or in an emergency. We tried the caretakers on all 3 of the numbers provided but received no callback despite leaving a voicemail. Given the isolated nature of the property perhaps a call from the caretaker when each guest has settled in would be helpful? The only form of contact from the house is a pay phone, which seems mean and impractical given many people don't carry cash these days. We very much enjoyed our stay but a few items above need attention. We had no difficulties but if we had, there is no real provision for emergencies.

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