Summer Lodge Country House Hotel

An excellent day at this beautiful hotel, quintessentially English with impeccable service. We stayed in room number 19 a courtyard suite which we were upgraded to from a superior king, upon arrival we were greeted at our car by a lovely man with an umbrella as it was raining, he escorted us to reception. We were slightly early but our room was ready and we were checked in speedily shortly after getting into our room. We were welcomed with a glass of champagne cocktail. It was an anniversary overnight stay and our room was furnished with a happy anniversary pillow and happy anniversary chocolates this was a lovely surprise. Our room opened out onto a small courtyard with two sunbeds, this area was very useful for our dogs last thing at night. Our morning breakfast was in the breakfast room, which is a delightful room beautifully furnished, our breakfast was leisurely and very tasty and the staff could not do enough for us. The spa is a beautiful building a few steps away from the hotel. The indoor pool is a lovely temperature and there are beds around the pool in order to have a lazy day. We didn’t use the treatments from the spa as we didn’t have enough time, but the treatment menu , was reasonably priced and many treatments to choose from. We had dinner at the Acorn pub which is also owned by the hotel. The staff here are also very friendly and kind. They also allow dogs. We will definitely be back to Summer Lodge one day in the future. Thank you to everyone who made our stay SO special.

A resounding excellent! Would gladly rate it higher. We went for a cream tea for our anniversary. The staff were very professional, friendly and attentive - but not too much. The food was scrumptious- warm, freshly baked I think scones. And they were so kind…. A red rose, chocolates and card! I was quite overcome - but struggled to show it. The setting is just gorgeous. Thanks so much Summer Lodge for a taste of how things can be done with class, kindness and just complete loveliness

This is a superb hotel very comfortable and with an excellent restaurant. However the stay was made by the staff who were superb in all respects with their attention to detail. We enjoyed using the spa facilities which were very good. We had a thoroughly enjoyable stay.

An extra friendly greeting in reception and a short guided tour around the buildings so we can get our bearings during our stay, set the scene for what was a very enjoyable break. When staying in a five star I find myself moving into ‘super critical’ mode. There are certain expectations considering room rates that one expects whether or not it is a qualification for those stars. Standing in a fairly narrow bath to have a shower and disappointing pillows on an otherwise comfy bed, having to move a kettle to find a plug rather than have a dedicated station to make a coffee and a what I consider a limited buffet breakfast are where my criticisms begin and end. I must be clear, these are not things that I consider aggravating they are just critical observations I make when comparing to other places I have been lucky enough to stay on a similar level. The wife really enjoyed the spa and treatments on offer and it must be said that all the staff were great, attentive and considerate, faultless to a person. Now, there is something quite extraordinary about this hotel that I feel more people should know, and that is its restaurant, we were lucky enough to have made a reservation on Saturday night, it was not fully booked but it should have been if the food they served to us was a typical example of their fare. Every aspect of our dining experience was nothing short of brilliant, the service was perfect and the food was astounding, my Salmon / Beetroot starter has to be one of the best things I have ever eaten , it really was that good! I wanted to give the chef a big hug for making my day, the food and service was of a level that many other five stars should aspire to. Well done the Summer Lodge Hotel.

I visited Summer Lodge with a friend to celebrate her birthday. We ordered a cream tea which was advertised as freshly baked scones daily. We were shown to the drawing room and sat down. Then a waiter came to ask what tea we would like and tried to joke with us which was not necessary. The scones arrived and were frozen in the middle! So much for freshly baked scones! When I complained the waiter then said ' so much for our freshly baked scones!' Then joked that we must have got them out of our handbags! Totally inappropriate. Not a great experience for parting with £34 for 2 cream teas! The building and setting is very lovely. A shame that our experience was not up to expected standards.

A random choice for two nights not too far from our home and a part of Dorset not Visited before. You are immediately embraced by the warm, relaxed, nothing is too much trouble care of all the house staff at this delightful house, full of nooks and crannies to tuck yourself away or enjoy the well kept garden. Continual treats from a welcoming fizz drink on arrival to constant delicious shortbread throughout the stay. The bed was the most comfortable we had slept in, my husband is tall with back issues so we opted for a room with a larger bed. No regrets. The conservatory swimming pool had all that you needed and looked in very good clean order. We swam both mornings early and had the pool to ourselves. Our spa treatments were on one of the days professionally undertaken and again lovely staff. The fine dining on one night was a little uneven, One main course choice happier than the other but puds were sublime and paired wine choices excellent. Given the charge for this and the 5* attribution a tall order to sustain. Again lovely staff looking after you. Overhearing conversations the hotel has guests who have returned for many years. A real treat and we left relaxed and refreshed. Until the next time!