The Sherwood Hideaway lodge
I spent a weekend at the magnificent Sherwood Hideaway with a group of friends, staying in a luxury lodge complete with open plan living and a hot tub on the patio. Here’s all about our stay at this special place.
Check-in
At the end of a long woodland driveway is where you’ll find The Sherwood Hideaway; deep within the forest but close enough to nearby villages and towns.
Reception is the first wooden lodge you see and although the retreat is located in lush open spaces in the forest, the first impression I got was that it is safe and well protected with barriers at the entrance.
Sherwood ForestCheck-in was as smooth a process as can be – I filled in a short form with my personal details including emergency contact number, address etc and was even offered advice on the best walking and cycling trails, directions to the nearest grocery store and given maps of the grounds so that we could explore the area in our own time.
The reception lodge has maps, souvenirs, tea/coffee, biscuits and other bits that you may have forgotten. The staff were helpful and friendly, especially David who made our stay incredibly comfortable from start to finish.
Lodge
Lodge 10 was to be our home for the weekend, and what a spectacular property it was. My first thought was, “I could actually live here!” The lodge was one of the retreats ‘rustic’-themed living quarters and, for me, a dream home neatly packed into a wooden lodge with spacious open plan living/dining and kitchen areas, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, our own parking spaces for two cars and, of course, what every retreat needs – a patio area with hot tub and outdoor seating.
As soon as we entered it felt like a snug home away from home; it was clean, the heating was on, beds were made and sofas plumped. On the kitchen counter was a bottle of wine and Cadbury Roses waiting to be indulged alongside a welcome pack with information about the area and the lodge.
There was tea, coffee and sugar in the pots and the hot tub was bubbling away ready for our first dip; these were all luxuries part of staying in a VIP lodge, which I would highly recommend booking for your stay.
Rustic VIP lodge living areaTo keep you entertained, there is also a 32” flat screen LCD HD TV, Freeview channels, a DVD player, iPod / MP3 speakers, and free broadband connection. We also found Scrabble and a pack of playing cards and there were more games and books at reception that guests were welcome to borrow.
All crockery, utensils, an kitchen appliances were there; including a fridge freezer, oven and even a dishwasher, giving the resort a very homely feel and boasting the kind of luxury you would expect from a lodge at a luxury ski resort.
The patio area was perfect to unwind after a day of cycling and exploring the forest, especially as you can relax in the hot tub and gaze out at the forest and leafy woodland area in this magnificent location.
Rustic VIP lodge patio/decking areaThe interior is special and tasteful too. Light and airy in the bedrooms and bathrooms, and contemporary and cosy all throughout with wooden flooring, a lovely wooden dining table and luxurious kitchen fittings, as well as beautiful designer fabrics from Mulberry and Designers Guild.
The décor combines vibrancy and comfort with the theme of nature running throughout the furnishings and the style of the lodge.
Molton Brown’s luxury range of products await your toiletry needs in the bathroom and the there are also all the cleaning products including dishwasher tablets, fairy liquid, sponges, bin liners etc provided so you can keep your stay clean and comfortable.
Rustic VIP lodge twin bedroomFor me, a good night’s sleep was what I enjoyed the most about the lodge. With fabulous duck down pillows and duvets, luxurious Egyptian cotton linen and quality sprung mattresses; it was definitely the best place for an escape and pure relaxation.
We cooked on both nights and truly enjoyed the experience of being on a break but still able to enjoy home comforts and cater for ourselves. The space between the lodges is great too and other guests do not overlook you, which makes for a very lovely and private stay.
Service
In one word: excellent. From arranging bike hire to recommending cycling trails and coming around to check the hot tubs were working correctly - David was hands-on, friendly and extremely knowledgeable of the grounds.
Rustic VIP lodge kitchen areaHaving a trusted staff member on site made us feel safe, and we were given the impression that nothing was too much or too less of an ask for David who made our stay truly memorable.
Location
The location of The Sherwood Hideaway is simply stunning. Woodland, leafy paths, tall trees and fantastic forest wildlife surround the 5-star luxury retreat, situated on the superb Thoresby Hall Estate where there is a fine range of leisure facilities, easily accessed from the lodges.
The distinctive setting of The Sherwood Hideaway really allows you to get away from it all. It’s perfect for romantic breaks, a catch up with friends, a family holiday, a relaxing getaway or for a more active walking or cycling vacation.
Explore Sherwood Forest on foot or hire a bikeI would recommend taking a leisurely stroll on one of the walking routes to really appreciate the beautiful surroundings and tranquil open spaces around the resort.
A petrol station and a number of fast food restaurants are located around five miles down the road, this for us was great news as we were able to shop for a few breakfast treats that we had forgotten to bring with us.
The Sherwood hideaway is also within easy reach of the A1 (5 miles) and the M1 (19 miles). The nearest stations are at Retford, Worksop, Newark and Mansfield.
Downfall
Though escaping technology is a must when visiting The Sherwood Hideaway, it was frustrating that in most parts of the lodge and the grounds, mobile network was low or non-existent. This made it difficult to make a call because you will have to walk around to find a spot where you can get reception.
All around is forest and mobile network is difficult to obtainAlso, we were unable to connect to the Wi-Fi even though there was a broadband connection throughout the retreat. However, these things were not of high importance and David did his best to rectify internet connection problems.
Admittedly I think the only reason we wanted network was to post photos of the beautiful grounds and lodge on Facebook – otherwise not having network or Wi-Fi wasn’t that big of a deal. And if you truly want to escape everyday stresses then a gadget-free break at The Sherwood Hideaway is the perfect solution.
Verdict
The Sherwood Hideaway is everything you would want, and so much more, from a woodland retreat. It’s a completely unique experience in an incredibly peaceful, private and perfect setting.
Open plan living area of rustic VIP lodgeOur stay was faultless and the best thing about the place is that you don’t feel like you’re in a rush – your time is truly your own – and whether you want to relax in the hot tub, lounge on the comfy sofas or get up close with nature and enjoy outdoor activities, the choice is yours and there’s no outside noise, pressure or stress to worry you.
If you’re in search of escapism and an unforgettable break, or a casual activity-based holiday, either way, The Sherwood hideaway is the right place to unwind, gather your thoughts and prepare to go back to the real world after some well-deserved rest.
Book your break today at The Sherwood Hideaway. Visit www.sherwoodhideaway.com/book-a-hideaway
Have you visited The Sherwood Hideaway? Tell us about your stay in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
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