Escape to Paradise: Kingfisher Lodge Awaits in York's Hidden Gem, Hollicarrs
Escape to Paradise? Hold Your Horses! A Review of Kingfisher Lodge, Hollicarrs (Spoiler Alert: It's a Mixed Bag!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Kingfisher Lodge at Hollicarrs in York. I’ve had my own little escape, and let me tell you, it's less "paradise found" and more "paradise… kinda stumbled upon, and then spent a lot of time navigating." This place is a hidden gem, alright, but like a diamond in the rough, you're going to have to dig around a bit to find the sparkle.
(SEO and Metadata Time!)
- Title: Escape to Paradise: Kingfisher Lodge Review - York's Hollicarrs: A Mixed Bag of Bliss & Blemishes
- Keywords: Kingfisher Lodge, Hollicarrs, York, Accessible, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Review, Accommodation, UK Staycation, Family Friendly, Disabled Facilities, Wifi, Pet-Friendly (or lack thereof!), Safety, Cleanliness
- Description: A candid review of Kingfisher Lodge in Hollicarrs, York. Explore its accessibility, spa facilities, dining options, and more. Learn about the good, the bad, and the slightly awkward! Find out if this hidden gem truly lives up to the hype.
(Let the Rambling Begin!)
First impressions? Hollicarrs itself is gorgeous. It's that kind of place where you breathe deep and feel your shoulders actually drop. So, points for location! But inside Kingfisher Lodge… well, let's just say it's a journey.
Accessibility: Smooth Sailing… Mostly
Right off the bat, I was impressed. Wheelchair access? Tick! The website promised it, and the reality delivered. Wide doorways, ramps, the works. Kudos! Elevators too, which is a godsend for multiple-story accommodation. They’ve clearly invested in keeping this place open to everyone. Bonus points for the facilities for disabled guests, definitely. Now, this is where it gets a little funny - maybe a slightly quirky observation? They seem to have done everything possible accessibility-wise but then… I encountered an enormous decorative pot that seemed to be deliberately placed right outside the elevator at precisely the width of a wheelchair. Now, was this an accident? A test of my skills? Or some kind of weird, subtle performance art? We'll never know.
Inside the Rooms: Comfort (Eventually)
Now, the rooms themselves? They have pretty much everything you could want. Available in all rooms include: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, coffee/tea maker, free bottled water, hair dryer, mini bar (yay!), a safe, safety/security features, satellite/cable channels, seating area, shower, smoke detector, slippers, telephone, toiletries, towels, a wake-up service, and Wi-Fi [free], which is a must in this day and age! They even have a window that opens. Score! Daily housekeeping was a godsend, too. Clean rooms, clean minds, folks. And I have to say, the blackout curtains are divine. Seriously, if you're a light sleeper like me, you'll appreciate those.
But… and there's always a "but"… the "quirks" start to appear. The "extra long bed" they promised was… well, maybe it was long by a centimeter or two? I'm 5'11 and felt I had to sleep with my legs tucked! The internet access - which had been promised everywhere, was a mixed bag! Internet access – wireless was pretty great, but the promised Internet access – LAN (for those of us who are more old school!) was nowhere to be found.
Dining & Drinking – A Food Coma Awaits
The restaurant situation is, shall we say, extensive. Restaurants, bars, you name it, they have it. Breakfast [buffet] was a mixed experience. The Asian breakfast option was pretty decent, but the Western breakfast felt a bit… bland. A la carte in restaurant was the way to go! The Happy hour was, well, happy, especially after a long day. I, personally, opted for the poolside bar, which was nice. Coffee shop was great too, but I can’t help but feel they could have amped up the desserts in restaurant.
The Spa: Bliss and… Questionable Aesthetics
This is where things get interesting. The spa facilities are a huge selling point. Spa/sauna, steamroom, swimming pool, pool with a view, massage, body scrub, body wrap, foot bath, gym/fitness etc. It's all there! I spent a solid afternoon in the sauna and I felt like a limp noodle afterward (in a good way!). The swimming pool was lovely, and that view truly is something.
- Anecdote: One of the best moments of my vacation took place in the sauna. I was convinced I'd gone a little overboard, so I was sitting there, half-cooked, when I saw a giant fluffy towel roll by the door. So I asked the pool attendant to get it for me. They couldn't do it - apparently, it was a decorational role. The irony of this whole situation made my day.
- Reaction: I was delighted by this!
However, the aesthetic of the spa… let's just say it's a tad dated. Think beige, and lots of it. And the music? Well, let's just say I've had more modern ambient spa experiences, shall we?
Cleanliness & Safety – Gotta Love the Effort (and the Rules!)
Okay, so, COVID times, right? They're taking it seriously, which is reassuring. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer, individually-wrapped food options, physical distancing of at least 1 meter, rooms sanitized between stays, staff trained in safety protocol. All present and correct. Cashless payment service too. Brilliant. They have a solid foundation.
However, the "rules" are a bit intense. Room sanitization opt-out available if you like, but expect that some of them are non-negotiable. Masks everywhere - fair enough - but you have to be constantly aware of the protocols.
Services and Conveniences – Some Hits, Some Misses
Concierge, helpful and friendly. Laundry service - a winner! Cash withdrawal? Yes! Dry cleaning? Yes! Elevator? Yes! The convenience store, however, was a bit of a joke, a small shelf tucked away by the front desk, and not a great selection. And the gift/souvenir shop? Well, let's just say if you’re looking for a Kingfisher Lodge branded fridge magnet, you’re in luck!
The Verdict:
Kingfisher Lodge at Hollicarrs is a place with potential. It's got the bones of a fantastic getaway. The accessibility is genuinely impressive, the spa is a delight, and the location is stunning. The staff are, for the most part, incredibly helpful.
But… it's a little rough around the edges. The decor is a bit dated, the food is a bit inconsistent, and the "rules" can feel a little oppressive. It's a bit like a well-meaning friend who tries really hard but sometimes misses the mark.
Would I go back? Maybe. If they sorted out the decor, streamlined the food, and relaxed some of the rules, it would be an absolute winner. But for now, it's a mixed bag – a place with potential, but one that needs a serious refresh. So, pack your patience, embrace the quirks, and get ready for an adventure!
Bordeaux's Hidden Gem: The Secret Apartment You NEED to See!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travelogue. This is a messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious account of my "relaxing" trip to Kingfisher Lodge, Hollicarrs, near York. Prepare for rambling, minor meltdowns, and a whole lotta nature… and me trying to avoid getting eaten by a particularly grumpy squirrel.
Hollicarrs: Kingfisher Lodge - Operation "Chill Out" (and maybe survive)
Day 1: Arrival and "Am I Really That Bad At This?"
- 14:00 - Arrived at Kingfisher Lodge. "Secluded woodland retreat," they said. "Peace and quiet," they promised. It’s beautiful, I’ll give them that. Trees everywhere, the lodge is gorgeous, all wood and cozy vibes… but I’m already itching. The drive did me in, I’m so used to the city. And is this really the place I left my entire life?
- 14:30 - Unpacked… or, rather, hurled my suitcase across the room. Managed to find the kettle, thank god. Needed a cuppa to calm the jangling nerves.
- 15:00 - Wandered around the lodge. Kingfisher Lodge, meet… well, me. Checked out the jacuzzi. Immediately thought, "This is going to be epic." Then I remembered I'm terrible at relaxing.
- 16:00 - First "nature walk." Got lost. Briefly considered becoming a squirrel. They seem to have their lives together. Found a particularly majestic oak. Tried to hug it. Felt awkward. The oak didn't seem impressed.
- 17:00 - Back at the lodge. Attempted to light the fire. Success! Briefly felt like a wood-burning god! Then smoke filled the entire room. Turns out there's a knack to this. After about 30 minutes and enough coaxing, the flames eventually began burning. I sat and watched them for another 30 minutes, the comfort and warmth were a welcome change to the earlier chaos.
- 18:00 - Dinner. Ordered pizza. Because, priorities.
- 19:00 - Jacuzzi time! Success! (Again). Bubbles! Warm water! Finally, some actual relaxation. Until I dropped my phone in. Waterproof, they said. Turns out, it's only 'waterproof' if you're not me.
- 20:00 - Stared at the fire, now burning merrily. Reflecting on the day. Actually felt a flicker of… peace? Maybe this "nature" thing isn't so bad after all. Okay, maybe.
Day 2: The Squirrel Wars and Culinary Catastrophes
- 08:00 - Woke up to the sound of… something. Turns out it was the squirrel. He's back. And he's plotting. Suspect he's after my biscuits.
- 09:00 - Attempted breakfast. Burnt the toast. Twice. Concluded I wasn't cut out for this "self-catering" business.
- 10:00 - Hiked around the walking trails. The views were spectacular. The mud was… less so. Nearly fell into a ditch but managed to regain my balance and continue the journey.
- 12:00 - Tried to cook lunch. Managed to set off the smoke alarm. Again. This time, the smoke seemed to linger for longer. The fire alarm screeched its way to the 1:00 hour. Decided to scrap the cooking idea and go grocery shopping again.
- 14:00 - Visited the local farm shop and picked up all kinds of local produce. I got loads of lovely things, including fresh bread, cheese, and sausage rolls.
- 14:30 - Found an abandoned cabin. The scenery was even better. Decided to sit and eat the food whilst I was there along with the local wildlife.
- 16:00 - Reading time! Found a little bench and sat there for a couple of hours. This was a lot better than the cooking fiasco which I had to endure earlier.
- 18:00 - Watched the sunset. Stunning. The colors! The peace! The… squirrel, sitting on the windowsill, judging me.
- 19:00 - Pizza. Again. I do what I can.
- 20:00 - Settled in for the evening, watching the fire after some more reading.
Day 3: York! And Existential Dread
- 09:00 - Headed into York. Okay, so I'm a sucker for history. York is GORGEOUS. Got lost in the Shambles – a total sensory overload. The architecture! The shops! The feeling of being utterly insignificant in the face of centuries of human existence!
- 11:00 - Visited York Minster. Jaw. Dropped. Seriously. How did they build that?! (I tried to Google it later. Got distracted by pictures of kittens. Priorities, remember?)
- 13:00 - Lunch at a cute little cafe. Had a proper Yorkshire pudding. Heaven.
- 14:00 - Ghost tour. Okay, not gonna lie, I was terrified. Kept jumping at shadows. Regretted every decision that led me to that moment. The guide was amazing, though!
- 16:00 - Wandered along the city walls. Admired the view. Contemplated my life choices. Decided I need more coffee.
- 18:00 - Back at the lodge. Exhausted but strangely exhilarated. York had blown me away. Also, definitely need more pizza.
- 19:00 - Pizza. Delivered. Always.
- 20:00 - Sat by the fire, still reeling from the ghost tour. Trying to convince myself the creaking noises are just the wind. They're not.
Day 4: The Great Outdoors and a Lesson in Letting Go (Maybe)
- 09:00 - Woke up. The squirrel's gone! Victory! (Probably just plotting something more sinister).
- 10:00 - Decided to embrace the hiking. Conquered another trail. Actually enjoyed it this time. Felt a little bit smug. The views were breathtaking. The air was clean. I even saw a… butterfly!
- 12:00 - Found a perfect spot by the river and sat there for hours just observing the world. Found some peace in silence.
- 14:00 - Back at the lodge. Decided to tackle that book I'd been meaning to read. Actually managed to focus. Didn't burn anything. A personal best.
- 16:00 - Jacuzzi time with wine. Managed to keep my phone dry this time! (Victory!)
- 18:00 - Dinner. Had a proper cook tonight. Pulled off a decent meal. Progress, I'd say.
- 19:00 - Watched the sunset. Contemplated packing my bags and staying forever.
- 20:00 - Sitting by the fire, reflecting. Hollicarrs… it’s grown on me. It’s not perfect. I'm DEFINITELY not perfect. But maybe, just maybe, there's something to this whole "nature" thing. And the squirrel, well, he’s just a part of it now.
Day 5: Departure and a Promise… to Myself
- 09:00 - Final cup of coffee. Said goodbye to the fire and the view.
- 10:00 - Packed up. Actually felt sad to leave. The squirrel was nowhere to be seen. Probably busy plotting.
- 11:00 - Departed Kingfisher Lodge. Feeling… refreshed? Surprisingly, yes!
- 12:00 - Promised myself to come back. To embrace the chaos. To try to relax. And to maybe, just maybe, outsmart the squirrel.
- 13:00 - Stopped at a farm shop and got more sausages.
- 14:00 - Arrived home. Already planning my next escape.
So, there you have it. My Hollicarrs adventure. Flawed, funny, and full of pizza. Highly recommend it. Just, you know, watch out for the squirrels. And maybe pack a fire starter and a waterproof phone case. You know, just in case.
Unbelievable Deals at Mega Nasional Hotel, Gunungsitoli!
Escape to Paradise: Kingfisher Lodge Awaits... (Or Does It?) - FAQs… Let's Be Real, Shall We?
Okay, so… Hollicarrs. Sounds… woodlandy. What’s the *vibe*? Is it all gnomes and fairy rings?
Alright, let's be honest, my initial thought was "Midsommar, anyone?" But Hollicarrs is actually… surprisingly NOT terrifying. It's a proper hidden gem, alright. Think less "haunted forest" and more "charming woodland walk, with a decent chance of getting lost." (Which, let's face it, *is* part of the charm, right?) It *is* woodlandy. Lots of trees. Lots of… well, trees. And birds. And squirrels who clearly don't give a toss about humans. You'll find you’re either utterly thrilled by the peace or… a bit twitchy, because nature, bless it, can feel a bit overwhelming if you're used to the city grind. I personally adored it. I wander around like a giddy child. Others? Well, they had a much different take.
Kingfisher Lodge… is it actually *paradise*? Because the brochure promised me… EVERYTHING.
Paradise? That's a big ask. I mean, I've seen Paradise. It involves tiny cocktails, turquoise water, and NO CHILDREN. (Bless them, of course, but, you know…) Kingfisher Lodge is… lovely. Really. It's comfortable, it's got a hot tub (bonus points!), which is a great feature and is definitely the key to my heart but, like all good things, there's a catch. The brochure probably glosses over the fact that it’s *not* exactly soundproof, and the hot tub, delightful as it is, is located right next to someone's bedroom so if you're an evening bather… think before you sink. Also, the "stunning views" are, let's say, somewhat *interpretive*. You can see trees. Lots of trees. But the air is fresh, the lodge is spacious, and you'll quickly find yourself feeling more relaxed than you have in years. Mostly. Unless you’re like me, then you're just stressed about how long you should stay in the hot tub, and if you’re making too much noise…
The hot tub. Tell me more. Is it, like, a proper hot tub? And is there an 'official hot tub policy' I should be aware of?
YES! It's a proper, bubbling, jets-a-blazing HOT TUB! (Finally, something to fully get behind). The official policy? I'm sure there's one somewhere, but let's be real, it probably says something about "respecting neighbours" and "not being a total nuisance." What I gleaned from my experience? Wear a swimming costume. Don't spend *literally* all day in it. Unless you want to resemble a prune. Be mindful of noise, especially later in the evening. (See above about the not soundproofing). And for God's sake, remember to bring your own music. The sounds of the wilderness are *amazing* for the first half-hour, but after that, you'll crave some decent tunes. And definitely don’t try to have a philosophical discussion with your significant other while you’re both in the tub… trust me. That’s just asking for trouble.
Is it dog-friendly? Because my fluffy terror is coming with me, and he's, shall we say… 'enthusiastic'.
Yes! Kingfisher Lodge *is* dog-friendly. Which is a HUGE win. My own slightly maniacal Labrador went absolutely mental with joy. (He also, naturally, thought the hot tub was a giant water bowl. Not ideal). BUT – be prepared. Your fluffy… 'enthusiasm' merchant… will shed. Everywhere. The sofas, the carpets, your clothes… embrace it. Bring a lint roller. Maybe two. And for the love of all that is holy, make sure they're on a lead when outside. Squirrels are a threat, and you *do not* want to be chasing your dog through a forest at midnight. (Hypothetically speaking, of course…) And please, please, please clean up after your dog. Nobody wants to step in a 'surprise' while enjoying the scenic views.
The kitchen. Is it… equipped? I’m not a culinary genius, but I don't want to starve.
The kitchen is fine. It's got all the essentials. A hob, an oven, a microwave, a fridge… The usual suspects. It’s not exactly Michelin-star worthy, but you can definitely knock up a decent breakfast or a quick dinner. Just be prepared for the fact that the knives probably *aren't* the sharpest in the world. (Again, this may be intentional, to prevent accidental culinary disasters on the part of the guests… who knows?). Bonus points: there's a dishwasher! *Hallelujah!* This is where I went wrong. I packed the oven chips. I forgot the olive oil. I could have wept. So. Plan. Ahead. (Unlike me). And if cooking feels like too much effort… take a drive into York. There are *plenty* of options for eating out.
Anything I *should* definitely pack? Aside from the dog and the lint roller…
Absolutely! Okay, aside from the obvious – clothes, toiletries, the aforementioned dog-related paraphernalia – here's the lowdown:
- Wellies/Walking Boots: Seriously. Hollicarrs loves its mud. Unless you want to spend your time shuffling around like a clumsy tourist, bring some decent footwear.
- Insect Repellent: Because, nature. And she bites.
- Binoculars: If you're into birdwatching, or just spying on the neighbours (kidding… mostly), they're a must.
- A good book/podcast: For those quiet evenings (or when the aforementioned dog is snoring).
- Earplugs: Remember the not-so-soundproof situation? You're welcome.
- Your own music! Seriously, I can’t emphasise this enough. Silence is golden… until it drives you mad.
York is nearby. Is it worth the trip? Any recommendations?
York? Absolutely! It's a gorgeous city. Cobbled streets, amazing history, the Minster… it's got it all. A bit touristy, yes, but still fantastic. Highly recommend a walk along the city walls. Take the train, you're in Yorkshire, so no driving. Visit the Shambles; it's like stepping into a Harry Potter set. The Jorvik Viking Centre (yes, with the ride) is fun, even if it does smell vaguely of… Viking stuff. And don't miss Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms. Be prepared to queue, but their Fat Rascals are worth it. (Trust me on this one). Don't try to do it all in one day; it's impossible. Just embrace the chaos and enjoy the atmosphere. Oh, andNomadic Stays
