Last year, we stayed at Dinas Lodge as part of our blogger’s experience with Bluestone. This was an incredible property and was perfect for larger groups. This year, because it was just the three of us, we decided to try something new and a bit smaller. We’d also read a few other blog posts saying how great this particular accommodation is so we thought we’d give it a try.
Bluestone has a huge array of accommodation choices available, from studio apartments to cottages to ‘Tenby Connects’ that sleep 12 in a ginormous lodge over 1.5 storeys. All of them have their own qualities and unique style and are tastefully decorated to suit the surroundings.
This year, we stayed in a Ramsey Lodge, but if you would like to know more about the living options available, the Bluestone website has all the details, from image galleries to floor plans.
Ramsey Lodge
No matter where you choose to stay at Bluestone, all accommodation comes with a ‘basic’ package, although in comparison to other holiday resorts we’ve stayed in this is hardly basic! Each location comes with a property that is decorated to a neutral tone with artwork throughout and modern amenities, as well as Wi-Fi, a digital TV, DVD player, and towels and linen as standard.
The Ramsey is a detached, two-storey property with double and twin bedrooms located on the ground floor – both with en-suites. Upstairs are the living quarters and kitchen. As this property is an upside down property, I’ll start downstairs with the bedrooms, which are located off of a small entrance hall as you come in.
Bedrooms
As you enter, the stairs are on your left, the double/master bedroom is on the right, and the twin room is in front.
The property comes with two baby gates, one at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top, and is carpeted throughout apart from the kitchen and bathrooms. The bedrooms are light and spacious and come with plenty of storage in the form of a large wardrobe with drawers and two bedside cabinets (each with a lamp). There’s also a chest of drawers in the master bedroom. The furniture matches throughout the property, which makes everything look neat and tidy.
In the master bedroom we had the added luxury of a deck via double doors with a picnic table and bench nearby (with padlock if need be), as well as a safe in our wardrobe. There’s also double sockets at either side of the bed (!), extra pillows if needed, as well as a hairdryer. For Sharon the beds are probably too firm for her, however I found them perfect. To get Sharon a bit comfier we simply took a duvet from the twin room!
Bathrooms
Both bedrooms boast a bathroom and toilet each, with the master bedroom housing a bath and shower above (with taps located in the middle!) and the twin room housing a ‘wet room’ style shower (perfect for children).
If you’re travelling with young children, the property also comes with a travel cot and a large nappy bin in the master bedroom’s en-suite.
My only criticism within the property relates to the extractor fans, in that they’re rather noisy – even if you’re not in the bathroom. Other than that though the bathrooms are decorated to a high standard, with heated towel rails in both and underfloor heating in the twin room’s en-suite. They’re also incredibly clean upon arrival.
Upstairs
As you head upstairs, you’re greeted by lots of light thanks to the window in the stairwell and as you enter the living area. All small windows come with roller blinds and larger windows come with thick curtains.
Entering the living area upstairs, the kitchen is located on your left and the remainder of the room is dedicated to a dining area (that hosts a four-seater table) and the lounge (where there are two two-seater sofas). In the lounge area is also the TV and DVD player within a dedicated unit, as well as a coffee table. The room is almost completely surrounded by windows, which makes the space bright and airy. Thanks to the gorgeous beams and in-ceiling lighting, the room looks incredibly tall.
The kitchen
The whole upstairs living area really is a home from home. The cupboards contain everything from plates and bowls to glasses and mugs, and drawers house an array of cutlery and a generous utensils collection – including a knife block. There’s also the usual cooking accessories from dishes and trays to pans and a cheese grater.
Located on the side is a bread bin, butter dish and toast rack, as well as chopping boards, a toaster, kettle, and even a tea pot and cafetière! There’s even a welcome pack that includes some dishwasher tablets (I know, I was pleased about the dishwasher too), sponges, bin bags, and washing up liquid.
Elsewhere is the infamous dishwasher, as well as a fridge (with small freezer), microwave, oven and hob, and a large bin with a divider for general waste and recycling, as well as a separate bin for glass.
You’ll be pleased to know that this is Bluestone’s standard, which is brilliant for self-catering. There is plenty of room to cook a decent dinner (and eat it) as well as the kitchen accessories to help you do that.
Lounge and dining
Outside of the kitchen on the left is the main dining table with spaces for four (or five with the highchair, which is included) as well as a large free-standing cupboard that contains a free-standing drying rack, hoover, mop and bucket, and ironing board.
The lounge houses two comfy sofas that surround the television and large double doors that open inwards to present the stunning view from the upstairs.
We didn’t really have time to watch much telly, but when we did we were able to find the usual channels – including CBeebies! Wi-Fi is also included within the property, although it was a little slow at certain times of the day. ‘Premium Wi-Fi’ is also available if you need to work or want a faster connection. There are also plenty of sockets in the vicinity if you need them.
Bluestone have recently (or at least for us anyway) installed ‘Bluestone TV’, which acts as a sort of interactive screensaver, like in hotels, detailing the events happening throughout the week as well as other things to do whilst on site. This was a lovely touch to the holiday as I was often just happy listening to the background music.
The location of the Ramsay is idyllic and we often couldn’t hear a thing apart from birds, even at night. I didn’t know whether this was to do with the trees that surrounded us or the fact that we were above ground. Either way, it was bliss.
Useful info
Check-in at Ramsey is from 3:00pm, although you’re welcome to use the site from 11:00am. You’re allowed to unload and load your vehicle at your property, using the bays near your property, during arrival and departure days. The rest of the time the cars are to be left in the main car park (unless you have allocated disabled parking) to keep the location safe for pedestrians, buggies, and cyclists.
On departure days you have until 10:30am to leave the property, but you’re welcome to use the site until 3:00pm.
Buggy hire
If you’ve booked a buggy or hired a bicycle then the collection point is located near the car park. You will need a full driving license to hire buggies.
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If you choose to hire a buggy*, throughout the site are buggy-parks and charging points. This makes it incredibly easy to use your buggy as you can leave it anywhere on site and collect it upon your return later. It’s incredibly novel and T thoroughly enjoying having one during our week. It certainly shaved on time when travelling between places.
Before we arrived I had this image of returning the buggy every evening for security, however this is not the case. Simply park your buggy near your accommodation or at the nearest charging point and ‘lock’ your buggy. To unlock the next day, simply enter your unique code and you’re ready to go.
They don’t go particularly fast, but speed is not required as there are plenty of hills and bends around the site to keep you on your toes. That being said, you’ll wish for an extra gear when the land train is coming up behind you!
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Overall
Apart from the minor points I made (which is me trying to offer a balanced view), the overall accommodation is wonderful. It’s clean, and decorated to a high standard, and gives guests a homely feel during their stay.
The property is perfect for small families, or couples who like some room, and has everything you could possibly need during your stay. Located only a short walk away from the village and lake, it still also offered peace and quiet, so much so that I felt incredibly comfortable leaving T to play outside.
They’re a great home from home for families.
Disclosure: We paid for our holiday to Bluestone, however were lucky enough to have a golf buggy on loan to us, courtesy of Bluestone, during our stay so we could explore the resort from a new perspective.
1 comment
This accommodation is so good, we stayed in a similar lodge last time we went. The golf buggy looks fun too, we’ve never hired one but might do next time, they’re so convenient!
Nat.x
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