Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel

We had such a lovely overnight stay here. There was a very warm welcome from the staff who were also really helpful in helping us when we got back from our very muddy walk, and offered to clean and dry our boots. This was much appreciated. Lovely breakfast and evening meal and everyone so friendly.

It's not about the building, it's about the people. This may sound cliché, but my recent stay at this hotel proved just how true this statement can be. I found myself at this property during a harsh winter storm that forced road closures and brought extreme weather conditions. As luck would have it, I became the sole guest in the hotel. It was in these extraordinary circumstances that I truly experienced the exceptional quality of the staff. Anna, with her ever-present smile, went above and beyond to ensure my comfort, anticipating and meeting my needs with genuine warmth. The friendly chef Patrick keeping spirits high. But the true standout was Matt, a superstar whose dedication was truly outstanding. Matt's efforts were nothing short of exceptional. He not only fulfilled maintenance responsibilities for the entire hotel and cottages but also took on numerous additional responsibilities. He braved the elements to assist guests and staff whose cars were stuck on the road, pushing vehicles and guiding drivers to safety. Tirelessly, he gritted and shoveled, breaking through miles of ice on the hotel's road to create access for everyone. As if this wasn't enough, Matt even stepped into the kitchen to prepare a mean breakfast when the other chef was unavailable. To the owners of this hotel: you are incredibly fortunate to have staff of this caliber. I sincerely hope you read this review, recognize the immense value these individuals bring to your establishment, and compensate them appropriately for their extraordinary efforts. While the staff's performance was exemplary, I must withhold a perfect rating due to one significant oversight. The hotel management's refusal to invest in proper snow management equipment, particularly a snowblower, led to unnecessary stress and inconvenience for both guests and staff. Instead of closing the hotel, losing revenue, and restricting access, a one-time investment in a snowblower would have alleviated much of the struggle we faced. Guests shouldn't have to spend hours shoveling ice to move their cars or hire tow trucks to leave the premises. This isn't a luxury; it's a necessary business decision that any competent manager should make to ensure guest satisfaction and safety during winter months. In conclusion, while the dedication of the staff was truly inspirational, the lack of proper winter equipment prevents me from giving this hotel a perfect score. However, with the right investments and continued support for their outstanding team, this hotel has the potential to become a truly exceptional destination, regardless of the season.

Booked Poppythorn cottage in grounds of hotel as a 60th birthday surprise for a friend. The cottage was absolutely perfect, so spacious and comfortable and having our own hot tub was the icing on the cake. Hotel staff were so professional and helpful throughout our stay, Naomi went that extra mile to make it a perfect weekend. Would highly recommend.