Review – Bluestone National Park Resort – Accommodation – Ramsey Lodge

Open Living Space

You head upstairs to the vast open living space, which combines a kitchen, dining area and living room. With a high vaulted ceiling,windows all around, and double doors, this creates bright and airy space. You can take a look around the space in the VR View below.

Kitchen

The kitchen really does feel like a home from home. There’s cupboards with plates, mugs, cups and saucers, glasses, pots and pans, cooking tins and trays, knives, and cutlery. There’s an oven and hob, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave, toaster, kettle, even a cafetière and a teapot. It’s fantastic for self catering accommodation, you can knock up a family meal with ease. There’s something rather wonderful about making a brew and looking out over Bluestone.

You get a little ‘Spick and Span’ Starter Pack with a sponge, dish cloth, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablet and bin liners. Bluestone are keen on recycling, so the kitchen bin is split into two sections, and there is a separate glass bin.

Living / Dining Area

Technology

To continue the homely feel upstairs, the Living Area has a two and three seater sofa with a solid wood coffee table. There’s a small LCD TV and DVD player in the corner. The TV has a range of Freeview Channels, and is linked to a smart information system that sends you resort messages. There were high winds during our stay which closed some of the pathways, these were communicated on the TV. The TV has a spare HDMI socket so you can plug your own things in.

I think perhaps the TVs and DVD player could do with an upgrade, it does look a little lost in vast room. The sofas are lovely and comfy and, like the rest of the lodge, well looked after. All the Lodges have free WiFi, it’s not the fastest, and streaming services, VPNs and video sites are blocked. If you want faster, unrestricted WiFi, you can buy ‘Premium WiFi’ – I had this and it was perfect for working from the lodge. You need to connect to the ‘Premium WiFi’ and enter a code via a web-browser. You can purchase it in advance and take advantage of a ‘2 for 1’ offer, or buy it whilst there. Considering mobile service is sketchy at best throughout Bluestone, the WiFi is a godsend.

From the sofa you can see out of the double doors, and the views are gorgeous. The detached design of the Ramsey Lodges mean you can’t hear a soul around you. It’s instantly calming, even sitting around watching TV in the morning is just blissful.

The Dining Area has a solid wood table and six chairs – it’s perfect for family meals, and even getting a bit of work done. There are power sockets nearby, so it makes a decent ‘office’ area, if like me, holidays involve some work, it’s easy to do. There’s a nice sideboard too, there’s nothing in it, but could be good storage for toys if you have small people.

Accommodation Admin

Those staying in Ramsey Lodges can check in from 3pm. You’re able to use the facilities on site from 11am on the day of your arrival. Then after 3pm you’ll be able to drive you lodge and unload your things. Cars aren’t allowed on the resort after midnight on check in days, and must be returned to the car park (unless you’re disabled). This means the roads are safer for pedestrians and cyclists. There are little patches outside each lodge to leave your car when unloading.

On departure days cars are allowed within the resort from 5am to load up, you have to leave your lodge by 10am. Guests can use the facilities until 3pm on their last day.

Overall

I cannot express just how good the Ramsey Lodge accommodation is. Each one is well maintained, beautifully clean, and a real ‘home’ during your stay. You can stretch out on the sofa and watch trash on TV whilst watching the world go by. The beds are comfy and gave us a good nights sleep throughout our stay. The kitchen has all the essentials you need to feed the family and have everything you’ll need for your stay.

Sure, the TV and DVD Player could be upgraded, and perhaps some new ventilation fans in the bathrooms. I’m being overly critical because otherwise, this wouldn’t feel balanced. Honestly though Bluestone’s Ramsey Lodges are a great family holiday home.