Escape to Hollicarrs: Dragonfly Lodge Awaits in Picturesque Escrick!
Escape to Hollicarrs: Dragonfly Lodge – A Review from Someone Who Actually Stayed There (Spoiler: It's Complicated!)
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your average saccharine hotel review. I lived at Dragonfly Lodge at Hollicarrs near Escrick for a long weekend, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster. From the idyllic promise of "picturesque Escrick" to the realities of…well, let's just say it had moments. I’m talking honest-to-goodness, warts-and-all reflections here. So, pull up a chair, grab a cuppa (or a cheeky bottle of water – they do provide those!), and let's dive in.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, How to Get There Without Getting Lost…Maybe)
Right, so "picturesque Escrick" – they're not kidding. It’s charming, that’s for sure. Getting there? Well, Google Maps initially led me on a scenic tour of Yorkshire backroads that felt more like a rally race. Finally arrived and thankfully, Dragonfly Lodge is pretty accessible. Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely. I saw ramps, no steps in the main areas, and generally a good layout. I didn’t need it, but I appreciated the thought. Parking? Free. On-site. Hallelujah! After that drive, I needed that. Airport transfer? Not for me, but seemed like they offered it. Car park [free of charge]: This is another huge bonus. They boasted a CCTV outside the property, which, as a solo traveler, always puts my mind at ease. Check-in/out [express] – I think it could have been faster. More on that later…
Rooms & Creature Comforts (The Good, the Bad, and the Coffee Maker)
Okay, my room. The Dragonfly Lodge itself, was cute, it was stylish, and it was clean. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The bed was ridiculously comfy. Like, "I might need to buy this mattress" comfy. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver. Yorkshire mornings? They're bright, and I like my sleep. They did have free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and, thank the heavens, Internet access – wireless! The coffee maker? A slightly temperamental beast, but functional. Essential for a caffeine addict like me. Daily housekeeping was present - a nice touch (and I even appreciated the small stuff, like the fresh towels). Non-smoking rooms? A definite yes. This is a big plus for non-smokers. Now, the downside. The bathroom phone felt…a bit dated. Who actually uses one of those anymore? And the mini-bar? Sadly, a bit sparsely stocked. I'm greedy, what can I say?
Food & Drink (The Highs, the Lows, and the Quest for a Decent Cup of Coffee)
Okay, let's talk about fuel. "Breakfast in room"? Nope. Apparently, that wasn’t an option. Breakfast service was a mixed bag, running the gauntlet of Buffet in restaurant/ A la carte in restaurant. I opted for the buffet, and it was…fine. Basic. The Asian breakfast was actually pretty good. The Western breakfast? Standard hotel fare. Coffee/tea in restaurant, but the coffee was, unfortunately, abysmal. Seriously, I need a proper caffeine fix. Coffee shop? Nope. I ended up wandering the local villages desperately searching for a decent latte. On the dining, drinking, and snacking options:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
The saving grace? The Bottle of water they provided was a nice touch. I was relieved to find that they were offering Cashless payment service. I tried the room service [24-hour] once, which was convenient.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Spa Day Dreams…and Realities)
Now comes the good stuff! The promise of relaxation! Hollicarrs boasts a spa. Let me tell you, I was excited. Spa/sauna? YES! I love a good sauna.
The Spa:
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Fitness center
- Foot bath
- Gym/fitness
- Massage
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
I booked a massage, and it was divine. Worth every penny. That was the highlight and now my experience. Pure, unadulterated bliss. The swimming pool and the sauna were nice, too. The pool with view was perfect. But the gym/fitness was something I skipped on (lazy bones). I didn't get a Body scrub or Body wrap, but I did see others getting one.
Cleanliness & Safety (Did I Survive the Germ Apocalypse?)
This is crucial right now. I mean, we're still living in…well, you know. I'm happy to report their anti-viral cleaning products seemed to be working! Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. I certainly felt safe; I didn’t feel like I was entering a biohazard zone. Hand sanitizer was readily available, and the staff were all wearing masks. I appreciate the precautions. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed like it. Staff trained in safety protocol? Absolutely. The Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items – I appreciated that.
Services & Conveniences (Not All Heroes Wear Capes, But Some Serve Ironing Service)
Right, let's touch on the practical stuff. Air conditioning in public area – yes, definitely a blessing. Concierge? Helpful – although I didn't need much. Daily housekeeping? A godsend. Facilities for disabled guests? Already touched on that, but yes. Ironing service was a life-saver. So was the Laundry service. Sadly no Gift/souvenir shop, and, more devastatingly, no Convenience store. This is unforgivable as they have no Snack bar!!!! I liked the Invoice provided.
For the Kids (If You’re Bringing the Mini-Me’s)
I didn't have my own kids, but I did see some families there. Seemed to be Family/child-friendly with some Kids facilities. They did offer Babysitting service. There are Kids meal.
The Overall Verdict (Would I Go Back?)
Honestly? It’s complicated. Dragonfly Lodge at Hollicarrs has its flaws, but it also has its moments. The spa, the comfortable bed, and the overall charm of the location do a lot of heavy lifting. The staff were generally lovely, albeit a little…inexperienced in some areas. So, would I go back? Maybe. If I could be guaranteed a decent coffee and another massage, it could be a resounding yes. It's not perfect, but it's a genuinely lovely place to escape to, and it delivers on the promise of relaxation. Just bring your own coffee…and maybe a snack or two.
Escape to Paradise: Kumarakom's Kalathil Lake Resort Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, this is my trip to Hollicarrs - Dragonfly Lodge, and frankly, I'm just hoping I don't accidentally set the place on fire. Here goes nothing:
Hollicarrs Havoc (or, a Yorkshire Adventure That Might Actually Kill Me With Cuteness - and the British Weather)
Day 1: Arrival and Utter Overwhelm
- 14:00: Arrive at Dragonfly Lodge (after a train journey that felt suspiciously like the plot of a murder mystery novel - everyone looking shifty, the rhythmic clack of the wheels…I swear I saw a monocle flash). The lodge… it’s adorable. Like, offensively adorable. The pictures online? They didn't lie. It’s practically begging to be photographed. I’m already mentally calculating the Instagram likes.
- Anecdote: The drive from the station? Utterly terrifying. Narrow lanes, oncoming tractors… I swear, I saw a sheep give me the stink eye. Yorkshire, you are testing me.
- 14:30-15:00: Unpack. Or, attempt to. My suitcase exploded upon opening, spilling its contents across the floor like a fashion crime scene. Found four misplaced lipsticks, a tattered copy of "Pride and Prejudice" (judge me), and a questionable amount of emergency chocolate. Priorities, people.
- Quirky Observation: The bathroom is so cute, I might just move in. Except, you know, the whole bathing thing. I actually like the shower.
- 15:00-16:00: Wandering the grounds, mouth agape. The lake! The trees! The silence! It’s… it's beautiful. Scary beautiful. I'm used to the cacophony of city life, so this quiet is almost unsettling. I kept expecting a deer to appear, looking at me suspiciously. It's a bit of a therapy trip too. I really need it.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated, awe. I feel like I should paint the trees with my emotions.
- 16:00-17:00: Attempt to make tea. Failed miserably because the kettle is from the Dark Ages. Spent the better part of an hour fumbling with the switch. Eventually, I got it going and burned my tongue.
Day 2: Birdwatching and Barnyard Adventures (Mostly Disasters)
- 08:00-09:00: Pre-dawn birdwatching. Or, as I like to call it, "Standing in the Cold, Hoping to See Something Other Than a Pigeon". Armed with my borrowed binoculars (thanks, Aunt Mildred!), I perched myself by the lake. Saw a robin. It was nice. I did't realize how cold it would be.
- Rambling: Okay, I'm not a morning person. The whole "rise and shine" thing is actively painful. But the air… the crisp, early morning air… it almost made it worth it. Almost.
- 09:00-10:00: Breakfast. I love breakfast. I could eat everything! I found a good loaf of bread and spent a good chuck of time eating it with a little jam.
- 10:00-12:00: The Farmer's Field of Dreams (and Disasters). The owners recommended visiting the local farm. What could go wrong? EVERYTHING. I should have known better. I got mud on my shoes (that I apparently forgot to pack, so I looked ridiculous), I almost got pecked by a chicken that seemed to have a personal vendetta against me (I think it was my bright yellow scarf - the idiot), and I most certainly smelled like a farm for the rest of the day. The most shocking thing of all was that the pigs were cute.
- Emotional Reaction: The chicken incident? Let’s just say my vocabulary expanded considerably at that moment. I have a newfound respect for chickens.
- Messy structure: My schedule is shot! I've completely wasted my energy. I don't want to shower. I need caffeine. I want to give the chicken a stern word. I should have brought a proper coat.
- 12:00-13:00: Lunch. Back at the lodge. Ate everything. I mean, literally everything.
- 13:00-15:00: Attempt at a hike through the woods nearby. I got lost. Twice. The trees all look the same, you know? I'm pretty sure I saw a squirrel laugh at me. Managed to make it back relatively unscathed, though I did manage to acquire a new scratch on my arm.
- 15:00-16:00: Resting and reflection (mostly on the mud situation). The tranquility of this place is undeniably appealing. Is the city behind me? I'm not sure, and frankly, I don't entirely care.
Day 3: Rest and Relaxation… and Potentially More Mud
- 09:00-10:00: Sleep in! Yes! A full hour of sleep.
- 10:00-12:00: I spent the best time sat down by the lake again. I could stay there all day and do nothing. No thoughts. No worries. Bliss.
- 12:00-13:00: I ate some food again. It was food.
- 13:00-15:00: I'm going to be utterly honest, I did absolutely nothing. I read "Pride and Prejudice." Again. I feel no shame.
- 15:00-16:00: I made a cup of tea, which I didn't burn my tongue on, and I sat and appreciated the peace and quiet. I think I'm starting to get used to it.
- 16:00-18:00: I finally had a shower! It was wonderful!
Day 4: Departure and the Post-Yorkshire Blues (and a Vow to Return)
08:00-09:00: Final breakfast. Gazing at the beauty of this retreat through the window.
09:00-10:00: Thoroughly check I haven't left anything behind. My wallet, phone and all belongings were accounted for.
10:00-11:00: One last wander around, taking more photos and soaking it all in. I need to get it all down and appreciate it.
11:00: Actual, real departure. It's hard. I want to stay. I really do.
- Opinionated Language: This place… it’s magic. Honestly, just magical.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Actually tearing up a little as I leave. I'm already planning my return. Goodbye Dragonfly Lodge; I'll be back!
Post-Trip: Back on the train, staring out the window. Thinking about chickens and mud. Maybe I'll take up birdwatching. Maybe I won't. Regardless, Yorkshire, you've stolen a piece of my heart. And my shoes.
Escape to Hollicarrs: Dragonfly Lodge – Your FAQ (Because You *Need* To Know Before You Go!)
What *is* Hollicarrs anyway? Is it like, a national park? Should I bring hiking boots? (And will I get lost?)
Dragonfly Lodge: Cosy… or cramped? And how's the Wi-Fi? (Because, you know, life.)
Is it *really* dog-friendly? My fluffball is… enthusiastic. (Translation: he's chaos personified).
What's there to *do* in Escrick/the area? Besides, you know, breathing fresh air.
The Fire Pit: Myth or reality? And can I roast marshmallows? (Priorities, people!)
The Pond: Is it swimmable? And, um… is it *clean*?
Anything I should pack that isn't on the “obvious” list?
So, the *vibe* of Dragonfly Lodge... Is it romantic? Family-friendly? Somewhere you could just go to *chill*? (Because, let's be honest, we all need that sometimes).
