Well just when you may have thought we had absconded we're back. The fact that you have not heard from our blog for a month or two has nothing to do with abandoning our loyal readers and everything to do with a truly hectic summer season.
The only way to describe the last few months is manic. Feversham Lodge has been running at peak occupancy and we have been very gratified by the number of "old friends" (in hospitality speak repeat visitors) who have stayed with us.
However talking of old friends our oldest (in time not age) friends Peter and Jenny Ryan of Cape Town spent a night with us last month. Elaine and Jenny were neighbours as children and the friendship is over 50 years. It was their first visit to us and we had a special time as we reminisced long into the night.
We also had a visit from our son-in-laws parents Malcolm and Pam Black. Pam runs an operation in Cape Town called Celebration House (www.celebrationhouse.co.za) and had been exhibiting at the Earls Court wedding fair.
As the weather played ball (about time I hear some of you saying) we took them to Castle Howard. As you will know a new film of Brideshead Revisited has just been released. What you may not know is that like the 1981 ITV mini-series of Brideshead Revisited Miramax also used Castle Howard as a film set.
Their is a very interesting and informative exhibition on both "Bridesheads" and if your visiting North Yorkshire for the first time a visit to Castle Howard should be on your itinerary.
During our hectic summer we also had our annual grading assessment visit from Visit Britain. Apart from again being awarded a Four Star Silver Award grading we were paticulary pleased with some of the comments which we proudly share below:
Furniture and fittings: Very good quality furniture. A mixture of styles and ages presented to a very high standard. The antique pieces fit particularly well well in the period property.
Bed linen and bedding: Beds presented to a very high standard, appear inviting and sumptuous with good use of crisp linen, plump pillows and duvets. Contrasting throws and cushion provide luxurious finishing touches.
During the year we enhanced our breakfast menu and this received a glowing response. (Visit our website and click on the Dining Room thumbnail and then the Menu to see our expanded menu www.fevershamlodge.co.uk)
Some of you may have heard that a new chocolate bar named Credit Crunch has been launched by Selfridges in London. Whilst this may be a "tongue in cheek" response to the current financial meltdown for many financial belt tightening has become a reality. However the comments below posted by a guest on Trip Advisor indicate that it is possible to have a weekend break at an affordable price.
"We were a bit wary about staying in a guest house as opposed to a large hotel, but the people at Feversham Lodge were lovely - they couldn't do enough for us. The room (Victorian) was beautifully decorated and immaculately clean. The breakfasts were extremely good, with Bucks Fizz on the Sunday morning! We will definitely stay there again."
These guests pointed out on leaving, that they had previously always stayed at large hotels and that this was their first ever visit to a guest house.
Having seen their comments on Trip Advisor I did a quick price comparison for a week end in York.
Large Hotel: £169.00 per room per night. Excludes breakfast which costs £12.50 per person.
Total Cost for weekend including full breakfast £388.00
Feversham Lodge: £80.00 per night (our top room - Victorian). Includes Breakfast
Total Cost for weekend £160.00
In this regard Feversham Lodge is not unique and if you have yet to try a Guest House why not give one a go. I am convinced you will not be disappointed.
Finally, from the 2nd November our winter midweek special is again available. This enables guests who stay with us between Sunday and Thursday to have a three night stay for the price of two nights.
In this regard we still have midweek availability until Christmas and limited weekend availability.
Until next month take care.
David.