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Back to a 'new normal'

Back to a 'new normal'
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A challenging time

Recent months have been challenging and in many ways ‘life changing’ for everyone – especially us ‘Ways’! - Being forced to stop and re-evaluate lifestyle and priorities - a valuable lesson for some. I expect other people may identify with me in remembering times in our busy and complicated lives when we thought how good it would be to say ‘Stop the world – I want to get off’ – to make time stand still and allow us to catch up with everything we that we want to do and just don’t have the time or energy for! Suddenly lots of opportunities to achieve all the jobs that always get side-lined miraculously appeared with the lockdown period but so did the glorious weather and that was the downfall of my many good intentions! It was so easy to ‘make the most of the sunny day’ - all those boring indoor jobs could wait for the day that weather changed!

Back to the 'real world'

After this unprecedented ‘holiday’, and faced with a situation that so often felt like ‘the blind leading the blind’, July came and we were all catapulted back into the ‘real world’ which was suddenly a different world to the one before the word ‘Covid’ became part of everyday language.

There were so many things to think about prior to re-opening the 2 hotels and it suddenly seemed a daunting prospect– the Luttrell Arms had never been ‘closed’ before that anyone could remember and so ‘starting from scratch’ was something of a shock – very few forward bookings as everything had been cancelled –absolutely no food in stock - so many questions and so few answers.

A cautious re-opening

After being given the greenlight, we decided not to rush but to wait at least a week before re-opening to see what others were doing (That didn’t work as maybe they were waiting to learn from us!) and how busy we could expect to be initially. Most staff were very keen to get back to work having been on ‘Furlough’ but others were not so confident – the whole complicated process of ‘unfurloughing’ everyone and get them back to work was undertaken by our clever and long suffering Becky and there were endless ‘risk assessments’, staff training in new cleaning and service procedures, special PPE equipment to buy, signage, screens etc to organise and fit and many days of intensive cleaning everywhere.

However, both big days finally arrived and both hotels opened and we were confident and greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic support that we received from so many of our wonderful loyal customers.

Good times to come...

We have now been open for 2 months – our new policy of giving resident hotel guests more space and several separate ‘ residents only’ priority areas is proving very popular and guests have been returning enthusiastically to both the hotels and Mews Salon.

Hopefully we can now look forward to the Autumn/winter season when in addition to the usual cosy nights by log fires our guests expect they will enjoy the new winter treats we have planned - a new out of season al fresco dining experience with the introduction of our new heated dining pods on the terrace (at the Luttrell Arms) and indulgent Hot stone massages in the Salon. In fact why not look at our latest packages, an Exmoor Staycation or our Winter Warmer at The Mews. You get to enjoy two nights with us, dinner on your first night – you can sample Barrie and Miguel’s seasonal menus, then you can explore the beauty of Exmoor in the Autumn and treat yourself to a cream tea. Or for extra pampering, pick the Winter Warmer and you get to choose from a relaxing massage or a refreshing scrub. Either way you’ll be recharged and rejuvenated!

Hope to see you soon!

What our guests say...

Quirky in the right sense

Lovely clean room and bathroom. Super public rooms and spaces with fires. Quirky in the right sense and not as a euphemism for inconvenient. Great location for walking and touring. Wonderful food both breakfasts and evening meals. We felt thoroughly pampered...
Sarah P

Terrific hotel, great gardens

Loved this hotel. Lots of nooks and crannies. Nice welcoming bar, would be very nice in the winter if imagine, because there is a grand, big fire place. Garden is beautiful, great to relax in on a summer day. Highly recommend although a Little expensive, but worth it for a treat....
Bob962

Pulled out all of the stops

My Partner and I had a really great stay with the dog. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. They really pulled out all of the stops to ensure a carefree stay with the dog. We found the whole set up and inclusive treatment for dog owners to extremely well done and a real home from home with all the old world charm of a historic building in a historic and idyllic country setting. We will definitely...
Andrew W

Our favourite hotel

We had such a lovely time at this hotel. 2nd visit and we shall definitely return. Everything is just so. Hotel rooms, service, staff is just lovely and food delicious. We couldn't fault it at all. The main bar area just makes you feel like you want to spend the rest of your day sitting by the fireplace sipping on your drink and reading the paper. Our favourite hotel and we would highly recommend ...
DanaO

A perfect lunch

We stayed here earlier in the year and returned just for lunch today.We weren’t disappointed. My wife had the roast beef and I chose the seafood chowder. Though quite different both of these meals were delicious.A beautiful location, friendly service and great food! What more could you ask for?...
Billyboybud

The staff really go the extra mile

We’ve been staying here on and off for over 18 years and it just keeps getting better. Fantastic location for Exmoor, the west Somerset coast and Dunster. The staff really go the extra mile and are superb, the rooms are original and comfortable and the food is good. Lots of different public rooms to explore and relax in, two bars both with open log fires plus lots of character plus lovely gardens...
James F

The hotel is a gem

My wife and I booked in for a birthday trip in November. Dunster is a charming small town / village destination with a great castle. We stayed for two nights with dinner on one night and afternoon tea on the second. The hotel is a gem, with lovely old bars and lounges plus a main bar very popular with the locals-four real ales and a selection of ciders and lagers. Staff were excellent. Dinner was ...
Peter T

Helpful Staff

Great hotel and location. The food was very good particularly the breakfast. The staff were very helpful especially when we had to amend the booking. Dunster castle was within walking distance and along with the mill is worth a visit....
Roger5757

Amazing staff

My wife and I stayed two nights recently here with our young son to attend a wedding in the village...the hotel was very busy throughout the weekend due to the annual music festival, and yet all the hotel staff went out of their way to make us feel so welcome....
Nigel2222

Happy Hotel

I rarely feel compelled to give reviews, but this hotel is worth one. It occupies a charming old building of great character with a good garden. In keeping with its age, it has stairs but no lift. The bedrooms are clean, bright and with good modern accommodation. The dining room is very attractive, and the restaurant menu is excellent. The staff are competent, friendly and helpful. It is a happy hotel...
Mr Fletcher
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