Escape to the lakes: July 2020
How can I describe 2020? I think for myself, for most people really, the only way to describe it is emotional. There's been so many emotions experienced in the last few months, ranging from sheer panic, back to acceptance, before doing a quick detour back into panic. This year has been a turbulent rollercosster ride, but I am so full of gratitude that we are coming out of this pandemic relatively unscathed, which I know is not the same for everyone. Many haven't been as lucky.
Naturally, everything that was booked for this year has been cancelled, as was expected, but it's still been a blow watching our dreams of weddings and holidays get pushed back. Our most awaited trip, to my sister's wedding in Mexico, was postponed and with that travel itch creeping over me now that lockdown restrictions are lifting, it's no surprise that I started researching places in the UK that could give me the holiday feeling without leaving the country. Staycations were already on the rise pre-covid, but now out of necessity, became what a lot of people have turned to - with it becoming a buzzword of the summer for families in need of a change of scenery and a taste of adventure.
After a few evenings, a few bottles of wine, and a lot of surfing through Trip Advisor, I settled upon North Lakes Hotel & Spa in Penrith. This one ticked all the boxes in my mental checklist - close to home, family rooms available, and it was pet friendly too, making this a trip the entire family could really enjoy, and no fur-babysitters needed. It was also only two hours drive away, meaning we wouldn't be too far from home.
There was no hesitation, we booked it then and there, packed our bags (thank god for all that practice) and headed down that same day. After the constraints of lockdown and the feelings of being trapped, isolated, and powerless over our own lives, we were thrilled. We felt free, and everyone in the car appreciated this - for the first time, there was not a single whine or moan of "are we there yet". That kind of freedom is so easily taken for granted, and everyone understood that we are lucky to have the life we do. The car was full of excitement and happiness, as we drove to our first adventure in this crazy new world.
The hotel was conveniently located about two seconds from a motorway, but driving up to it, it didn't feel like a motorway rest stop. The external view alone had a beautiful boutique feel to it, and the entrance was cosy, comfy, and inviting, with seating areas and a large fireplace in the centre. The layout was clear and easy to navigate without getting too close to others, with hand sanitiser available everywhere. Like us, the other guests were courteous, and kept their distance.
We booked a superior family room, deciding on a little nit of luxury for our first trip away, and oh boy, it was the right choice. No, it may not have been a Caribbean villa, but after the year so far… it was close enough. I could feel myself coming back to life, doing what I love the most; travelling with my family and creating memories. The boys loved their cool bunk beds - though naturally bickering over the top bunk ensued. Bailey the pooch was equally pampered, with a lovely little dog bed, and food and water bowls, which was really sweet. Little touches can make a big difference. Other special touches included some sweet treats for the boys, and hot chocolate pouches. The only thing I would've liked was a little more storage room. The room had smaller wardrobes, but no drawers, and travelling as a family of five with a chronic over-packing mama, I'd have appreciated some drawers, as man did that room get messy quickly. I'm used to chaos with two boys, but I thrive in a tidy space.
Our room rate included breakfast and dinner which was great as we knew everything was covered during our stay. The dinner rate included £35 per adult to spend on dinner each evening which was plenty of the menu on offer. Bailey got to dine with us during breakfast and dinner, which made us feel much better knowing she wasn’t left in a new environment on her own.
The hotel was the most dog-friendly place we have been to. Everything you needed for your furry companion was there and more, including the luxury dog beds located around the hotel’s restaurant and bar areas, a special doggy door which you were given a key for those midnight pee-pee trips and also doggy exercise areas which were safe and enclosed.
The spa and leisure facility was closed during our stay due to restrictions but from what we have seen, the pool and health suite looked beautiful and inviting. We will definitely make sure to use the facilities on our next visit.
It's the little moments that have the biggest impact, and for us, toasting marshmallows over the stunning fire pit in the grounds was that moment. Surrounded by beautiful festival lives, we were all able to sit and be truly thankful that despite the horrid situation, we still had each other as a happy family. The boys loved roaming around the hotel grounds and finding the cute bunny rabbits hopping around, after months inside, the chance to burn off energy and make the most of the space around them, really meant a lot.
Yes, our trip was incredibly last minute, but sometimes you just have to leap into the unknown, together. We had an amazing time on our spontaneous trip, it was a break we so badly needed and gave us that little touch of luxury we had craved for so many months. We loved the hotel so much; we have already booked to visit again next month.
You can BOOK your staycation at North Lakes Hotel & Spa here: https://www.northlakeshotel.co.uk
