Great location and stunning views, but the lodge needs some TLC
The lodge is in a perfect location on the site, and the views of the lake are absolutely stunning. The beds were really comfortable, and the lodge was well equipped with everything we needed for our stay.
Unfortunately, the property itself is in need of some TLC. Internally, the issues were mainly cosmetic and didn't really bother us, but the outside area was a different story. A lot of the woodwork around the decking is rotting and falling apart, with holes in the decking and fencing. This made the outside area feel unsafe, particularly as we had children with us. There was also a small children's bench which was so rotten that it was falling apart.
The outside area was also very dirty when we arrived, and we had to give it a good scrub ourselves before we could comfortably sit and eat outside.
The hot tub wasn't up to temperature when we arrived, but this was something we had expected and had planned for, as we appreciate this can happen after it has been serviced. However, the jet covers on the hot tub were constantly coming loose and floating around in the water. We repeatedly had to put them back in place and eventually got fed up of fixing them, which was frustrating and didn't feel particularly safe.
We also had no hot water on our first night. We contacted Lakes Cottages & Lodges and left a voicemail, but unfortunately we didn't receive a call back or any response. In the end, we used ChatGPT to help us troubleshoot the boiler and managed to resolve the issue ourselves. We feel this should have been checked and tested before we arrived, and we were disappointed that our request for assistance wasn't responded to.
We absolutely loved White Cross Bay and would 100% return to the resort. Unfortunately, based on our experience, we wouldn't return to this particular lodge.
At £685 for three nights, we expected the property to be in much better condition, particularly the outside areas. With some investment and maintenance, this could be a fantastic lodge, as the location and views really are beautiful.