When you travel frequently for business or pleasure, you can sometimes miss that homely feeling. Hotels can seem too anonymous and they may begin to merge into one homogenous mass in your memory. You may miss having someone to talk to over breakfast or you may simply be a people person who enjoys the company of others. If this rings a bell with you, then it could be time for you to try a stay in a Wolsey Lodge. Wolsey Lodges is a company which brings together hosts with beautiful, stylish, characterful homes and discerning guests. Guests are welcomed into the family home of the hosts, much as Cardinal Wolsey would have been on his travels.
Elegant drawing rooms, cosy snugs, private gardens are all on offer to guests who are encouraged to mingle and get to know one another over dinner, supper and breakfast, such as you would at a house party of a friend or relative. That’s the great thing about a stay at a Wolsey Lodge; you never know who you might meet.
As we drew up outside Ryedale House for our first Wolsey Lodge experience, we had to double check the photo on the website with the stunning Georgian house before us to make sure we were in the right place as, being a Wolsey Lodge rather than a standard B&B, means Ryedale House has no sign outside. You are visiting as guests of the family. And, in the case, it’s a very well-connected family indeed as it is owned by The Honourable Michael and Debbie Howard. (Michael grew up in nearby Castle Howard.)
Debbie, and her gorgeous little Tibetan spaniel, greeted us like old friends – or soon to be new friends. We were shown to our room, which was on the first floor. It was a beautiful, light and airy room, elegantly furnished in a traditional style in keeping with the period of the house. The private bathroom adjacent to our room was simply huge and finished in a modern style with a free-standing bath and double sink and shower. Debbie had left out Prada bath salts and sumptuous potions and lotions, just as she would for family friends and relatives.
Likewise, in the bedroom, there was a vase of flowers, freshly picked from the garden and a couple of family photos, just as you would have if you we’re inviting your friends to stay in your home. The welcome tray included chocolates and fresh milk; the bedside clock was by Cartier and the bed was super king size and the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. Luxury!
After freshening up and dressing for dinner, we enjoyed an evening stroll around the picturesque market town of Helmsley, picking up a bottle of wine en route as Ryedale House is not licensed: guests wanting wine to accompany supper must provide their own.
Guests are encouraged to relax in the lounge or garden or to watch television in the snug rather than feeling like they must retire to their rooms. Debbie and Michael’s lounge is the perfect blend of elegance and comfort. As elsewhere in the house, exquisite antiques and art are on display and yet the atmosphere is relaxed and informal rather than formal or imposing.
Debbie was keen to share her ideas for transforming the lounge and dining room, both due to be redecorated this summer. She gets ‘hands on’ with the decorating and her flair for interior design is evident. She is also a fabulous host and a great cook and we enjoyed a delicious two course supper of salmon marinated with subtle oriental spices and lime juice, accompanied by salads and potatoes, followed by summer fruits with meringue.
Breakfast, the following morning, was as superb as our supper, with fresh fruit salad and cereals to start and full English breakfasts to follow.
If you are looking for somewhere elegant to stay in Helmsley, and you prefer the personal touch of a Wolsey Lodge, why not try Ryedale House?
To check availability or to book a stay at Ryedale House, visit: http://www.wolseylodges.com/B&B/England/North%20Yorkshire/Helmsley/8947.htm?LodgeID=314.
To search for a Wolsey Lodge elsewhere in the UK, visit: http://www.wolseylodges.com/index.htm
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