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| Tilbury Lodge |
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When I rang up Tilbury Lodge to make my reservation, I knew a good stay was in the making. And wasn’t disappointed! The high praise and awards Tilbury Lodge has garnered over the years are certainly well-deserved.
Stefan, the owner, answered the phone. His booming South African-accented voice came on the line, and he proceeded efficiently take down my details while at the same time creating a friendly rapport. As my partner and I were to arrive in the early evening, he asked if we would be dining out. He recommended The Fishes, and said he would order a taxi for us as soon as I let him know our reservation time.
This refreshingly fabulous service continued when we arrived for our stay. Stefan greeted us at the door and took our bags up to our room. And what a room! Not a piece of chintz in sight. Instead the décor had a Japanese influence, with clean lines and light colours; bamboo grew on a shelf next to a few Oxford guides, and the mirrored wardrobe was reminiscent of Shoji sliding doors. Fresh flowers and a bowl full of fruit and homemade fudge adorned the stationery desk, and the wardrobe contained a fully stocked mini-fridge and tea point.
I took a peek into the bathroom and was amazed at what I found. Not only were there fluffy towels and plush bathrobes on the heated towel rack, but a Jacuzzi footbath and a very large glass shower with a rain showerhead as well! Truly, a B&B after my own heart.
A knock on our door signalled the arrival of our cab, and we were off to The Fishes. Stefan’s recommendation was spot-on, and we had a wonderful evening. It was lovely to come back to the Lodge to settle into the incredibly comfortable big bed and sleep in peaceful quiet with the blackout curtains drawn. We could have taken advantage of the wall-mounted flat screen TV to watch a movie or the free WiFi Internet to check our email if we weren’t so tired.
The next morning the shower did not disappoint, and I was pleased to find that the toiletry kit contained little extras like eye makeup remover and quality shampoo that make a big difference. The hairdryer is also very powerful and has a long cord, unlike those at many hotels.
Unfortunately Nathan had to leave for work without sampling breakfast, but I was escorted to the sunny dining room and plied with an incredible spread, made by Stefan with local produce and herbs from the spacious back garden, which is home to barbecues in the summertime. The Dutch blend of coffee served to thoroughly wake me up, as did Stefan’s interesting conversation on his views on the hospitality industry.
He laments the lack of dedication in newcomers, saying that he feels service is truly a vocation rather than a job, and that one must really love it to do it well. It is clear that he and his wife take great pride in their business and it has paid off. They seem to have struck the perfect balance between professional and friendly service, a city-convenient location without the noise and hubbub, and a set-up for families, singles and businesspeople alike.
I really can’t recommend this bed and breakfast too strongly. It was one of the best stays either of us have had, and we’ll be back soon!
Reviewed by Kimberly Manning and Nathan Wiles |
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