Staying at Cameron Club Lodges

Before moving to Scotland we used to come up on holiday and drive straight up the A82, passing Loch Lomond and I can’t tell you what a plonker I feel for doing this. We discovered there is plenty to do whilst staying at Cameron Club Lodges. The local area is full of amazing walks and activities for couples and families alike.

Arrival

Check in was mid afternoon and we were greeted at the Club Lodge reception (situated on the right hand side of the road as you come into Cameron House resort) and given all the usual information about restaurant opening times, spa facilities, golf course and the concierge service between the hotel and The Carrick site. Once furnished with all the information we needed and our lodge keys, we were escorted to our accommodation just a couple of miles up the road by one of the concierge gentlemen. He walked us through the property briefing us on how to use the heating and just showing us where things were. Something that apparently is done for all first timers in the lodges, a nice touch.

Of course, the first thing we wanted to do was have a look around and go to the spa.

Cameron Club Lodges

Our accommodation was one of the last on the resort driveway and over looked a pond to the back. I guess this is one of the reasons for having an “upside down” layout, you can make the most of the view and this was definitely a plus point for us.

Downstairs two bedrooms, one double and the other room had twin single beds, both en-suite. Simply decorated, with plenty of storage and space. French doors opening out on to a patio area. The bathrooms are spacious with a huge bath and double shower.

Upstairs is where the magic is at! Open plan kitchen with living/dining space and double doors opening out on to a balcony. Great for watching the ducks and swans on the pond. The large comfy leather sofas also provide a good view out if it’s a bit chilly to have the doors open.

The kitchen provides everything you will need for your self catering break and it made a nice change to have knives that are sharp and fit for purpose too.

As the lodge can sleep up to six people (fold up bed hidden away in the lounge), the dining table is also large enough to seat everyone. There is also another bathroom upstairs, including a shower and dry sauna.

The Spa

The Spa facilities are available to all guests (as well as the general public). Guest staying in a Cameron Club lodge will have complimentary access to the steam rooms etc (for guests staying at a Cameron House Lodge this will be an extra charge). All guests have access to the Leisure Club within the hotel.

This facility is available to use for all those who stay on either of the two sites (Cameron House or The Carrick) and also can be booked if you are staying in the local area too.

Full sized swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms, hydro-pool, infa-red and a rooftop infinity pool with great views. As you would expect there are also treatments available: massages, facials, waxing, manicure etc.

We used the spa each day we were there and it’s a great way to unwind and relax after a days walking, playing golf or shopping down at nearby Lomond Shores or in Glasgow. Watch the golfers finish their rounds or the swans idling on the pond, all from the warmth of the sauna – it’s glass front allows you to watch the world go by (slowly).

The Carrick Golf Course

The Carrick golf course is rather unique in it’s location. It is split over the fault lines of the Scottish lowlands and highlands. There are nine holes in the lowlands and nine, you guessed it, in the highlands. In it’s design it is flatter and open on the first nine holes and the second half is more elevated, giving great views over the loch.

I would normally wander around the golf course with Dude when he plays and take photos but I wanted to explore more of the resort myself. In typical Scottish style the weather was fine when he set out and he got caught up in a couple of big showers.

He enjoyed the round nonetheless although it was rather sodden in places and when playing a shot, as the ball landed it just stopped dead rather than roll further. Technically it’s still winter so it could have been so much worse. Play would be so much better in the warmer months and he is looking forward to playing again in the future.

Celtic Warrior on Loch Lomond

The marina at Cameron House is home to Celtic Warrior, a luxury motor cruiser. Available for cruises around the loch and exclusive private hire too.

What better way to start our week – Monday morning touring Loch Lomond. Near perfect weather for the time of year and the loch was like a mirror. Perfect.

Our tour was just over an hour long and we sailed up Loch Lomond admiring the scenery and it was great to get a different perspective of Cameron House too. The crew of the Celtic Warrior regaled us with history of the clans, the area and the wildlife.

This is well worth doing as a treat or for a special occasion.

The Boathouse

There are several styles of dining at the Cameron House resort: steaks, burgers and pizza and Michelin star restaurant. Something for everyone. So whether you are a fussy eater, just want something simple or more exquisite, you will be catered for in one of the restaurants here.

We ate in the Boathouse and as its name suggests it is down at the marina. The decor reflects the location with a quirky nautical style and a mixture of sofas and dining tables. We liked the atmosphere in here, quite relaxed and well lit.

We enjoyed a three course meal which included scallops, goats cheese & beetroot starters. For our mains we chose salmon and coconut rice, goulash; with cheesecake and sorbet for desserts. All really lovely and beautifully presented.

I imagine in the warmer evenings it would be great to sit outside with a G&T and look out at the marina.

The Enchanted Wood

On my little wander around the Carrick site I discovered the Enchanted Wood. Tucked away between two holes of the golf course I could see signs of it’s inhabitants, fairies.

To the untrained eye I think it would look just like a few trees with bird feeders on and a path meandering through. But the child within me spied other signs of life: the bug hotel and fairy doors dotted all over. Although I didn’t get to see any real live fairies, I know they were there. Maybe they only make themselves known to children?

This is a great corner of the resort to let imaginations run wild and yet learn about the little creatures that may be resident in the bug hotel or bird boxes nearby. It looks like it is a popular place to stay too as it is currently being expanded.

Family facilities

As well as gym facilities for the adults there are plenty of activities to keep the little ones occupied too: splash pool and flume, even freestyle dance classes for 5-12 year olds. There is an on-site creche and also child minding too.

We stayed just before the Easter holidays and I have it on good authority that the Easter Bunny will be joining up with the House Keeping team for Easter egg hunts too. When you check in the children will be given their first clue to help find their eggs in your lodge.

Sad to leave

All in all we thoroughly enjoyed staying at Cameron Club Lodges. We discovered that actually this resort caters for everyone not just adults and golfers. Everyone is really friendly, helpful and the service is amazing. The whole area has so much to offer and driving straight up the A82 without stopping is no longer an option for us.

We would like to thank Cameron Lodges for inviting us to stay on a complimentary basis, for use of the facilities and activities in return for this blog post and it’s images.

All the images in this post are mine along with my views on fairies and people who hate to be parted from their mobile phones!