Sigourney and her husband
Rowan took over the kitchen in January. They’ve introduced new menus with a modern twist. “We have a four course table d’hôte menu every night. The Korean chicken wings and Moroccan dishes go down very well,” says Sigourney. “But we still have one or two traditional options and are very good at doing simple meat and fish dishes with a delicious sauce.” Lunch can be eaten inside or on the sunny terrace and guests and non- residents can choose from a varied menu consisting of wraps, burgers and fish boards. They also have an extensive afternoon tea menu with mini desserts and Prosecco. Sigourney is very aware of the often limited menu options available to non-meat eaters, so she gets creative and changes her menus every day: “We deal with all dietary requirements from vegetarian and vegan to gluten free” Before the Scarlett Geranium and
the Stoke Lodge, Steven owned a cafe in Foss Street called Fossies. It was from the sale of this in 1980 that he and his parents raised enough to buy the hotel. There were six rooms in the 80s and the average cost was £20 a night. Sam says things have changed a lot: “We now have 26 rooms and they sell for £109. There are 16 members of staff, Jill the head waitress has been here since the beginning and Ron the handyman came with the building when Dad bought it!” Over the years they have built up a reputation as a comfortable, welcoming and hospitable venue. “We want guests to think of it as a home from home,” explains Sigourney. “It’s a family run hotel and we want people to feel part of the family. We have regulars who have visited for decades and have watched us grow up. We also see people who used to come here as children and are now grown up and bringing their own children. The guests have been sad and shocked to find out about Dad. He definitely
was a big presence at the hotel and will be much missed. But we have to look forward and carry on for mum as well as us.” Mum, Chris, opens up, does admin and is generally ‘in the background’ helping out when needed. They have walking groups all year round due to their ideal location so close to the coast path. In the summer they attract
Why not pop down this summer and enjoy a drink on the terrace
families and young couples and during the winter it’s usually people over 50 who enjoy cosy nights in. “The good thing about the hotel is that you don’t have to leave it if you don’t want to. We have a newly refurbished indoor pool, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, sauna, Jacuzzi, croquet lawn and snooker table,” explains Sam. The daughters, who all live in houses in the grounds, are especially keen to build on the hotel’s reputation as a community hub. Chelsie says they put on events throughout the year: “We do
a ‘Tapas on the Terrace’ event, a ‘Food and Wine Lovers’ Weekend’ in November, a Christmas fayre and a ‘World Book Night’ with local and national authors coming to give talks. We also have ‘Pool and Sauna’ evenings where, for £10.95, you can use the indoor swimming pool then have a two course meal with coffee.” They are regular sponsors of the Stoke Fleming Hort and Sport Show and this year they’re buying rosettes for the winners. Chelsie explains: “I came first in the three legged race last year and wasn’t given anything! So this year we’re sourcing some rosettes for everyone and sweets for the children.” They have recently held a teddy bears’ picnic at the hotel and there’s a variety of party packages on offer including a birthday event for teenagers with manicures and mocktails and pool parties with pizza. If you haven’t visited Stoke Lodge
why not pop down this summer and enjoy a drink on the terrace and take time to explore this delightful country house hotel by the sea.
Cinders Lane, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth TQ6 0RA
www.stokelodge.co.uk 01803 770523
The Mayer clan
The late Steven Mayer
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