Hunters Lodge

Spring workshops…..

jenny — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:09:04 +0000

Hunters Lodge is offering the opportunity of taking 1 day, or 2 day, courses in soap making, while staying in luxury accommodation, and eating gourmet food at the award winning Balloo House restaurant, situated only 5 mins away from your accommodation.

The workshops offer you hands on tuition in the making of soaps, tailored to suit your specific needs or interests. Perhaps, you have a skin condition, allergies, or maybe you keep bees and would like to find another use for their honey…goats, and want to use their milk, maybe you would like to learn a new skill, or you just want to have some fun with friends, celebrate a birthday or hen party. We are offering you choice, and the opportunity to tailor the course to suit you.

The course will start at 10am.and finish around 4.00pm. By which time you will be ready for a rest before heading out for your evening meal. We can arrange a meal for you and we are fortunate to have a variety of excellent restaurants on our doorstep. We have a Pub (Daft Eddys) within walking distance, which serves good food all day, or alternatively just 5 mins away, the multi award winning Restaurant, Balloo House, serves gourmet food in it’s fine dinning restaurant, and excellent fare in it’s bistro.

Included in the price will be all your ingredients, the use of overalls and equipment.
Coffee, Lunch, glass of wine at the end of the day, and your Bed and Breakfast Accommodation.

For more detailed information or to contact the course tutor…
Email. scentcosmetics@gmail.com

Luxury overnight stay and 5 course dinner.

jenny — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:21:18 +0000

We are happy to announce our special winter offer.
Luxury overnight stay and 5 course dinner in the upstairs restaurant at BALLOO HOUSE, from 2nd January – 28th Febuary, Turesday – Friday.

For just £50 p.p.s. The offer includes a 5 course dinner in the upstairs restaurant and a luxury overnight stay at HUNTERS LODGE.

To book accommodation and dinner contact Hunters lodge, www.hunters-lodge.net.

Christmas 2012

jenny — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:06:14 +0000

We have had a lovely family Chistmas, and this year it also included a visit from some Canadian cousins. Now it’s time to think aout the New Year and what we can expect in 2013. Well, I am glad to say there is plenty to look forward to.
Belfast is to host some fantastic events, Derry is City of culture, and probably the biggest event of all, N.Ireland is to play host to the “World Ploice and Fire Games” while most events are based in Belfast, there will still be events as far south as Newry, and as far north as Portrush. This event alone is expected to bring an extra 25,000 visitors to Northern Ireland in August, which is our busiest time of the year.
So, I am looking forward to meeting lots of new people from many different countries.
Roll on 2013!

Complimentary Lift to Balloo….

jenny — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:25:01 +0000

This is by far the Hunter family’s favourite eating house. No matter what the occasion; even when there isn’t one, the response to, “Where do you want to eat?” is always the same…Balloo! No matter what the occasion, large family nights, or with a few friends for a casual friendly atmosphere, downstairs in the Bistro fits the bill. For that very special occasion, anniversary, intimate dinner, or to impress the new girlfriend, fine dinning upstairs, is perfect and their special Tasting Menus bring people from near and far.
No need to worry about having a glass of wine, we are happy to give guests complimentary lifts…it helps that it is on our doorstep, and we have yet to hear anything but praise about the great food and friendly atmosphere.

Belfast Market…..

jenny — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:48:46 +0000

My guests have just left to visit Belfast Market, and I realised I had never mentioned it in my blogs. There is such a buzz about the Saturday Market, you are entertained with live music, and if you are lucky, a jazz group. There are great food stalls, cakes, breads, cheese, deli, you name it, and the chances are you will find it at St. George’s Market. You can pick up a coffee, or something more substantial and often with an international flavour, and you will be sure to hear a few foreign voices as the market is very popular with tourist. The perfect start to Saturday, Great Fun!

Golf……

jenny — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:49:04 +0000

Now that the children are heading back to school, it’s time for a little bit of pampering. How about a day at the Spa. Right on our doorstep is an award winning Day Spa, it is a haven for the tired and stressed, and if the men don’t facy it,what about a round of Golf. Hunters Lodge is close to many outstanding Golf Courses. A little shopping in Newtownards, or Belfast, and a meal at “Balloo House”, cooked by the award winning chef “Danny Miller”,(he often appears on my favourite TV programme “Saturday Kitchen”). Surely the perfect weekend break!

Strangford Lough Boat Trips…..

jenny — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:19:22 +0000

This is just a reminder to everyone that there will be a Strangford Lough Boat Tour leaving Strangford on Sunday, 26th August, at 3.00pm. I know how popular these tours of the Lough are with everyone, and I think this could be the last of the season. Tickets are available from the Ards/Portafeey Tourist Information Centres. The tour will endeavour to give everyone an idea of the history of Strangford, taking in where the Vikings landed, and outher historic sites, and if you are lucky you may spot a few seals in their natural habitat. Don’t miss out…
Tel. 028 9182 6846.

If boats are not for you, Music in the Garden, is also on Sunday 26th August, in Mount Steward, and anyone who has been to one of these events, will know just haw great they are….Don’t forget the picnic….

Scent Cosmetics Workshops….

jenny — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:11:23 +0000

Scent Cosmetics will be holding two workshops at Hunters Lodge. The first will be on 22 August, and will be for beginners who wish to lean the art of soap making. Instruction will be given by Carla Teixeira Falls, following a successful workshop held in Newtownards Council Offices last week. Lunch will be provided, and accommodation at Hunters Lodge can be arranged for those who may be travelling some distance.
A further workshop will be on 23 November, just in time for Christmas. Anyone interested should contact Carla, at scentcosmetics@gmail.com or Tel.028 4277 1514
M.07988760292. Don’t leave it too long as places are limited.

Market Research….

jenny — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:50:25 +0000

I have had a wonderful week of eating in some of our local restaurants; all in the line of duty, can’t be recommending somewhere I haven’t tried.
On Wednesday I had a great curry from the Spice Menu at the Georgian House. At weekends they have an extensive menu for two, which includes a glass of wine, or a soft drink, for £34.
On Friday I was very lucky to be taken by my husband to Balloo House, where I had half a lobster….yummy, the things I have to do to ensure the recommendations I give my guests are accurate….it’s a hard life!

Afternoon Tea…..

jenny — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:37:59 +0000

Afternoon Tea has proved very popular with guests who arrive hungry after long car journeys, or even short flights. It occurred to me, that there may be a need to provide a ‘take away’ version of afternoon tea. Weekend quests often check out after breakfast, planning a leisurely journey home, calling into Castle Ward or Mount Stewart, where Music and Picnin on the lawn go hand in hand. I would love to know what you think…drop me a line, email, Facebook, twitter, whatever.