Reviews of the Lodge From Our Guests

We had a great time at Barend. Beautiful weather and so many lovely walks. The chalet (number 22) is great- very relaxing: clean, tidy with everything you need but not pretentious. Our dogs loved it too. The bar on site is ideal for a good feed after a long walk. Good golf clubs nearby, great beach and a few pubs. We will be back!

Stayed in lodge 22 for 4 days. This was a comfortable, spacious well appointed log cabin in good repair. Surroundings were nicely landscaped gardens with ample space between the lodges. While it was fine for a slightly damp April it would be even better during the height of summer. We enjoyed a few evening meals in the dog friendly bar / restaurant. Staff in the bar and reception were helpful and friendly. Used the heated indoor pool once and found it to be fine. Beach is only around 5 minutes walk away and would be good in the summer. Overall we had an enjoyable time getting away from it all. Chances of a return visit are quite good.

Barend holiday village is an excellent place for peace seekers. The cottage was very cozy and super clean. From your cottage you have a beautiful view over the nearby loch, but there is still a road in between.
The park itself has a good restaurant where you can eat or have a drink. There is also a small but excellent indoor swimming pool. Our kids swam in it a lot. There is a lot to do in the area itself, but you have to drive quite far for everything, keep that in mind. We thought it was a neat park with cozy houses and this part of Scotland is truly breathtaking! (translated from Dutch).

We would highly recommend staying at Serenity 22 Barend. The lodge was very comfortable and had been cleaned to a high standard. There are wonderful views of the loch from the balcony. The site/village is quiet and well tended. The swimming pool is small but as you book the whole pool for your party this was not a problem. We also enjoyed a meal in the pub onsite.

Within walking distance are the deer park, loch and beach. We had a lovely time eating breakfast whilst watching the deer.

Other than this you would need a car to explore the beautiful Scottish countryside and coast. Within a 45 minute drive there are many towns, beaches and lochs to visit. We particularly enjoyed rock climbing on Powillimount beach, rock-pooling on Mossyard beach and lunch at the Designs cafe in Castle Douglas.

Absolutely loved the break away in the lodge. Enjoyed my morning coffee on the balcony. There were beautiful places nearby to visit and food at the pub on site was delicious. The lodge had everything we wanted. Would definitely book again. Thank you!

Beautiful location, cosy and well-equipped accommodation. We really enjoyed our stay here. Highly recommended!

I recently enjoyed a stay at Serenity with my family, we had a brilliant time. The lodge was gorgeous and cleaned to a high standard. The views of the loch from the lodge were stunning too, lovely beach close by and we also loved the added bonus of a private swimming session in the pool! Highly recommend, we will definitely be back 🙂

Recommendations

Craigieknowes golf course was fantastic fun!

We enjoyed our visit to the pool and it was nice having the pool to ourselves!

The Beagle was a nice treat for a Sunday dinner and an extra bonus to take the dog!

Message to Host

Thank you for a lovely bank holiday family break. We used the games and wifi was great for everyone to use.

Some more seating would be handy* as some adults had to sit in the dining room while most were in the living room.

We look forward to coming back next year!

*new sofas have now been added.

This is a gorgeous site, lodges are a decent distance apart so feels very private. The Lodge itself has everything you need, it’s cosy but spacious… 7 of us stayed and we felt there was ample space. There’s a cute pub on site and short walk to beautiful beach. Pool is a bonus, kids loved it, will definitely visit again!

Absolutely stunning surroundings. Would love to return soon and stay for longer. Would recommend to all family types young and old.

Recommendations

Sandyhills Bay beach, walk along the beach to Portling (watch the tides). Visit the cafe at Bainloch Deer Park. Places to eat: Anchor (Kippford). Laurie Arms (Haugh of Urr).

Message to Host

Had many visits to the this area and site and most visits at No. 22

Lovely clean cabin, very well equipped.

Will definitely visit again.

Thank you.

Recommedations

Dog friendly Mad Hatters Cafe in Castle Douglas (53 King St). Ballard Butchers (152 King St). The Boat House restaurant Quay Side, Glencaple.

Message to Host

What was not to like, the lodge was nice and clean, very comfortable for the 2 weeks we stayed and we have no hesitation to book lodge 22 again. Great stay and great weather. Thank you.

Recommendations

Coastal trail from Sandyhills to Kippford.

Message to Host

Pleasant stay in nice clean accommodation.  Kids loved the pool.

Recommendations

Sunday Lunch at the Anchor – Kippford

Message to Host

Lovely cabin with a lovely view, really nice position on site. Cabins room set out is great for families and a good selection of games.

The Grandparents weren’t impressed with the mattresses in the ground floor rooms & had to swap with 2 from upstairs – these need replacing* & will put us off staying again with a full house.

Cabin could do with a washing machine.**

*These have now been replaced.
**We are considering a washing machine in the future.

Recommendations

• In Castle Douglas – Street Lights cafe and The Olive Retreat – amazing menu here.
• Fantastic Ice Creams at The Ark Kippford
• The drive over the moors from Gatehouse to Laurieston

Message to Host

As always we had a great stay at Barend and enjoyed your lodge.

Comfortable seating for 4 of us and ideal for all the lovely local walks with the dog. Great to visit all the old haunts that we know so well.

Will definitely be back!!

Recommendations

Mabie Forest

Threave House & Garden

Arbigland Gardens (Arbigland nearly lost garden) If you like Daphne du Maurier, this is a hidden gem!

Message to Host

Thank you!

Recommendations

Mabie Farm, Southerness lighthouse, The Mariner and The Beagle.

Lovely having the pool to ourselves.

Message to Host

Its the 2nd time we have been to 22 Barend, Serenity.

The addition of the partition upstairs is great. We had a wonderful time on the beach even when cloudy! We loved walking around the loch and feeding the ducks.

We will be returning. Thankyou.

Recommendations

Walking · Beaches · Forests · Mountains What more do you need.  Been up this area 40 years.

This is Scotland so expect all seasons.

Message to Host

Thank you.

Recommendations

Love this area been coming a while. Impressed with cafe at Bainloch Deer Park.

Dalbeattie folks very friendly.

The Ark Kippford fantastic.

Message to Host

Loved the chalet plenty to do.

Clean, well kept. Suits our needs.

Love it at this time of year [October]

Recommendations

• Bainloch Deer Park – well worth a visit – cafe is lovely!
• Food at The Mariner in Kippford – good food and a friendly welcome.
• Caerlaverock Castle

Message to Host

Lovely comfortable lodge – clean & warm. Well equipped.

Beds are comfy and balconies were nice and relaxing with a cuppa!

Recommendations

Sandyhills Beach – great for dogs

Bainloch Deer Park – lovely cafe but not dog friendly (we have 2 dogs).

Swimming pool is good – nice to have it to ourselves for an hour.

Message to Host

Lovely dog-friendly lodge – well equipped.

Comfy beds

Will definitely come back in 2025, lodge 22 will be our first choice, have stayed in a few log cabins here over the years but really enjoyed 22.

Thank you!

Recommendations

Beagle open would be good.*

Message to Host

This is our 5th time at Barend and this year was no exception to yet another nicely presented [lodge].  No. 22 was excellent as well.

*This guest visited in between The Beagle closing and the pub reopening as The Crab Pot.  Sadly the Crab Pot has now closed too, but there are plans to use the space: Barend Wellbeing Centre

Recommendations

Daily provision of toilet paper.*

Information about car repair shops.**

Message to Host

We have had a very relaxing stay; the whole place is quiet; the spot is perfect, overlooking a loch. This is definitely a perfect location to get away from the hustle and bustle; will definitely come back and recommend to our circle of friends!

*Sundries are provided by Barend Holiday Lodges: “The rental price includes bed linen; 1 hand and 1 bath towel for each guest (infants not included), plus one toilet roll per toilet and a basic kitchen pack. £35 per week pro rata is included for electric and gas.”

**Good idea, thanks!  We had to get a new tyre on one of our visits. 

Recommendations

• Lunch at the Anchor
• Cafe at Dalbeattie Garden Centre
• Sandyhills Beach
• Barend swimming pool & pub

Message to Host

Very pleasant stay. Very well equipped cabin, nothing to fault

Felt that a washing machine is needed, if even 3 nights stay.*

It’s our 3rd time in Barend and our 2nd time in this cabin, will definitely come back again.

Amazing scenery and places to see and visit.

*We are considering a washing machine in the future.

Recommendations

Beach and coast walk.

Chilling in the lodge.

The pool is AMAZING!!!!

The pool is lovely!!!!

Message to Host

Fabulous wee lodge for 2 adults and 4 children. Lovely & clean, well-equipped, warm & cosy. We’ll be back!  Perfect for holidays with families. Loved the kids room I slept here! So comfy!

The landscape was lovely wish we didn’t have to go and I loved the upstairs bedroom that slept 4 people and because it has a triangle roof!!!

Recommendations

Dalbeattie Forest & bike trail – great with a dog!

Check tides for beach. Great coastal walk when it’s out.

Message to Host

Thanks so much!

I owned this chalet for 9 years & loved it so much. It is still beautiful & feels like home.

Wonderful stay.

Love the birdsong and darkness at night xxx

Recommendations

The accessible short walk trail around Kippford nature reserve were really good for a couple of hours of kids (age 2-5 yrs) on bikes & dog.

Message to Host

We had a lovely stay. Everything was perfect – the kitchen, the balcony, the king room.

Recommendations

If you are fit and able, Criffel is worth the walk. There’s a lovely easy walk from Kippford to Rockcliffe.  Lovely tea room at Colvend – lovely tea and cake at reasonable prices.

Message to Host

This has been a fantastic week. The lodge is very comfortable and in an excellent location. So nice to sit on the balcony and read a book in the sunshine. Plenty of things to do locally inside and out. This is definitely a place we will return to in future if we get the chance.