I've recently stayed at BB for the second time with my husband...first time was 12 years ago and we got engaged there which was very special. It is the first luxury lodge I ever stayed in (when we got engaged) but I have been lucky enough to stay in several other lodges since that time. The location and staff and service are wonderful and we actually also met the owners on this occasion too which was fantastic.

We had a chalet the first time we stayed which is very spacious but this time expanded things a bit and made it a Stateroom and I did enjoy the extra space even though it wasn't really needed; the chalet suites being generously sized.

Quite a few tech updates have been made since our last visit (as you would expect after 12 years) which is great to see and I think it would be amazing to see more improvements in years to come in regards to the suites...beautiful as they are I think it will soon be time for an update in some regards (such as a fridge in the kitchenette for those indulging in a Stateroom for example and some little updates in the interiors).

The main lodge is brilliant and has a really authentic 'lodge' feel to it. We visited in December and it had been adorned with an amazing Christmas tree & other Christmas decorations which gave the space a lovely and festive atmosphere. We also had our own Christmas tree in our Stateroom Living area!!! That is an impressive feature above and beyond what we expected.

I also love that they have a games room....a very masculine space on the lower level...had a fantastic time here playing pool with hubby one afternoon before dinner. Many lodges of this ilk do not have this facility and I think they should!!!

The food was lovely and the canapé hour was superb with my new favourite champagne generously being served throughout. Not all lodges serve a champagne with the pre-dinner canapés (many offer a good sparkling wine). The quality of the champagne and the generosity with which it was served at Blanket Bay was much appreciated and superceded our experiences at other luxury lodges in this regard.

One tiny niggle on the house-keeping front...the make-up removal pads were way past their 'use-by'.

We celebrated two special events with friends there. The architecture is great, the setting magical, the food and drinks are fantastic, but perhaps most importantly, the service is out of this world. The staff makes a point to learn your name so you are always addressed by your first name.

Blanket Bay is a luxury lodge with a high class service and a very easy access to most of the exciting activities to be found in that part of the Southern Island.
The staff will arrange anything you ask for, (boat, helicopter, horse riding, etc) directly from the hotel and they won't surcharge you for doing that.
The place is extremely quiet, peaceful, the view on the lake is one of the nicest we have ever seen and the house itself is extremely comfortable with a very warm and feel-good atmosphere, although I would have liked some more light in our room and bathroom. It was a suite on the ground floor and I guess the first floor suites are better since they probably get more light.
Apart from that, it is really a top class hotel that deserves to be granted the highest recommendations