Higher Lane House: Plymouth's Hidden Gem? You HAVE to See This!
Higher Lane House: Plymouth's Hidden Gem? You HAVE to See This!
Higher Lane House: Plymouth's "Hidden Gem"? Hold My Devon Cream Tea…
Alright, so "Hidden Gem" is a phrase that gets tossed around more often than a soggy Cornish pasty in a gale. But Higher Lane House? Okay, maybe it's earned the right to be called that. I’m saying this after having spent, what, three days there? And already my brain's buzzing, not just with the free Wi-Fi (bless), but with a whole kaleidoscope of… everything. Let's just dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because this review is going to be less "polished travel brochure" and more "slightly bewildered, but ultimately charmed, traveler sharing their messy thoughts."
(Metadata & SEO Stuff: Important, but let's get it out of the way first, eh?)
Keywords: Higher Lane House, Plymouth, hotel review, Devon, spa, swimming pool, wheelchair accessible, free Wi-Fi, accessibility, restaurant, bar, spa services, fitness center, breakfast, family friendly, pet-friendly (well, technically – more on that later…), near Plymouth Hoe, soundproof rooms, daily disinfection, contactless check-in, airport transfer, car park, meeting facilities, event hosting, family-friendly, kids meal.
Meta Description: A brutally honest, laugh-out-loud review of Higher Lane House in Plymouth! Discover if it's REALLY a hidden gem, covering accessibility, dining, spa, cleanliness, and all the quirks in between. Prepare for opinions, anecdotes, and maybe a bit of Devon cream tea lust.
Accessibility: The Good, The Slightly Confusing, and the "Hmm…"
Okay, starting with the important stuff. Higher Lane House boasts about accessibility, and to a large extent, they deliver. Wheelchair accessible is ticked off, which is fantastic. There’s an elevator, so navigating floors shouldn’t be a drama. They even have Facilities for disabled guests, which is a massive plus.
However… And here’s where the 'slightly confusing' part comes in… I'd love to know details. Are the bathrooms spacious enough? Are the doorways wide enough? The website mentions it, but I’d have loved some pictures of the rooms specifically catering to this. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I value transparency. This is the sort of thing that makes a huge difference.
In the public areas, they say Wi-Fi is available, but it was a massive pain in the rear to connect outside of my room. I ended up mostly relying on the glorious "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!", which, thank the digital gods, actually worked. It's essential for work, for streaming… for checking if there's a really good chocolate shop nearby (there is, by the way).
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services & Wi-Fi in Public Areas: (See above and weep with the slow-connection blues.)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: From Asian Breakfast (Huh?) to Poolside Bliss (Maybe)
Alright, let's talk fuel. The restaurants – plural! This always gets my hopes up. And the promise of an Asian breakfast? Intrigued. Absolutely intrigued. I’m picturing fluffy bao buns and spicy miso soup… I'm getting ahead of myself.
Actually, the Asian influence was… subtle. Think more "slightly-exotic-fruit-at-the-buffet" subtle. The breakfast [buffet] itself was a decent spread. Usual suspects: Western breakfast, a la carte in restaurant, breakfast service. And the buffet in restaurant… well, the bacon was crispy. That's the main thing, right? I actually enjoyed the Coffee/tea in restaurant!
Beyond breakfast, there's a bar, a poolside bar (yes!), a coffee shop, and the promise of restaurants. I sampled the main restaurant for dinner one night, and it was…fine. The International cuisine in restaurant kept me full. Nothing mind-blowing, nothing to complain about. I was too busy admiring the view to focus on the food, to be honest.
Then there's the Happy hour – always a winner. Did I indulge? Of course, I did! And the Poolside bar? Picture this: a scorching afternoon, post-sauna (more on that later!), a fruity cocktail in hand… pure bliss. The Bottle of water made a nice touch during the meal.
(Side note: They didn't have a Vegetarian restaurant, but they did offer veggie options. Close enough for government work, I suppose.)
Room Service [24-hour]? Yep! I didn't use it, but the option to have a room sanitization opt-out available was very comforting! Though, I felt quite ill-prepared to manage everything with my lack of knowledge on what to do to sanitize a room (lol).
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa-tastic (and a bit quirky, too)
This is where Higher Lane House really shines. The Spa is the bee's knees. Seriously.
- Swimming pool [outdoor] and the Pool with view: The outdoor pool with a view? Divine. Seriously, I could happily have spent the entire trip just bobbing about, gazing at… something pretty. I'm not entirely sure what, but it was gorgeous.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Pure relaxation heaven. The sauna was hot, the steamroom… steamy! My skin actually felt ten years younger afterwards. I loved this experience!
- Massage: Absolutely fantastic. The masseuse was skilled, the treatment room was serene… I was a puddle of happy goo by the end.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: I didn't personally test these, but they're on the menu, which is promising.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Yup, there's a gym. I glanced in. Looked functional. Okay, I confess: I stayed by the pool.
Here's the quirky bit, though. I was so relaxed, I almost missed the signs for the Shrine! Yes, a shrine. It's one of those things that makes you raise an eyebrow… but you know what? I loved it. Made the whole place feel kind of… unique.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (and a Little Overwhelmed, Honestly)
Okay, during these times, this is crucial. Higher Lane House seems to take this seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Check.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly followed.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seems to be on point.
- Room sanitization between stays: Definitely a good thing.
- Safe dining setup: Definitely felt safe during the meal.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yep.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed well-briefed.
- Sterilizing equipment: You could practically smell the clean.
The whole place felt… well, clean. Perhaps a little too clean at times! I felt a little guilty just breathing in my room at one point. I almost expected to get a swab test performed from the sheer number of cleaners.
Cashless payment service: This was a godsend! I did appreciate how simple and easy it was to pay and just 'beep' everything!
Safety/security feature, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, CCTV in common areas, Security [24-hour], Smoke detector, Available in all rooms, Exterior corridor, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, CCTV outside property All these features made me feel safe.
Services and Conveniences: From Concierge to… a Convenience Store?
The usual suspects are present and accounted for: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Luggage storage, Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, etc. All smooth, efficient, and professional.
But the Convenience store… that was unexpected. A little shop crammed with… well, practically everything. Last-minute toiletries, snacks, gifts… it was a proper lifesaver when I realized I’d forgotten toothpaste.
- Invoice provided.
- Ironing service.
- Meeting/banquet facilities.
- On-site event hosting.
- Xerox/fax in business center.
They have everything you'd want but I'm not sure if these are perks I'd use when visiting for leisure.
There were also Food delivery, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site] were all good.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly…ish?
Higher Lane House definitely tries to be Family/child friendly. They have **Kids facilities
Escape to Paradise: Umaiyyal Home Stay, Kanyakumari's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this itinerary for Higher Lane House in Plymouth? It's gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunkenly scribbled napkin after a few too many pints." Here we go, imperfections and all:
Higher Lane House, Plymouth: My Existential Journey (Maybe With a Pint or Two)
(Okay, fine, I'm aiming for a weekend. Let's pretend I'm arriving Friday evening. Because, honestly, who does anything productive on a Monday? Except maybe laundry, and that's questionable.)
Friday Evening: Arrival + Existential Dread (and Fish & Chips, obviously)
- 6:00 PM: Arrive at Higher Lane House. Hopefully, I remember the darn address. GPS better work. Seriously, my sense of direction is so terrible I once got lost in my own living room.
- Quirky Observation: Okay, first impression? The house better not be haunted. I'm not emotionally prepared for a poltergeist. Though, maybe a friendly ghost could help with the unpacking…
- Emotional Reaction: Excitement! Mixed with a healthy dose of pre-trip anxiety. Did I pack enough socks? Did I forget my toothbrush? Did I, God forbid, leave the iron on? (Checking…nope, I'm sure I did).
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Unpack. If I can even find my suitcase, buried under a mountain of "just in case" clothes. Pray for a good view out the window. Nothing worse than staring at a brick wall for a whole weekend.
- Anecdote: Once, on a trip to… well, it doesn’t matter… I spent an hour unpacking only to realize I'd brought no underwear. Mortifying. Learned my lesson (sort of).
- 8:00 PM: Fish and Chips. Mandatory. Plymouth. Fish and Chips. It’s the law (probably). Researching the best place beforehand is crucial. I'm thinking somewhere with a proper queue – that’s a good sign, right?
- Opinionated Language: If the chips are soggy? I am walking out. No second chances with fish and chips.
- Rambling: Now, the perfect fish… golden, crispy batter… flaky white fish… a squeeze of lemon… and vinegar. Don't forget the vinegar. Must have vinegar. (Okay, I'm hungry. This is not helping).
Saturday: Plymouth Hoe, History and the (Probable) Search for Decent Coffee
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Hopefully to the sound of seagulls, not a foghorn. Or, even worse, the neighbor's barking dog.
- Imperfection: Probably a late wake-up. I’m not a morning person unless there’s a breakfast buffet involved.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Plymouth Hoe. The famous Hoe. Gotta see Smeaton's Tower. Take some epic photos. Pretend to be a cultured traveler.
- Emotional Reaction: Awe. Maybe. Okay, maybe not awe, but a vague sense of "that's pretty cool, I suppose." And hopefully, the wind isn't blowing a hurricane. No one looks good with wind-swept hair in a selfie.
- Quirky Observation: I wonder if there are secretly any gnomes living in the lighthouse. Probably.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I'm guessing pasties? (Or at least trying to find the best one).
- Rambling Now, the perfect pasty…Flaky, buttery pastry… filled with… (Oh, I need to google the filling options before I look like a tourist).
- 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore The Barbican: History, maritime heritage, and a possible (desperate) search for decent coffee.
- Opinionated Language: Coffee in tourist traps is often terrible. Prepare to be underwhelmed. I will be judging very carefully.
- Anecdote: Remember that time my friend tried a "local coffee specialty" and it tasted like burnt tires mixed with dish soap? Yeah, not repeating that experience.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Just wander. Get lost. That’s when you find the real gems.
- Stronger emotional reactions: This is where I secretly hope I run into a quirky little bookshop or a cozy pub. Don’t look up the reviews, just dive in.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Pub grub? Seafood? I'll flip a coin. Or maybe just eat whatever is closest, because, honestly, I'll be exhausted by this point from "exploring."
- Messier structure: More fish and chips? Maybe. I could be having a fish and chips identity crisis by Saturday night.
Sunday: One Thing, and All of It
- 9:00 AM: Late wake-up. Even later, probably.
- Reaction: Ugh. The end. (Even though I've only been here for a weekend).
- Imperfection: Actually, I think I’ll sleep in.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. I'm going to focus on one thing, and really enjoy it, the rest of the weekend can go to hell. I've decided. I want to spend some time getting lost in one exhibit. I will actually read all the signs.
- Doubling Down: Museum, and Art Gallery? I am committing. I am going to find an exhibition that makes me think.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Somewhere near the museum. Gotta grab something quick…before I lose my grip and eat the entire place.
- 2:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Avoid the cheesy tourist traps. Try to find something genuinely unique.
- Anecdote: I came back from Iceland with a bag full of woolen socks because I was freezing the whole time. Now I have too many woolen socks. Live and learn, I guess.
- 4:00 PM: Depart.
- Emotional Reaction: Sadness. But also, a tiny bit of relief at the thought of my own bed.
- Quirky Observation: Okay, maybe I should buy that gnome. The gnome from the Lighthouse? No, I don't have room for it. Okay, goodbye Plymouth.
(This is a rough draft, obviously. I’m not a robot. Things will change. I will probably stray from this itinerary repeatedly. And that’s the glory of travel, right? See you on the other side (and hopefully, with a decent pasty in hand!)
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Higher Lane House: Plymouth's Hidden Gem? Let's Get Real (and Relatable!)
Alright, alright, alright... you've heard the hype. Higher Lane House. Plymouth's "hidden gem." My inner cynic practically *screams* at that phrase. But, curiosity, as they say, killed the cat... and maybe it'll unearth a good story or two about a charming old house.
1. So... Is it REALLY a hidden gem? Or just, you know, another old house?
Okay, deep breath. Let's be honest. "Hidden gem" is thrown around like confetti at a wedding. It *is* a rather lovely building. But hidden? Maybe if you're really bad at Google Maps. It's not exactly *invisible*. I spent a good fifteen minutes circling the damn place the first time, convinced I'd missed the turn, before I sheepishly pulled into the driveway. Found myself thinking 'Well, am I looking at the right place', I mean there isn't much going on that road.
Verdict: It's charming. It's got character. It's not a secret. And frankly, getting lost in the area is half the fun, right? Right?!
2. What's the vibe like? Is it all stuffy antiques or... well, something more?
Alright, the vibe. This is where things get interesting. I went expecting to feel like I'd wandered onto the set of *Downton Abbey* (which would be cool, ngl.) Nope. While it is a historic building, and has elements like gorgeous high ceilings, the atmosphere is actually... comfy. Really, really comfy. I'm not saying there weren't any antiques (there were, and some were pretty spectacular), but it wasn't a museum. It felt like a lived-in house, a family one.
And the garden! Oh man. The garden is basically a secret wonderland. I actually felt like I could *breathe* out there, which is a rare feeling in Plymouth, let's be honest.
3. Tell me about the food. Is it worth the "Hidden Gem" hype?
Okay, confession time. I’m a foodie. A shameless one. If the food's bad, I'm not going back, no matter how *hidden* the gem is. At first glance, the menu didn't *scream* Michelin star. But the food? Bloody fantastic.
Okay, let me give you the experience, I was there for Sunday roast, and honestly... best roast I've had in years. The Yorkshires were fluffy, the roast potatoes were crispy, and the gravy... *chef's kiss*. I'm not kidding, I almost licked my plate. The chef clearly knows what he's doing. The presentation had a touch of elegance, but it wasn’t pompous at all. They served the portions as a decent size, like you would expect to feed the family. I wish I had a video of myself eating it...it was *that* good. I could have eaten another one straight after.
Side note: Remember when I said I went the first time? That was a *mistake*. I showed up without a reservation. Dumb, I know. Learned my bloody lesson. Book. Book now. Seriously. You WILL regret it if you don't. Just book.
4. Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right? Spill the tea.
Okay, yes, let's be real. Nothing's perfect. Parking can be... a challenge. The road's narrow, and it can fill up fast, depending of course how busy it is. I saw someone almost have a full-on breakdown trying to reverse out. (Bless them, I've been there!). Also, I found a slightly annoying 'lack of signal', which is a minor concern for me, not a huge deal but still.
But honestly? Minor gripes. The good far outweighs the bad. I'd go back any day.
5. Who should go to Higher Lane House? And who should probably skip it?
Go: If you love good food, charming atmospheres, and a bit of historical architecture. If you're looking for a perfect date spot or a special celebratory meal. If you just want to escape the usual Plymouth hustle and bustle.
Maybe skip: If you're super fussy, if you don't like classic dishes, or if you're after super modern minimalism. If you hate crowds at the time. If you're in a rush, because good food takes time.
6. The Verdict: Would you recommend it? And would you go back?
Bloody hell yes. YES! I 100% recommend it. I'm already thinking, "When can I go again?" The food, the atmosphere, the whole experience… it's brilliant. Yes, the "hidden gem" thing is a bit much, but it's a gem, alright. Just book a table, for the love of all that is good and holy.
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