Meelmore Lodge - Hostel

Stayed one night at Meelmoore Lodge on Friday of early May Bank Holiday. We had no car so got a taxi from Newcastle which was easy to do and cost £12. I had booked online a few months ahead and received confirmation emails near to the stay, however, when we arrived they didn't have any record of our booking - it seems the online system isn't always tying up with the paper diary - they said we were lucky there was space - funny that, seeing as it was us that booked it!! Then owner told us that they had no heating as had been let down by an oil delivery. We weren't too worried about the heating as it wasn't specially cold, but only realised after this meant no hot water also which not good not being able to shower - at least we were only there one night. No apologies or compensation offered from owner. Also my friend and I ended up sharing the king bed as my request to split it into two had also been missed. Having said this, the lodge has well equipped kitchen, is nicely decorated and clean, lovely rooms with very comfy beds, tea, coffee, biscuits and kettle. Good value for money as quite high standard for a hostel. The views and location are fantastic, you can walk straight onto footpaths out of the lodge. Beautiful flowering yellow gorse in May. We also had a great breakfast in the Bistro with good prices and service and could leave our bags in the lodge while we did a days walk. The campsite was full of DofE / outward bound young people camping - didn't disturb us at all. There were only a handful of other tents on the campsite and no problems or noise.

Honestly I don’t know where to begin. We camped one night and were woken by half naked man hassling the girls wanting into their car with them. We all got in our cars and left the campsite out of fear of our safety. When we came back in the morning, the toilets had been vandalised with blood everywhere. When we reported this explaining how petrified we were and wanting to call the police, the owner just brushed it off like it was just an odd occurrence. No attempt at an apology or refund, nor anything done about the man harassing us. There is some CCTV but conveniently broken around the toilets. Owners are more concerned about money then their customers safety!

Really poor experience. Had hiked the butter mountain loop a few months ago and thought we would camp for a night with friends as the location is perfect and views are brilliant. Unfortunately we had a man who was also camping, knock on our car window at 5am in the morning and then try to get into our car (we slept in the car because of the rain). The ladies bathroom were also damaged and blood was left. When we discussed this with the staff and owner the next morning, they instantly knew who we were talking about as he had stayed the previous night as well. When we explained the man had tried to get into our car at 5am , he didn’t seem concerned. The owner then didn’t know whether he should ask him to leave and we said yes as we felt unsafe and wouldn’t want it to happen to someone else. Owner didn’t seem to put anyone else’s safety above the money. No compensation offered to us. Would not recommend staying here and we had to notify the police.

Unfortunately have to give just one star. Booked in April, paid, arrived August Saturday night all the way from Dublin to find out they put someone else in the room..girl at reception mentioned overbookings happen here all the time apparently. No apology, no alternatives given. Sadly had to drive all the way back to Dublin as everything booked pit being bank holiday weekend. Definitely not going to stay again.

Me and my partner stayed here for two nights on the 9th September and it was great. We were able to have our car next to our tent plus a 3 metre gazebo plus room for our BBQ area. Although I think space is more restricted during the busy summer. The campsite is on a hill so we took the gazebo down 6.30 am on the second morning as the wind picked up and we've only got cheap pegs. We just turned up without having to book and got to pick out where we wanted to camp. Then paid at the reception next to the cafe. (Receptionist was lovely) The views are amazing and so is the little cafe where we ate breakfast on the second morning as we couldn't be bothered to cook. Although it doesn't offer electric hookups it does let you charge your phones in the cafe (also free WiFi), outside the cafe and in the dishwashing room. Toilets and showers were really good considering we had people constantly in and out with hiking boots. Noise levels were kept low even though we had many families staying, a few single campers, a group on a stag doo and kids doing Duke or Edinburgh or some other award. (These stop too the right of the toilets, away from other campers) so the site was busy. It's also a dog friendly site. Another reason we loved camping here is it's the 1st campsite that the owner came around and asked if we needed a fire pit as it was going to be cold. He provided wood (2x£5) as well. We didn't end up getting a fire pit but later regretted this as it did get really cold. Owner was nice and said it's not normally this busy in September. We will definitely be back next spring/summer this time with our daughter.

The outstanding scenery of the beautiful Mourne Mountains was a saving grace for this campsite. I would go back just for that. Unfortunately, the amenities are awful. Overflowing rubbish bins, the toilets and showers are disgusting, and there is some sort of sewage issue outside the toilets and showers block. I would like to say we enjoyed the cafe, but we never tasted the food. After waiting an hour for a sausage roll and some toast, we cancelled and left. The sound of a quad bike will haunt me for a while, as Greedy Joe as we nicknamed him, hounded people for money for everything. Want a fire pit? It’ll cost you. Wood and firefighters? It’ll cost you. Thankfully, we always bring our own. He also berated us for our van. “Get it moved” he said. “I’d get another tent in there”. (We we’re unloading our gear.) If you’re going here, bring toilet roll, because there’s never any in the toilets.

As a frequent visitor to meelmore throughout this summer I have been amazed not only by the view itself but also the service. The staff are extremely welcoming and the food never disappoints. June and her young team are extremely talented, and not to mention the bistro is always buzzing every time we visit. A pleasure to visit and we will definitely keep returning.

Upon arriving everything was fine until what is now a PTSD event for a few people, the smell of petrol fumes and the sound of a quad bike now triggers a few. Dessie Patterson on behalf of the "Director " completely ruined what was otherwise a lovely trip to a beautiful part of the country. With aggressive and intimidating actions towards a group of essential workers and NHS staff trying to enjoy some time away from the frontline. I hope the Director will address these issues for the sake of all the national investment in Meelmore lodge.