When you treat yourself to a few luxury nights away, you expect to experience something better than your own home. Absoluxe Suites seeks to offer just that – “absolute luxury” – in the heart of the quaint market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, close to both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Sabi Phagura went along to see if it lived up to the hype.
Lockdown has undoubtedly made the majority of us rethink our notion of work-life balance. City dwellers have voted with their feet with a massive exodus from urban areas favouring rural settings. And one look at the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale with its scattering of 17th and 18th-century buildings, it’s easy to see why.
Life in such charming areas is calmer, serene, and on the whole, far more enjoyable than the rat race lifestyle most of us are accustomed to.
But if you’re not in a position to up sticks and move, the next best thing is to book yourself into a luxury place to stay. And as luxury goes, Absoluxe Suites is right up there among one of the best.
The Background
The concept of the four travel themed hotel rooms (Parisian, Orient, Oasis and Columbus) at Absoluxe Suites was born out of this very idea.
The brainchild of well-travelled owners Zuzi, Carol, Tim and Phil. Like all good ideas, the business plan was hatched over a few glasses of French wine.
Their journey began after they acquired one of the beautiful buildings just a stone’s throw away from the town’s market square and meticulously began transforming it into luxury abodes. The quartet drew inspiration from their two other business – one that provides state-of-the-art bathrooms (Aquajade Bathrooms) and the other with cutting edge technology (Majik House).
The luxury suites at Absoluxe in Cumbria’s Kirkby Lonsdale have been meticulously designed to take you on a journey of discovery – one to the furthest corners of the world; from the canopies of the Congo to the metropolitan streets of Paris and from the cultural symbolism of the far east to your arrival at the new world. Travel may be restricted somewhat due to the global pandemic, but the world can be experienced here through the interiors at least.
All the suites have king-size Hypnos mattresses, 400-thread Egyptian cotton sheets, pillow menus, luxury bathrobes, Bath House toiletries, free minibars (standard package), Nespresso machines and free WIFI. Automated blinds, massive flat-screen TVs that resemble pictures when switched off, and impressive sound and mood lighting controls make for a more comfortable stay.
The Parisian Suite
With a sneak preview of their website, I had seen the Parisian Suite online, but I swear pictures don’t do this any justice (as often is the case with images). The suite certainly has the wow factor. The music, unique to each suite, plays automatically from the moment you enter via the front door entry code giving the vibe you’re walking into something exceptional. An absolute genius touch, in my humble opinion.
Inspired by the impressionist paintings of 19th century Paris, the Parisian suite is the perfect marriage of romanticism and luxurious living. From the ivory carved bed with velvet upholstery complete with a dazzling chandelier above, to the comfy pink sofa at the foot of it, through to the separate dressing area leading to the traditional French style bathroom suite with a free-standing copper bath, this place has an abundance of femininity. And the fuss-free easy-to-operate technology was spot on.
We’ve all been there when we’ve walked into a hotel room faced with numerous buttons which are complicated to use and don’t seem to do what you want them to. But it’s super simple here. You can access the automated blinds, fantastic sound, and mood lighting controls at the touch of a button.
I had a fully stocked minibar complete with wine, beers, soft drinks and snacks, which is included in the standard package, as is breakfast. The owners have partnered with Sun Inn (a five-minute stroll from the suites), who recently won an AA best breakfast award. There are ample choices to dine out locally, and to help you make your decision, Absoluxe’s manual has picked out a selection of restaurants to choose from.
My dinner for one of the evenings was booked at The Black Inn in Sedbergh, a popular haunt where you will find British, European and Asian inspired dishes. On paper, it doesn’t sound like they should work, but it really does.
A little Extra
If you are celebrating something special Absoluxe offer several additional packages for the perfect luxury getaway to complement the basic rate. All-out indulgence packages include fizz, chocolate, cake, gin, champagne afternoon tea and gift vouchers. Can’t bear to leave your pooch behind while you’re enjoying the lap of luxury? Well, you don’t have to. With the Man’s Best Friend package (£25), your four-legged pal is welcomed here (in the Orient Suite only), where a towel, blanket, dog bowl and tasty treats will be provided by Absoluxe, during your stay.
Things To Do
If you are an outdoorsy person and can tear yourself away from the comfort of the Absoluxe Suites, then there is plenty for you to do here. It is situated in an enviable prime location on the border of two of the UK’s most spectacular National Parks, the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District. It is a feast for the eyes and body with stunning views and rambling routes. There are endless adventures literally on the doorstep from where you can go for guided walks, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking. The brave may even want to take the plunge and go wild swimming.
All that fresh air calls for treats, and if, like me, you have a sweet tooth, you can top up those burned calories with a visit to one of the UK’s oldest traditional old-fashioned confectionery shops. The Sweet Shop Kirkby Lonsdale has been trading since 1902, where you will find sweets from yesteryear. Go all out by customising your own sweet jar and box and allow yourself to be transported to your childhood days.
Absoluxe Suites is, without a doubt, a truly luxurious place to stay where every detail has been meticulously thought out. The interiors, decadent bathrooms and simple but enhancing technology all blend in to make your break from ordinary to extraordinary.
Absoluxe Suites – Where and How?
The Parisian and Columbus Suites start from £220 per night, The Orient Suite starts from £340 per night, and The Oasis Suite starts from £390 per night. Absoluxe can be found on 4 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2AE, Lancashire. For more information, visit https://absoluxesuites.co.uk/.
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