From our family to yours
Led by General Managers Alex and Jack Mackenzie, Summer Lodge is a family of passionate people, with a warm, inclusive ethos that embraces everything we do. We are proud to be a part of the family-owned and run Red Carnation Hotel Collection and of our hotel’s exceptional heritage. We strive to create the most enriching and rewarding experiences for our guests – which is why they choose to stay with us again and again.
As the General Managers at Summer Lodge, we are privileged to lead an exceptional team in such a beautiful part of the world. The wellbeing of our guests and teams is our highest priority and our guests tell us that Summer Lodge is a haven of relaxation and the ultimate place to escape to. We look forward to welcoming you to Dorset very soon.
My career in hospitality began in London, in 1995, where I first worked for the Red Carnation Hotel Collection until 2001. After spending 18 years living in South Africa, working in luxury South African 5-star hotels and game lodges, I am delighted to return to the UK and join this wonderful hotel group once again. I look forward to using my experience to help ensure excellent guest experiences here at Summer Lodge and to support our team in all that we do.
I started my career in the Western Cape, South Africa. Since relocating, I have worked at ‘Clos du Marquis’ in Hampshire, the two-star Michelin restaurant, ‘Relais de la Poste’ in France, and settled at Summer Lodge in 2010. I’m hugely inspired by the changing seasons and our location in the Dorset countryside. The incredible abundance on our doorstep is reflected in the menus, and as a team, we bring our passion, ideas, and our love for cooking to every dish.
My passion for cooking came from my grandmother. I became a chef later in life and began my career at a local restaurant before moving to various high-quality establishments such as The Wild Rabbit where I worked consistently at AA 3-Rosette and MICHELIN Star level. Working as senior sous chef alongside Dan Moon, I was fundamental in achieving 3-Rosettes at The Gainsborough Bath Spa. I am thrilled to return to the South West and put down roots for my family in a place so close to my heart.
I have been Restaurant Manager since 2010. I come from just outside Paris where I worked in Michelin starred restaurants and I also enjoyed work experience in Berkshire at the Vineyard at Stockcross. My passion for quality of service and entertainment, combined with the friendliness of my wonderful and vibrantly young team, are important parts of making Summer Lodge seem like your second home. I hope to make your dining experience exceptional, taking care of special requests before your visit.
I am delighted to lead a wonderful team in the UK, taking care of our guests' reservations. Let us know whether you will be celebrating your honeymoon, birthday, or wedding. It would be our pleasure to oversee your bedroom allocation and put in a special request prior to your arrival. We can also organise any additional extras you may like such as chocolates, champagne and strawberries, which would be waiting for you upon arrival. We will ensure that your stay will be one you fondly remember.
I feel really lucky to live in Dorset and to have had so many amazing experiences meeting people from all over the world at Summer Lodge. I would be delighted to arrange all aspects of your reservation in advance and during your stay, and to add thoughtful touches such as homemade chocolates, a bouquet of flowers from our in-house florist, a falconry experience or tickets to a local attraction.
In 1996, I started my Horticultural and Arboricultural qualification, which led me to a career with the National Trust until 2018. I started as the Head Gardener at Summer Lodge in October 2020. The garden is brilliant and the kitchen garden produces fruit and vegetables. Summer Lodge is also privileged to offer a few individual gardens attached to our bedrooms. I would love to take you on a tour of our garden and show you the best that Dorset can offer!
My passion for our bar has helped me to create an extensive beverages list. I hope I will have the opportunity to share with you my love for whiskies and perhaps even entice you to try one of the best in the world from Japan. I can also help you to design your favourite cocktail, book a whisky masterclass or offer you drinks for a 'healthy gut'. I look forward to welcoming you and showing you our Red Carnation passion for excellence.
I have been Spa Director at Summer Lodge since 2004. Alongside my team, I am dedicated to providing a holistic wellness experience. As a Holistic Therapist and Reiki Master, I look forward to creating a truly restorative experience for you at Summer Lodge.
I am a Holistic Therapist and have been trained in all aspects of beauty therapy for many years. I am passionate about the well-being of our guests and I particularly enjoy massage therapies and facial treatments. Relaxation and allowing yourself to 'let go' is essential for our physical and mental health. I look forward to treating you at Summer Lodge Spa.
Total comfort and cleanliness are the aims of my cheerful and hardworking team. No two rooms are the same and furnished as they are in the style of a large private home, they create a homely feel that is as pleasurable for us as we hope it will be for you. The aspect of my job that I enjoy the most is the attention that I pay to detail as well as the comfort and care I relish in providing to our guests.
Throughout my career, despite having worked in a number of different sectors and environments, I have always been involved in maintenance and care. From large, private castle estates to private boarding and day schools, and now here at Summer Lodge, I have continued to develop my skills and learn the best way to lead my dedicated team. Our aim is to ensure that your stay at Summer Lodge will be everything you wished for and more, and we look forward to welcoming you to your home away from home.
