//PROS:
1. My friend loved the eccentric décor. If you like amphibians, this is the place for you.
2. The garden was beautiful, with roses and trees.
3. Our room had large, sunny windows and the bedding was clean. At first, we were concerned about the squishy mattresses but both of us found them very comfy.
4. As others have noted, the location is excellent. Although heavily pregnant, my friend was able to walk into town without trouble. The property was also clearly signposted and easy to find.
5. The man who let us in and the lady we later saw him sitting with were friendly, warm and welcoming.
6. It's cheap, and breakfast was included in the price, although we didn't sample it so cannot comment on its quality.
//CONS:
1. If you have a cat allergy, be sure to take antihistamines. I did not and suffered.
2. I'm surprised that other reviews praise the cleanliness because in our room (6) there was a coating of animal hair on the floor and under the bed which covered my belongings.
3. A powerful odour hits you as you enter the reception area. Others have described it as "stale urine" or an "unfortunate smell" which doesn't do it justice. I had to hold my breath when leaving the room to use the shared facilities. I suggest the Lodge might benefit from new carpets because cat urine lingers for years and permeates in warm, humid weather.
4. The evening before our arrival, the host messaged through AirBnB to ask when we'd arrive. While travelling to Bristol the following day, I replied and said 3pm but flexible if required. She didn't respond. As check-in starts from 10am, we assumed this would be okay.
We didn't meet the host until after we'd checked out, when she approached us to complain that she'd tried to ring but couldn't get hold of us. She had wanted to go out but couldn't, so had to leave the task of checking us in with her mother-in-law, who'd had a stroke. The host seemed annoyed at having to wait for paying guests to arrive.
I felt this was unprofessional. After all, it's none of our business if her MIL had a stroke and 3pm is a perfectly acceptable check-in time as well as within their policy. Afterwards, I noticed a disclaimer on the listing stating that Mme. Toad likes to go out on Saturdays which affects check-in time. But we arrived on a Friday, when check-in was from 10am.
All in all, I wouldn't stay again. My friend, however, didn't mind the smell and doesn't have a cat allergy. She was enchanted by the décor and found the whole experience highly amusing.