Shortly before we meander down to Charmouth Beach on the Jurassic Coast near Lyme Regis, a member of staff pipes up: ‘Do you want to take a fossil hammer with you?’
Never been asked that before, but, then, Louma is unlike any other hotel in the country. Everything about it is different; everything is in harmony; everything calming and it could just be a concept that catches on. It’s the ultimate hotel that doesn’t feel like a hotel.
Mind you, big money is needed for such a venture, which is very much the case here. The owners are Louis and Emma Steyn (hence Louma, a combo of their names). He’s the son of the late South African insurance tycoon and friend of Nelson Mandela, Douw Steyn, who was listed as having a net worth of £3billion.
Steyn junior bought the original house and 100 acres of farm land as a holiday home in 2019 (they have three young children) but soon had other ideas – and began converting various barns and out-houses to create discreet but resolutely high end hospitality on a working farm with conservation a big priority.
There’s no signage; no reception desk; no gift shop; no fuss. There are echoes of Soho Farmhouse and The Newt but Louma feels far more connected to the earth than both of them and infinitely less commercial.
Food is outstanding – and most of it homegrown.
Louma is unlike any other hotel in the country. Everything about it is different; everything is in harmony; everything calming
There’s no signage; no reception desk; no gift shop; no fuss
There is only capacity at any one time of 40 guests, spread out in the main house, in stone barns, converted stables, plus a few shepherd huts
Food is outstanding – and most of it homegrown
It’s not cheap, of course, but lunch, dinner and breakfast are all included in the price – so get there early to make the most of it. We arrive at noon and wander into one of the barns, where we’re greeted by views of vines and, beyond, the English Channel looking remarkably inviting.
‘Welcome to Louma,’ says Laura, with whom I have been corresponding by email for the last few days, something she does with all guests. She’s made various suggestions and I’ve asked her for information about the best beaches in the area.
There is only capacity at any one time of 40 guests, spread out in the main house, in stone barns, converted stables, plus a few shepherd huts. Our room, with plenty of bare wood and restful tones, has a private terrace, with a hot tub powered by burning logs.
We arrive at noon and wander into one of the barns, where we’re greeted by views of vines and, beyond, the English Channel looking remarkably inviting
There are echoes of Soho Farmhouse and The Newt but Louma feels far more connected to the earth than both of them and infinitely less commercial
The spa has an indoor and outdoor pool, huge gym and the most enthusiastic of managers, who tells us that life at Louma has only just begun. We believe him
It’s not cheap, of course, but lunch, dinner and breakfast are all included in the price – so get there early to make the most of it
Overall, it feels like staying in a private safari camp but one where you know the owners well enough to potter about barefoot with a glass of the estate’s own sparkling wine in hand.
There are vineyard tours, horse riding lessons, woodland walks – and children will love feeding the animals. The kitchen garden is a sight to behold and a ten minute walk away is the cow barn where yoga classes are held.
There are horse riding lessons, woodland walks – and children will love feeding the animals
Vineyard tours are another feature of the hotel that doesn’t feel like a hotel
Louma opened with little fanfare late last year but already has garnered a stellar reputation. And deservedly so
The spa has an indoor and outdoor pool, huge gym and the most enthusiastic of managers, who tells us that life at Louma has only just begun. We believe him.
It opened with little fanfare late last year but already has garnered a stellar reputation. And deservedly so. Expand and develop all kinds of plans – but don’t change a thing is my message to the Steyns.
Louma
Champernhayes Lane
Bridport
Dorset DT6 6DF
Tel: 01308 800298, loumafarmandretreat.co.uk
Doubles from £530 per night, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Five stars *****
