As UK staycation demand continues to grow year-on-year, holiday park operators are under increasing pressure to ensure their accommodation works harder, appeals to wider audiences and delivers stronger long-term returns.
Today’s guests expect more than simply somewhere to sleep, says leading UK luxury lodge manufacturer Pinelog. Accommodation today needs to be flexible and appeal to a wide variety of holidaymakers, including multi-generational groups, pet-owners, outdoor enthusiasts and guests requiring improved accessibility. And it all has to be achieved without compromising on comfort or style.
For park operators, it’s not just booking potential, it’s also ease of maintenance and quick turnaround times between stays that is equally important.
This is all possible with bespoke lodge design. Derbyshire-based Pinelog says that customised lodges are becoming one of the most important factors in helping parks maximise occupancy levels and futureproof accommodation investment.
Judy Barwell, Sales Account Manager at Pinelog, explained: “Bespoke design doesn’t have to mean a complete start-from-scratch approach. Often small tweaks to designs within our standard lodge range can deliver exactly what a customer needs, whether it’s an additional bedroom or widened doorways and a wet room for increased accessibility.”
Pinelog has been designing and manufacturing bespoke timber lodges for holiday parks across the UK mainland, including five-star destinations such as Kelling Heath in Norfolk and Darwin Forest in Derbyshire for the last 40 years.
Over four decades Pinelog has seen how guest expectations have evolved and how relatively small layout adjustments and consideration of fixtures and fittings at thedesign stage, can significantly improve guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and booking potential.
Today, when it comes to holiday accommodation, intelligent layouts, thoughtful practical features and carefully considered spaces often matter more to guests than overall size. This is where bespoke design can deliver real long-term value.
Here, Pinelog shares six key design considerations that can help maximise appeal, bookings, income potential and the longevity of a lodge.
1. En suite bedrooms
En suite bedrooms are increasingly expected by guests, particularly among families, friendship groups and multi-generational bookings.
Providing multiple bathrooms gives guests additional privacy and comfort and can make a significant difference to guest satisfaction, particularly in larger lodges.
En suites also help position lodges within the premium accommodation market, improving perceived value and supporting higher nightly rates.
Importantly, they help lodges appeal to a broader demographic without significantly increasing overall footprint.
2. Utility rooms with separate external access
Utility rooms are one of the most practical additions a lodge can include, particularly for parks targeting the outdoor and pet-friendly holiday markets. Pinelog’s Coppice lodge design incorporates a utility room as standard and is a popular choice with holiday park operators.
A dedicated utility space with separate external access provides somewhere for guests to store muddy boots, wet coats, and outdoor equipment without bringing dirt directly into the living space.
For dog-friendly accommodation, utility rooms can become a major selling point. They provide practical space for dog crates, bedding, food storage and drying muddy dogs.
Some park operators are even incorporating warm water dog showers within the utility area. These practical additions not only improve guest experience but also reduce wear and tear on the accommodation itself.
3. Covered outdoor spaces extend year-round appeal
Outdoor living remains one of the strongest drivers of lodge appeal, but in the UK climate, exposed decking areas can often be underused for much of the year.
Covered verandas and sheltered outdoor spaces can dramatically increase usability during colder months and mixed weather conditions.
Pinelog’s new Orryn lodge has been specifically designed with this in mind. Its distinctive extended roofline creates a large, covered veranda area capable of accommodating outdoor dining furniture, seating areas and even hot tubs and saunas while remaining protected from the elements.
This allows guests to enjoy outdoor living throughout the year, helping operators maximise seasonal occupancy and enhance perceived luxury.
4. Wet rooms improve accessibility
Wet rooms and level-access bathrooms can significantly improve usability for guests with mobility challenges.
Importantly, accessible design no longer needs to feel clinical. Modern wet rooms can be highly stylish while still being functional.
Features such as widened doorways, level thresholds and accessible shower layouts can make lodges suitable for a much broader audience while futureproofing accommodation for changing guest demographics.
5. Open plan living maximises space
Open plan layouts continue to be one of the most effective ways to maximise both functionality and perceived space within a lodge.
Pinelog recommends designing kitchen, dining and living areas so they flow naturally together, creating a sociable central hub for guests while helping the lodge feel larger, brighter and more connected.
For guests, open plan living creates a more inclusive holiday environment where families and groups can cook, dine and relax together comfortably.
For operators, open layouts also simplify cleaning and maintenance, helping reduce turnaround times between guest stays.
6. Integrated storage keeps lodges functional
Holidaymakers do not want to feel they are constantly tidying around suitcases, coats and outdoor equipment during their stay. Intelligent integrated storage helps maintain uncluttered, relaxing living spaces.
Built-in wardrobes maximise bedroom space while creating a clean, streamlined appearance. In bathrooms, recessed wall niches and alcoves provide practical storage without reducing floor space.
Allowing additional room within boiler or utility cupboards for cleaning materials keeps essential items hidden but easily accessible for housekeeping teams. Dedicated cloaks cupboards near entrances improve organisation while creating a more welcoming arrival experience for guests.
Designed around the guest experience
Judy added: “Our lodges are not ‘off-the-shelf’. Every aspect can be tailored specifically to the holiday park, its target market and the type of guest experience the operator wants to create.
“From the layout of kitchens and bathrooms to the finish on internal walls, storage solutions, accessibility features and even the positioning of sockets and lighting, every detail can be considered at the design stage. Unless specifically requested, no two Pinelog lodges are ever exactly the same.
“Sometimes it’s relatively small design tweaks that make the biggest difference commercially, whether that’s creating a more sociable layout for families, incorporating practical spaces for dog owners or improving accessibility for multi-generational stays. Making those decisions early in the design process is always far more cost effective than retrofitting later.”
For park operators, those early design decisions can ultimately determine how well a lodge performs not just aesthetically, but commercially for many years to come.
Contact Pinelog to learn more about its full range of luxury lodges and its bespoke design options on 01246 942842 or visit www.pinelog.co.uk
