The English hotel with incredible views of bush dogs, wolves and even sea lions
IT’S not quite “herds of wildebeest sweeping across the plain” – the view that Basil Fawlty joked a guest might expect to see from an English hotel – but it’s still pretty impressive.
Pulling back the curtains in my parkside room, I can see bush dogs and wolves, and I’m sure I caught a glimpse of a sea lion.
I’m at the Hex Wildlife Hotel and the park in question is Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster — an ever-expanding centre of animal conservation that is home to polar bears, tigers, rhinos, many, many monkeys and, of course, bush dogs.
Never heard of them?
They’re really cute little critters but, it seems, appearances truly can be deceptive.
According to one of the rangers: “They’re the most vicious things we’ve got in here.”
They hunt in packs and are capable of taking down much bigger beasts, including tapirs.
Not comforting news for the chap in the next-door enclosure — he’s a tapir.
The 175-acre park opened in 2009 and is home to more than 70 rare and endangered species, ranging from the world’s smallest antelope, the Kirk’s dik-dik, to the rare Amur leopard.
The park works with animal welfare charity The WildLife Foundation, which is a partner and funder of conservation programmes around the world.
Its successes include the breeding this year of a leopard cub.
It’s a popular venue for families as there is plenty to see and do alongside admiring the animals.
There is a dinosaur walk-through zone, called Pangea, plus a host of annual events, including a spectacular illuminations attraction and concerts on the Wild Live stage, with artists confirmed for this summer including Jessie J and JLS.
A key element to YWP’s success is its location at the hub of the Yorkshire Hive.
This is the area outside the park gates that has become a real hotspot for visitors, with a range of boutique shops containing lots of fascinating local produce.
There are play facilities, restaurants and, for those of you wanting to make a day-trip something longer, the Hex Wildlife Hotel.
Even without the views from those parkside rooms, it’s a great, quirky place to stay.
Hunt in packs
Reception is in a separate building from the accommodation, which is geared up to be as family-friendly as possible.
Every floor has a mini-kitchen available, with microwaves, an ice machine and vending machines.
The rooms are immaculately clean and very comfy, with 43in full-HD TVs.
The staff are helpful, polite and, a key factor, friendly.
Breakfast is served in Wilds Cafe Bistro — very tasty it is, too.
We got particularly hungry after my ten-month-old granddaughter Matilda Jean enjoyed a session at the Uproar! play barn, and we went for lunch at the unique Evolution restaurant.
What a fun place to eat, with dinosaurs peering between the fronds of the rainforest before coming alive, rearing up and roaring at you.
It was almost enough to make me drop my pizza.
Unlike the environment, the food is not too adventurous but it is perfect for young families, well prepared and presented by your attentive and, again, friendly waiting staff.
Bottomless soft drink refills are a nice touch.
Then it was time to return to the park for a final couple of hours, wander among the wallabies and watch the awesomely athletic lemurs swinging through the trees.
What a wonderful wildlife weekend.
GO: YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK
STAYING THERE: Kids go free this Easter at Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Hex Wildlife Hotel.
The hotel offers connecting family rooms and suites.
Breakfast at Wilds Cafe Bistro is included.
Standard family room from £53.50 per person based on two adults and two children sharing.
Some rooms have views over the park.
See hex-hotel.com.
You can book park tickets in advance, £27.99 for adults, £22.99 for children.
Kids under two go free.