Testimonials kindly provided by past guests and 'our history'
Having stayed with Carol and Chris on many occasions in their previous guest house I can highly recommend them to all for a friendly and professional service every time oh and the best home made porridge I've ever had
Hope to see you in the future
Coral & David xx
We've stayed at Carol and Chris's previous Guest House and having learned they'd moved to a new place, contacted them for a Pre-Cruise stay. Although they weren't quite ready to open, they altered their schedule and were able to accommodate us, which was really helpful and much appreciated. The room and bathroom were spotless and comfortable, breakfast lovely. They offer a fantastic package for anyone cruising from Southampton and driving down the day before, it's so relaxing and stress free. As well as the great accommodation, they provide car parking and a return shuttle service to and from the Port. Hythe village centre is a 10 minute walk away,is very pleasant and has a variety of places for food and a drink in the evening. All in all, a great place to stay, great value with warm and friendly hosts. Already got our next stay booked
Tony & Bev
Edith and I are pleased to hear that you are starting a new venture at “Greentrees” covering Stay and Park.
Knowing you and Chris from our previous experience at “Twin Oaks “ guesthouse, we know that the new venture will be a great success.
Travelling from the North, we always found a friendly welcome waiting for us. Comfortable rooms and a hearty breakfast prior to our cruise, nothing seemed to much trouble
It’s was nice to relax in a convivial atmosphere, after such a long journey.
We both wish you great success in your new venture, knowing you both, we know that you will give everything to make everybody very welcome, as usual.
When everything gets back to normal, we will look forward to seeing you again.
Good luck.
Bernie and Edith Rice
We first started cruising for our honeymoon in 2010, driving down to Southampton on the day of the cruise and with all the stress of the journey it was a relief to board the ship. 3 days before our next cruise an accident closed the M3 for almost 10 hours so we decided that we would find a B&B and drive down the day before to avoid any possible problems on the day of embarkation.
Meeting Carol & Chris, at their previous B&B, was a stroke of luck and we have always stayed with them for our cruises from Southampton (probably about 10 cruises now)
Chris is the quiet one who hides his light under a bushel, Carol is outgoing in a lovely way and between them they make the perfect hosts.
The best part is being able to wake up on the day of the cruise to a wonderful breakfast, have a relaxing stroll and then come back to plentiful cups of tea before the journey to the cruise terminal.
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Lucy & Les Glover
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We have stayed with Carol and Chris on a stay and cruise parking basis on quite a number of occasions.
I can honestly say that Carol is the most friendly host I have met and the whole process worked like a dream. We were taken to and from the ship, it was a great, stress less start and ending to a cruise holiday “
Carole and Kevin
We were always so comfortable, well fed and welcomed from the very first like the old friends we have since become. Carol and Chris didn’t just host us to stay, they made sure that our cars were always locked up in a safe compound until our return and we enjoyed many transfers TO AND FROM THE terminal we were leaving from. They also always greeted us like old friends, and we all shared hugs aplenty between us. Jim’s an old sea salt and between them, had many stories to share too. Jim seemed to know everyone down at every port terminal which was so entertaining. Everything Carol and Chris did for us worked like oiled clockwork, so much so, that the anticipation of our visit on the way down and a quick pop in on the way back, became part of our holiday which we enjoyed very much.
We loved sharing tales of family life but there was always the added treat after every cruise, of being brough back to Twin Oaks for a pot of steaming hot tea where we would enjoy regaling Carol and Chris with the adventures of our latest cruise. So often we recommended Twin Oaks to friends who were cruising too but sometimes, almost reluctantly as we wanted to keep this wonderful secret to ourselves. We were disappointed to learn that Carol and Chris were hanging up their pinnies for good, (not that we have been able to go on a cruise since Covid put paid to all of that), but we do hope to cruise again eventually. However, imagine our surprise and joy to learn that Carol and Chris will be opening to guests once more in their new location, just because they missed it and missed everyone so much.
We wish you every success and happiness with your new venture. You deserve it.
Lots of love Lindsey and Lloyd
OUR HISTORY
Chris and Carol previously worked in Health and Social Care.
A qualified Social Worker with a Masters Degree in Public and Social Administration, Chris spent 34 years in local government, twenty as a chief officer and eight years as the Director of Social Services for South Glamorgan County Council After taking early retirement he worked as a management consultant and then for fifteen years as the Director of Age Concern Hampshire. He has also been a Non Executive Director of an NHS Trust and for 14 years presented an award winning weekly radio programme . Chris was awarded an individual "Age Positive Champion" in 2004 in recognition of his campaigning against age discrimination and "honorary membership of BASW", of which he was an inaugural member, in 2012. In his late teens and early twenties he was a Cub Master and also managed rock groups, donating substantial amounts for charity.
Carol thoroughly enjoyed working in the charity sector for over 27 years. Aspired to Assistant Director level at Age Concern Hampshire, Hampshire County Advisor for Hampshire Voluntary Care Groups and Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Project Manager for Cancer Research UK. In 2013 gained a Masters Degree in Management & Leadership. Now volunteers for Hythe Care Group, supporting people in the locality.
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More personal to us
This family business - Chris and Carol have 5 children between them and 5 grandchildren. They have been together for almost 24 years and when they retired from their professional lives to run a 4 star Guest House in 2007 and specialised in providing a Cruise Service, which offered overnight accommodation, award winning breakfast, parking for the duration of the cruise and organising transport to and from the cruise terminal. Quality checked by Visit Britain at a 4 star level , gaining a silver award for 12 consecutive years and provided food at Food Hygiene rating '5'. Other achievements include winning the TripAdvisor Excellency Award for 7 consecutive years, they were then accepted into the Tripadvisor Hall of Fame.
We have first hand knowledge of cruises, tried a few now, enjoying life.
