Elegant residents' lounges and guest suites can add real value to retirement living, offering places to connect with neighbours and welcoming accommodation for visiting friends and family.
Holly Foreman, Sales Director, explains the benefits of creating elegant lounges and guest suites at Beechcroft developments.
When prospective homebuyers are looking at retirement developments, location, large, light-filled rooms, beautifully landscaped surroundings and, of course, price all top the priority list. What so many forget to add is the importance of space where neighbours can get together and socialise – and a place for guests to stay.
At Castle Mews in Watlington, Cotswold Gate in Burford, Abbey Mill Place in Bishop’s Waltham and Juniper Gardens in Chinnor, homeowners have the benefit of an elegant residents’ lounge and a guest suite. Longcross Place at Winterbrook, Wallingford also has a guest suite.
“As we age, it’s more difficult to make new friends. We often become friends with people we meet at work or at the school gates when our children are young,” comments Holly Foreman, Sales Director for Beechcroft. “If you’re over the age of 55 and moving to a new home, especially if you’re on your own, living somewhere with a strong sense of community is really important.”
“At Beechcroft, with over 40 years’ experience of creating aspirational new and converted homes across the southern counties, we are aware of the importance of the part that elegant communal lounges or residents’ pavilions play in helping to generate a sense of community. These are places where neighbours can meet, chat over coffee or hold parties and celebrations. Over recent years, we have also created guest suites at many of our developments, which are much appreciated by residents when friends and family come to visit.”
, Sales Director for Beechcroft
“Our communal lounges are designed to be multi-functional spaces where homeowners can get together rather than having to entertain friends and neighbours in their own private homes. For those who are new to a development, the lounge is the perfect place to meet new neighbours and, when everyone’s settled in, it’s easy to get together in a large space without anyone having to be the one to host gatherings. Of course, each lounge has a kitchen area, where residents can prepare drinks and snacks.”
“Whilst our sales teams are on site, we organise a range of events from afternoon teas to wine tastings, so we can introduce new and prospective homeowners to each other. Once all the new homes have been sold, residents tend to get together and organise their own events which, on many developments, range from fish suppers and quiz nights to film showings. Some residents organise crafting sessions, book clubs and even exercise classes. The joy is that, if you don’t want to join in, you can find a quiet space within the lounge or you can relax in the privacy and comfort of your own home.”
“Whilst it’s wonderful to have friends and family come to visit, you’re inevitably left with the cleaning of the bedroom, the bathroom or the shower, to say nothing of having to wash the bedlinen. How much easier to arrange for your visitors to stay in the luxurious guest suite and then you can enjoy their company without the work that it entails.”
Guest suites give visiting friends and family their own comfortable place to stay and can be booked through the Estate Manager.
“The residents’ lounge at Cotswold Gate, Burford is a very nice centre for us all to meet for coffee and social events. The sense of community and friendship is palpable and couples and single people alike can find a ready-made circle of friends to join with, which is a huge advantage, either for those whose circumstances are altered as mine were, or who have moved from another location and don’t know many people.”
, Cotswold Gate
“At Castle Mews in Watlington, there’s a new residents’ lounge which is lovely. We’ve been to quizzes organised by the residents and there’s also a gardening club.”
, Castle Mews, Watlington
“At our developments, we design communal lounges to balance functionality with aesthetics, creating spaces that are welcoming, adaptable, comfortable and accessible for all who live there,” adds Holly Foreman. “The lounges have comfortable seating options and a kitchen where residents can prepare their hot drinks and there’s plenty of space in the lounge to accommodate different activities. The décor is stylish and elegant, incorporating neutral tones and soft textures that create a relaxing atmosphere.”
For anyone comparing retirement developments, it is worth looking beyond the home itself and considering the wider development too – including the spaces that make it easier to meet neighbours and welcome visiting friends and family.
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