Construction is due to start late next year
A luxury Kent staycation spot popular with celebs has been given the green light to build 12 new rooms – offering the chance to spend the night watching lions. Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, near Hythe, already boasts the £1,800-a-night Lion Lodge, which has hosted famous faces including Rio Ferdinand, Kelly Brook and Amanda Holden.
But the wildlife park has now been given permission to build a dozen ‘lookout’ pods, which it says will provide “uninterrupted close-up” big cat views. The all-weather luxury tents will set on a veranda next to the lion habitat in which Hunter, Oudrika and five cubs live.
Construction is due to start late next year. Tony Kelly, managing director of Howletts & Port Lympne Estates, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that we have been granted planning permission for our Lion Lookout plans.
“Nestled alongside the largest lion enclosure in Europe and our pride of seven lions, this unique offer will extend our accommodation offering to our guests with uninterrupted close-up views of these magnificent animals. The accommodation will be aimed at a family audience and add to our already award-winning offerings.
“Whilst planning has been granted there are several pre-commencement conditions to fulfil, but we would hope to start the project in late 2026”. Day tickets to visit Port Lympne start at £35 for an adult and £29 for a child.
Stays at the reserve’s luxury Lion Lodge hotel, which include use of a private golf buggy and private garden, start at £1,799 per night. According to planning documents, the new development will help the organisation meet cost of rising National Insurance contributions and cost of living requirements.
The company also says the plans will add 31 full-time staff to the reserve, in addition to 350 permanent staff already employed as of 2024. Port Lympne says their eight-acre space is the largest lion enclosure in Europe.
Other animals on the site include giraffes, monkeys, gorillas, and a fossa. Folkestone & Hythe District Council approved plans to build the new accommodation on December 3.
A total of 10 people submitted objections to the plans earlier this year. In August, Charlie Diamond wrote: “I think it will cause lots of noise being built and once it has guests in, I have lived for some years.
“It’s not fair on the people who live here as this is our home.” That same month, John Shackleton wrote: “I enjoy the wildlife and views I have from the ground where I live.
“I am very upset that it could be ruined by building work. At the moment we have a very quiet peaceful life here and I feel this will change with lots of noise from guests when they stay.”
