Hotel berhampiran The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-on-Windermere

Difficult to find the hotel, especially at night time, as it is inside a narrow side street close to a cross junction and there is no obvious sign at the entrance of the street. But once you are inside the hotel area, the ambience is adorable. Room is clean and service is good. It is conveniently within 10 minutes walking distance to the city centre and ferry piers.

We'd been really looking forward to our stay, which was a treat from my husband for my birthday. Both of us had visited before but not since it was re-styled and we had picked Linthwaite so that we could try another Michelin-starred restaurant at the Henrock restaurant there. Sadly, although the hotel itself is lovely, and some of the staff were excellent, several things really let it down. On arrival we noticed a small sign stating 'reception' pointing to the left that was attached to the right-hand door of a set of double doors, so we assumed we needed to go through the left hand door. As we opened it, rather than a hello, or can I help, someone just barked at us that 'reception's that way'. Check-in was then slightly odd as we were told we'd be shown around the hotel, which would've been a nice touch had one of the two staff attending to us thought to offer to take our bags to our room or to keep them at reception whilst we were shown round. Instead, we had to keep hold of them which then meant the staff member showing us round kept saying 'you've got your bags with you so I won't show you this, can't show you that' etc, rendering the 'tour' pointless. Once we had settled into our room we went for a drink at the bar. No-one was behind the bar when we walked in so we were just stood at the bar looking at what was on offer and discussing what we might order. After around 1 minute, the barman walk led in and again, no hello, welcome, or what can I get you etc, just 'sit down please' . We were puzzled and my husband said 'could we have a drink' and the barman repeated again 'sit down please'. When we said we'd like to sit at the bar, he seemed annoyed. No other customers were around. The food at the Henrock restaurant was really good - we had the tasting menu and the service broadly good too, but twice during the meal we had to wait long enough for something that we said to each other 'they must've forgotten...' We also had an incident later in the evening where we were trying to get out to the outdoor seating area. We had seen another couple struggle with the door earlier. After several attemots, eventually I opened the door but had to use such force I injured my hand as it caught between the handle and frame. My fingers are still swollen a day later and it's sore to grip anything. It really shouldn't be this difficult for guests to access the outside tables, especially as the door in question is a fire exit. Finally, we were told on arrival that our breakfast would be at 9am. In all honesty, I couldn't remember for sure if they had contacted me and asked us to choose a time in advance or if 9am was dictated to us, but in any case, since we made the hotel booking, a work commitment came up for my husband that meant 9am would be too late, so we asked at reception after dinner whether we could change it to 8am. Without even checking any records, we were told no as the hotel was fully booked. Not 'i'll see what i can do' or 'I'm sorry but...', jus

Excellent location, lovely clean room and friendly staff. Just lacking the 5 stars due to the fact there was not much choice for breakfast for Vegans. Just vegan pancakes and maple syrup (and they were just two small ones) or avocado on toast. I was hoping there might have been a vegan cooked breakfast having advised the property in advance two of our family were vegan. Granted at least there was something we could eat and they did have oat milk and an alternative to butter. Great to also have parking on sight.

MY wife and I stayed for three nights at the end of September, accompanied by my brother; we dined in the hotel restaurant for two of those nights. The staff were friendly, helpful and effective - except in one particular matter: I gave explicit instructions when I checked in that on no account should my brother be allowed to pay any part of my bill. Nevertheless he was able to persuade the person on duty when he checked out that he should be allowed to pay for my 'incidentals' - my drinks-bill and the like. How could this be allowed to happen? I was very irritated. We stayed in Room 220 - which was a fine-looking room, but with a number of oddities about the choice and arrangement of the furniture and facilities that made for inconvenience in living comfortably there. I say the same now as I said to the Manager on my departure: the hotel needs to put a couple into the room (preferably, members of staff) to live there for at least 24 hours, making detailed notes about what is lacking, what is inconvenient, and so on. It would be interesting to see what they say about having a shower, or about finding the light-switch in the middle of the night. Why is a large part of the bedroom occupied by one of those old-fashioned scroll bathtubs (with no soap holder or towel rail) when the space would be better occupied by a chest to store clothes in? Why is the bathroom fitted with two wash-basins, positioned next to and at right-angles to each other so that only one of them can be used at any one time? All managers should periodically stay in each of a hotel's bedrooms and experience what it is that their guests have to put up with. We enjoyed our stay, but would have enjoyed it more if attention had been given to The Guest Experience seen from the guest's point of view. (Parking was a bit of a nightmare too, but admittedly it was a very, very busy weekend for the hotel, which managed the flow of guests magnificently, especially at breakfast).

Beautiful place and setting. Lovely helpful and friendly staff. They provide everything but don’t tell you. I pack just about the kitchen sink, but they provide towels , hand towels, tea towels, washing up liquid and washing sponge and dish cloth. Even shower gel and hairdryer!! Never been anywhere that provides so much. Well done you. Lovely studio lodge. Will definitely be back and look for more in your range.

Some parts of the hotel were recently refurbished, but it still generally feels dated. The room was clean and rather smart. Variety at breakfast was very limited. Average hotel with a nice view.

Spa was like Saturday afternoon at a local swimming baths, zero relaxation. The hotel staff were robotic and seemed to be more interested in their mobile phone rather than serve customers. The only high was the restaurant FYR which was very good in both service and food quality. Would not recommend the hotel and definitely not the SPA! Ironically that’s what the hotel is advertised for. So do yourself a favour and steer clear unless you want a lovely evening meal.

I just want to thank the guy last night at the desk for giving me another room without charging me extra. That was very kind of him. Didn’t get his name. had a lovely time for my stay. Very clean 10 out 10 😊

Nice place! Very close to city centre and station. Im so happy to stay here.

Amazing! Staff were helpful. Thurnham hall was within a beautiful and quiet setting and comprises spotlessly clean modern accommodation. Gym, pool and sauna were an added bonus with a high standard of attention to maintaining a clean and safe environment. Thanks for a great stay - will definitely come back when possible. : )