I stayed here the week before Christmas 2007.
Excellent location - right in the centre of the village which is beautiful at any time of year. But other than that, not great.
There were some refurbishments going on, and Christmas parties taking place. Noisy function room, corridors smelling of paint and distracted staff didnt make for a particularly relaxing stay. Trying to get a drink in the bar meant going through to reception where they went off to look for the bar staff rather than just serving.
I'm sure things are much better here in the summer season.

We decided to stay at the Salutation because we'd stayed at the Red Lion in Grasmere in the past and found it great. The pool and gym facilities, together with the renovation pictures sold it to us as well. It was fantastic! Dead central location, but not noisy to traffic, friendly and accommodating staff, fabulous relaxation areas, superb pool etc. Food was good, selection at breakfast and evening meal was sound.

We stayed in the Wandsfell Lodge(sp?) (new extension at the back/side of the hotel). Beautiful refurb. Be warned though - you do have to go outside the hotel to get to these rooms. Also, the room we stayed in, Rm 403 is the smallest of the club rooms (which you pay extra for) and probably not much larger than a standard room. Ask for the room adjoining this one, the one with the patio looking onto the river - it's huge! Because our room was small, we asked to be moved to another room and we were happily given another in the Stock Ghyll lodge (also outside the hotel.) Very spacious, a little dark and in the process of being renovated. Very noisy too. We heard everything the gent above us did!

In all a great stay. Will definitely be back next year.

Booked a double room for £82 through bookings.com. B&B.
Lovely hotel in the centre of Ambleside village. Staff very pleasant and attentive. Leisure facilities very good pool, sauna, gym. Only had breakfast which was excellent full freshly cooked english and help yourself to cold stuff, make sure you are down and eating before 9.30 as they clear everything away at 9.30am. Our room was very small (Room 110) although clean and tidy if we had been staying for more than a night we would have complained. Also as most hotels now have at least queen sized beds we were very disappointed with our standard double (that said a bigger bed would not have fit in the room). Although as said for one night the room was ok and everything else more than made up for it. We would definatley stay at the hotel again and recommend it.

Booked on best western web for our anniversary. We were allocated a room at the front of the hotel with double bed.( could do with a kingsize !) There was a card wishing us a happy anniversary, which was a nice touch.
The hotel is spotless, staff very efficient and approachable. The breakfast is lovely, buffet style for cereals etc and cooked breakfast to order which was very good.
We went for a swim every morning and had the lovely pool to ourselves.
The hotel is in a good situation at the top of the town with lots of shops and restaraunts close by.
We ate out in the evening at the Tai Rest near the hotel which was very good, Lucys on a plate, excellent and Mathews Bistro which was excellent and great value before 7pm off the set menue. You do need to book at all of these.
Also enjoyed a night at the cinema, the box office only opens 20 mins before a film to buy your ticket.