Location
Great central location in Ambleside. Pretty quiet at night as well. The recent opening of flats to the rear has put even more pressure on car parking which can be a bit of a pain. Great views from the windows but even better ones if you get out of town a bit!
Facilities
Room clean and comfortable. Not massively big, especially the bathroom but nice and cosy. They are currently installing a lift which will avoid the need to lug cases up several flights of stairs but a bit disruptive during the day. We booked a non smoking room but were put in a smoking room although it didn't smell too bad and in a couple of weeks it won't matter - or will it - at the moment pets are allowed in smoking rooms. Watch you pull the door shut as some tend to stick. TV's much improved. Didn't try the Leisure Club this time but it was great last time I went.
Staff
All the staff are welcoming. Still got an apparently slightly eccentric waiter whose cheery phrases brighten up the breakfast room - or not depending on whether you want that first thing in the morning. Reception staff are generally much more friendly but nothing is too much trouble for any of the staff.
Out and About
Recommend Sheilas Cottage for a quiet evening out. Zefferellis continues to be be good value if you take th cinema offer. Nice pint at the Badger in Rydal but the food was variable.

Having stayed in many hotels and B&Bs in the Lakes and elsewhere we always gravitate back to the Salutation. It has an olde world feel yet modern facilities. The staff are welcoming, local and not all YTS age. Room - fantastic had the Rothay, large Balcony overlooking Ambleside and all mod cons. Breakfast excellent. Only negative is that the bar isa bit stuffy could do witha bit of background music.

Do Itanon the Thai restuarant 3 doors down and Priest Hole were our choice of eateries this time - both delivered.

Overall 10/10

My wife and I stayed for one night on 6th May 2007 in a superior room 404, in an annexe at the rear. This room was exceptional. Power shower, jacuzzi bath. Plasma T.V.Only niggle for myself was the exceptionally thick continental quilt which kept me too hot in bed trying to sleep. This is not a complaint, just a personal thing. All staff are very friendly, in all areas of the hotel. The breakfast was 1st rate and the food and service at Dinner was great. Loved the Pool and would definately return here.

Stayed at this centrally located hotel for 5 nights in April 2007. We asked for a non smoking room and were given one of only 3 rooms on the first floor which were non smoking. Two of these rooms are extremely small and unfortunately we had one of them! The room was small and very noisy as there was a two inch gap under the door leading from our bedroom to the hallway. Chambermaids shouted outside
our room every morning about 7.30, to majke sure we were all up for breakfast and not too relaxed. Reception staff were very young and not very service oriented.

Breakfasts were good, but there was a very loud and over powering head waiter who seemed to patronisingly shout to the guests rather than talk.

The leisure centre is very good and underused, so we had the pool to ourselves.

On the whole I would not recommend this hotel. It is not value for money. We paid £118 per night. This is more than I pay for a 4 star when I stay in London!!