We usually stay in the Lake District at least twice a year but this is our first time in Ambleside. We had a quick look round the hotel last year - after the refurbishments to check if it was for us!

The Salutation is slap bang in the middle of Ambleside ideally suited for all the shops, pubs and restaurants (which is what we wanted). If you prefer to be by the Lake itself there are several hotels closer. We were lucky to stay in the Wansfell Lodge which is a quiet modern slate brick annexe at the back of the hotel. It was very quiet which is important to my husband and yet there was a babbling brook outside our door! We had a ground floor room with decking overlooking the brook - wonderful! The room was a very good size, extremely well appointed with flat screen TV, tea making, hairdryer etc. The bed was very comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our two night stay.

The breakfast was excellent - cooked to order - rather than a soulless buffet (which always seem to run out of what I want to eat so I stand like a lemon whilst someone fries some more eggs!).

We attempted to use the gym but unfortunately it also has the steam and sauna rooms in the same area so was far too hot for training - it needs to be a lot cooler for safe training. The pool looked good but again we didn't use it as by the time we'd got our act together - it had closed! But both just niggles.

The public areas are nicely decorated, and all staff were very helpful - especially on the night our computer lock wouldn't work on our door!

We rarely eat in hotels in the evenings and we went to Lucy on a Plate and The Priesthole (both previous recommendations) and we enjoyed them both - great food and atmosphere and friendly service.

If we decide to stay in Ambleside again (highly likely!) then I will definitely rebook the Salutation.

We stayed at the Salutation for the weekend (sat &sun). It is in a great location if you want to be in the town and we had a lovely view over the town and the hills beyond. the room was an average size and was clean, the bathroom looked like it had been recently done and had a jet spa bath and power shower, instant hot water all the time and the toiletries were refiled everyday. The bed was comfy and all sheets lovely and clean. The only down side to the room were some water marks on the wallpaper in a few spots but it didnt detract from the room for us. there was also some work going on in the main staircase as they are fitting a lift but again it wasnt a problem. There are a couple of nice lounges with big chairs and couches. The breakfast was great I dont eat full cooked and there was a good choice of fruit and yogurt, my fella of 6ft7ins was filled by the mega cooked you can request if you want two of everything on the normal breakfast, they also had a nice choice of tea. It cost us about £120 a night and to say some of the small B&B are charging £50 pppn it was good to have the extra space to move around and they have a pool and gym but we did use them. All the staff were realy nice and helpfull as well.

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