Left the kids at home & thoroughly enjoyed the break to recharge. We stayed for 2 nights 25/26 Nov 06 in a Superior room - these are all at the front on the 1st floor, with balconies. The hotel had great character dating back to 1825.

Excellent location - easy to walk into the centre of Ambleside and quick to travel round the lakes.

Quality fittings, food and service. Nothing I could criticise, everything to be happy about. The staff actually seemed pleased to be there & enjoyed serving you. Lounges were very comfortable & relaxing.

Also good for a small quality hotel to be linked to the Low Wood Leisure Centre 1.5 miles down the road - free membership - played squash & swam, jacuzzi, steam room plus beauty treatments for my partner. Need to book the beauty treatments at least a week in advance. Made quite a wet weekend very enjoyable. Attached Bistro overlooks Windermere lake.

We were allocated to table 7 for our evening meals by chance & this was a beautiful table in the bay window. Worth requesting.

If you like buildings with character and have family I would go for a family room in the main building rather than the suite in a nearby bungalow - its a bit 1970's looking for us - but hidden away. Would definately return.

We have just returned from an excellent 2 night break which we took to" re-charge our batteries "for the rest of the summer season.We are in the tourist industry and needed a break to help us unwind and we could not have picked a better place.It is just set back from the road but so peaceful and relaxing in the beatiful grounds.The owners and staff so efficent and most welcoming .The cleanleness and decor of the hotel was first class.It was nice to have breakfast served to you instead of help your self which is want I wanted to be spoilt .Dinner was just the same excellent choice of dishes and lovely to relax afterwards in the lovely cosy clean lounge.Many thanks again to the Nixon family and staff for providing us with a lovely break and we will not hesitate to book again when our batteries need re-charging.

Please don't tell everyone about this jewel in the Lake District or we may never be able to get a room again! We have stayed so many times we have probably sampled all of the rooms. Julia and rest of the staff will give a warm welcome. Good food and very comfortable.

My husband and I spent a weekend at this hotel and decided to treat ourselves and stay in one of the luxury suites in the grounds of the hotel. According to their website the suite had extra privacy because of the location. However, the room faces the carpark and it would have benefitted from some voile or blinds at the window for daytime privacy.
The bathroom was newly refurbished and beautiful but no curtain or blind at all at the frosted glass window, so again a lack of privacy as this window faces the carpark entrance.
On a more positive note the breakfast and evening meals were superb although we felt the dining room did not have the relaxed atmosphere that was promised.