What an amazing stay!! It was our family's first visit to the Lake District so we were very much in the dark about the area. Oh what a find, scenery is just stunning, hotel wonderful. Was immediately made to feel welcome at the hotel and we were shown to our family room which was on the top floor. Beautifully decorated and lovely and clean, very spacious, warm and welcoming with loads of character. Pine beds - one double, one single and a fold up bed. Views from the windows were breathtaking. We had a late lunch in the bar lounge and then went for a short walk. On the first evening we ate next door at "StickleBarn" which had a good atmosphere and excellent pub food.

The next day after a very hearty breakfast which consisited of "Everything" we walked from the hotel to Stickle Tarn and beyond and returned 5 1/2 hours later with two very tired girls. The hotel provides a booklet with various walks starting and finishing at the hotel. Tonight we ate in the hotel bar and had a very pleasant meal. There is a restaurant in the hotel but they charge £27.50 per head which we felt was a little expensive unless a special occasion, especially with the children.

All staff were very welcoming and most pleasant except one lad behind the bar who had a real attitude problem,(NOT the guy from New Zealand with lovely curly hair)! unfortunately he was our second point of contact so made us a little wary., and was rude both lunchtime and evening. Thankfully on the second day he was not around.

We left a little deflated on the third morning but vowed to return.

This is a walkers paradise and has certainly given us the bug. Both hotel and StickleBarn next door are really geared up for walkers, and its nice to discuss the days achievements over a few drinks!!

I left after one night instead of my reservation of two. They were more interested in making me pay for the night that I was not there (they had so many callers.) When I arrived I had to go fnd the bartender to get my room. The bar food that night was self service. My room was a blast furnace and you could not open the window more than 4 inches but that was enough room to let in all the fly's and the fly's were there because of the animals out front. In the morning there was no hairdryer and while I was taking my shower either the hot or the cold water stopped six times. When the cold disappears you get burned. When I was checking out, I was surprised they knew who I was but they did get my money. This place is at the end of a long tight curvy road all by itself. It is an attraction for hikers only. Stay somewhere else in one of the cute towns nearby.

My girlfriend and I stayed here for a couple of nights after a very hard working conference in Austria.

What a wonderful place to use as a base to introduce my American girlfriend to the Lake District.

The weather, as usual, was changeable but we had a very pleasant stay in this hotel.

The staff are very friendly and incredibly hard working, the restaurant food is excellent - we didn't get to try the bar meals.

One tiny gripe - the room was very small. But the view more than made up for it.

Have stayed here several times in the last few years and have always found it excellent. Though an old building it is very warm and cosy, even in mid-winter, and is a welcoming place to relax at the end of a day's walking. Friendly staff, great food and a wonderful location in Great Langdale as well. Their 5 day mid-week packages (Sunday to Friday) are especially good value.