My husband and I have just returned from a week-end break at the Churchills Hotel, Ambleside.
What a disapointment! We arrived approximately 7.40pm on the Friday night expecting to be able to dine at the hotel only to be told "chef only serves until 8pm".
After a quick shower and change (in the executive room - not my idea of an executive room) we dined elsewhere, however on our return to the hotel we decided to go to the bar for a drink only to be told we couldn't charge anything to our room as the hotel had taken payment already from my debit card and for us to use such a card there would be a minimum payment fof £10.00. This I found unnaceptable as you had already taken £200.00 from my account.
If this is your normal procedure I think you should look at your website and make the relevant changes to it.

We also opened the bedside drawer to find 2 pairs of mens underwear obviously left by another guest but clearly not checked by your housekeeping staff.

As a former hotel manager I fully understand the workings of a friendly, efficient and professional business but I am afraid to say this was sadly lacking in many areas.

We arrived at the hotel a bit worried. The car park was a tight sqeeze but we never got blocked in. The scaffolding made the hotel look grubby. The staff were very helpful and we got shown around when we checked in. Our room was on the second floor facing the car park and we had a very great view which was blocked by scaffolding, luckily for us it was taken down the following day. The room was small but very clean and tidy. The bathroom was great too. It all looked newly refurbished. We stayed here for 3 nights. I would suggest that if people want to be out and about all day and return to the hotel in the evening then this is a hotel to choose. If you want to relax at the hotel then this isnt the best option as there are no facilities inside the hotel apart from a pub and bar. Overall our stay was good we would return to the hotel in the evening watch a little telly then go out for dinner again. The bed was very comfortable and cosy and the room was cleaned everyday. We were given fresh towels and bedding was changed daily. The ironing board and iron was handy and the flat screen TV was great too. We had a lovely holiday and would go back again but maybe not to the same hotel.
Sobia & Zahid

Refurbished, clean & comfortable hotel rooms, a few minor snagging problems. Staff very helpful & friendly. VG basic english breakfast. Residents pub Monty's Bar with log fire. Town Centre Location with Private car park at rear. No good for people who can't climb stairs. Very busy smoky main bar with entertainment, noise didn''t travel to our room located on 3rd floor, overlooking the car park and good views over the town towards the hills.

I am still in the process of trying to get my money back from this ghastly hotel! Following several complaints about the hotel and its owners/management, we were invited to leave with a full refund which we eagerly agreed to. Sadly, the following day, on checking our account we found that when we had presented our card for the refund, rather than crediting our account with the £80.00 paid, the hotels owner had actually debited our account with a further £80.00!!! Despite numerous promises to ourselves, trading standards and the local constabulary, the refund of £160 remains outstanding (as at 21st dec 2006).

Not only was my stay an absolute disaster - the manager/owner was extremely arrogant and unprofessional, the rooms are situated above a noisy smoky pub, the residents-only bar is infact just a good excuse for the owners to earn more cash over the bar, whilst the locals continue partying till the early hours and leering at the residents when the hotel pub reaches its alcohol license's cut off time and there are a number of health and safety issues that I dont have room to write about!
PLEASE DONT EVER SUBJECT YOURSELF TO STAYING HERE!! You will only be disappointed!