My partner and I had booked a 'premier double' room in this hotel. On approach to the hotel we were impressed. Forestside is set in a beautiful location and the building itself is lovely. In reception we were greeted by a welcoming open fire. However, once we began to climb the stairs to our room we noticed that the interior was a little shabby. Upon seeing our room we were horrified. The room was tiny and felt cold and damp. The bathroom was nothing short of institutional (we had ensuite - others are not so fortunate). The temperature of the room was unacceptable and as the hotel uses storage heaters the situation was not going to improve until the following morning. We went to reception to complain however the receptionist had gone home (the time was 4pm). Upon telephoning the number for the duty manager that was advertised on the notice board it was answered by a young girl who asked how we had got the number! Eventually she summoned her father who offered us another room or alternatively a further heater in the original one (we were informed this would make it 'like a sauna!').
Upon viewing this new room we found that this was even colder (the windows had been left open and there was no heat in the wall heater. It was early March). Further, a shower curtain and rail was lying in the middle of the bedroom floor. We returned to reception, asked for a refund and checked out. It is difficult to believe that this property is able to call itself a 'hotel'. The interior had more of the look of a youth hostel. One to definately avoid.

We booked into the Low Wood Hotel (between Windermere and Ambleside) and got a fantastic room over looking the lake. We even had a jacuzzi in the room! Make sure you have dinner at the Punchbowl Inn at Crosthwaite - dinner cooked by a michelin starred chef.