The first impression of The Swan Hotel is one of disappointment . The MacDonald website's picture shows the hotel sitting in a rural setting - while not fabricated, the reality is far from the idyllic setting they would have you assume as the hotel in fact sits directly on the main Ambleside-Windemere road and traffic noise is an issue. Photo imagery aside, the hotel's service and restaurant are also well below the mark.

We spent two nights in the hotel over Easter break and fell in love with the local village of Grasmere and the surrounding fells. However, for the price, I would recommend staying in Grasmere Village itself, either at the less expensive Best Western or one of the many quaint guesthouses.

We had two rooms at the Swan for my wife and I and our two teenage sons. Both were reasonably sized and clean. However, both bathrooms hosted a black fungus around the tub and basin that led one to question the cleanliness of other parts of the room.

The hotel's downfall is its restaurant. On the first night we ate at the hotel pub and, though service was slow, we enjoyed a nice meal. One of us had a three-course 'pub special' that included a lovely sausage and mash dish with a soup starter and a fruit crumble dessert for a reasonable 13.95. Imagine our surprise the next evening when we booked the main restaurant for the fixed price dinner and found the same items on the menu for 36.95! Two of our diners that night in the main restaurant ordered a fish dish that arrived on their plates in tin foil and they were left to extract the fish bits from the foil themselves. When I commented upon presentation about a dish of pork chops only offering two very small chops (6 bites total) I was told that the kitchen had run out of chops and these were the last two. Restaurant staff seemed meek and inexperienced and never during the course of the meal were we asked by a waiter or the everpresent maitre'd as to whether we were enjoying the experience. I was left feeling as if the head chef was on holiday and the dishwasher had been left to make do. The menu was imaginative, but the result was disasterous and the service appalling. If one is to charge London prices, the experience must be better. This restaurant wouldn't last a week in London (or anywhere else with a choice for that matter).

Upon checking out the next day, I took advantage of the receptionist enquiring about our stay to relate our poor experience in the restaurant. Typical of many establishments, she got the 'I'm sorry' portion right, but followed with the ubiquitous 'but it's not my responsibility'. When will so-called 'service' establishments learn that this only exacerbates an already disappointing experience? In this case, a simple "I'm sorry, I don't know how that could have happened but I will relay it to the maitre'd tonight' would be a good start. And if MacDonald hotels were really to train their staff properly, she and other client contacts would be empowered with something simple like a 10 or 20 pound discount certificate to be offered and used during the clients' next stay. Seldom would such discounts be used, but it would certainly go a long way toward appeasing a disappointed customer.

In this case, I can honestly say that MacDonald's has most certainly lost my future business in the Lake District and I will at all costs avoid their hotel restaurants in the future.

We love Grasmere and the walking around the area is fantastic. This hotel was nice enough, but the bar prices were ridiculous. As our room was not ready on arrival we had a pot of tea costing £7! and no biscuit. The food was superb and the portions just right. Service in the restaurant was good and the log fires added to a lovely atmosphere. Our room was clean, but nothing special, with a view of the kitchen roof. If the prices were more reasonable I would return, however I feel it is overpriced.

Barry & Ruth Mason
Tunstall, Suffolk.
My wife and I spent six nights B & B at The Swan to include our 18th Wedding Anniversary. We found the hotel extremely comfortable - 1 open log fire and 5 large gas fires in the bar and lounges. The hotel has loads of atmosphere - beamed and comfortable furniture. The staff were very friendly and helpful at all times.
We would, and will, recommend this hotel to all our friends. It is situated very conveniently for walking down to the village and the various walks around.
All in all, a lovely hotel.

Bit concerned to this hotel because of some reviews on Site. No need to be . Stayed over Christmas for 3 days. Chose one of the feature rooms which had a half poster bed. Room large and tastefully furnished with as seating area. Bathroom ok.
Main Hotel very nice well maintained.
All staff excellent pleasant helpful. Food in Hotel excellent.
All in all recomend the hotel.