Didn't stay at the Ash Cottage but had a meal there. What a disaster. Where do I begin to tell the tale? Well, it might have helped if one person employed there could speak English. The staff are East European girls and their spoken English was appalling. I must admit that took me by complete surprise. I live in London so am totally used to the influx of East Europeans but to find them in the remote Lake District was flabbergasting. Whoever employed these people are cutting their own throats as I cannot believe that anyone would ever return after a meal there.

The wine was brought to the table already opened and was poured with two hands around the neck of the bottle, very elegant! The wine was like vinegar anyway. The food was bland and tasteless, we heard three other couples complain about their meals while we were there.

Last but not least, the ''singer''. Her name was Suzy Diamond. Completely out of tune and made very song sound the same. Very painful on the ears. We couldn't wait to get out of the place. Without doubt, one of the worst dining experiences of my life.

We had an evening meal here. We were enticed by the great looking interior of the hotel and assumed that the food would be as good. Starters we fishcakes that were obviously shop brought and of poor quality and dumped on some iceberg. The main course described itself as fresh haddock and chips. Again this was like the fish and chips you get in a run down transport cafe. The fish was like those economy fish in breadcrumbs you get in Tesco and the chips were re-fried frozen chips. On top of that we had to wait 30 mins for our meal. The waitresses were very friendly but I refused to tip as the meal was of such poor quality. AVOID EATING HERE!!!

Ash Cottage Hotel is a lovely place to stay, right in the centre of Grasmere. The hotel is contemporary in style, with flat-screen TV's in rooms, fancy dimmer halogen-lights and very comfortable beds. Nice and quiet too. The owner / staff were very friendly and look after you well during your stay. The rooms are nicely decorated and have double-glazed sash windows. A nice breakfast is served in the contemporary dining area and there is a very relaxed and professional atmosphere.

This is a b&b though, not a hotel as such - you don't get evening meals or room service (no staff at night), but there are some lovely restaurants nearby (eg The Jumble Room). Minor niggles would be the lack of toiletries -ie a little bar of Lux soap - you'd expect some little bottles of shower gel / shampoo considering the price. Remember to bring your own. Some of the modernisation looks a bit rushed in some areas (near plugs / lighting sockets) - this is very minor but needs a bit of extra work!

Don't be put off though - this place is a lovely comfortable B&B without any chintz. You'll enjoy your stay!

Having just returned from our first visit to the newley refurbished Ash Cottage hotel I feel I must put somethig in writing. This is by far the best hotel in the village, sitiated right in the heart of the village you get a true feeling of village life. The bedrooms are second to none with expensive, tasteful furnishings with a grand sleigh bed.

We were welcomed by Lee on Saturday morning who served us a delicious full english breakfast which filled us up for our day ahead on the fells. This was served in the ash cottage coffee shop area which is located within the building. We were entertained throught out our breakfast by Barry (the owner) & Lee.

After breakfast is served the coffee shop opens it's doors for morning coffee, lunches & afternoon cakes. We were very lucky during our stay as the wether was fantastic so we were able to enjoy the outside seating area for our afteroon tea.

A hotel not to be forgotten A MUST!!!

A REGULAR GRASMERE VISITOR