It was with much trepidation that we arrived at the Glenridding Hotel. Having read the recent reviews on Trip Advisor we were expecting some Frankenstinian pile in a dodgy condition with very unhelpful staff. We booked for six nights on the basis that in mid December it wouldn't be too difficult to find alternate accomodation if the reviews reflected reality.

We were very pleasantly suprised.

Taking this in logical order, first the location. Ullswater is a cracking place, especially off season. Locals suggested that during the peak time, it is best to go elsewhere! It is a It is a beautiful little village with a decent selection of shops, a good pub, the Travellers Rest, and a garage that doesn't charge over the odds for fuel and fills the car for you too.

The walking is excellent, there are loads of walks; lake walks for the novice through to the serious fell walkers scary one - Helvelyn - enough to keep you occupied for weeks.

The hotel itself is a Victorian pile, quirky in a rambling, much loved uncle sort of way - slightly dotty but the better for it. What you won't find here is a Marriot clone. It is about as individual as you can get. The bar/reception area is firmly turn of the last century, complete with open fire and slightly skewed staircase. In contrast, the attached breakfast room and Lantry lounge have had a serious, and I would like to think, judging by the end result, a professional, modern makeover. There is a lovely library room, complete with interesting books and a snooker table and of course a swimming pool.

On the floor below is the "pub" bar with an attached restaurant which has no stair connection with the main building above, access is by lift or out the front foor and arounf the side - most odd. The pub part has a great open fire, flagged floor and seriously good beer. The chap who runs the bar knows how to keep and serve a really good pint. When we were there they had Theakstons Best & XB as well a Jennings Cumberland. There was also apparently a selection of lighter fizzy liquids purporting to be be a form of foreign beer call lager.

The accomodation.

Our room was really good (No 23). It was clean and well laid out, the bathroom had been recently refurbished and in great condition. The bed was exceptionally comfortable, no back aches which was a real blessing. The only negative was the tiddly TV which looked like it might have been a temporary replacement.

The Food

Good, honest and well presented. They serve what must be the freshest eggs available, which seems to be a common theme for all the ingredients. We ate there every night bar one where we tried another local hotel, rather posh, which had really excellent presentation but wasn't worth the threefold increase in price!

The Staff

All good, some really good and all very helpful. Had some very interesting conversations about many and varied things. Nothing was ever too much trouble - they are a credit to the establishment.

We last stayed at this hotel 17years ago - so were expecting changes! IT has been refurbished and overall looks very nice, lovely public rooms, though main dinning room only open for breakfast you have to eat in restaurant/pub downstairs if you want an evening meal - we did and have to say that food was very average and my fish was definetly 'just' OK. On check in we were told we would normally be walked to our room but receptionist explained she had sprained her ankle - howver 20 mins later was seen walking in village? Room was lovely apart from shower. Fitting was broken so you had to wedge it in one position to get reasonable stream of water and walls were very mouldy. Did complain next morning - reception let me know later in day that part 'was already on order for shower' and cleaner would pay extra attention to cleaning off stains that day. It looked no better afterwards. No real apology. Room was not worth the extra £25 we had to pay for an family room.
Breakfast OK again but apart from one man who had served previous night in restaurant would say staff not very friendly or welcoming breakfast done 'efficently' . For the rest of our stay we stopped in Youth hostels that on average I would say had cleaner facilities were much friendlier and with better quality food - smaller rooms though and the joys of sleeping bag sheets!!

Booked two nights in this hotel at the cost of £145 per night bb. When we arrived in our room it looked like the carpet hadn't been cleaned since the dark ages. The "double bed" in our superior room was two single beds pushed together with a moth balled blanket and flowery throw. Didn't even stay to sample the food. Left and went to a much nicer hotel which actually gave us value for money.

Have stayed at this hotel in the past,really nice hotel with nice staff, stayed again in october and they have improved the food ten fold, the bar has been transformed and the menu offers a good selection.
Rooms are very comfortable and the view of the mountain and lake is breathtaking. The best food we had in the lakes.