I visited this hotel before I knew about tripadvisor!

We were double booked, despite booking well in advance, we then had to call round a host of B&Bs and found to availability.

Virginia Cottage eventually found us a B&B opposite them, The Field House Guest House, and there is no wonder it wasn't full!

We felt like an intruder in their home! The owner was very rude and unwelcoming. They took a candle we had off us because they claimed the guest house had a no candle policy! When we spoke to them about it to ask if we could have it back at the end of the trip they said "who do we think we are this is their house"!

Lovely part of the world, shame about the accommodation.

Having had a pleasant stay in the Virginia cottage last year, I had emailed to make a reservation, I had received a reply telling me that they had availability and giving me the price. I then decided to ring to confirm the booking, a lady answered the phone, and when I explained I had emailed an availability request, she told me to hold, and then proceeded to have a conversation with someone else about the inconvenience of a one night booking, and she referred to me (the customer) as "them" in quite a disrespectful manner. After she had finished this conversation she came back on the phone and told me there had been a mistake and they did not have any rooms available, I was slightly shocked at her blatant rudeness and said ok, then hung up. I phoned back a few hours later and explained to a gentleman who answered the phone what had happened, I thought he would be apologetic - he wasn't, and I recommended the staff of Virginia cottage take a customer service course. Very disappointing attitude, I will not be back. I have now booked TWO nights in another B and B.

We stayed at the Virginia Cottage for 2 nights in early October 2007. We returned to the Lakes for a couple of days walking. Virginia Cottage is ideally located in the centre of Bowness, just off the main street, so easy access to shops / restaurants / lake etc. The free parking is a few metres up the road at another hotel. Virginia Cottage is ok for what we wanted (Somewhere to rest up after a days walking and to get ready to go out on the town for some tea). It's got a really country feel to it, and there are some nice touches (sherry and cakes in the quiet room). We stayed in room 12 which was adequate. The bathroom was very small though. Breakfast was good with a choice of full english, cereal, yogurts, waffles etc.

The free leisure pass at another hotel was a bit disappointing. It has a very small pool which to be honest wasn't worth getting wet for!!!! There is also a sauna and steam room.

All in all a stay which was comfortable and pleasant.

We have just stayed for 2 nights here and the location is excellent as it's 5 mins walk to the shops/restaurants and offers free parking at a nearby hotel.

It is homely but with all modern conveniences at a very reasonable £30 pppn. The owners were professional and friendly. There were lots of nice touches: tea/coffee/ homemade fairy cakes in the lounge every day, fluffy towels, choice of breakfast and at the request of my husband they arranged for some roses to be in the room when we checked in.
We were using the bottle cooler (This has the advantage as it’s cheaper than having to buy drinks at an overpriced hotel bar or smuggle warm drinks in!) and when they cleaned the room we were pleased to see they had swapped the small bottle cooler for a larger table-top fridge. I loved the hydrotherapy shower which was part of the modern bathroom suite.
We stayed in Room 12 which was on the ground floor and had 2 windows looking onto the street. Although some light traffic passes throughout the day it isn’t loud and there is a pub next door, Royal Oak ,but we didn’t hear noise at any time and the street was silent at night.
The breakfast was served from 8.45am – 9.15am and was cooked to perfection. I was very impressed with how every nook and cranny in the Guest House was spotless.
I am so pleased I found this and didn’t stay at a more expensive hotel that wouldn’t have had half of the facilities offered here (i.e. fridge, dvd, cd player, spa/hydro shower) and I would highly recommend this Guest House and will return again.

We ate at the Royal Oak pub which serves the usual pub food which was good and reasonably priced such as hot beef roll and chips, half roast chicken and steak and ale pie. This has a log fire which is cosy, has a pool table and serves cask ales.

We also had a meal at Jackson’s Bistro (2 mins from guest house)and the service was excellent and, with the exception that my steak was slightly overcooked it was a lovely meal (crab au gratin, warm duck salad was lovely as was the swordfish). My only quibble was that as I only drink wine by the glass I was disappointed to see they only served a cheap tasting house wine.

We also went to the Angel Inn (Hotel with restaurant) and I would highly recommend this for an excellent meal. Modern British in style but with good portion sizes and average pricing however it does get very busy so may be better to book. Various wines by the glass and a good varied menu.