My boyfriend had booked us into one of the four poster bedrooms for a one-night romantic getaway. It didn't start well when we arrived at the hotel - the man at the desk was quite rude - couldn't find our reservation and seemed to be suggesting that was our fault - once he'd found that he told us the room wouldn't be ready until 3 (check-in from 12...!)

The room was ok - but certainly not worth the amount of money we paid for it. The bathroom was fairly new and very clean. The room itself - yes it had a lovely wooden four poster - but otherwise it was very plain - not cosy, grand or anything really!

However it was cold - so we asked for a heater (3 calls and 1 hour later it arrived, but to be fair they were extremely apologetic!)

Apart from grumpy old man on the reception I must say all the staff were lovely. We ate in the restaurant - which isn't cheap - but the food is really good and so were the staff.

Breakfast - again, could have been better - we were there for 9.30 (finishes at 10) but they'd run out of most things on the buffet and didn't seem like they were replenishing them.

All in all it should have been better.

Stayed here for one night with friends. We decided on this hotel as we'd stayed at another ELH hotel, the Waterhead previously. The Famous Wild Boar hotel was undergoing some refurbishment in the reception area and they sent a letter ahead of our stay to inform us of this which was pretty good of them. However, that letter was about this most impressive thing about the hotel. I was also a little confused - we booked as it appears as an English Lakes Hotel but everything seems to indicate it is a Best Western - whatever the case, it was no comparision with the Waterhead.

On checking in the receptionist told us nothing about the hotel services, except that there was a late Christmas function with a disco that evening that might cause some disruption - but we would be welcome to join in. More of this later.

Our room was pretty dire - a double but absolutely tiny. My husband and I took it in turns to stand up and walk around as there wasn't enough room for 2 adults. The left bottom bed leg fell off, the net curtains were filthy, the wardrobe was some kind of bizzare pine hanging system. There was a dressing table and mirror, but this was in a poky corner of the room without lighting and there wasn't an accessible plug socket for the hairdryer etc. The remaining lighting in the room was incredibly dim - probably deliberate to avoid illuminating just how grim it was.

The bathroom, (aka "the cupboard") was even smaller. It had obviously been recently installed and appeared to be of a good quality - but it really wasn't comfortable and only barely functional. There wasn't a bath - we weren't told of this. There was no possibility of a proper wash as the hand basin was a minisule affair. The shower was cramped -my husband had to cram himself in and stoop to get under the shower head. Not relaxing - not pleasant.

We decided to escape and go to the bar. The hotel suffers because the lounge, bar and restaurant are essentially the same room. There are only two small casual seating areas. These are furnished with what look like the remains of the chairs from an old folks home and look straight into the restaurant, rather than out at the view. It was ok, but not conducive to a relaxing afternoon, no magazines, no books. Nothing to make you feel you were in a country house hotel. We stayed for while but the area soon became crowded with the people on their works "Christmas" function. The whole area then became crowded and worst of all - thick with cigarette smoke from which there was no escape.

Dinner - there was a limited choice of timing because of the deamnds of the function. The function was separated by glass sliding doors, but we were given a table right at the side of them, so the noise and smoke continued. To be honest we decided to go with the flow and enjoy it, but if you were there for a quiet break or romantic weekend I think you'd have been annoyed. If we had known in advance, we wouldn't have stayed. Food was reasonable, service was friendly and efficient.

Sound proofing is poor - corridors are noisy and music from the pot washers below our room was really loud until we asked a member of staff to intervene. To give them credit - this was sorted out promptly, but in a very jokey way. This is the odd thing about the hotel - service is friendly, but it doesn't come across as professional.

On leaving I mentioned our concerns about the room to the receptionist. He said he would note the bed leg and curtains to housekeeping. No apology at all. I then said we were rather disapppointed with our room and that I'd noted my comments on the feedback form. He didn't even acknowledge this and simply gave me my receipt. I was surprised, if I ran a hotel, I could never let a guest leave with the last words "I was disappointed" - but what do I know I'm only the paying customer! One thing I do know - I won't be going back and won't recommend it.

Ye Old Wild Boar in Windermere...

Couldnt find any other hotels at the time...all want 2 night stays over the weekend..found this via late rooms, its about 2 miles from the lake in a place called crook.
Turned up 1pm shown room, all fine, big room, ground floor at back no problems...went out for day and night..
Now, didnt turn up back to hotel till after midnight..
The guy opened the bar for us, top geezer..and was most helpful..
Next mornin breakfdast finished at 10.. again turned up after 10 and was cooked a superb full english...
all in all a good if dated hotel..but staff are a1..and they charge per room and not per person...

Reccommended......

Only stayed here for one night. Nice old fashioned hotel with good restaurant. Only criticism would be that the creaking floorboards and slamming doors and everyone walking backwrads and forwards past our particular room did not make for a very restful night, added to that our wooden framed bed was particularly creaky. In fact in the end you had to see the funny side of it. Meal in restarant was very good and the staff were very attentive without rushing you. I would recommend this hotel for the atmosphere but only by adding take your ear plugs !!