Stayed at this hotel 28 March 2008. Had my eye on it for a while because I liked the idea of spa baths in the rooms. However thought it was a bit expensive. I looked on the website on 27 March and saw that there were reduced rates for the following night - ideal I thought so I booked it - £100 for one night B+B. Arrived, checked in and signed the registration slip (mistake number one). Shown to our room which was OK but when unpacking toiletries noticed that the bathroom smelt of stale smoke. I overlooked it - after all how much time do you spend in the bathroom - not much I thought and I wasn't going to let it spoil our stay. (mistake number two). Got changed,went out for dinner and came back. Decided to have a lovely spa bath. Unfortunately once the water was running and there was plenty of steam the smell of stale smoke became more obvious. However I lit a perfumed candle and this did alleviate it somewhat. By the time I got up in the morning I didn't give it another thought. Had a quick (lukewarm) shower and then went for breakfast which was mediocre. Was a little dissappointed at the above mentioned things but still it had been nice just to get away on our own without the kids which is rare for us. Anyway checked out and went home - that was that, or so I thought. On Tuesday 1 April received a letter from the hotel stating that we had been smoking in the room and rules clearly stated this was forbidden therefore they had debited my card for £100 for extra cleaning! To say I was furious is an understatement. Rang the hotel immediately on receipt of the letter to dispute the extra charge and deny the claims as we are both non-smokers. They basically said 'tough' - the room smelled of smoke and we were the last ones in it therefore it must have been us! They had taken the money without my consent but said they were allowed to do this because I had signed the registration form and it was in the small print. Unbeleivable! They also said they had tried to ring us which was a lie - no record of their calls on either my mobile or home mumbers. I explained that the smell was there when we arrived and I had lit a candle to alleviate the smell. The manageress then changed her tune and said that in that case they were fully justified in taking the charge because the use of candles is strictly forbidden and this is stated in the rules and I had clearly broken them by admitting this to her! Rang the bank who were unable to stop the payment because I had signed the registration slip. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitor who frankly I would rather pay costs to than these rip- off merchants with no morals. It seems they will do anything to get the full nights rate from you one way or the other, even if this means enticing you with reduced rates and then lying to accuse you of things you haven't done and then claim extra costs. I have stayed in a few hotels myself over the years and can honestly say I have never ever been treated in such a way before. Diabolical! You have been warned - DO NOT GO THERE.

Don't be fooled by the internet pictures and blurb. This is not a boutique hotel, but a below average b&b. The fixtures are poor quality and the room we had was small and cramped. Our bedroom had dated pine furniture, not what you expect from a boutique! The only good thing was the huge spa bath, but even this was spoiled by the bathroom itself - cracked tiles, toilet right next to the bath. We arrived to people complaining about their room given the price paid and were a bit worried. We had every need to be! Breakfast was poor in a cramped setting - no way would I have considered dining here at night.

You can get much better in the lakes for a lot less money. Interesting to see the management response to other reviews is that they have high occupancy and repeat business - the high occupancy I'm sure is from people who have seen the internet.

I felt cheated by my experience here given the amount of money paid for the room.

Wouldn't return in a month of sundays

Myself and my Girlfriend stayed for 2 nights in the superior regal suite, we really enjoyed our stay, staff are polite and friendly, and could not find fault with the hotel. Was shocked at the amount of negative feedback might be the pricing some people expect more?????

We have just booked again today!, ( absolutely loved the spa bath) staying midweek this time and the rates are really excellent.

We think that its a lovely place to unwind.

Just got back from a 2 night stay for my and my wife's birthday. Our room, the new contempory suite, was perfect. Just as it looks in the picture on http://www.21thelakes.co.uk/. Just one niggle, that seems to be an ongoing problem. On the first morning, we had no hot water in the shower and later that evening another guest had the same problem. The receptionist told me that it often happens and she no longer calls out the maintenance man as she is now an expert on boilers herself! In fact, during our evening meal she talked about nothing else but boilers!!

The meal itself was adequate for £24 per head but i would recommend everyone book a table at the Postilion Restaurant instead. It's 10 mins walk down the hill in Bowness, the food is to die for and its only £14.95 for a 3 course meal (though with wine, water and a glass of lager the bill for 2 came to £60).

All in all, at £100 per night, the hotel is probably not twice as good as you could get for £50 but ,for a special occasion, its worth splashing out a little.