I (living in Cheshire) stumbled across the IOTM website the Saturday morning of the Bank Holiday, wanting a room for the Sunday. There was one available but I could not confirm the booking as my partner (living in Cumbria) was working. I was allowed a few hours to confirm the reservation but then got stuck in the M6 traffic with no way of contacting them. They held it for me - on a Bank Holiday - what superb service! OK - cutting to the chase. The room was obviously the last to be offered (room 8), but was spotlessly clean, large with a superb bathroom with triangular corner bath and separate power shower cubicle. Having spent the previous night at the Ugthorpe Lodge (don't even go there!) this was such a beautiful change. The hotel is exactly opposite the Aidensfield Arms (Heartbeat), who I must say served the better pint! We decided to eat in the restaurant at the IOTM (tables are automatically reserved for residents) £18.95 per head. The food was fantastic - except the bread rolls, which were obviously from a multi-pack of supermarket buns. The wine was served open (top off at service) and was not chilled - not what I expected at £14.95 per bottle and this should be rectified. We would have liked to sit in the conservatory area but because every resident is allocated a table (and we were the last to book), our table was not. This was annoying because several guests did not eat in the restaurant and therefore there were empty tables throughout the evening in the best locations - this should also be rectified. The service was good with a very attentive Polish student waiter.
Breakfast was an interesting variation with an elderly lady who has apparently been doing this for some eight years yelling out that “those who ordered scrambled eggs can come and get it now"!
All in all, a great place with a fantastic hostess/manageress. We would definitely return.
Mr Phillips.