Best Western Ambleside Salutation Hotel, Ambleside

...were given one of the best rooms, but I can honestly say it was very nice. It was a twin room which we wouldn't normally go for but it was the only one available with a large balcony for the dog so we made do. It was a decent size room and quite tastefully decorated with plenty of storage and wardrobe space and the beds were very comfortable. The bathroom was very nice too fairly modern and with a bath and shower above. Out on the balcony there was ...
...stream at the back of Ambleside.

If we were to stay here again we would probably ask for a double room but would not be worried if this was the only room available, and if its a twin room you are after then obviously its perfect.

Breakfast and the Staff
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The breakfast was extremely good, as it so often is in the lakes the full english using locally grown bacon and sausage, ... more

I have stayed here once with my wife just before they finished putting the pool and spa center in. We went in on the off chance one night when we had gone to Ambleside for the day and decided we fancied staying the night as we do quite often!! We had our dog with us and didn't really expect to find anywhere that would take dogs,we had tried a couple of places first, but on asking at the Salutation we were surprised to find that they would. We were also given a room with a nice big balcony to let the dog out on, although we were charged £12 for the night for her.

Location
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We had always fancied staying at The Ambleside Salutation, having been to Ambleside and walked past it numerous times. It really is very well located right in the middle of Ambleside on the bend in the road near The White Lion pub, and in easy walking distance of the many pubs and excellent resturaunts of Ambleside and many shops also.

It has nice gardens to the front and rear and a good size private car park to the rear also. The downstairs at the front used to be a tent showroom but I believe this is now the pool and spa center, you enter through the front door which is actually to the right hand side as you look at the building.

The Public Areas
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Our dog was not allowed in these except to go up to the room and back outside and had to stay in the room, but I think any hotel allowing dogs will specify this, and I think it is a good thing really as the last thing you want when on a weekend break is a load of dogs barking at each other.

The main entrance is very traditional in decor and furnishing and is quite grand the main hall leads to the front desk, stairs and the bar lounge, which is a good size room and decorated in the same fashion with a lovely log fire. The stairs just lead up to the rooms and apparently you now enter the pool from this area also.

Beyond the front desk is the resturaunt which I haven't yet eaten in but heard very good reports on it from people I have spoken to in the hotel and from a friend of mine who has eaten there, they also do bar meals in the bar area resturaunt. Again I haven't actully eaten in here but have watched meals coming out and must say I would happily try the food in here as it looked very nice.

The Room
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As I said earlier, we have only stayed here once and had our dog with us so I don't expect we were given one of the best rooms, but I can honestly say it was very nice. It was a twin room which we wouldn't normally go for but it was the only one available with a large balcony for the dog so we made do. It was a decent size room and quite tastefully decorated with plenty of storage and wardrobe space and the beds were very comfortable. The bathroom was very nice too fairly modern and with a bath and shower above. Out on the balcony there was a view past the car park of the fells and stream at the back of Ambleside.

If we were to stay here again we would probably ask for a double room but would not be worried if this was the only room available, and if its a twin room you are after then obviously its perfect.

Breakfast and the Staff
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The breakfast was extremely good, as it so often is in the lakes the full english using locally grown bacon and sausage, and there was also a good selection of cereal, fruit, toast, fruit juices, tea and coffee. You could also request breakfast in your room (or on your balcony), but at an extra cost (about £5 each I think from memory). We ate in the resturaunt and took titbits up for the dog!! The resturaunt is very nice and if breakfast is anything to go by then it is well worth a look for your evening meal, we just haven't been back to Ambleside yet to try it out.

The staff were extremely good, very friendly and helpful and could not do enough for you and I mean all the staff, not just the waiters and bar staff after your tips, but the reception staff and cleaners that we saw also.

The Pool and Spa Center
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This was a new addition, last year I think and although I have not stayed here while they had it, a friend of mine has and told me it is very good with a pool and jacuzzi, not sure about steam room and sauna but it had a steam room when we stayed there so I assume it still has, and anyway the addition of a pool to any hotel can only be a good thing I always think.

Conclusion
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All in all I would rate The Ambleside Salutation Hotel quite highly. It is very nicely laid out, decorated and furnished in the public areas and the rooms from what I have seen. I would like to eat there next time I stay and the staff look after you really well which is a definate plus. It couldn't be in a better spot and if you want to take your (well behaved) dog along with you, then you can. I think we piad £99 for the room for the night, including breakfast, plus £12 for the dog so its quite reasonably priced for a hotel of its quality, although this was 18 months ago so check up on this before you go. And the main thing is, if asked would I stay here again it would be a definate YES. 

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