Hillthwaite House Hotel, Windermere

...We got the details of Hillthwaite hotel from ‘go lakes’ website, I think, although it had come up on numerous other sites as well. We booked a four night stay with dinner, bed & breakfast included.

This review contains sections on Booking, driving, hotel arrival, bedrooms, food, hotel amenities, pricing, area accessibility, with an overall summary in positives and negatives at the very end, should you wish to scroll down to that first ...
...very politely, that whilst the Hillthwaite appreciated its guests were here to explore the beauty of the Lake District, could we ensure we order our evening meal before 7pm in order to assist the chef and his staff with preparation as all food is freshly cooked.

Our cases were already being taken care of by reception staff, who lead us to our room and did not expect a tip as part and parcel of their function – always a refreshing change ... more

Hubby and I decided to book a break from work some weeks ago, but never actually got round to deciding where to go until the day before we arrived in the Lake District. We got the details of Hillthwaite hotel from ‘go lakes’ website, I think, although it had come up on numerous other sites as well. We booked a four night stay with dinner, bed & breakfast included.

This review contains sections on Booking, driving, hotel arrival, bedrooms, food, hotel amenities, pricing, area accessibility, with an overall summary in positives and negatives at the very end, should you wish to scroll down to that first as apposed to reading through the entire review.

****Booking****

We ended up booking direct with the hotel and I have to say, it was an extremely pleasurable and easy, pain free experience. I couldn’t find the room I wanted on the website, so we rang them direct and spoke to a most helpful receptionist, who arranged the room we wanted, plus explained the offer she could give us over the phone (see later on in review) that was not available on the cheaper website. I had a confirmation email within 5 minutes of ending the call.

****Driving****

We had a Tom Tom to direct us, so really had no problems finding the place. However, I will comment that the Hotel is situated approx 15 minutes from the M6 and does not involve that many country roads.

However, to get into the hotel, you have to navigate an exceptionally tight right hand turn, go up a steep hill, navigate another exceptionally tight left hand turn, up another steep hill then swing right into the FREE car park. If you have a reasonable saloon car, like us, you will find yourselves breathing in as you do these turns!!!!!

****Hotel arrival****

The car park is FREE!!!!! Always a bonus when you get free parking.

However – and this is not really a gripe ‘because there is little the hotel can do about limited space – parking did present some issues during our stay.

There are only a certain amount of spaces available, and whilst it meets all the available rooms, it can mean you park either in a really tight spot, hanging out or under a tree with birds who will decorate your paintwork all night, if you aren’t lucky enough to get a proper space.

Anyway, onto more positive things!!!!

The entrance to the hotel is situated right on the car park, so no long treks with luggage to check in. it has three steps but also a ramp for disabled access or wheeling large suitcases into hotel.

You enter into the conservatory where there are big signs displayed stating this is a no smoking hotel and on entrance there is no lingering smell of smoke at all.

The conservatory has numerous displays of tourist leaflets, as well as magazines aplenty, three sets of very comfy conservatory sofas and chairs and an elegant chess board set out for guest’s enjoyment.

The view is of the Fells and Lake Windermere from this room.

From here, you walk through a door into the hallway, and reception is through another door to your left.

It is a small reception, as it is situated in the bar area, where afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks can be served.

Staff were friendly and polite, explaining that the table allocated for the evening meal that night, if we were staying, would be our allocated table throughout our stay. We were asked, again very politely, that whilst the Hillthwaite appreciated its guests were here to explore the beauty of the Lake District, could we ensure we order our evening meal before 7pm in order to assist the chef and his staff with preparation as all food is freshly cooked.

Our cases were already being taken care of by reception staff, who lead us to our room and did not expect a tip as part and parcel of their function – always a refreshing change when that happens!!!

****Room****

We had booked a four poster with Jacuzzi suite, and if you look on the Hillthwaite official website, you will see a sunlit filled room with blue and yellow edged bedding surrounding a beautiful four poster bed in a spacious room.

That was the room next door to us and it was indeed beautiful with unsurpassed views of Lake Windermere and the Fells. (Room E16 for those who wish to know)

Our room was somewhat smaller although not cramped in any way, with views over the Fells, which were still stunning – provided no mist or low cloud in the air!!!

The bathroom was a very good size, with a large sized bath, nice and deep, with Jacuzzi jets included, which were gorgeous to use and really quite quiet. After a day out in the Lake District’s wet, damp but sometimes warm weather – even in July – a nice warm bath was sorely needed. The towels were large and fluffy – again, another added bonus!!!

We had all the additionals, such as trouser press, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, TV with satellite TV and telephone.

The bed itself was King-size and actually had proper sized, soft, fluffy pillows. The duvet was a good size, with clean bedding of non itchy cotton variety. The mattress was slightly on the hard side, but not so hard as to be wooden and I have slept on much worse!!

The décor was very floral, and whilst not my taste, was certainly not displeasing to the eye, as everything matched and was decorated to a high standard. The carpet appeared to be in good condition, no stains or marks visible.

The only gripe I had with this room was the floorboards from next door. This is an old house and floorboards will creak. The creaking of mine did not bother me too much, but next door was a mild annoyance when you are in bed and your neighbours are preparing for bed, walking around, creaking with each step. We were above the dining room, but people downstairs in rooms 1 – 4 must have had a nightmare with the rooms above!!!

****Food****

This was spectacular in every way and included in our price. I cannot recommend enough, should you stay here, that you take a dinner, bed and breakfast deal.

Breakfast was serviced from 8 – 10am, and included as much as you could eat, from cereals, fruit, breads, continental, fish, eggs and full blown Cumberland cooked Breakfasts. Fruit juice, tea and coffee were included, again from a bottomless aspect.

Whilst I appreciate we did not do any Fell walking or sports of any kind, this breakfast kept us going all day, with just a snack needed about 3pm. I would imagine, if you are into sports or walking, that it would still keep you going until about 1pm ish!!!

Dinner was 5 courses, consisting of canapés, starters, entrees, mains and dessert, followed by tea and coffee with chocolates.

You normally had 4 starters to choose from, with 2 entrees of choice. Mains were 6 dishes, 2 normally incurring an extra cost of anywhere up to £10, and included vegetarian, meat and fish dishes. All served with seasonal vegetables and claiming to support local produce of the Lake District.

They were, quite frankly, exceptionally delicious, very well served and never rushed. They presented as having been freshly cooked to order, a claim made when we checked in, and were presented artistically and with care, as apposed to being ‘plonked’ on the plate and served.

The waiters served each dish with a white linen serving cloth holding the plate, a rather nice touch, I thought, to promote hygiene, and indeed I never noticed a sticky finger marked plate in my entire stay, or on the cutlery either.

The tables were well spaced, and all windows in the restaurant had views of either Lake Windermere or the Fells.

The waiters themselves were incredibly polite and courteous. You napkin was laid on you if you were the lady of the party, (always a nice touch!!!) and your chair held out, with in depth knowledge shown by both head waiters of the extensive wine list and champagne range.

****Hotel amenities****

The hotel has a pool, sauna and steam room, situated on the ground floor, accessed through the bar. All are functional, if a little small, and I could imagine get quite crowded during peak family times. However, we went in July mid week to Saturday, and had no issues. The only thing I was not keen on was that the pool faced out to the car park with big sheet windows, so you could see out really well, but anyone n the car park could see in as well!!!

There is a bar and a ‘parlour’ type room off the hallway, and these are the community rooms of the hotel.

The bar was small, with four tables or sofas set about. It served afternoon tea and sandwiches or alcohol whenever requested.

The ‘parlour’ room, which is more likely better known as the lounge, had three large sized sofas with numerous chairs and a good supply of board games, which I have not come across in a long while.

Many guests congregate in here after dinner, and we had numerous nights of pleasant enjoyment chatting away to others in the hotel, comparing notes on where to go and learning of the area from the many people who had frequented this hotel and tourist destination before.

The hotel has a courtyard which is the only place you are now allowed to smoke. It has stunning views straight onto Lake Windermere, and is made comfortable with wooden or metal patio furniture, large floodlights and numerous well planted and maintained flowers and shrubs.

****Pricing****

We paid £620 in total for a four night dinner, bed and breakfast stay, in a four poster, Jacuzzi suite and I would say this was well worth the money.

The dinner alone, in a restaurant in the South East where I live, would cost in excess of £70 in total, therefore, £85 per night, per room, including unlimited breakfast, for the suite we had, was excellent value for money.

Drinks are in line with pub prices, which made a refreshing change, as normally hotel prices can be a little inflated.

****area accessibility****

The hotel is situated within walking distance of Bowness-on-Windermere, which is where you can pick up the Windermere Ferries. It is about a 15 minute walk going, as it’s downhill, but probably a good 30 minutes coming back. Not good if you have small children or mobility issues and very steep in places.

In the opposite direction is the town of Windermere, with its variety of shops, galleries and eating places. This is about a mile away, and uphill to get there, but downhill to get back, apart from the hotel road.

We took our car, and were easily at Keswick and Coniston with 45 minutes of the hotel. Kendal is nearby, as is Ambleside and Lakeside, two of the stop offs from the ferries.

Carlisle is approx one hour away, where Hadrian’s wall and Roman settlements can be found.

On our travels, I would have to say that the Hillthwaite is one of the more centralised hotels in terms of accessing local towns. I say Hotels, as there are many guesthouses and B&B’s that are in town, but not many hotels.

****Positives****

Very friendly, polite and knowledgeable staff.

Clean rooms, good views with proper bedding and pillows.

Good leisure facilities

Quiet location with stunning views of Lake Windermere and the Fells.

Central location to Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere.

15 minutes from M6

Excellent value for money on dinner, bed & breakfast tariffs.

Large and comfortable lounge and conservatory areas, with games and magazines supplied.

Well decorated in peach shades muted with creams, and good carpet without stains or dis-repair.

****Negatives****

Set on a steep hill and no lift in hotel– not good if you have mobility issues.

Creaky floorboards may keep you awake if your neighbours are night owls!!! – I know, it shouldn’t really be a negative ‘cos it adds ambience to a place like this, but it annoyed me just a tinsy bit, so its going in!!!

Car parking can get a little overcrowded at peak times, meaning you have to squish in or be left sticking out or park under a tree to come out to copious amounts of bird poop on your car. 

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