We stayed at the Lakeside hotel for three nights in August 2007. As we're not of 'above average means' we usually go for the Travelodge option when holidaying, but we decided to save up a bit and go for somewhere that was a bit nicer.
The hotel's website shows the hotel in detail and shows all the facilities it offers and we were attracted by the look of the place and its setting right in the edge of Windermere. I do have to say that, although the website paints a very clear and accurate picture of the communal areas of the hotel, it does take a few liberties with the guest rooms.
The rooms pictured are of a high standard and relatively modern-looking but the room that we were in (while quite 'cosy') was also a little run-down and in the oldest part of the hotel. I think we were lucky in that we went on one of the only fine and sunny weekends of the summer or else the room might have been a bit cold. The facilities were fair, the bed was comfy and the bathroom was clean but it was a bit of a trek to get back to the main hotel. This also put us off using the superb spa facilities as it was a long way to walk back to our room soaking wet - so we only used the spa once.
On arrival at the hotel we were given a pass to use in the car park outside the hotel. It is a public car park during the day, but guests of the hotel can park for free with the pass. I think I remember correctly that the parking hours are restricted during the day but you can park freely overnight. We were checked in and given a tour of the communal facilities while our bags were taken to the room. We were also offered a glass of wine while we went on the tour.
As I've said, the communal areas of the hotel and guest facilities were excellent. The restaurants and bars were well run and the food was delicious. Breakfast was served in a number of places, based on what time you chose to come down and we ended up in the Brasserie on most days. The menu was extensive with a continental buffet laid up to take your pick from, and a menu from which to choose a hot dish. Tea, Coffee and Orange Juice were also in plentiful supply. Waiting staff were excellent and adaptable.
We also dined one evening in the Brasserie and found the service to be just as good. We had the 3-course dinner there which was £35 per head. We don't drink wine so can't comment on quality or prices there I'm afraid. The food however was excellent. There is also and a la carte restaurant which has a 6-course menu and this is obviously more expensive. There is also a conservatory for either lunch during the day or to have your after dinner coffee and this looks out onto the gardens and Windermere. There is also a collection of ducks who wander about outside the conservatory and serenade dinners with quacking.
Checking out of the hotel was as easy as checking in. There were a couple of items on the bill which had been incorrectly charged to us, but there was no fuss or argument about having these removed and we were very happy with the whole experience of staying at the hotel. As we had booked via the website we were emailed a customer satisfaction survey after our stay and there were also customer comment cards to fill out in the room. We were happy to fill them out positively both at the time and via email after our stay.
Overall it was a good decision to spend a little bit more and stay at the hotel. It was quite central to all the places we wished to visit and the facilities were good. We were a little disappointed with the room we stayed in, but obviously as the building is old there will be rooms that are not the most modern - if we have wanted uniformity we could have gone for the Travelodge!
The room we stayed in was £150 per night for the two of us and that included the excellent breakfast. Overall it was well worth the money.
Pictures of Lakeside Hotel, Newby, Newby Bridge
The hotel on the shores of Windermere.
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