The Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick

...my first solo visit to the Lakes. I wanted a good quality hotel with excellent facilities and I wasn't disappointed.

Location

The Skiddaw Hotel is located in the centre of Keswick in the Lake District, on the main pedestrian precinct close to the Moot Hall where you will find the towns tourist information office.

Do not be fooled by the current picture on their website, you cannot drive to the main door ...
...park up at one of the main town car parks and walk to the hotel. Once there you can ask them where their car park is, however they only have a couple of spaces. If you cannot park there they can provide you with a permit to park free in the public car parks for which you will need to pay a small refundable deposit of £20. The closest public car park is at rear of the hotel

Arrival

The reception area of the hotel is ... more

I stayed at this hotel in April 2005 on my first solo visit to the Lakes. I wanted a good quality hotel with excellent facilities and I wasn't disappointed.

Location

The Skiddaw Hotel is located in the centre of Keswick in the Lake District, on the main pedestrian precinct close to the Moot Hall where you will find the towns tourist information office.

Do not be fooled by the current picture on their website, you cannot drive to the main door as they have now paved the town. Your best bet is to park up at one of the main town car parks and walk to the hotel. Once there you can ask them where their car park is, however they only have a couple of spaces. If you cannot park there they can provide you with a permit to park free in the public car parks for which you will need to pay a small refundable deposit of £20. The closest public car park is at rear of the hotel

Arrival

The reception area of the hotel is very grand and welcoming, particularly after a days walking on the hills. Check in is quick and efficient, although the hotel does have one of the oldest lifts I have every encountered. Do remember to book for dinner when you arrive as the restaurant can be very busy.

Accommodation

The hotel offers 40 en-suite rooms with all the usual facilities. They also offer modern Summit rooms which offer extra luxuries such as bath robes, sparkling water and trouser press. They also have available four poster rooms. Prices for bed and breakfast range from £55 for a standard room, £61 for a summit room and £69 for a four poster or for £15 extra the rate can include dinner. However do check for any special offers they may have. Children under 12 sharing with parents on a bed and breakfast basis can stay free.

On the downside the television in the summit room I stayed in (room 2) was located high up in the corner of the room such that the only comfortable way to watch television was to lie down on the bed. Also if you are a single lady traveler do not accept room 2. The reason being, that it contains a fire exit, via a set of outside steps and the key for your door in inside a 'smash glass in emergency' cabinet on the wall outside the room.

The hotel offers a celebration package of champagne, flowers and chocolates for those special occasions.

Bar

The bar area is an ideal place to unwind before sampling the delights of the restaurant or to enjoy a light lunch. For those cold winter days and night the bar offers a roaring fire, and on the hottest of summer days you will welcome the air conditioning. The bar serves a wide range of alcoholic beverages as well as an excellent aftern0on tea.

Restaurant

The hotel boasts one of the best restaurants in this area of the lakes. 31 The Square table d'hote menu offers classic dishes cooked using fresh local meats, game and fish. An excellent wine list can be a little daunting but do not hesitate to ask for a suggestion as to what would complement your choice of meal. The food is excellent and very well presented, and if you have spent the day walking it is a perfect end to the day.

Extras

Whilst the hotel does not offer its own spa, residents are welcome at their sister hotel The Lodore Falls which offers a heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room as well as snooker, tennis, croquet, pitch and put. The Lodore Falls also offers a Spa Beauty Salon where you can book a massage to ease those aching muscles and enjoy some well deserves pampering.
 

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