When it comes to picking a hotel in the glorious Lake District you’re spoilt for choice. What that means is that hotels have to work harder to find a way of standing out from the crowd. Nowadays, the discerning visitor wants a little more for their hard-earned money, not simply a comfy bed and a decent breakfast in the morning.
Being a regular visitor to this special corner of England, I’ve fortunately stayed in some pleasant hotels, but my recent experience at Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel will take some beating.
I stayed with my family and couldn’t have felt more welcome. Many guest houses and hotels claim to be child-friendly but are anything but; that’s one of the areas in which Low Wood excel: making parents and children feel relaxed and wanted.
As we all know, children can be fussy when it comes to meal times, especially when – like my ten and five-year-old – they’re vegetarian. Even though Low Wood had a comprehensive children’s menu, the restaurant staff were flexible and genuinely willing to modify dishes where possible.
Around the hotel, no one frowns if children make a noise or throw a little tantrum – and they all do it from time to time. My children enjoyed joining Sam’s Club, an exciting activity club. Sam is a cuddly dog who has entertained children at English Lakes Hotels for years. Every child receives a goody bag when they arrive and can take part in specially designed activities that happen at the hotel from time to time.
Other important factors one considers when choosing a hotel are location, facilities, parking, standard of rooms and, of course, quality of the food; well, Low Wood scored top marks on all fronts.
Take the location for starters: you couldn’t ask for a more spectacular position. The hotel sits just a stone’s throw from the shores of Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, so try to book a room at the front of this four-star hotel so you can enjoy this stunning location to the full. We wandered around the hotel’s lawned area, right on the lakeside, sitting to enjoy the views; other guests took advantage of the Watersports Centre and Marina, just across the road, where instructional courses and tuition are available as well as an extensive range of vessels for hire.
Inside, the hotel is tastefully furnished throughout with dinner and breakfast served in the grand and spacious restaurant. The smart ensuite bedrooms come with free wi-fi and everything you need for the duration of your stay. Enjoying a room overlooking the lake, I spent much time relaxing with a welcome cuppa sat by the window staring out across the water to the fells beyond; I could even make out the impressive shape of the Langdale Pikes on the skyline.
Each morning, we enjoyed a dip in the 50-foot swimming pool which was adequately heated; more energetic guests could choose from the gym, dance room or squash court while a sauna and outdoor hot tub were also available.
The hotel’s location, on the busy A591 halfway between Windermere and Ambleside, means it’s ideally situated for exploring every corner of the Lake District. It’s a super base from which to enjoy your holiday and highly recommended; here is a hotel that seems to go out of its way to not simply state that they’re family friendy but mean it.
Note: The hotel is undergoing an extensive refurbishment during 2017. The first of two phases will be completed by April, the next during the summer and the final stage by October. Check the hotel’s website for further details.
Further information:
Ambleside Road
Windermere
Cumbria LA23 1LP
Tel: 0330 4042 663 or visit www.englishlakes.co.uk