Luxury Lake District Hotels, UK

The Lake District, in north-west England is best known for its amazing natural beauty and a large selection of outdoor activities. And while some will want to enjoy the outdoors in a tent, you may want to indulge in a short break in one of the many luxury Lake District hotels. Well rested after a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed, you will be able to enjoy many interesting tourist attractions, events and festivals, including a fascinating selection of Lakeland historic houses and absorbing museums. You can also take a ride on a steam railway or a cruise on one of the magnificent lakes from which the area derives its name. Great authors like Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, and John Ruskin all lived in the Lake District and their homes are open to visit. There are art and craft galleries, working potteries, design studios and plenty more shopping opportunities for you to find that lasting souvenir, or gift for a friend. And, you can of course, enjoy a good walk in the stunning scenery for which the Lake District is famous. Perhaps tents are "your thing", but luxury lake district hotels will almost certainly result in a much better rest, and leave you full of energy for the next day.

But where to stay? Here are a few of the luxury Lake District hotels which always seem to get good reviews from the hotel booking websites. While these hotels enjoy good reviews, the final choice must of course be yours, as personal taste may greatly affect your experience, and although it shouldn't happen, every hotel gets it wrong from time to time. The luxury Lake District hotels listed are in no particular order.

Next to Bassenthwaite Lake, in four hundred acres of woodland and deer park stands Armathwaite Hall, a luxury four star country house hotel and spa. The hotel is privately owned and has been looking after travellers in luxury for many years. The hospitality is reminiscent of times gone by when the novelist Hugh Walpole commented that it was "a house of perfect and irresistible charm.”

Armathwaite Hall was originally a great English stately home and the tasteful conversion and renovation over the years means that the bedrooms are very individual in style. But they all have views over the courtyard, deer park, gardens or lake. If you want a more modern style of room then the Spa Wing is the place to stay, but if traditional style is what you are looking for then a room in the main house will be the choice for you. In any case, there are room categories to suit your needs and budget, these being studio suite, deluxe, superior and club. There are 42 rooms in total.

Some of the other features of the hotel include the beautifully wood panelled public rooms with log fires in winter, the Spa with a 16m (50 ft) swimming pool, hydrotherapy, sauna and steam room facilities, and a gymnasium to work up an appetite, and the Lake View Restaurant. This oak panelled, candle lit, restaurant will provide an evening meal to remember with classical French dishes and traditional English cuisine adapted to cater for today's healthier lifestyle. Local produce is used wherever possible and incorporated into dishes that draw on Lake District culinary traditions. The wine cellar contains over one hundred carefully selected wines for you to choose from.

Choose to stay at Armathwaite Hall and you will enjoy a stay at one of the luxury Lake District hotels where the dedicated staff will do all they can to ensure your well-being and comfort.

Take a short walk from the middle of Ambleside, through the landscaped gardens and you will find the Rothay Manor Country House Hotel, about a quarter mile from Lake Windermere. Set in picturesque, landscaped gardens, this regency country house hotel is found in the heart of the Lake District. Originally built in 1825 for a wealthy cotton merchant from Liverpool, the regency building is Grade II listed, with many architectural features from the early 19^th century. The building feels more like a welcoming private house than a hotel with many items of antique furnishing and fresh cut flowers creating a restful atmosphere for a pleasant stay.

Rothay Manor has been personally managed for over forty years by the same family who will do their utmost to ensure a comfortable stay, and has the distinction of being one of a handful of hotels to be listed perpetually in the Good Hotel Guide since it began. Despite its history, modern facilities are available with free wi-fi access for guests in the lounge areas.

The hotel is not large with sixteen uniquely styled bedrooms and three suites. All have an en-suite bathrooms, as well as colour television, and facilities for making hot drinks. Cots, high chairs and baby listening is offered to make families feel at home and appetising, child-friendly, early “high teas” are provided for children. Rooms are available as standard and superior,as well as suites, to suit your preference and budget.

In the Ambleside Restaurant, the interesting menu is prepared and served with care and imagination to provide fine dining for guests and there is a first class wine list featuring wines personally selected, from all over the world, by the owners. The view over the gardens and relaxing atmosphere mean that any meal should be a delightful experience. And don't miss the chance to enjoy afternoon tea – Rothay Manor has been listed by the Guardian newspaper as one of the '50 Best Places for Afternoon Tea in the World'

To burn off the calories, after a good night's rest, this is one of the luxury Lake District hotels where the staff can arrange golf, horse riding and cycle hire. The use of a local leisure club is also available to guests, just a mile or so from the hotel.

Overlooking the awe inspiring scenery of Lake Windermere, and the fells beyond is Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel. You can step back from the hectic pace of modern life in this lovely setting, in a house which was one owned by the renowned children's author Beatrix Potter. The house retains much of it's original character, is elegantly furnished throughout and lovely views over Lake Windermere are possible from several rooms. The high standard of service offered has been recognised by a Gold Award from VisitBritain.

The restaurant has a good reputation for fine cuisine, in the candlelit dining room where a table d'hote menu specialises in English cooking with local sourced produce being used in many dishes. Special dietary needs are catered for and the wine list is extensive. And after you've eaten, there is a cosy lounge bar with log fire, to enjoy your favourite tipple. During the day, morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon tea with home-made cakes and scones are available to “keep you going” during what could be a strenuous day in the spectacular scenery.

If you are not busy exploring the local area, you can relax by the small indoor pool, enjoy the fitness room and sauna, or pamper yourself with various body therapy massages.  Few luxury Lake District hotels will pamper you like this one does.

Built in 1836 for a successful tea merchant, the Broadoaks Country House Hotel, in the Trout Beck valley, was extended in 1904 by the addition of a beautiful music room with a vaulted ceiling and ornate William Morris plaster work. Nowadays, Broadoaks provides very comfortable accommodation and fine dining in a Michelin recommended restaurant. The fourteen individually designed rooms with en suite bathrooms feature contemporary spa, whirlpool and sunken baths. There are beautiful river views from some rooms while others look towards Lake Windermere.

The views from Ash are possibly the best in the hotel with antique Victorian windows looking over delightful grounds right across to Lake Windermere. The Ash room has recently been refurbished with feature walls styled with designer wall paper and a luxurious red carpet to match. The bathroom has a cast iron roll top bath is in keeping with the Victorian styling. For those new to the Lakes, and looking for an excellent room you will probably not be disappointed.

The dining experience at Broadoaks Country House Hotel is very special. The award winning, Michelin recommended Oaks restaurant will not disappoint for light lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. Similarly, the Sunday lunch at Broadoaks restaurant is a sumptuous meal of either 3 or 4 courses. Locally sourced, Lake District meats are served in the traditional style with a selection of market vegetables and roast potatoes.Like many luxury Lake District hotels, the dining experience is considered to be a key factor in providing guests with a relaxing stay.

These four luxury lake district hotels have been chosen because they consistently score well on the hotel booking and review sites, and I would hope they will provide luxury and relaxation for visitors to the Lake District looking for a special experience.

If you're not familiar with the English Lake District, have a look at this video to give you an introduction to the area. It may not have stunning mountains that compare in height with the Rockies or Alps, but it has beautiful rugged scenery that will compare with anything worldwide.

Stay in one of these luxury Lake District hotels and you should have a comfortable base to enjoy the local area.