Appleby Manor Hotel & Garden Spa

The building's history really interested me, and the staff were full of knowledge and very accommodating. The original Art Deco pieces give the hotel a special feel. Dinner was fine, though nothing spectacular. There's a varied GLUTEN FREE selection and you can see the effort that's gone into it. I'd stay again.

We spent two nights here and made full use of our dinner, bed and breakfast package with spa access. It felt like very good value, and we'd happily return and recommend the hotel. The spa stayed calm even with other guests around, and we enjoyed the sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and hot tubs. The food was consistently excellent across both breakfasts and evening meals. The curried brie parcel was a lovely surprise, the venison was perfectly cooked, and the steak and ale pie hit the spot on a winter evening. My wife especially liked the pigeon starter and thought the monkfish main was excellent. The “full” English breakfast portion was a bit small, though there was plenty of cereal, bread, pastries, honey and jam to choose from. Our room was warm, spacious enough for two, and had lovely views over the grounds toward Appleby and the castle. The hotel is an easy walk from the village centre, with its pubs, restaurants and independent shops, and it's easy to find, just a short drive from the main routes. USB or USB-C charging sockets in the room would be a useful addition. The staff were warm and welcoming without hovering, and we felt well looked after. There was a small issue with our room when we arrived; the staff apologised, suggested we enjoy dinner while they sorted it, and had it fixed by the time we finished. The whole stay was thoroughly enjoyable.

The hotel is a little tucked away from other places, though it's ideal for a quiet break and only a two-minute drive into Appleby. We didn't get to use the spa. Service from the polite, helpful staff was excellent, and the food had a decent range and was good quality. Ground-floor terrace rooms are a good choice for sitting outside and watching the sunset. A couple of small things: plates could be warmer, since the food wasn't always hot, and the towel rail couldn't be turned down or off, making the bathroom too warm. I'd definitely return.

The lounge and bar felt comfortable and homely, and the restaurant was very nice. The food and staff were excellent, and both the room and bathroom were very good. We also had a great spa experience during our short break. Nothing earned a poor mark from me, and I'd go back.