Willowbeck Lodge

The staff were kind and attentive, making sure everyone felt cared for throughout the afternoon. The food was excellent, with plenty of choices, and the coffees, teas and other refreshments were a comforting touch. We had a lovely afternoon tea, or funeral tea, at willowbeck lodge. It's a beautiful space inside and out, and you could see the care in every detail. We'd love to come back soon. Thanks again to willbeck lodge.

Andrew, thanks for such great service. He greeted us at reception and was friendly from the outset. The room was superb, probably the cleanest hotel room I've ever stayed in, and the Guinness on draft was perfect. Dinner arrived quickly and looked lovely. My 10oz steak was cooked exactly as I requested. A few pints and brandies with some of the other guests and the owner turned into a later night than planned, as we sat putting the world to rights. Sorry for keeping you up, Andrew! Breakfast the next morning was faultless, with lots of choice and a cooked breakfast that was just what I needed. From start to finish, a really enjoyable stay while working away.

The lake and lovely trees made the setting feel special, and everything inside was just as good. We got a warm welcome, the food was scrumptious, and the staff were wonderful. The decor, glassware, furniture, beds and spotless bathrooms all showed real attention to detail. It was easy to get to and great value, a real gem. We stayed one night before gatecrashing my brother's Gretna Green wedding, which went down well, thankfully. Finding this place was a delight.

We left and found somewhere else after a really upsetting experience, especially after a long day and on our only holiday of the year. The building itself looked great, but dealing with the owner wasn't worth the hassle, and I would not recommend staying here. Our prebooked room was given to guests who arrived without a booking, with no warning to us. We were moved to another room despite being specific about our requirements. When we complained, the owner went absolutely mental. He offered a bottle of alcohol, which we don't drink, as if that would fix everything. When he noticed I was recording what was happening, he became even more irrational and aggressive, following us to our car while still shouting. The owners were unbelievably rude.