Borrowdale Gates Hotel

The village is so picturesque, and a bus from the end of the road gets you into Keswick for £3.00. We used it both ways. The hotel itself is well located, the staff are brilliant, check-in was easy, and our spacious rooms were nicely decorated and spotlessly clean. The bed was comfortable, though I didn’t care for the pillows, and the views were amazing. My main problem was the heat. The rooms felt like saunas, so we had to leave a window open even with gale-force winds at night. The bar was boiling too, so we took our drinks outside. The restaurant was busy and the food looked fantastic, but I had a terrible night’s sleep.

I went with a big group of friends and had a wonderful stay. The location was great, the rooms were clean and comfortable, and breakfast had good choices with tasty food. Staff were kind, friendly and always ready to help, and the service was genuinely top notch. I’d recommend it and would gladly stay again.

Dinner was the highlight of our two nights here. It was delicious, as good as anything we’ve eaten in the Lake District, and a real credit to the chef and his team. The public spaces have been renovated recently and were comfortable, and every staff member we met was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our room once a couple of snags were sorted. The raised step into the bathroom was awkward at night. The sitting area felt cramped, and we wondered whether the furniture had been thought through. It was also a shame not to enjoy the lovely view from the roof lights and the tiny window seat near the bed. We understand the hotel changed hands this year and things may change. That would be sad, as it’s a special gem with guests who have returned for years. We hope the new owners understand what makes it special and preserve its unique atmosphere. If they do, we’ll return and recommend it. Thanks, and best wishes to all the current staff.

The food is amazing and the staff are excellent. Borrowdale Gates hotel is a fabulous place, and we’ve stayed several times without ever being disappointed. It’s set in its own grounds in Grange-in-Borrowdale, peaceful but still easy to reach. Keswick is only 15 minutes away by local bus, so you get the best of both worlds.