Lakes Hotel & Spa

Our room was beautiful, clean and fresh, and we were very pleased with both the food and service at the Asian restaurant. Breakfast the next morning was very good too. But the stay was disappointing overall, and I wouldn't recommend the hotel or return. The room next door was so loud that we could hear everything happening, which made my partner and me very uncomfortable. The spa felt extremely small, overwhelming and warm, with few options. At the pub we paid almost £40 for six small plates and two large cokes; the food tasted reheated rather than fresh, the portions were tiny, and when we raised it, the person we spoke to only said, “Oh okay.” We paid a lot for one night in a room with a balcony hot tub. We asked about an earlier check-in so we could make more of our stay, but were told we couldn't get into the room until 3pm, which we understood. Looking back, though, guests paying so much for that room should at least be able to pay extra for early check-in, as other hotels and spa resorts offer. We walked into Windermere, which was lovely and didn't take long. With so many disappointing parts and the high price, I don't think this should be a 5* hotel.

The spa was excellent for unwinding, and having a little serving hatch for drinks inside was a great touch. We also thought the Japanese restaurant was a must, beautifully decorated and not overly expensive. The food, staff and stay all felt like 5* luxury, and the concierge was friendly and humorous, making the start of our break a delight. After a short queue at check-in, we were offered a nice glass of prosecco and a free upgrade from a double to a rooftop suite. We’d found plenty of parking in the overflow car parks on arrival. The two-floor room was amazing, with a super hot tub, and I’m still blown away by the floating bed. We visited for 2 nights last week to celebrate my wife's 50th birthday. We’ll be back at some point. Thanks for a memorable, enjoyable stay. Damian & Emma

Mizumi was a feast for the eyes as well as the taste, with food to a very high standard and a large Buddha that was an unexpected delight. The setting and atmosphere were superb. The communal areas feel luxurious, and our room was plush but comfortable, with an outstanding jacuzzi at just the right temperature for a cold evening soak. The pub was welcoming, and the spa was a bonus, especially the pool that felt like stepping into a bath. The hotel is 5 minutes from Lake Windermere and a gentle 15 stroll into the village. From the exceptional, always-smiling service to the welcoming and efficient staff, the whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. You’ve become our favourite Lakes retreat, and we’ll hopefully be back soon. A big thank-you to everyone who made our stay so good.

The hotel was well placed for a short walk into town, and the cocktail bar had excellent views. We had no trouble parking, though there were no on site car charging facilities. We stayed for a couple of nights in December and found the hotel very well decorated for Christmas. The cocktail bar was fantastic. Our room, in the same building as the spa, was a great size and nicely finished. I was glad there was no chlorine smell from the pool in the room, one of my personal bugbears. The spa was good, with 2 jacuzzis, a heated pool, sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool. It’s open to all guests and doesn’t need booking. We also tried the onsite Asian restaurant. It was very well decorated, though I found it overpriced for what it is.