Best Western Appleby Manor

The building’s history was a real draw for me, and the staff knew loads about it and were happy to chat. There are lots of original Art Deco pieces, which give the hotel a special character. Dinner was fine, just not spectacular. The gluten-free options were varied and they’d clearly put effort into them. I’d stay again.

The spa was calm and relaxing, even with other guests around. We used the sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and hot tubs, and it never felt crowded. Food was a real highlight too. The curried brie parcel was a lovely surprise, the venison was spot on, and the steak and ale pie was just right for a winter evening. My wife liked the pigeon starter and thought the monkfish was excellent. The full English was a little small, though there were plenty of cereals, bread, pastries, honey and jams to choose from. We were on a dinner, bed and breakfast package with spa access and felt it was very good value. The room was warm and roomy for two, with lovely views over the grounds towards Appleby and the castle. It’s an easy walk into the village for pubs, restaurants and independent shops, and the hotel is only a short drive from the main roads. USB or USB-C charging sockets in the rooms would be a useful addition. Staff made us feel welcome and looked after without hovering. There was a small issue with the room when we arrived, but they apologised and dealt with it while we had dinner. It was fixed by the time we’d finished eating. We had two breakfasts and two evening meals over our two-night stay at Appleby Manor Hotel, and would gladly return and recommend it.

We didn’t get to try the spa, but the hotel was a good fit for a quiet break. It’s only a couple of minutes by car into Appleby, though it feels a bit isolated from other places. The ground-floor terrace rooms are a nice choice, with outdoor seating where you can watch the sunset. Food had a decent range and was good quality, and the staff were especially helpful and polite. A couple of small things: the plates could be warmer, as meals weren’t always hot, and the towel rail heater couldn’t be turned down or off, so the bathroom got too warm. I’d return.

The lounge and bar were really comfortable and homely, and we had a lovely short break. The rooms, including the bathroom, were very good, and we enjoyed the spa and restaurant. The food and staff were excellent. Nothing to complain about, I’d go back.