Riverside Hotel Kendal

We had a lovely few days here. The pool water wasn’t cold, which was nice, and the leisure facilities were good. The cooked breakfast was very nice too. Staff were friendly and helpful, and it’s very dog friendly. We enjoyed looking out over the river, and it’s only a short walk into town.

We’ve already booked again. We like Kendal, but it was the top-notch sauna and steam rooms, along with the amazing pool and sauna facilities, that swung it for us. They’re free for hotel guests, and there’s free parking too. The hotel is right in the heart of Kendal.

We paid £300 for two nights B&B and left disappointed. The main problem was breakfast, especially when travelling with our rescue dogs. They’re vocal if left alone, so we couldn’t leave them in the room. Guests with dogs have to sit downstairs in the bar while the buffet is upstairs. We were told someone would bring breakfast down and top up tea and coffee, but that didn’t happen. On the first morning someone helped carry a tray down, but the plates were tepid and there was no cloche, so the food had cooled by the time we ate. If anything was missing, we had to fetch it ourselves. The next morning nobody even offered to help with the trays through two closed doors. I asked for a hot plate, which they provided, and mentioned the carrying problem while I waited, but got a blank look. This could be difficult for someone infirm or travelling alone with a dog. The hotel felt dog friendly until breakfast, when we felt like second-class guests in a place that otherwise doesn’t welcome dogs. Breakfast cost them two stars for this visit. Management should rethink the policy or have a staff member downstairs to help, ensure plates are hot and cloches are available, and serve guests at their tables. The reception staff were generally friendly and greeted us and the dogs warmly. They explained how breakfast works when you bring dogs. Our room was a decent size, with chairs, a small table and a good ground-floor view of the river. It was clean, as was the bathroom, but it was much too hot for us. There was no information about the windows: catches stopped us raising the bottom sash very far, and we couldn’t reach the hooks for the top sash, so we had to prop it open with a towel. The bath plug had to be prised out with a spoon because there was no lifting lever. The shower was hot, but its head was hard to get under at about 5'9", so I had to stoop to wash my hair. The bath and shower controls were a bit unreliable and may need maintenance. Housekeeping topped things up the next day but left our dirty glasses. We only had one drink at the bar. It wasn’t to our taste: the music was too loud, there was no draft beer, and the decor and seating weren’t cosy or particularly comfortable. We didn’t use the spa, so can’t comment on it. On the second morning, used glasses and bottles were still on tables in the bar area. Someone had set tables for breakfast but left the dirty items on neighbouring ones. Not good housekeeping, and it made the surroundings unpleasant.

Apart from the booking problem, the stay itself was very pleasant. I booked two nights through Booking.com, spotted that I’d got the dates wrong, then cancelled and rebooked for the correct dates straight away. I didn’t realise at first that I’d been charged the full amount for cancelling. At reception I asked a gentleman with a foreign accent to look into it. He said he would and would send an email, but I wasn’t confident he’d do it, and he didn’t. I’d simply moved the dates a week earlier, so I don’t think a cancellation fee was warranted, but I ended up paying double for two nights. Thanks for the help from the gentleman at reception, much appreciated. Between Booking.com and the Riverside Hotel, I’m out £185.