Armathwaite Hall Hotel

We had a wonderful Valentine’s weekend here, and the setting was beautiful, with mountains and nature all around and lots of places to see. From reception through the spa and dinner, the service was spot on and we never felt hurried. Fiona deserves a special thanks for patiently and professionally arranging everything I’d asked for. The rest of the staff helped make the visit feel complete too.

We found a great base for hiking, and I think this may be our Lakes getaway for years to come. The staff were consistently friendly and helpful, and we especially liked breakfast and the cocktail bar. The lounge by the fire is a lovely place to sit with a drink. We stayed two nights in a feature double room, which was very well equipped. The grounds are well kept and the spa facilities were great.

At Armathwaite Hall, the lake and mountains slowly disappear into the evening from the lounge, where you can have coffee, or from the Hall by the grand log fire with a relaxing drink. Dinner can be a fine meal at the Lake View restaurant or an unhurried supper in the Grill. Earlier, you might watch dawn break over Bassenthwaite, see the light change across the water, or walk through fields of snowdrops down to the Lake. There’s also the indoor pool for a gentle swim and the outdoor hot tub for half an hour with a naughty Prosecco. If it’s a special occasion and you want to feel special, a couple of nights here might suit. Armathwaite, where each day’s beauty gives way to the promise of the next.

The bar has comfortable seats and can feel relaxing when you catch it at a quiet moment. A number of the cocktails are creative and properly made, so someone there clearly knows what they’re doing. Service is the weak part. Staff sometimes seemed distracted or swamped, and simple orders took longer than they should. I had to repeat my drink order more than once, and a few servers seemed impatient, as though making a cocktail was a hassle. The drinks are mostly good, but uneven service takes away from the experience. With more attention it could be a great place for a hotel drink. It’s still worth a visit, just expect a few small hiccups.