Pros

  • Relais & Chateaux member; award-winning small hotel
  • Gorgeous natural surroundings; located in Lake District National Park
  • Flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, and free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Highly-rated restaurant serving five-course dinner nightly
  • Free breakfast prepared fresh-to-order
  • Indoor swimming pool and cedar wood hot tubs in Lake House (for Lake House guests only)
  • Chauffeur-driven car available to shuttle guests between houses
  • Free parking on-site
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Cons

  • No gym (passes available to Old England Spa, Lake Windermere)
  • No business center or meeting rooms for events
  • Children under age sevennot permitted (pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Everything about the upper-range Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is elegant. Situated in Lake District National Park, this family owned-and-operated property is built into two luxury country houses. Guest rooms are spacious with huge picture windows and exceptionally tasteful decor. Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffeemakers, and stocked minibars add modern conveniences to this country escape; private hot tubs and patios can be found in some suites, and an on-site spa is available as well. A made-to-order free breakfast is offered daily, but the highly-rated restaurant (open for dinner only) is pricey.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Scene

Classy, romantic option with a "no young children" policy

The decor here is modern yet still classic; expensive fabrics, quality furniture, and unique ornamentation make all the common areas seem luxurious but still comfortable. The lounge area in the main hotel, for example, has crushed velvet couches, a wood-burning fireplace, stacked bookshelves, and collectible plates, giving the feeling that you're actually in someone's personal living room. There’s a visceral warmth in the surroundings, and it's obvious staff try to make guests feel welcome.

The Lake House -- which is about a mile from the main building -- is even more exclusive and has the same vibe, but with only six available rooms, privacy is at a peak. Guests in this stone-covered "home" have access to 100 acres of splendid grounds as well as a private jetty overlooking a lake, a cozy boat house, and the stunning Conservatory -- which is basically an exquisitely furnished 30-foot cube of glass. Since everything is a little more upscale and children under the age of seven are not allowed, it's not surprising that this hotel has an adult feel to it and serves as an idealized romantic escape. (Many engagements happen here, though no weddings...so as not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.)

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Location

Tucked away in Lake District National Park with immediate access to nature

Located in the woods in Windermere up a quiet private country road, this property is purposely remote, and most people come to the hotel as a destination in-and-of itself. Almost nothing surrounds the Gilpin Hotel and Lake House but nature. Still, it is within easy driving distance to popular area attractions such as the Windermere Golf Club or World of Beatrix Potter. Wild Boar pub and restaurant is also just half a mile away, making it a popular walking-distance lunch destination. The closest airport is in Manchester, about 90 minutes away by car.

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Rooms

Effortlessly elegant, comfortable, and clean with lovely views and amenities

Guest rooms here are spacious, spotless, and tastefully decorated. Though color schemes vary by unit, all rooms are tranquil and pleasing, tending to blend with natural surroundings as greens, blues, and neutrals are prominent. The wall coverings are upscale, as are furnishings and details. Guests will feel like they're staying in a private home thanks to the presence of antiques, vases, figurines, and other non-hotel-like touches. Huge picture windows allow guests to watch the wildlife outside from the comfort of their own plush bed and insure that rooms are bright and filled with natural light. Heavy drapes can be pulled in case you wish to sleep late.

Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi help guests stay in touch with the outside world, and Nespresso coffeemakers, electric water kettles, and stocked minibars are standard. Many rooms also have private entrances to the gardens and cedarwood hot tubs; all have exquisite views.Bathrooms are large with both showers and deep bathtubs, with some spaces even having tubs big enough for two. Cushy robes and spa-grade toiletries are available as well. 

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Features

Exquisite dining options, stunning spa with indoor swimming pool, and a few llamas 

While dinner at the restaurant is pricey, the venue has a five-course meal that capitalizes on Lake District produce and seafood. Guests may dine in one of five different dining rooms, though the menu doesn't vary between rooms -- only the decor does. Guests staying at the Lake House will be picked up in a chauffeured car and driven to dinner since there's a marked distance up a narrow road between the two properties. The champagne bar is a popular pre- or post-dinner stop and includes a grand piano and garden views. Breakfast -- also served in the dining rooms or, for Lake House guests, in the Conservatory -- is prepared fresh-to-order and included in room rates. 

The spa is located in the Lake House and the views from the treatment rooms are incredible; floor-to-ceiling windows allow visitors to gaze out over the lake while being pampered. There's also a small indoor swimming pool and an outdoor cedarwood hot tub for use before or after treatments. While there's no gym, guests with transportation (free parking is available) can request guest passes to use the fitness center at the Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa on Lake Windermere. Randomly, the Gilpin also has llamas, which guests can enjoy watching graze from their rooms in the main hotel. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Scene

Classy, romantic option with a "no young children" policy

The decor here is modern yet still classic; expensive fabrics, quality furniture, and unique ornamentation make all the common areas seem luxurious but still comfortable. The lounge area in the main hotel, for example, has crushed velvet couches, a wood-burning fireplace, stacked bookshelves, and collectible plates, giving the feeling that you're actually in someone's personal living room. There’s a visceral warmth in the surroundings, and it's obvious staff try to make guests feel welcome.

The Lake House -- which is about a mile from the main building -- is even more exclusive and has the same vibe, but with only six available rooms, privacy is at a peak. Guests in this stone-covered "home" have access to 100 acres of splendid grounds as well as a private jetty overlooking a lake, a cozy boat house, and the stunning Conservatory -- which is basically an exquisitely furnished 30-foot cube of glass. Since everything is a little more upscale and children under the age of seven are not allowed, it's not surprising that this hotel has an adult feel to it and serves as an idealized romantic escape. (Many engagements happen here, though no weddings...so as not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.)

See More Scene

Location

Tucked away in Lake District National Park with immediate access to nature

Located in the woods in Windermere up a quiet private country road, this property is purposely remote, and most people come to the hotel as a destination in-and-of itself. Almost nothing surrounds the Gilpin Hotel and Lake House but nature. Still, it is within easy driving distance to popular area attractions such as the Windermere Golf Club or World of Beatrix Potter. Wild Boar pub and restaurant is also just half a mile away, making it a popular walking-distance lunch destination. The closest airport is in Manchester, about 90 minutes away by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Effortlessly elegant, comfortable, and clean with lovely views and amenities

Guest rooms here are spacious, spotless, and tastefully decorated. Though color schemes vary by unit, all rooms are tranquil and pleasing, tending to blend with natural surroundings as greens, blues, and neutrals are prominent. The wall coverings are upscale, as are furnishings and details. Guests will feel like they're staying in a private home thanks to the presence of antiques, vases, figurines, and other non-hotel-like touches. Huge picture windows allow guests to watch the wildlife outside from the comfort of their own plush bed and insure that rooms are bright and filled with natural light. Heavy drapes can be pulled in case you wish to sleep late.

Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi help guests stay in touch with the outside world, and Nespresso coffeemakers, electric water kettles, and stocked minibars are standard. Many rooms also have private entrances to the gardens and cedarwood hot tubs; all have exquisite views.Bathrooms are large with both showers and deep bathtubs, with some spaces even having tubs big enough for two. Cushy robes and spa-grade toiletries are available as well. 

See More Rooms

Features

Exquisite dining options, stunning spa with indoor swimming pool, and a few llamas 

While dinner at the restaurant is pricey, the venue has a five-course meal that capitalizes on Lake District produce and seafood. Guests may dine in one of five different dining rooms, though the menu doesn't vary between rooms -- only the decor does. Guests staying at the Lake House will be picked up in a chauffeured car and driven to dinner since there's a marked distance up a narrow road between the two properties. The champagne bar is a popular pre- or post-dinner stop and includes a grand piano and garden views. Breakfast -- also served in the dining rooms or, for Lake House guests, in the Conservatory -- is prepared fresh-to-order and included in room rates. 

The spa is located in the Lake House and the views from the treatment rooms are incredible; floor-to-ceiling windows allow visitors to gaze out over the lake while being pampered. There's also a small indoor swimming pool and an outdoor cedarwood hot tub for use before or after treatments. While there's no gym, guests with transportation (free parking is available) can request guest passes to use the fitness center at the Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa on Lake Windermere. Randomly, the Gilpin also has llamas, which guests can enjoy watching graze from their rooms in the main hotel. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.