Pros

  • Gorgeous lakeside location close to town
  • Modern, elegant Bar and Grill restaurant
  • Comfy beds with quality linens and nightly turndown service
  • Breakfast included with the room rate
  • Large bathrooms with deep tubs/showers, bowl sinks, and towel warmers
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking
  • Dogs allowed
  • Lovely garden grounds set with tables and chairs
  • Binoculars provided for taking in landscape
  • Free passes to off-site leisure club
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Cons

  • No on-site fitness center
  • Parking can sometimes get crowded
  • Some complaints of cobwebs on the ceilings
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Bottom Line

The 41-room, upscale town house hotel near Ambleside is modern yet cozy. With expansive lawns that run down to the shores of Lake Windermere, this stone structure reads every bit the classic English town home, and the surrounding scenery is Lake District prime. Rooms are spacious and bright with high ceilings, wood furnishings, and large bathrooms. The modern on-site Bar and Grill offers casual dining with lots of windows and comfy leather couches. Romantic, idyllic, and relaxing...that's Waterhead. For the same convenient location but lower rates check nearby Regent Hotel. 

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Waterhead Hotel

Scene

Friendly, romantic feel

This quintessential stone-covered country home has modern, contemporary aesthetics. The lobby has wood floors and chandelier-lit high ceilings offset by a cluster of leather furnishings with chenille throw pillows in turquoise, sienna, and sea-foam green. Bright vases in fuchsia and purple round out the scene, with the color scheme being carried over into the outdoor gardens. Guests can convene in common areas like the lounge, which provides leather couches near a fireplace for afternoon tea or conversation. Outdoors, wooden patio furniture can be found spaced around expansive grass lawns. The overall atmosphere is relaxing, with many couples enjoying a romantic escape.

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Location

Located on the shores of Lake Windermere near Ambleside

Waterhead offers abundant lakefront views and is just over a half-mile from the town center of Ambleside -- a 10-minute walk or two-minute drive north. The ferry to other ports around the area is just minutes away, and other locales like Hawkshead and Grasmere are easily accessible via car or public transport. While there are roads that run both in front of and behind the property, traffic noise doesn't seem to be an issue. Parking at the hotel is free, though it can occasionally be difficult to find an available spot.  

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Rooms

Modern rooms with panoramic country views

The 24 rooms available here vary in size based on what you book, but they consistently have high ceilings and are clean, modern, and comfortable with novel amenities. All units have pretty views, many overlooking the lake, and binoculars are provided so guests can fully appreciate the natural beauty. Decorated primarily in neutrals, most rooms also include signature splashes of color on the headboards over comfy beds outfitted with quality linens. Turndown service is nightly, a luxe touch.

Bathrooms are gorgeous with modern fixtures, deep bathtubs, and spiked showerheads. Molton Brown toiletries and hairdryers are available as well. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, electric kettles, flat-screen TVs, and DVD players, with a library of films available to borrow in the lobby. Electric wall-mounted fireplaces complete the intimate feel.

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Features

On-site restaurant, gym access, and free Wi-Fi and parking

The bright on-site Bar and Grill has simple decor, including wood-paneled accents and floors and an occasional splash of purple. Free breakfast is served daily, with a focus on using fresh, local ingredients for all meals. 

While there’s no on-site spa, pool, or fitness facility, guests are offered free passes to use the facilities at the nearby Low Wood Bay Leisure Club, which has a pool, gym, hot tub, steam room, sauna, and spa/salon services. Though the pet-friendly Waterhead is mostly a leisure hotel, some amenities for business travelers are also offered, including free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception desk, and a conference room for groups of up to 50 people. 

Thanks to its idyllic setting, the hotel is often a prime choice for romantic events like weddings. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Waterhead Hotel

Scene

Friendly, romantic feel

This quintessential stone-covered country home has modern, contemporary aesthetics. The lobby has wood floors and chandelier-lit high ceilings offset by a cluster of leather furnishings with chenille throw pillows in turquoise, sienna, and sea-foam green. Bright vases in fuchsia and purple round out the scene, with the color scheme being carried over into the outdoor gardens. Guests can convene in common areas like the lounge, which provides leather couches near a fireplace for afternoon tea or conversation. Outdoors, wooden patio furniture can be found spaced around expansive grass lawns. The overall atmosphere is relaxing, with many couples enjoying a romantic escape.

See More Scene

Location

Located on the shores of Lake Windermere near Ambleside

Waterhead offers abundant lakefront views and is just over a half-mile from the town center of Ambleside -- a 10-minute walk or two-minute drive north. The ferry to other ports around the area is just minutes away, and other locales like Hawkshead and Grasmere are easily accessible via car or public transport. While there are roads that run both in front of and behind the property, traffic noise doesn't seem to be an issue. Parking at the hotel is free, though it can occasionally be difficult to find an available spot.  

See More Location

Rooms

Modern rooms with panoramic country views

The 24 rooms available here vary in size based on what you book, but they consistently have high ceilings and are clean, modern, and comfortable with novel amenities. All units have pretty views, many overlooking the lake, and binoculars are provided so guests can fully appreciate the natural beauty. Decorated primarily in neutrals, most rooms also include signature splashes of color on the headboards over comfy beds outfitted with quality linens. Turndown service is nightly, a luxe touch.

Bathrooms are gorgeous with modern fixtures, deep bathtubs, and spiked showerheads. Molton Brown toiletries and hairdryers are available as well. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, electric kettles, flat-screen TVs, and DVD players, with a library of films available to borrow in the lobby. Electric wall-mounted fireplaces complete the intimate feel.

See More Rooms

Features

On-site restaurant, gym access, and free Wi-Fi and parking

The bright on-site Bar and Grill has simple decor, including wood-paneled accents and floors and an occasional splash of purple. Free breakfast is served daily, with a focus on using fresh, local ingredients for all meals. 

While there’s no on-site spa, pool, or fitness facility, guests are offered free passes to use the facilities at the nearby Low Wood Bay Leisure Club, which has a pool, gym, hot tub, steam room, sauna, and spa/salon services. Though the pet-friendly Waterhead is mostly a leisure hotel, some amenities for business travelers are also offered, including free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception desk, and a conference room for groups of up to 50 people. 

Thanks to its idyllic setting, the hotel is often a prime choice for romantic events like weddings. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • 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.