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Hotel Review
Rothay Manor, Ambleside, Lake District
This charming white-washed Regency villa, with its striking balcony and lawned gardens, is only 10 minutes' walk from Ambleside yet feels deep in the countryside, particularly as it's very dog-friendly. Surrounded by high hedges and woodland, it's screened from the hoi-polloi - although not quite from the traffic noise.
Interiors are refreshingly light and uncluttered, still retaining original features, with elegant country-house bedrooms, some with gardens, that spoil with top-quality extras. Throughout the hotel, with its several sitting-rooms, the feeling is calm and relaxed. For many, the big draw is the three-AA-rosette dining, a formal affair served in the gloriously light dining-room. If you want to kick back, there's also a more casual lounge-bar menu.
Relax and enjoy a potter around Ambleside or Windermere's lakeshore, or pack your boots - dog as well - and enjoy lengthier walks.
THE DETAILS
Location
Take a pleasant, crowd-free walk from the hotel along the River Rothay to pretty Rydal Water.
The beautiful Langdale valley is nearby for walks, and Ambleside offers a number of popular traditional tea rooms.
By car: around 1 hour 40 minutes from Manchester, 3 hours from Edinburgh and 5 hours from London. Free parking available.
By train: direct trains to Oxenholme Station from Glasgow Central (1 hour 45 minutes) and London Euston (3 hours). The hotel is a 30-minute drive. thetrainline.com
Style & Character
This hotel suits people who enjoy their food, and who want a country-house style while being close to a town. The elegant dining room, with its dark-wood floor, soft-grey panelling, striking wallpaper and tall shuttered windows sets the scene for quiet, unhurried meals.
Service & Facilities
Afternoon tea in one of the lounges is an indulgence that's hard to resist. Dogs are made very welcome: bed, bowl, towel and treats await in one of several dog-friendly rooms; a super-smart dog-wash in the dedicated boot room; plus freedom of the hotel and grounds except the dining-room.
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Terrace
- Garden
- Pet-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
Rooms
The eight Pavilion suites, with their rich green and copper colours, and private patios or balcony (one has a hot tub) are vast and spoiling. Alternatively the south-facing balcony rooms have the best views of the fells. All rooms have coffee machines, bathrobes and home-made cookies.
Classic, Classic Plus, Superior, Superior Plus, Suite, Garden Suite, Pavilion Suite
Facilities include: ensuite bathroom with Noble Isle toiletries, bathrobes, tea and coffee facilities, Nespresso machine, TV, free Wi-Fi
Food & Drink
There's a good wine list, with an emphasis on smaller producers including English, plus Spain a highlight. Don't hurry breakfast, it's beautifully served, with a 'starter' of fruits, granola and yoghurt followed by cooked dishes including kedgeree, smoked salmon with avocado plus a handsome grill with vegetarian option.
Restaurant: 3 AA Rosette restaurant. Seasonal menus, locally-sourced produce. Evening set menu from £75. Open daily for breakfast, Wed-Sun for dinner, Sun for lunch.