Hotels in the Lake District with a Spa

January 28, 2011 by admin  
Filed under Accommodation

What better escape from the city than to indulge yourself with a relaxing spa break in a Lake District hotel? Whether you wish to simply unwind in a pool, hot tub, sauna or steam room, or completely spoil yourself with one or more decadent spa treatments, the spas at the following Lake District hotels will certainly give you a taste of the good life:

Situated in Bowness-on-Windermere, Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa has impressive spa and leisure facilities to rival any hotel in the Lake District. The Spa at Old England boasts 8 treatment rooms, a relaxation room and a private lounge. A wide range of spa and beauty treatments are offered, including spa day packages, facial treatments, massage, body wraps, treatments for men, manicures and pedicures. Within the spa facility there is a sauna, rock sauna, aroma steam room and ice room.
Located on the same 35 acre woodland estate as the Langdale Hotel near Ambleside, the Langdale Spa offers a wonderful selection of spa treatments and spa day packages using luxury products from Anne Semonin and Elemis. They also offer various 1 or 2 night spa breaks, for example the 1 night Harmony Spa Break includes a choice of 1 of 3 spa treatments, accommodation in a Signature Room, Cumbrian breakfast, light lunch, and dinner in Purdey’s Restaurant. Facilities at this Lake District spa include a 20m swimming pool, spa pool, steam room, Sanarium, tropical shower, deluge shower, gym, and outdoor tennis court.
Armathwaite Hall, a luxury Lake District hotel near Keswick at Bassenthwaite Lake, boasts an impressive spa as part of its facilities. The excellent range of spa treatments include facial treatments, maternity treatments, massages, body wraps, body scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and bridal/wedding day treatments. The facilities at this spa are impressive, even by the standards of other luxury spa hotels in the Lake District, with a 16m infinity pool overlooking the gardens, wallow pool, hydrotherapy pool, cascading waterfall, outdoor hot tub, aroma room, steam room, sauna, rain dance shower, tropical shower, 10 treatment rooms, spa lounge, and well equipped gym. There are also several spa breaks offered at this Lake District hotel, for example the Spoil Yourself 2 night spa break includes accommodation in a Club room with Cumbrian breakfast each morning, dinner on the second night in the Lake View Restaurant, two 30 minute face or body treatments, a glass of Pimms on arrival, a glass of champagne in the hot tub, and of course use of the spa facilities. This package is offered Sun-Thurs until late March 2011.

Enjoy Afternoon Tea at a Lake District Hotel

January 28, 2011 by admin  
Filed under Accommodation

There is really no better setting to indulge in an afternoon tea than at one of the many Lake District hotels that offer this great British tradition to both residents and non residents alike surrounded by the beauty of Lake District National Park. Whether you are touring the South Lakes or the North Lakes you are sure to be close to a Lake District hotel where this local delicacy is available, so when you feel the need for a rest, a pick-me-up, or a bite to eat, you may find that taking tea at one of the following fine establishments may be just the ticket:
In the Keswick area, Overwater Hall serves full afternoon tea which includes a pot of tea or coffee, finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, biscuits and pastries. Their Champagne Tea is the same but with a glass of champagne to add to the pleasure!
At the north end of Bassenthwaite Lake, north of Keswick, Armathwaite Hall offers a full afternoon tea service with exceptional lake and mountain views. The Tea includes a selection of sandwiches and scones, cream cakes, tray bakes, biscuits and pannacotta and a pot of tea chosen from a wide variety of loose leaf specialty teas from across the world. If you can’t manage the full afternoon tea, many of the sweet delicacies can be ordered individually.
The Wordsworth Hotel in Grasmere serves a traditional afternoon tea in their lounge, conservatory, or sometimes in the garden if the weather cooperates. The Tea includes sandwiches, scones, cakes and homemade biscuits.
With a stunning view overlooking Lake Windermere, Langdale Chase Hotel serves afternoon tea either indoors or on their outdoor terraces overlooking the lawn.
Also in Windermere, Linthwaite House Hotel serves an exquisite afternoon tea. The Unstuffy Full Afternoon Tea includes a pot of loose leaf tea or freshly ground coffee, a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, plus home made cakes, and a glass of champagne can be added if desired. A less elaborate Cream Tea is also available which includes scones with jam and clotted cream.
Rothay Manor serves a popular afternoon tea in Ambleside which has received awards and accolades from the press. Uniquely, this afternoon tea is buffet style and includes a selection of sweet and savory specialties and champagne can be added as an optional extra.
Located east of Bowness, near Windermere Golf Club, Gilpin Lodge is a Relais & Chateaux hotel in the Lake District which offers an extensive afternoon tea with a variety of traditional finger sandwiches, smoked salmon, scones, cakes and fruit, accompanied by a choice of classic black, green or herbal teas, or coffee.
Lakeside Hotel & Spa, situated at the south end of Lake Windermere, near Newby Bridge, serves a Lakeside Full Afternoon Tea with gourmet sandwiches, buttermilk scones, strawberries & cream, plus a variety of cakes, biscuits and other sweet delights. Champagne Afternoon Tea, Pimms Afternoon Tea and a more simple Cream Tea are also available.

Where to Stay to Climb Scafell Pike?

January 27, 2011 by admin  
Filed under Accommodation

A question often asked by hikers and climbers is: Which Lake District hotels are closest to Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak? Well, if you are planning to hike to the summit, the first thing you need to do is decide which route you will be taking. The 2 most popular routes start at either Wasdale Head or Seathwaite in Borrowdale, with Wasdale being the more popular of the two. You could of course stay at one of the many Windermere hotels, or Keswick hotels and then drive to either of these starting points, but if you want to save yourself some time both at the start and the end of your long day, the following hotels are hard to beat for convenience.

Hotels near Wasdale Head

Located right at Wasdale Head itself, the Wasdale Head Inn cannot be beaten for convenience for hiking up Scafell Pike, and at the hotel, Ritson’s Bar is one of the best pubs in the Lake District for spending a few hours after a day in the mountains.
Website: www.wasdale.com

Both Low Wood Hall (www.lowwoodhall.co.uk) and Strands Inn & Brewery (www.strandshotel.com) are located at Nether Wasdale, just over 5 miles from Wasdale Head. Of note is the micro brewery at the Strands Inn which seems an ideal place to spend the evening after standing on England’s highest summit.

Slightly further west, in the village of Gosforth, Westlakes hotel provides more upmarket accommodation and is just over 9 miles from Wasdale Head.
Website: www.westlakeshotel.co.uk

Hotels near Seathwaite

The appropriately named Scafell Hotel is located in Rosthwaite village in scenic Borrowdale valley. Being less than 10 minutes drive from Seathwaite, it’s a convenient hotel to base yourself for Scafell Pike as well as many other great hikes in the area. The Riverside Bar next to the hotel is a great place to discuss the day’s stories over a pint and a pub meal.
Website: www.scafell.co.uk

Seatoller House is a quaint Borrowdale bed and breakfast which lies just over 1 mile from Seathwaite. Rates include Cumbrian breakfast and a communal dinner, and many guests return year after year.
Wesiteb: www.seatollerhouse.co.uk

Also in the Borrowdale Valley but closer to Keswick is the Leathes Head Hotel, a recently refurbished Edwardian country house, around 4.5 miles from Seathwaite.
Website: www.leatheshead.co.uk