The Lake District is a "storybook realm of hills, stonewalled fields, forests, whitewashed cottages, and clear waters", according to National Geographic. Set above the lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere, Hillthwaite is a family-run property with pretty views of the national park's largest lake and the mountains beyond. There are lots of local walks and you can ask the hotel to provide you with a home-made packed lunch (supplements apply).
Bowness-on-Windermere Pier is 15 minutes' walk from the hotel; the pier is the starting point for several scenic boat tours. Prices start at £8 for an adult cruise ticket. Hill Top, the house Beatrix Potter bought with the royalties from her books, and now a National Trust property, is 30 minutes' drive away.
The town of Kendal, best known for its mint cake, is a 20-minute drive. For an idyllic landscape of limestone crags and woodland, Whitbarrow Nature Reserve is around 30 minutes' drive.
The 5-star guest accommodation serves cream tea from 1-5pm. Views are impressive in the restaurant, and you can dine out on the elevated stone terrace or in the conservatory. In cooler months, you can cosy up in front of the warming fire with a book and a drink -- there are local ales on tap in the bar, as well as a good selection of spirits and wines.
Children and additional guests: Infant's cot/crib and extra bed available for children and in the Classic Room only. Extra guest charges apply as follows: £10 per night for infants aged 0-1, £20 per night for children aged 2-7 and £40 per night for children aged 8-14. This includes breakfast. Extra beds are not available for older children and adults. Infant's cot/crib and extra bed must be requested upon booking. Please use the Special Request field to confirm the age of the third guest. Supplements are not included automatically in the total price and will be charged directly by the hotel. See room descriptions and rate policies for information about room occupancy and prices.
Pets: Pets are allowed in some rooms only and on request. Charges will apply as follows: £20 per pet, per night. Supplements are not included automatically in the total price and will be charged directly by the hotel.
Fees: The hotel charges a voluntary £1 fee towards conservation projects.
Any payments made with a credit or debit card under £20 will be subject to an admin fee of £5.
Cancellation: Cancellation policy & booking conditions vary by 'rate plan'. These will be displayed on the payment page after you have searched for your dates and selected a rate.
Rates may vary by date, are subject to availability and are not guaranteed until your purchase is complete.
The room rates listed are for double occupancy per room unless otherwise stated and exclude tax recovery charges and service fees.
It is the responsibility of the hotel chain and/or the individual property to ensure the accuracy of the photos displayed. Travelzoo is not responsible for any inaccuracies in the photos.
*Unless otherwise stated, Travelzoo-exclusive extras are valid once per stay (based on two adults sharing). Value is an estimate based on double occupancy. Extras are only included with Member Rates and may not be available on all dates. Extras are non-transferable and have no cash value. Total value may vary depending on time of booking and availability. When included, breakfast may be limited to 2 guests per stay subject to hotel’s discretion. Other restrictions may apply; see our T&Cs for details.
Please note: Some amenities and services may not be available in all rooms or may incur an additional charge. All prices stated have been verified at the time of publication and may vary at the discretion of the hotel.
Beautiful décor throughout, meals delicious, staff very attentive and friendly.
Other Comments
Staff are a credit to the hotel, all were very friendly, professional, attentive. Loved the décor of the hotel and the meals, including afternoon tea, and the gentleman's afternoon tea were lovely. Will definitely return. Thank you.
philippa21. Jan 2019Wallasey, UK
Enjoyed Most
Great staff. Fab room. Dinner excellent.
Other Comments
Cosy Hotel. Option of use of pool. Great location
Angela20. Jan 2019Preston, UK
Enjoyed Most
Restaurant - the food and the service were first class. Delicious food, beautifully presented and served.
Relaxed atmosphere
Efficient and polite staff - at the reception desk and in the bar/restaurant.
Very comfortable, large-sized bed
Nicholas08. Jan 2019Clitheroe, UK
Enjoyed Most
Amazing food
Other Comments
Excellent staff, attentive, helpful and lovely
Peter06. Jan 2019Scunthorpe, UK
Enjoyed Most
the restaurant
Dorene10. Nov 2018Skipton, UK
Enjoyed Most
Superb meal and very friendly staff.
Other Comments
Very comfortable and relaxed lounge after meal and good to chat with other guests.
Ian04. Nov 2018Cockermouth, UK
Enjoyed Most
Great staff and excellent food
Sarah30. Oct 2018Chester, UK
Enjoyed Most
Room 25 was 5***** apart from the view from the window which was non existent and the bathroom would have benefitted from a extractor fan which possibly would have eliminated some of the mould
Other Comments
The food could have been hotter and the service quicker
John19. Oct 2018Alfreton, UK
Enjoyed Most
Very good decor and attention to decor
Other Comments
Service in the restaurant could have been better .Quite a wait between courses . Two other couples had to wait a long time for their main course to be served in the evening. Neither us or the people on the next table were asked if we wanted coffee , which was included in our package. Photo of the hotel is misleading- thought it was set low amongst the trees but turned out to up the top of a steep drive-way ( which we missed the first time ) in a housing estate. Woke up several times during the night as it was so warm even with the window open
Susan14. Oct 2018Norwich, UK
Enjoyed Most
the general ambience the food,staff and all worked well.
Kenneth09. May 2018Belfast, UK
Enjoyed Most
Just being in a lovely hotel that has invested a lot of money.
Other Comments
Breakfast - little niggles often shape perceptions! It was a pity the breakfast bar was not replenished as it should have done. Some items ran out. Ordering breakfast from the menu should all be done at the table and not on one's way into the dining area when coffee or tea was asked!
I would like to see magazines and newspapers on display in public lounges and magazines in the bedrooms.
Other than that, well done to an excellent hotel!
Jeffrey29. Apr 2018Burley in Wharfedale, UK
Enjoyed Most
The food and the refurbishment.
DIANE28. Mar 2018Newton-le-Willows, UK
Enjoyed Most
Good ambience
Pauline27. Mar 2018Southport, UK
Enjoyed Most
Friendly staff and great food
John26. Mar 2018Oulton, UK
Other Comments
The breakfast was the tastiest I’ve had in the lakes and I have been going to the lakes for a few years now
andrew24. Mar 2018Heywood, UK
Enjoyed Most
We enjoyed the whole experience visiting this lovely hotel. Excellent location, excellent food, lovely rooms beautifully decorated and clean.
Other Comments
The only thing if we had a compliant would be on going to dinner; it was not clear when ordering pre dinner drinks that we had arrived for dinner and we had to ask for menus and our order to be taken. But when we asked this was soon rectified.
We enjoyed our stay at the Hillthwaite so much we have already booked our next stay on departure!!
Judith23. Mar 2018Huddersfield, UK
Enjoyed Most
Friendly staff good food calm comfortable setting
21. Mar 2018lancashire, UK
Enjoyed Most
Excellent service good food friendly staff
Other Comments
Location superb
Glynis17. Mar 2018IlkleyIlkley, UK
Enjoyed Most
EXCELLENT FOOD.COMFORTABLE ROOM WITH VIEWS.
Thomas14. Mar 2018Durham, UK
Enjoyed Most
very relaxing hotel
Other Comments
exceeded my expectations on accommodation, communal areas and the food was excellent
Ann11. Mar 2018Lytham Saint Annes, UK
Enjoyed Most
It is a beautiful Hotel ,refurbishment outstanding , food was excellent.
Other Comments
Lovely room except didn't sleep very well as room was too hot. Opened all windows turned off radiators but still too hot . Found out the boiler was next door to our room. Were we allocated this room because we used Travelzoo voucher ?? For this reason would not visit in warmer months.
Susan06. Mar 2018Frodsham, UK
Enjoyed Most
It felt luxurious and the staff were excellent.
Katey26. Feb 2018Carlisle, UK
Enjoyed Most
The hote was absolutely amazing. Really did beat expectations and full exceeded them. Food, staff, facilities and decoration all absolutely amazing
Other Comments
One of the nicest hotels I have stayed in. Brilliant location, helpful and friendly staff, fantastic food and the rooms were clean and well decorated