GILPIN HOTEL AND LAKE HOUSE

Grace @ Gilpin A lovely oasis in the Lake District, near Lake Windermere. Nicely appointed, two very good restaurants (Source is a 1 star Michelin), and beautiful grounds. The staff was accommodating and tried to be helpful (as a Relais and Chateau property, I expected a higher level of knowledge of the surrounding area - e.g., hiking trails. Of the staff, the highlight is certainly Grace. Grace works mornings/day time - and is the embodiment of hospitality. Quick on her feet, smart, funny and warm. I would return just to see Grace!

Wow, wow, wow!! Totally worth sitting on the M6 for way too long!! My husband bought me the Minimoon package at The Gilpin for my 60th Birthday and from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, everything was just perfect and went way beyond our expectations. We stayed for 3 nights in one of the Garden Suites (Haystacks) which was beautifully decorated and furnished and came complete with a toasty hot tub outside on the private terrace. We were very warmly welcomed at reception and taken on a buggy to our room where a chilled bottle of champagne awaited. The mini-bar was very well stocked (although strangely not replenished). Having fresh milk was a useful touch and I loved the fact that there were proper flutes and good sized cups in the room. Plus the shortbread was to die for! We ate at Spice on our first night up at the 'Chef's Table' which was a delight. The food, drink and service were all spot on. The 2nd and 3rd nights we dined at Source having the 10-course taster menu with paired wines one night and the Origins menu on the other night. Unusually for a taster menu, you are able to choose some of the dishes which is great as then you can try something different the 2nd time. All of the food was exceptional, even the bread (although a little sticky to handle) and the paired wines went beautifully as you'd expect. Before each meal, we visited the bar for cocktails / drinks and again were not disappointed. All of the common parts of the hotel are, just like the room, beautifully decorated and furnished. Included in our stay was a 50-minute couples spa treatment. We thought we'd have our massages, use the facilities and off we'd go, but no, there was much more to it than that...we received a Bento box in our room before the treatments which was fabulous, fresh and tasty. We then had our treatments - I had an Indian Head Massage which was the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, I did not obtain my lady's name, but she was brilliant. After the treatments, we were led to a shower to have a salt rub for exfoliation purposes which was then followed by covering each other in mud in the steam room, a shower and finally outside for some down time in the hot tub with a glass of champagne each, followed finally be another shower. During all of this, we had the place to ourselves. It seems that the spa deliberately times treatments so that clients have complete privacy. I'm not normally a spa kind of person, but this was thoroughly enjoyable. The breakfasts were also great and we liked the fact we could sit wherever we chose - there are a few options as the restaurant is quite higgledy piggledy which adds to it's character. The final part of the minimoon were free tickets to take a half-lake boat trip on Windermere which was well worth doing, even on a slightly drizzly day. All in all we had the best time - the room, the restaurants, the food and most importantly for us, the staff!! Every single member of staff were polite, friendly and extremely helpful. Apart from the wonderful lady from the spa, we'd like to give a special shout out to Ella (our waitress on both nights in Source - she was fab), Chanel (the sommelier - extremely knowledgeable and helpful) and Harry (restaurant manager(?) - funny and lovely!). We'll be back!! Thank you to all.

30 years on Mum and dad first celebrated 30 years ago - my mum and i returned for a celebration and still love th eplace

Great stay Loved this hotel, from the moment you get out of the car you are met with warmth & smiles. The staff are incredibly friendly and really do make this hotel special. We stayed in a junior suite in the hotel, which felt a little small but it was perfectly comfortable & very clean. Hotel could do with a little TLC in some areas as it was looking a bit tired but overall what an enjoyable relaxing couple of days we had. Source restaurant was a major highlight, amazing food, 10 course tasting menu, I could have sat there all night..every dish incredibly tasty. Loved it.

Gorgeous property, great dining The Gilpin property is on a hillside with beautiful gardens. The landscaping impeccable and staff attentive. My wife and I stayed in the main inn. Rooms are cosy and bathrooms large and warm on a cold day. The included breakfast was very good. Service could be a bit slow. Our meal at Source was fantastic and at Spice was also quite nice. The hotel is a very romantic getaway.