In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 61 guest reviews of Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa. Guests in the sample highlight Location, Service & staff and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Some rooms are dated and dingy, with windows that cannot be opened. Small portions at dinner and breakfast.
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Situated in 400 acres of deer park and woodland, this prestigious 4-star hotel features a spa with an infinity pool and a modern gym. The fine dining restaurant has lake views.
The Armathwaite spa features a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna and a steam room. There is a large outdoor hot tub and a holistic beauty salon with treatment rooms.
Each room has satellite TV, fresh fruit, bathrobes and slippers. Rooms are individually designed, and overlook the parkland, grounds or lake. There is free Wi-Fi in public areas of the building.
The fine dining restaurant at Armathwaite Hall serves traditional Cumbrian dishes and classical French cuisine. A full Cumbrian breakfast is served each day, and afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the conservatory or by the lawns.
Situated in the Lake District and dating back to the 11th century, Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is close to Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw Mountain. Guests can enjoy a variety of scenic walks in the surrounding area.
Please note that dog-friendly rooms are available on request only.
Tripplo’s hotel summary
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 20 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa suits guests who want a country house stay and a proper spa under one roof. The house dates back to the 11th century and stands in 400 acres of deer park and woodland near Bassenthwaite Lake, with Skiddaw close by and walks from the grounds. Guests talk most about the setting, the infinity pool and its view, the warm interiors and the dinners, from the fine dining restaurant to the steak and Asian restaurants. The age of the building brings the main trade-offs. Rooms on the upper floors mean plenty of stairs, and some guests heard the original windows rattle on windy nights. Breakfast is uneven, praised by some and thought flat by others, and when a wedding is on, parts of the house feel less your own. Couples planning a restful spa break with time outdoors will find a calm, well-kept base; anyone who struggles with stairs should book with care.
Guests score it 9.1 out of 10 — the average across the 9 hotels we list in the Lake District is 9.1.
- The hotel sits in 400 acres of deer park and woodland close to Bassenthwaite Lake, and guests keep coming back to the grounds, the gardens and the views over the lake. Many describe the setting as quiet and calm, with scenic walks starting from the estate.
- The infinity pool looks out over the lakeland scenery, and guests describe the spa as excellent and very relaxing. Alongside it are a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, a steam room, an outdoor hot tub and treatment rooms.
- Breakfast divides opinion: some guests found it superb, while others felt the cooked breakfast lacked flavour, the coffee could have been better and the dining room was very quiet. One guest found the bar meal underwhelming next to the rest of the stay.
- Rooms on the upper floors mean a lot of stairs, so guests who find stairs difficult should ask for a lower floor. Some guests also heard the original windows rattle in the wind at night.
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Should you book it?
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is worth booking for couples looking for a spa break in a country house setting — but pick somewhere else if you find stairs difficult.
Book it if you want
- Couples looking for a spa break in a country house setting
- Walkers who want parkland and lake views on the doorstep
Pick somewhere else if
- You find stairs difficult
- You would rather not share the hotel with a wedding party
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What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 61 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +Excellent dinners in the Indian, Asian and grill restaurants
- +A superb breakfast with lake views and a wide range of fruit, pastries and breads
- +A good choice of wines
- –Small portions at dinner and breakfast
- –The brasserie and bar meals feel underwhelming and lack atmosphere
- –Few vegetarian, vegan or lighter options in the evening
”We ate in all the restaurants and they were all excellent; our favourite was the Indian one.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Welcoming, friendly and professional staff who go above and beyond
- +Attentive restaurant staff who take allergies seriously
- +Helpful managers who quickly sorted out problems at check-in
- –Some reception staff came across as indifferent when problems were raised
- –Rude or inexperienced bar staff on a few occasions
- –Slow service in the Indian restaurant
”The staff were friendly and attentive without being over-zealous.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +A spa infinity pool with views over the Lakes
- +An outdoor pool and a hot tub
- –The pool was out of service during one stay
- –Children can only swim in a fixed early-morning slot
”Loved the spa with the infinity pool looking out over a great view of the Lakes.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Large rooms with very comfortable beds
- +Garden suites with a balcony or terrace, a separate lounge and a big shower
- +Upgrades for special occasions such as honeymoons
- –Some rooms are dated and dingy, with windows that cannot be opened
- –Broken TVs and lights, and hard beds or poor pillows in places
- –Upper-floor rooms mean lots of stairs, as the lift does not go all the way up
”A beautiful suite with both a bath and a huge shower, a separate lounge, a dressing room and a large balcony.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Very clean throughout
- +Well-kept public areas and grounds
- –Tired rooms with peeling wallpaper, chipped paint and mould around the bath
- –Dust in corners and dated bathrooms, electrics and lift
- –Broken fittings such as lights and televisions
”The property is tired and maintenance is not up to a good standard.” — guest, translated
Location
- +Immaculate grounds and gardens with views of the lake and mountains
- +A peaceful spot in the heart of the Lakes, with walks around the estate
- +Activities such as clay shooting and a wildlife park close by
- –Weddings and functions can take over parts of the hotel, including the garden of a garden suite
”The location was stunning, quiet, with a wonderful view of the lake.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +A quiet, peaceful setting with restful nights
- –The old windows rattle in the wind
- –Unexplained banging at night, and loud functions in the garden
”A peaceful, relaxing stay in beautiful surroundings.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Many found it overpriced for what it offers
- –Small dinner portions for the price, with vegetables charged as an extra
- –Expensive wine in the restaurant
”Very overpriced for what it is.” — guest, translated
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Frequently asked questions
How do guests rate Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa?
On Booking.com it scores 9.1/10 from 336 guest reviews.
How many stars does Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa have?
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a 4-star hotel.
What amenities does Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa offer?
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa offers spa, indoor Pool, outdoor Hot Tub, fitness Centre, 3 Restaurants and bar.
Weather & sea temperature — Lake District
Right now: 6° air · 12° sea
Prices for your dates
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Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite, CA12 4RE, United Kingdom