Haweswater Hotel — Hotel in Great Britain

A wonderful building in a beautiful location, purpose built 1930's hotel and entirely styled to that era, with the additional bonus of Chef Mark Greenway providing innovative cooking, with the option of a surprise tasting menu. Overall first impressions after taking in the wonderful views across the Haweswater reservoir and climbing the characterful steps to the building were not great; we were met with a bucket full of wet and soggy cigarette ends at the front, which were also evident on every table through our walk in the garden towards reception. Entering the hotel into the world of Art Deco, you could be mistaken for expecting a scream and inspector Poirot to come waddling through to investigate a murder, it felt good, a fun, different experience. The greeting on reception by the local gentleman was perfect, he was made for this place. Just before heading to our room, it was a little off putting when various staff carried their own dinner meals through the public areas, but not a major, they were all incredibly warm and welcoming. On entering the room I was not disappointed, it oozed character, sticking to the 1930's theme, spacious and well laid out, a great high bed and the bathroom was different to any other I had seen in a hotel, in a good way, Metro tiles and Deco furniture, it all felt really pleasant. The whole experience made you want to dress up a little for dinner, so we did, we had a table in the Brasserie bar which was delightful, and the wine choices and meal accompaniments suggested by the same gentleman who checked us in, were perfect. I must admit, the meal had high expectations because of Mark Greenway, and the starters did not let us down. I have never eaten Quail before and the Quail Terrine en croute was delicious. My wife had the Charcuterie which was equally as delicious, however the bread was just average, which was a shame, but not a major. (I think having just travelled the West Coast of Scotland and experienced an array of local fresh breads, we expected a little more). My wife's main course did not disappoint - Salmon with Toulouse Sausage and White Bean Cassoulet was very special, and the Peas,Bacon, Lettuce & Cream side dish was incredible. Sadly my Sirloin Steak Frites were not to this standard. Again maybe after all the locally bred meats that I had just experienced across Scotland where the standard was high, this Steak was pretty bland I am sorry to say, it did not make my mouth water at all, the Cafe de Paris butter was delicious, though the Frites, oh dear the Frites, I am sure - frozen Chips just piled on the side. These days restaurants seem to get Frites or Chips spot on, served in a basket, triple fried, course sea salt, etc, sadly these reminded me of opening my freezer on a weekday evening and oven cooking a bag Mccains Chips, not quite what I had expected, served with a fairly underwhelming and plain tasting Steak. However my side was stand out - Green Beans, Shallots, Chervil, it was tasty, I loved it. How did they get the Steak Frites so wrong? Dessert time, the wonderful man (sorry I did not get his name, he was so damn good for this place) so kindly offered us two desserts from the tasting menu, wow these were special, I have eaten at Gordon Ramsey at Claridges in the past, and these two desserts were right up there with what I had eaten there, memorable. Now to bed, a delightful sleep, and when I awoke, how I was looking forward to breakfast What a shame, I am pretty sure that Mark Greenaway had absolutely nothing to do with the breakfast at all I am sorry to say, it was not great. Ignoring the Steak Frites, we had a very special meal the night before. Again after many local Scottish breakfasts the past week, which all were delicious local produce - sadly here the veggie sausage was out of a packet and the hash brown was the same as the Frites the night before - frozen and again, dull bread. Sadly when we left, the butts were all still outside floating on the day before's rain. Our first and last...

Let’s start at the beginning. The online descriptions of the hotel sound lovely. The Google reviews are overall positive. On the face of it much of it is deserved. However, as a seasoned hotel guest I like to provide fair and objective reviews as I experience them. Hence I reflected for some time before posting.

My original booking was made for the 17-18 February. Catching Covid-19 meant changing the dates. Checked with the hotel on future availability they booked the new dates 13-15th April for the front facing 'Junior Suite Lake View' originally booked. Receptionist said they’d update the Opodo / Booking.com booking.

On arrival allocated a lesser Garden/Lake View room (Wainwright) and informed that the 'Junior Suite Lake View' rooms were both booked! Later learnt that 'Junior Suite Lake View' had been given to a family with baby who were part of a party of ten. Maybe Opodo/Booking.com not updated to avoid fees (who knows). Even one Star is not deserved for this shenanigans.

If choosing a front facing lake view room be sure to choose: 'Lowther' and 'Lakeland' are Lake View Suites. 'High Street' and 'Mardale' are Lake View Junior Suites.

These two are garden facing with a side lake view: 'Wainwright' (above the kitchen) and 'Burnbanks' (overlooking driveway ramp) are Garden Lake View suites.

Other experiences:

You cannot enter the hotel after the Front Door is locked at 11pm. You must fill in a form if you wish your room to be tidied up by housekeeping. You must leave your key in a bowl at Reception when you leave the hotel for the day. You must book your breakfast and dinner slot. You must adhere to it! Even if you politely ask if you can finish up your Gin & Tonic and take dinner a few minutes later.. Nah!

These rules should have be done away with after the pandemic lockdown. Only one Star here.

The Wi-Fi is atrocious. There’s no excuse for this. There are plenty of solutions ranging from low cost Mesh Routers through to high end professional installations. The lobby sitting room provided the most stable access. Again even one Star is not deserved for this.

Please get rid of the glass table in the lounge - seriously cut my shin on it.

So what are the positives?

Delightful unique location. Peaceful and wonderful scenery with views to die for over Haweswater Lake. Ample parking. The décor is art deco. The sitting room is comfy with a lovely ambience – especially with the winter log fire. The food was to a very high standard. It stood out as the one area where the hotel excelled.

The attached photographs highlight the presentation of the dishes but fail to reflect how good the dishes tasted. Definitely worth coming here for the food. Five Stars for that.

Staff were very variable some excelled (well done) some were off-hand and even combative. The Kitchen staff were very professional.

Message to the Hotel Owner (not Manager). It would be good if you were to be present at your hotel in person more often rather than just a few days here and there each year. That way you could rectify all the above negatives and really be proud to be honoured with a 5 star rating.

Would I come back? Not to...

Because I had made a mistake with booking !we had to pay extra for the only available room ,on second floor ,with double bed and single bedroom plus extra bed in sitting room area.£373 .( or close to this ) for one night .Wed driven down from Scotland and it was late 7:30 ish so were gratefulr the last room . Wed e xpected it to be splendidly wonderful but were dissapointed . We had to carry our cases to our room for that amount youd expect a little help . The lady who showed us the room said it was ready …. There was no phone to contact reception .We had to fix the loo seat as it was too loose to sit on ! £373 .The room was ok it had veiws of a dark lake and ( for me ) oppressive mountains leaving only a few in hes of sky above . The tea tray had 6 longlife milks only ….. We went down to eat …only the £60 + tasting menu available .I have special diet and eventually was able to have a dairy free sandwich made ,that was all as the bar menu had also finished .The young girl who served us couldnt have been more helpful . And so to bed .The shower driped rather than showered and the temperature was intermittent .Plenty Of towels which were clean .Coming up from behind the loo was a draft od cool air ,underneath the sink the pipe cover was hanging off ! The wooden floor needed attention .TV had few channels but did have Net Flix bearing in mind we had paid £373 ,we were told to pay extra for Net Flix . Furniture might have been period but was scruffy and needed some tlc .Very dissapointing . However the bed was comfortable but rooms so hot as central heating on full blast and not able to turn off as valve fixed open .Slept with all windows open . PILLOWS WERE DISGUSTING ! This stained fibre filled old scruffy pillows not a feather in sight .I ended up having to use a cushion .. Bed was comfortable . The other two beds in suite were not made up ,one was just a mattress .£373 ! Door at top of stairs wasnt a fire door ( but Im no expert pert )

Down for breakfast ,just stood at entrance to dining room waiting ,finally someone turned up and told us to sit anywhere ,no explanation of breakfast but I assumed we just helped ourselfs ??? Menu for breakfast was good .Food was good but no one asked if we wanted toast !or more tea or coffee or anything elce ….no hospitality

Doors at top of stairs were not fire doors !!( but I might be wrong )

We then came to check out and had to wait for someone to come and off we went . Poor sevice .

It isnt what its pretending to be ,is highly overpriced and I wouldnt recommend anyone to stay there . No value for money . But the bed was comfortable !so was the bed in a quirky friendly hotel in...