Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

Breakfast was lovely, staff excellent. Location perfect

Paying £25 per night for car park that is open enough for public wasn’t overly secure

The location Always wanted to stay here many years ago, the scenery very good overlooking the lake

Sadly did not live up to my expectations Building very dated Room was far to hot didn’t sleep, even with the window open, paid for an upgrade and the room was average to what I was expecting for an upgrade , breakfast was ok Spa was terrible, pool was cold no jacuzzi Anita who did my facial was amazing and the upstairs part of the spa was better, but very disappointing overall considering the price for staying The location was the best thing I really would not stay here again sadly

We have visited Bowness for many years and always wanted to visit Macdonalds Old England Hotel. We booked in the Spa for 4 hours plus a 25 minute therapy each. On arrival at the hotel, the receptionist barely looked up to direct us to the Spa. The Spa staff were very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the facilities and the treatment. We left the hotel to get changed and returned an hour later. We were greeted by the same receptionist, in the same manner. We told him we had booked in for Afternoon tea and he pointed us in to the lounge. We found a table and sat down and then I went to the bar 10 minutes later. We had our drinks and although there were no other people in the lounge, nothing happened. I returned to the bar to advise the bar man we were here for Afternoon tea. I had wrongly assumed the receptionist would let the appropriate people know we were there. This was not the case. We were then redirected to another table by the friendly bar man with excellent views of the lake and garden. The tea arrived about 25 minutes later. I have to say it was mediocre to say the least. 3 triangles of sandwich, a slice of sausage roll. A fruit scone with jam and cream, 3 cubes of cake each and a sliver of raspberry and white chocolate biscuit. That's it, no surprise savoury, no macaron or trifle, no fruit slice. Nothing special. Obviously the views and surroundings were second to none, but the hotel staff need to look at what other hotels offer. We spent £200 on the treatment and Afternoon tea. Needless to say we won't be returning sadly.

Stunning building and beautiful view

Nothing

Parking - one assumes parking is included however the hotels car park is actually off site and a little hidden. Out of the 3x times I had to enter it, twice there was another guest having difficulty which instantly causes a traffic issue and having to reverse into a roundabout. The car park feel like derelict land and signs of some abandoned cars left to rot and no clear lines to maximise safe parking. Oh, and it’s £25 a day which is only mentioned a couple days before arrival - essentially it’s a tax on the room you don’t know about.

Nice little spa and the grounds are well kept and great in the sun

Room was very hot- even with the window open. We used the fan but still very warm. Turns out there was a mains heating pipe running through the back of the wardrobe (would be appreciated in winter) Also £25 to park at the hotel is a bit ridiculous when your paying over £200 a night to stay there.

We stayed in Room 144 and was particularly impressed by the bathroom. It had separate bath & shower and was spotless! The shower itself was also good and is so often not the case in a hotel.

The room was rather warm through the night, not sure if the panel heater was on? It would benefit from Air Con in the room but not easy to retro fit into a building such as this. I realise a fan was provided.

Everything