We went to the Keswick Country House Hotel for two days commencing Friday 14th November 2025. I booked the place in September and paid (if I remember correctly) £416 for the two nights with breakfast and evening meal. I’m one of these people that think I’ll get a better quality place if I pay an amount over and above what I would normally do for two nights. Maybe some would call it reasonable or cheap but for me, it was considerably over what I would usually do.
Anyhow, on arrival, we struggled to park anywhere near and ended up on the road leading up to the hotel, for which there is a parking charge. However, panic over on entering reception and they give out an exemption from any charges to place in the car where it can be seen. Check in was straightforward and we were allocated room 111. I can’t recall when but at some point, I was told a choice of “views” from the room and opted for a hill view – so first tip – don’t take this option, we could see the top of the hills above some trees but you inevitably find yourself looking downwards at a rather scruffy yard full of large bins at the rear of the hotel. Not the best view.
Before coming aware of the view though, before even entering the room, you go through some fire doors where we became aware of what I can only describe as “an old folks home stale wee” smell. It wasn’t pleasant and was ever so slightly stronger on entering the room. Admittedly, the smell did seem to diminish as our stay progressed but that could just have been an immunity to it through constant contact. We had a good look around and the bathroom was dotted with mould/mildew, and the corner of the bedroom also had a trace of the same. My first opinion right then was that room wasn’t even worth half of what I had paid for it.
Rather than complain, as some would, we decided it was what it was, we’d have to put up with it and decided to stay put. Frankly, I’m glad we did because the hotel did grow on me and to a degree, even the room did. Best thing, for me, was the restaurant. I thought the food, especially the evening meal, exceptionally good. I’ve already seen one or two bad reports of the buffet style breakfast but to me, it was a damn good start to each day, and I had no issues with it at all. Best thing in there though, were the staff. Shame I only managed to get one name because they were all very good at their jobs, but Matilda was a real credit to the hotel.
The bar was a lovely area, but I found it a little pricey. Having said that, prices are respective of where you’re from and being from Lancashire, where many bars are much cheaper, yes, not just the hotel, but bars in Keswick are dearer than 90 miles south of there. As an example, and for reference, our first drinks were a pint of Poretti and a large white wine, which was (I think) £13.20, which was about £4 more than most pubs local to where we live. To balance that out, I recall one pub in Seahouses, Northumberland charging £16.50 for the same drinks so as I said, it’s respective of where you’re from.
Would I stay there again? On balance, yes, I would, the pictures around the room may scare people off, maybe the prices will too, but all in all, there are far more positives than negatives and, in the end, we had a very good stay. The beds, (by the way) are huge and exceptionally comfortable and it is just a ten minute stroll into town from the hotel. Do bear in mind with this place, it opened in 1869, it's 156 years old at the time of writing - if you don't like rustic quaint old places, it isn't for you.
