Rothay Manor Hotel

Breakfast was superb! Room was beautiful and spacious, with a great terrace to enjoy the lovely weather. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a comfortable stay with our baby. The dinner at Rowan was unbelievable! The vibe of the hotel is so peaceful with stunning grounds. It's a very short drive into town or neighbouring areas.

Great location for Ambleside

Nothing to dislike

Very disappointing stay. I booked Rothay Manor as a birthday treat for my husband and told the hotel in advance, but there was no acknowledgement of the occasion at dinner or during the stay. The room was also disappointing. The view was of the fire escape and extractor pipes, there was noise from downstairs, and the loo made an extremely loud foghorn-like noise when flushed. The main issue was the service. The staff member we dealt with most often was unwelcoming and at times rude, including during our birthday dinner. We were seated next to a loud group, my husband was cramped by a pot plant, and we felt uncomfortable enough after his interaction to leave after one course and not eat or drink at the hotel again. A different staff member was helpful when my husband raised the issue, and two drinks plus the dinner service charge were removed, which we appreciated. However, the overall experience fell well below expectations. I emailed the hotel afterwards. They acknowledged receipt and said someone would respond, but ten days later I have had no substantive reply. Sadly, not the special stay we had hoped for, and we would not return.

The Rothay Manor Hotel is a favourite of ours. The rooms are comfortable and sumptuously decorated and styled from a glorious bygone era. Our room, Colwith, had a large balcony overlooking the glorious gardens and the fells. The staff were friendly, attentive and efficient. They danced the fine line between formal service and familiarity with ease. The chef, Simon Ulph, appeared at your table to sauce the meat dishes. He brought a sense of personality to his exquisite food. We ate both the tasting and à la carte menus. Every dish was carefully crafted and beautifully presented. The array of flavours danced across the tongue and delighted the palate.

The dining experience on Saturday night was slightly tainted by the presence of the restaurant manager and his somewhat brusque and dismissive attitude to the clientele. This was completely at odds with the experience of the previous two evenings.

Food and service ‘amazing’