The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group
Location: Lake Road, Ambleside, gb
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Property Type: Inns
About this Property
Stylish Accommodation Next to Lake Windermere
Lake Views and Comfortable Rooms
Enjoy the picturesque views of Lake Windermere from many of our comfortable rooms equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.
Creative Dining Experience
Indulge in a culinary delight at our onsite restaurant featuring colorful art, mood lighting, and a creative British menu. Start your day with a delicious traditional cooked breakfast and savor al fresco dining on the garden terrace.
Ideal Location for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Surrounded by the Lake District's scenic walking and cycling routes, Waterhead Inn is the perfect base for outdoor adventures. Explore nearby attractions like Wray Castle and Windermere, just a short drive away.
Book your stay at Waterhead Inn for a memorable Lake District experience.
Important Information
Please note rooms accommodating pets may be limited and are subject to a charge of GBP 15 per pet per night. Guests who wish to travel with pets are advised to inform the property in advance.
Policies
Check-in: 03:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Check-out: 10:30 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Terrace
- Pets allowed
- Non-smoking throughout
- Allergy-free room
- Kid meals
- Outdoor furniture
- Fruits
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Physical distancing rules followed
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- Key access
- Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
- Face masks for guests available
- Key card access
- Free wired internet
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Internet access
- Housekeeping on request
- Wine release events
- Japanese garden
- Fishing nearby
- Paddle boating nearby
Rooms Available
-
Family Room
Offering free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The family room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, as well as an electric kettle. The unit has 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Key card access
-
Double Room
The Double or Twin Rooms are located within The Waterhead Inn. They feature a fully equipped private bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities, WIFI and TV.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Key card access
- Window
-
Classic Double or Twin Room with View
The Classic Double or Twin Rooms with view are located within The Waterhead Inn. They feature a fully equipped private bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities, seating, WIFI and TV. These rooms offer views of either the lake or the fells.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Key card access
- Window
-
Superior Double or Twin Room with View
The Superior Double or Twin Rooms with view are located within The Waterhead Inn. They are spacious and feature a fully equipped private bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities, seating, WIFI and TV. These rooms offer views of Lake Windermere.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Key card access
- Window
-
Classic Double or Twin Room
A seating area with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a private bathroom are featured in this spacious twin/double room.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Key card access
Guest Reviews
- Brian (8/5): Quite enjoyable although weather very poor - Good breakfast dining tables a little small even for two people . Checking in and out with luggage a little difficult especially at breakfast time
- Richard (8/5): -
- Tracy (10/5): Comfortable hotel in a stunning location - Beautiful position over Windermere lake
Staff very brilliant and very friendly
Nothing too much trouble
Comfortable rooms
Good food & drink
Great offers Not enough parking available
Rooms could do with a deep clean, maintenance should just check screws to fittings, some missing, some things fell down, e.g toilet roll holder and wardrobe rails
- David (9/5): - Great location facilities and staff
- sandra (7/5): Lovely hotel with good views ,dinner portions very rationed - Very doggy friendly large breakfast dinning room with good views over the lakes Food was ok but had changed to buffet breakfast which was ok but not great food from buffet was not hot enough
dinner portions were very rationed for the price of the meal needed to add extra sides to bulk it up which only added to the price and made it expensive , overall disappointing
- alison (10/5): -
- Allan (9/5): Worked out just the way I had hoped. No 1 Charlotte provided an excellent base for whiskey tours and restaurant dining. - Great location and very friendly, helpful staff. Excellent breakfast.
- Andrea (8/5): -
- Jane (4/5): Unimpressive overall but location a big compensation. Would not stay again. - Location was excellent. Breakfast and cleanliness of bar. Breakfast was awful experience. Cramped self service area. food regularly running out and not replaced. No plates no cups/mugs, dishwasher couldn’t keep up? Outside bar patio not cleaned overnight but we didn’t use as it was raining. Overall bedroom comfy and spacious and adequate. Let down by breakfast logistics. Staff tried their best.
- Richard (8/5): -
- Werner (8/5): -
- Kate (9/5): -
- Mary Anne (9/5): Liz was a wonderful resource Md Andy was helpful too - Location by the lake. And bus stop right at the inn. A few more comfortable chairs in a lounge area
Working Netflix and other streaming would be nice
- Sandra (7/5): nice but food not so good ! - great room with lake views to get to room was quite a walk and stairs.
- Joanna (7/5): Good hotel - Good location facing Lake Windermere … good location and parking next to the hotel. The hotel rooms weren’t particularly warm on the cool evenings and in the twin room the beds are narrow.
- Katie (8/5): Nice location - Lovely waterfront location, nice spacious rooms. Nice hot shower and good facilities including iron. At 7 months pregnant they put us on the top floor with no lift (even though I had stated I was on my babymoon in the booking). We also had to go outside to access our room. Staff were nice enough but seemed a bit inexperienced. Expected more for £200 a night.
- John (8/5): Lovely hotel, right by Lake Windermere. Quiet and relaxing stay. - Large room with lake view. Everything spotlessly clean. Good breakfast. Quiet. Limited parking but did find a spot eventually.
- Mark (10/5): - The staff are so helpful, the location is great other guests complaining about the breakfast, which was very good, people not controlling their dogs.
- Tina (10/5): Lovely hotel gorgeous views - Staff friendly and helpful, lovely food v dog friendly Car park small but managed to park in public car park nx to hotel so not a problem
- Susan (10/5): The short story is we miss it and we would stay here again and again. - Location was amazing. Opposite the lake. the food was incredibly nice. The buffet breakfast was outstanding especially the black pudding. Breakfast variety was excellent. Strolling distance to the village. Direct access to the lake facilities available eg boat hire, lake cruises etc.
We would stay here again at the drop of the hat. Thank you Everything was brilliant. they have good parking also. the ambiance is lovely. It is clearly popular with visitors and locals.
- May Phyu Sin (7/5): -
- Matthew (10/5): Perfect - Location, breakfast with a view over Windermere !!!! Maybe could do with USB, USBC charging points in plug sockets
- Shirley (7/5): Great views over the lake - Friendly staff
Pleasant, relaxed public area We had to pay for a parking place
- Michael (8/5): Worth the minor shortcomings for the location - Well situated at waters edge with pleasant views from dining/bar areas, and room which was spacious and pleasant On early arrival there seemed to be no conception of whether to consider whether our room may be ready and not having a dedicated reception isn’t ideal. The staff were generally friendly and helpful but not polished. The food is basic but ok
- Kshitij (9/5): -
- James (8/5): We came for our 20th wedding anniversary, we had a lovely stay. - Comfy room, the restaurant and meal were lovely and the breakfast was great. All the staff were very friendly and polite. Nothing
- Gemma (10/5): -
- Darren (10/5): - Everything Else was Perfect Breakfast
- Mark (7/5): -
- Lauren (7/5): -
- Giancarlo (8/5): Un po’ più cordialità non fa male - Posizione e camera Staff un po freddo e poco cordiale
- Hickey (9/5): - Location
- Gill (9/5): Couldnt be bettered. Food good,staff lovely-we’ll be back! - Couldnt be better located. Decor classy. beds so comfortable .quality furnishing and finish.view from outdoor tables stunning…psb Nothing
- Hannah (8/5): Lovely stay and a property full of character - great location and staff. - Great location of this inn with a lovely pub feel in the bar/restaurant which feels recently renovated. We made the most of the breakfast included with our stay which was great. The staff were lovely and super helpful, with tips on what to see and do in the surrounding areas. We walked through the Roman Fort to Ambleside town centre (less than 20mins) and we took a boat from Ambleside (1 min walk from the property) to Bowness. The rooms were spacious and clean. The decor of the rooms were fitting but felt a little tired compared with the seemingly recent renovations downstairs - especially the bathrooms. More importantly though, everything was super clean - so a minor.
- Matthew (9/5): Wonderful. We'll come again. - Pets welcome. Cosy room. Great staff. Breakfast. Dinner.
- Kim (10/5): The view was one that you would never tire of looking at - Good choices for Breakfast. Dinners were also lovely and the waiter Braam was very attentive Having to leave!
- Nicola (8/5): -
- Deonne (8/5): Lovely stay - Lovely Location and amazing views A little paint in the bedroom on some walls needs updating .
- Joanne (4/5): -
- Gemma (10/5): Wedding gift 2 night stay - The staff, especially the assistant manager she was lovely. Nice atmosphere and a decent category of guests, no riff raff. The quality of the food was very good Nothing I didn't like
- Stephanie (7/5): Great location, hotel was alright - Location was great. Our room was big. Staff were friendly. Food at restaurant was good. For breakfast there was not much choice. Most was for an English breakfast. Our room was not super clean. Hairs in the bathroom, dust on furniture. Also we could not control heating in our room.
- Kevin (8/5): Lovely hotel in a great location - Incredible location, clean, helpful staff Nothing
- Maureen (8/5): - Fantastic location, friendly helpful staff Parking was difficult
- Susan (8/5): -
- Sutchitpan (8/5): วิวสวย ติดกับท่าเรือ - วิวสวย อาหารเช้าดี มีที่จอดรถ Check in ไม่ค่อยสะดวก
ห้องพักอยู่ในตำแหน่งที่เข้าออกยากค่ะ
- Subash (6/5): - Amazing views, good breakfast The carpets are a bit old and dirty. Rooms aren't the cleanest.
- Eve (6/5): Could be amazing but sadly falls short. - The location was lovely really nice being on the lake. Our room had a lake view was also was very nice. The staff weren’t great. They seemed to be a bit short staffed. Also we expected a menu at breakfast and it was a buffet breakfast where half the stuff had run out. I like yoghurt and fruit but there was no added extras like nuts of dried fruit to put on it. Just seemed very basic for the amount of money you are paying as it’s not cheap.
- Beverley (7/5): Good - The position overlooking the lake The room was good size but the view was horrible . It’s was a wall not the best at all .
The bedding was clean but there was a small stain on duvet cover . The breakfast had self service or you could order from menu . I ask for 2 boiled egg , I was told they were unable to make boiled eggs . Really.!
- Jennifer (8/5): -
- Robert (9/5): -
- Elizabeth (9/5): Beautiful small hotel in a great locatiion. - The room was good sized, clean and the beds were comfortable. Breakfast was good and dinners were nice. the car park was very small. The hotel would benefit from working a deal with the car park next door. The lack of a lift or help with luggage. We had 6 large cases (party of 3) and no help was offered.
- Saphina (6/5): - Great waterside location with access to the restaurant/bar until later in the evening. The communal areas were tastefully decorated and all rooms had reliable and fast WiFi. Given the price paid for the room, aspects of the room were in disrepair (e.g. wallpaper peeling, cracks in the walls, black mould in the shower, no air con, or TV that would connect successfully to apps like BBC iplayer).
- Paul (10/5): -
- Robert (9/5): -
- Chris (10/5): Fantastic hotel and will defiantly be returning. Food was lovely, drink selection was great. Location was absolutely sup - Very clean and extremely friendly staff. The heat of the rooms. Although this was sorted during the stay so can’t complain.
- Elaine (8/5): -
- Juber (10/5): -
- Emma (10/5): Peaceful, welcoming, great location and nice food - Lovely welcoming staff, brilliant location not too noisy or busy. The room was great and the view was lovely. Thanks for a lovely stay
- Goret (9/5): - Beautiful location, friendly and helpful staff. Good breakfast and comfortable room.
- Wai Bun (7/5): Good location with spacious room. - Enlgish breakfast buffet served was similar to Travelodge. However, I was disappointed by the coffee. Even many Waitrose stores provide freshly brewed coffee free. Here, they only provide readymade america coffee in a big coffee pot. The taste was even worse than instant coffee. As mentioned above, they should serve freshly brewed coffee.
- Bob (8/5): Pleasant stay in a pleasant hotel with stunning views. - A nice hotel in a great location, food and drink enjoyed here. Staff friendly and helpful.
- Deborah (7/5): Very nice stay at a hotel we have used previously now with new owners. - Really good location for ambleside and surrounding lakes. Great view of the lake with facilities very close.
Staff were excellent.
Staff changed our room as we weren't happy with the first. We really appreciated this. Room could have been cleaner. Lots of dust behind doors and in corners.
Would have liked more choices of breads and pastries at breakfast but generally good.
- Sabina (10/5): Great location, near the water, great food in the restaurant downstairs - Great location, near the water, great food in the restaurant downstairs
- Gerard (9/5): -
- FS (8/5): Waterhead Inn pretty decent hotel - The room was great, good condition, tasteful decor and furnishings really comfortable bed, lovely rainfall showerhead (albeit in shower over bath which I don't like).
The room was nicely lit with bright and ambient lighting choices.
Lovely not to have cushions like most other hotel beds have (that just get dirty from constant use and never get cleaned between guests). We therefore knew everything was clean fir our stay.
Food reasonably priced, very nice wines. Initially we were unhappy with our room as the loo seat was too small and it was unpleasant using it.
Fortunately, the helpful receptionist was happy to give us the room next door which was acceptable.
Being on 2nd floor and having to cart heavy dog bed and luggage up 2 flights of stairs. They need a lift installed.
Directions we were given to our room were confusung, really almost needed someone to take us there as room signage for our room number was totally missing in key places.Needed a sign on the external entrance door to indicate way in! And at 2 key point going up stairs. We got lost and only figured out which direction through elimination! We were tired and annoyed by the time we finally took the right stairs in the right direction.
Road noise would be a nightmare in busy season and warmer weather so relieved we went mid April.
- Julie (10/5): Lovely - The food was excellent, and a good selection. The room was a large family room..very clean and modern bathroom. Plenty of different places to sit and relax..location was lovely, lake on door step..really enjoyed our stay, would stay again but longer next time. Can't think of anything
- Alexander (10/5): Great location, spacious room, parking and good food with staff that were attentive and polite. - Great location, spacious room, parking and good food with staff that were attentive and polite. None
- f0cd152cd48a710fb290d73e21160625 (10/5): - The location was better and more beautiful than I expected. The room and view was fabulous. The food was so delicious and there was plenty of it. Staff were very friendly and attentive. N/A
- 67fdfe7c994b715551f8d35e5b9a716f (6/5): OK but not what I expected. - Rooms and fittings were good. Bath bottom was a bit suspect. Food was only pub grub really with a Maitre D trying too hard. Noisy from the position between two roads.
- fbb65592e66471ef0aa81176df43db6d (8/5): Good location, good breakfast, good stay. - Location very good, breakfast good. Perhaps more choice eg more variety for fruit for yoghurt, only had strawberry yoghurt. Sat nav took us to rear of hotel, sign did say to check in at pub reception but not where it was. Perhaps better instruction before arrival. Young lady who was cleaning opened up the rear door and took us through to reception (very helpful).
- c700191a3559702d9f8daca5cb821478 (7/5): Nice rooms in great location - Recently refurbished rooms and great location next to Waterhead Breakfast wasn’t great, sometimes had to wait for buffet to be refilled.
- 0850c7139d0173341946ee9c4accd236 (10/5): Relaxing anx enjoyable - Comfortable room, friendly staff, and good food.
- 3eae25212ddb73f7181c4abfa0137b71 (10/5): we had a very good time at hotel and sight seeing was spot on - room wear very good and breakfast very very good not a thing
- 1f579d44736972e4b3e59c3ca9af648d (8/5): -
- 1b21ff6537bc709fc8d1ba8baf48bd4d (9/5): -
- f626b52c900273bd0653ada3fe9d8e47 (10/5): - Friendly staff
The easiest and most efficient check in and check out. Food was fab, location fab, loved it can’t wait to come back.
- 3b9317ce3e597215bb5565a3dc812d44 (10/5): - Great staff. Lovely view from room. Breakfast was delicious Nothing all good
- 0e1b2535d23973a0abac7b813c7ad7b7 (6/5): Comfortable. Good location. A little run-down. - Location: excellent. The hotel sits next to the waterfront on the edge of Ambleside with one road in front of it before the jetties, from which you can get various boat trips as well as boat hires. It is a 15 minute straight walk into town, where there are plenty of independent shops, cafes and places to eat.
Breakfast: The breakfast was excellent. It offers a buffet-style full English option, as well as toast, pastries, serials and the usual hot and cold drinks. All of the breakfast food was well cooked and of good quality.
Staff: generally friendly. The lady running breakfast was very chatty (albeit clearly overworked and short on staff). The hotel was good, but there were a couple of bits which could be improved:
Maintenance: The hotel is looking a little weathered and the maintenance could be better. By way of example, in our room we opened one wardrobe drawer and the handles fell off. We opened the wardrobe door and one of the hinges was off. The shower screen leaked and the extractor in the bathroom didn't work - so you had a nice Swedish Sauna when you got out the shower. Two overhead down pipes in the car park had pulled apart so water was pouring out when it rained - a very easy fix I could have done in 2 minutes if I had ladders. Again, a sign it is not as well maintained as it should be.
Housekeeping: this came up in other reviews we read online. The rooms are not serviced well. We had a lot of dust in the bathroom, which was not cleaned during our six-day stay (so much so we actually wrote in the dust and it remained). The bathroom mirror was not cleaned (again, we know because my daughter wrote a message in the steam at the start of the trip and it remained throughout), the floors were not vacuumed.
The hotel offers the option to have your room serviced or receive a credit at the bar. We did one-day-on-one-off. However on one of the mornings we had a service they emptied the bin and replaced the tissues (leaving the empty tissue box on the bed0 - but that was it. We also found clean towels and bedding just left in a pile on the floor outside the room ready to change on more than one occasion. Not the most hygienic.
Staff engagement: All very friendly, but the housekeeping staff walk around wearing headphones, so a couple of times when I went to chat to them, they jumped out their skin! When we checked in, the lady behind the reception just looked at us and carried on chatting to her colleague (about work) for a good two minutes before we got an abrupt "checking in?". Basil would be proud...
- ddd76cba14ca73b33e0111ec983d270b (8/5): Was treated to an upgrade with Lake view. Staff very pleasant. Room a little dated but comfortable. - Great location Rooms comfortable but a little dated.
- 71f2f2cf2b84735656e32f58f900c813 (9/5): Wonderful location with a great staff - The location was great. Nice area and quiet. Rooms spacious, clean and well appointed. Breakfast was wonderful and the restaurant food and service good. Would stay again with less luggage There are no lifts or porters here, so moving luggage from the lobby to the room was difficult. Also parking is very limited. The hotel should make a deal with the car park next door (reduced rate with a special tag)
- b286ea35663e733d83d278816ba84a03 (8/5): - Location, room size and staff Nothing
- Guest (8/5): -
- def132a4bbd47115d852053935a6d50b (10/5): -
- 903bb4f3cd1d72cb7c196e0904877765 (10/5): Amazing stay, will be looking to stay again! - Everything , great location. Great staff , room was excellent and breakfast was amazing too! The bar closed at 11pm and there was no shops open nearby
- Ivan (8/5): -
- Ali (10/5): Beautiful stay on the lake and super dog friendly - Great location, super dog friendly, really lovely breakfast and kind staff Nothing. Parking is tight, but I wouldn’t say that’s a huge issue.
- masdevall (6/5): Molt car (227 pounds la nit*, habitació doble, sense vista al llac, i amb esmorzar molt bàsic). *No vaig obtenir cap ben - Localització davant del llac. L’esmorzar, molt i molt bàsic.
- Vanessa (9/5): - The location is perfect. The room was a little too warm. But the food was lovely
- Wayne (10/5): - Great location, very clean, comfy bed and great food Nothing to report
- Lauren (10/5): The perfect stay which we extended! - Everything! Location, room, food and staff Nothing parking sucked a little bit!
- Rosie (8/5): Great location but Waterhead & Wateredge are sister hotels in the Inn collection. Both good locatio - Room was a good size with double bed being 2x3ft zipped together. No soap next to basin in bathroom. A vanity mirror would be very useful when putting in makeup..
- Patricia (10/5): -
- sean (8/5): - Great location, very modern and clean pub- restaurant Was a little bit slow checking in as only one staff member working the bar and checking in guests
- Kin (9/5): - Spacious room, good location. A bit too expensive.
- Madeleine (9/5): -
- Ken (9/5): Enjoyed our stay, nice staff, food and beer. - Great location in Ambleside. Room was big and clean. Bar and eating area was large. Nice outside seating area although traffic noise was a bit disturbing. Great view of the north end of lake Windermere. Bed was hard and uncomfortable. Traffic noise at location but great views.
- Manju (10/5): - Beautiful location , great view and brilliant service and facilities NA
- Claire (9/5): - Lovely view over the lake
- Currie (8/5): -
- Victoria (6/5): -
Photos