The Gilpin Lake District hotel review

Being chauffer-driven down to the “Lake House” of the Gilpin Hotel in a royal family-esque Land Rover is as clear message as any that this is not your average Lake District hotel.

The family-run Gilpin is totally secluded, up in the hills of Cumbria, yet is actually only a five-minute drive away from the most popular, biggest and busiest lake; Windermere.

It used to be a standalone hotel, but in 2010, the Lake House was converted into accommodation about a mile and a half from the main lodge – hence the Land Rover.

The hotel has 25 rooms in the main lodge, six in the Lake House and four separate “spa lodges”. All are individually designed and many are requested by the same regulars time and time again – the general manager tells me one couple even marked their 100th visit to the hotel recently. What keeps them coming back?

The spa, for starters. In 2013 it introduced a “spa trail”, a three-hour course which involves designing your own scent for an hour-long aromatherapy massage, a cream tea in the snug (essentially a small summerhouse overlooking the lake), private use of the pool and sauna before enjoying champagne in an outdoor jacuzzi in front of the lake (from £100pp).

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There’s a homely feel in the communal areas of the lodge where comfy, plush sofas line the lounge along with an array of books and newspapers for guests to get stuck into and put their feet up. The main restaurant, Michelin-starred Hrishi, is split into two dining rooms rather than one main industrial-style restaurant. The other, Gilpin Spice, is a pan-Asian restaurant serving dishes like the Indian street food pan puri and Malaysian laksa.

Read more: Best family hotels in the Lake District

Many find Lake Windermere overrated (too busy, full of tourists) while others obsess over its beauty. The great thing about the Gilpin, though, is that its location is a plus for both camps. Windermere is a five-minute drive or half-hour walk from the hotel; those after total seclusion (and a lake of their own) can stay at home.

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There’s a very clear feel the lodge is designed to feel as homely as possible; each classic (entry-level) room could pass as a bedroom in somebody’s house. Next there are master rooms, junior suites and garden suites, the latter with doors leading to a private garden complete with hot tub.

The Lake House has just six rooms and, true to its name, its very own private lake. Most of the rooms overlook the water (you can take a rowing boat out on it, if you want), and the one I stayed in – “Harriet”, named after the owner’s grandmother – had possibly the comfiest king-size bed I have ever slept in.

Finally, for those wanting to push the boat out, there are four luxury spa lodges which opened in 2016 – as well as a hot tub, each have an outdoor sauna – both of which look out onto the moors of Cumbria.

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The Gilpin, Crook Road, Windermere, The English Lake District, LA23 3NE

thegilpin.co.uk

Doubles from £275, B&B

Wifi: Free

Pets: Not allowed

Parking: Free

Wheelchair access: Garden suites are accessible