Borrowdale Gates Hotel

It’s extremely good hotel where you can truely feel the people life in Lake District

Great location,check in was smooth,room was ready for 3pm. We had garden suite-view was amazing, room very clean and spacious. Staff were very friendly and very helpful. Dinner was great,very tasty and worth of money. Overall great stay at this place-would be even better if they offer welcome gift -something small to make it even special -welcome drink?perhaps.. Thank you for lovely time

As very regular visitors to the Lake District my wife and I would usually book accommodation in Grasmere and it would be fair to say we have sampled just about every single hotel or guest house in the village over the last 20 years or so, however, on this occasion we decided to try the Borrowdale valley for a change of location and in turn chose to book the Borrowdale Gates Hotel, not least because of the very positive reviews it receives. Choosing a Classic room for two nights bed and breakfast check-in was from 3pm. On arrival the parking provided for hotel guests is extensive so I’d say you’d be very unlucky indeed to struggle for a spot even when the hotel is at full capacity. My wife and I were allocated room 7 which was on the ground floor and I must say it benefits from some great views onto the surrounding fields, valley and fells. As well as the actual room window a nice addition was a full opening door to the outside so it was great to have that facility to just step outside or at the very least have plenty fresh air circulating if you wanted it. The room itself was pleasant and quite nicely appointed, of ample size and had a comfortable king sized bed. The bathroom was again nicely appointed, a good size and with the shower over the bath. Given a choice we would have preferred a shower cubicle but in fairness the shower itself was powerful and had a rainfall head as well as a wall mounted hand shower head to use. Everything in the room appeared clean and reasonably well maintained with ample tea and coffee making facilities so overall all good for what is classified as an entry level room so to speak. The rest of the hotel internally is very good, with a pleasant bar and lounge for drinks with an adjoining restaurant area used for breakfasts and evening meals. My wife and I didn’t sample dinner but by all accounts the food comes highly recommended. Staying on the subject of food the one disappointing aspect of our stay was the breakfast. Wherever my wife and I stay we always choose the full English breakfast option and based on our extensive experience of hotels in Lakeland I would have to rate Borrowdale Gates full English as well below average. Now perhaps a bit of background information is required to explain the reasoning for that rating. I happen to follow a YouTuber called Black Crag that features videos of him hiking the Lake District with overnight stays at various places of accommodation, and on one occasion being at the Borrowdale Gates Hotel. I was very impressed the breakfast presented to him on his day of departure so I guess my wife and I had not unreasonably expected the same or similar but unfortunately what we received literally paled by comparison, and the photos I have included in this Trip Advisor submission demonstrates my point. One image is a screen-shot of Black Crags breakfast from his video on YouTube and the other being what I received. I think you’d agree quite a difference because one is noticeably fa

This was the fourth visit with my wife and I and the location, welcome and rooms were as nice as ever and worthy of 5 stars, as was the food. In fact the dinner is the man reason we return, it’s up there with the finest restaurants I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. So why the 3 stars rating you ask? Quite simply it’s the hot water, or lack of it. We arrived late afternoon, looking forward to a relaxing soak in the bath before dinner but the luke warm water put paid to that. I manage a bath - quickly but my wife couldn’t stand the cool shower. I checked with reception and was told to wait an hour until it warms up! Sorry guys but unacceptable for a 4 star hotel. The next day after a long hike I bathed mid afternoon circa 3pm and the water was scolding hot but I did check it at 5pm and it’d cooled down considerably. And while I’m nitpicking, the service on the first night was indifferent - we waited an age for the starters and then the place appeared understaffed but I may be wrong. I want to return again but being a keen hiker I do demand a nice post walk soak, it’s not too much to ask.

Another visit, another wonderful lunch. Yet more lovely soup and sandwiches with terrific service to non residents. Wonderful views and an all round lovely experience. My daughter loved playing with the games too.