There are places where luxury seems so effortless – where there’s a quiet confidence that’s deeply rooted in the quality of the offering. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is one such place. Situated just off the Crook Road that runs between Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere, the hotel enjoys a tranquil location among rolling fells on the eastern side of England‘s longest lake. Split over two sites – the hotel and Lake House just a mile away – it’s been a labour of love for many years, and continues to go from strength to strength.
As it happens, I designed Gilpin’s first ever website back in the 1990s; this involved many a visit to the property at the time and so I was already aware of the hotel’s continual pursuit for excellence. I’ve watched it evolve from a modest country house hotel with a very loyal, long-standing staff into the success that it is today. At the heart of it all lies the story of the Cunliffe family. For generations, they have nurtured and sculpted Gilpin into one of the UK’s most appealing small hotels, guided by an uncompromising eye for detail.
The welcome
There’s no unnecessary fuss on arrival. Instead, we were simply warmly greeted at the entrance, directed to our accommodation with a map in hand, and advised that we could park right outside the suite. Another friendly face met us there, showed us around the room and advised us on how everything worked. There was no waiting around — just an immediate sense of ease.
The room
We were lucky enough to try two different set-ups: a Spa Suite at the main hotel and another at the Lake House. Both are incredible, but they have very different settings.
Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite
Our Spa Suite at the hotel — “Duddon” (Room 28) — was essentially a private spa that you happen to be able to sleep in. It’s packed with an abundance of features but is so spacious that it certainly doesn’t feel cluttered.
To the right of the entrance, the bedroom has a really generous, comfortable bed, and all the practical stuff you actually need (luggage racks, plenty of hanging space, etc.) and some you might not (there’s even starch for your shirts).
Sitting on the bed is a “guard dog” soft toy that you can leave outside the door if you don’t require a turndown service, and they’ll plant a tree instead – just one of a number of the hotel’s sustainability initatives.
The entrance itself opens into a sleek, open-plan living space. A fully equipped kitchenette — complete with Nespresso machine, teas, hot chocolate, biscuits, and a well-stocked minibar featuring local spirits—flows seamlessly into a lounge area arranged around a vast TV and suspended fire chimney.
Beyond the sitting area is a sculptural round bath and double shower; the interior décor is both bold and simple at the same time, with eclectic caged botanical elements dangling from the ceiling, and curated reading material courtesy of Pride of Britain Hotels and Relais and Châteaux.
Then comes the spa area—the suite’s undeniable centrepiece and where we were treated to an in-room couples massage. A private steam room and sauna sit alongside a light-filled room with an almost futuristic massage chair, complete with “weightless” mode, and an infrared treatment bed designed to soothe tired muscles.
There are even in-room wellness products: rosehip facial oil with Gua Sha tool, warming muscle and joint balm, and essential oils for the diffuser.
The outdoor decking that flanks the suites is screened for privacy and home to a hot tub, a small pond (complete with the unexpected delight of a newt sighting), an irrigated living wall, and views stretching towards the fells. And we were lucky enough with the weather that we could take full advantage.
Lake House Spa Suite
If the Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite felt like a private retreat, our Lake House Spa Suite — “Tarn” (Room 58)— was more of the same, but this time enjoying a secluded setting beside Knipe Tarn. Check-in was preceded by a delightful afternoon tea from the elevated dining area that overlooks the tarn (see later section under ‘The facilities’) – the perfect way to mark our arrival.
Our ground floor suite was like our own private lakeside residence with the scene set before we even set foot inside.
Outside, a front lawn and meticulously tended gardens are complemented by a hot tub, sauna and reclining chairs.
Inside, the design shifts subtly towards understated elegance. The lounge greets you first, anchored by a large Samsung television and lined with books authored by everyone from Attenborough to Titchmarsh, alongside glossy magazines.
The adjoining kitchenette is well-equipped with a Nespresso machine and minibar yet maintains a clean, neutral aesthetic.
The bright and airy bedroom continues the calm and uncluttered feeling, with ample storage and thoughtful inclusions such as a safe, heater, dehumidifier and more.
The en suite bathroom features a Duravit Starck bathtub, alongside dual basins and a walk-in shower with a striking crackled glass door.
Like the spa suite at the main hotel, the spa room here includes a Weyron full-body massage chair, as well as a steam room and a second bathroom with an extraordinarily deep bath (complete with steps), making this a space designed for prolonged indulgence. All of it framed by tranquil views over the tarn.
Across both suites, sweet orange and basil toiletries are sourced from local luxury brand Pure Lakes.
The facilities
Dining at Gilpin is ssomething of a highlight, with two options available – the hotel’s pan-Asian Gilpin Spice restaurant or the Michelin-starred fine dining offering, SOURCE.
At Spice, the menu lists small plates with bold flavours that lean into Asian influences with precision and flair.
Dishes such as the chatpata aloo tikki and Loch Duart salmon chirashi showcase both creativity and balance, while larger plates like the Goan-style tiger prawns and tomato pumpkin seed curry deliver depth and comfort in equal measure.
Even the sides—wok-fired pak choi, egg fried rice—are elevated beyond expectation.
Then there is SOURCE, the hotel’s Michelin-starred offering, led by Head Chef Kevin Scanlan. The tasting menus on offer at SOURCE are led by the seasons, inspired by the natural, outstanding produce that the British Isles offers, with a focus on the landscape of the Lake District.
To set the tone of what was to come, we began proceedings with chicken liver parfait encased in blackberry and Earl Grey with ajo blanco on a buckwheat sablé, closely followed by a venison Tartlet combined with rosehip and chive and topped with celeriac.
The meal warrants an article in its own right (watch this space) with the Ikijeme trout and the roasted guineafowl with morel, asparagus and wild garlic (both pictured) being particularly memorable dishes.
Elsewhere, the Champagne bar and lounge provide a relaxed setting within the hotel.
Back at Lake House meanwhile, the dining area there is a special place to enjoy afternoon tea whilst enjoying sweeping views of Knipe Tarn.
Our afternoon tea comprised of sandwiches, sausage rolls, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and delicate panipuri filled with smoked duck and a carrot and mango salad.
Fruit scones with cream and jam, as well as chocolate brownies, rhubarb cheesecakes and apple crumble tarts completed the offering.
There is also a spa at the hotel and indoor pool at the Lake House, though with the level of in-room wellness on offer in the spa suites, you could be forgiven for never venturing that far.
And of course there are the grounds at each property, most notably at Lake House, where a stroll by the water’s edge is utterly calming, and there are sun loungers and secret nooks and crannies to soak in the tranquillity of it all.
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The location
Gilpin’s location strikes an enviable balance: close enough to the M6 (just 20 minutes from Junction 36) to feel accessible, yet sufficiently removed to preserve a sense of escape. Windermere—the lake and the village—is a short drive away, but the real magic lies slightly off the beaten path.
Rather than gravitating towards the well-trodden routes of Ambleside or Grasmere, we sought out quieter corners. A walk up Hampsfell, between Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands, is rewarded with sweeping views over Morecambe Bay and a striking limestone pavement if you know where to look.
On another day, we visited Dorothy Farrer’s Wood on the outskirts of Staveley which was awash with bluebells—a seasonal spectacle that feels almost otherworldly.
And yet, despite the wealth of local interest, there’s also a compelling argument for staying put. With accommodation so thoughtfully designed, it’s tempting just to pause, linger a little, and just soak it all up.
Other nice touches
Aside from the usual extras of tea, coffee, milk and biscuits, there are some more thoughtful extras available at Gilpin. John Cunliffe’s book Slightly Perfect, can be found at every turn, offering a multitude of insights behind the hotel, and copies can be purchased from reception.
There’s even the indulgent option of Porsche transfers between the Lake House and the main hotel courtesy of a collaboration between Gilpin and Porsche Centre South Lakes in nearby Carnforth. Our driver, Brian, was utterly charming.
And then there are the resident animals: llamas, alpacas, and pot-bellied pigs, offering some additional countryside curiosity.
The cost
Entry-level Classic rooms range from £279 (advance purchase) to £370 per night, including breakfast.
Spa Suites at the main hotel range from £958 to £1,250 per night.
Lake House Spa Suites range from £755 to £995 per night.
The best bit
It’s hard to put a finger on what’s “best” at Gilpin – perhaps it’s simply top-level luxury, delivered without ostentation, but instead with a quiet, unwavering confidence that’s thoroughly deserved. In short, it is the perfect place to unwind from the frantic hustle and bustle of everyday life, providing guests with an opportunity to take stock and recalibrate.
The final verdict
It’s little wonder that Gilpin Hotel & Lake House have received such a slew of awards over the years; as well as holding the highly coveted ‘Two Key’ distinction with Michelin, the hotel has been named one of the Top 10 ‘Best of the Best Hotels’ in the UK in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards and was most recently crowned ‘Best in the North’ in the Good Hotel Guide César Awards. But it goes further than just awards… Gilpin understands that true luxury is not about excess but about being human – and ‘slightly perfect’ – rather than scripted.
Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Gilpin Hotel and Lake House.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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