Macdonald Swan Hotel
Macdonald Swan Hotel descritpion
The Swan at Grasmere has elegant, cozy lounges and traditional rooms with free mineral water and satellite TV. Central Grasmere is within a 10-minute walk.
Set in the Lake District National Park, all of the rooms at the 17th-century Swan Hotel have tea/coffee facilities and large desks. Some rooms have countryside or garden views.
Walkers Bar features a cozy fireplace, local ales and a traditional menu of homemade local dishes. Waggoner’s Restaurant offers a modern British menu of local produce, and a large international wine list.
Macdonald Swan Hotel has free parking and there are many walking routes close by. Ambleside and Windermere are within easy reach.
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The staff speaks English——Macdonald Swan Hotel's staff speaks:Polish,Spanish,English
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Facilities of Macdonald Swan Hotel
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are allowed. Charges may apply.
Activities ：Fishing | Hiking | Horseback Riding
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Room Service | Packed Lunches | Dry Cleaning
General ：Safe | Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | Heating
Languages Spoken ：Polish | Spanish | English
Reviews for Macdonald Swan Hotel
Review 1：There were cobwebs/ daddy long legs in reception seating area . Food stains on restaurant walls and I had to clean hair out of the bath tub ruined our night away
Review 2：The bedding wasn't changed or the room hoovered - Bathroom just a quick lick over. Short on tea and coffee making. Heating in room kept going off, the room was cold when returning from days walking and getting up and showering in the morning. Bed mattress seen better days.Stayed in premier inns with excellent heating control, changed bedding everyday and excellent tea coffee making facilities.Bed mattress large, newest and very comfortable. Paid £90 per night at Mcdonald and just from £29 at premier inn=BIG DIFFERENCE.
Review 3：Reception Staff and Breakfast Staff ,whole pleasant, smiling and good rapport - no problems with excellent people skills. Good Breakfast.
Review 4：I have rated it down on value for money as the drinks were expensive-£7.95 for a glass of red wine, also, spa facilities were at Daffodil hotel which you had to pay for.
Review 5：Open fire's and separate rooms were great. Food was beautiful. Beds very comfortableand rooms were nice.
Review 6：Toilet flush over flow suddenly started to run continuously for no reason which was too noisy to sleep, reported to reception they attempted to fix it but to no avail. We were given an adjoin room for the night, with no fuss. Excellent.
Review 7：Friendly staff, good food and willing to oblige.
Review 8：Too many stairs. Poor menu and very expensive. The beer was not good. The hotel has gone down since our last stay. January 2015. We will not stay there again.
Review 9：The staff were very pleasant and helpful. A catalogue of errors spoiled our stay but the staff worked hard to rectify it. The first room we had was dirty and in need of refurbishment. The second was very good. The menu is poor and expensive.
Review 10：Uneven standard of service. Breakfast had been cleared away before we had a come down. Apparently we had been ticked of the list by mistake
Review 11：Junior staff very helpful but bar staff unhelpful
Review 12：The bathroom. Heated towel rail over bath was dangerous as you reached out for it by mistske and burnt yourself. Also it made it easy to knock towels into the bath. The shower screen was big and made it difficult to put the plug in the bath. Bathroom needs refurbishing.
Review 13：Food, bedroom and location.
Review 14：The bar staff were highly inefficient, undertrained and too much expected of the few of them at peak times. Your staff should be able to makje an Irish Coffee!!! The reception desk was often left unattended. There appeared to be too few staff being expected to work what appeared long shifts with poor supervision. The heating or hot water system needs replacing. On the Saturday, we had poor flow/pressure and the water was luke warm. When reported at reception we were told 'It is an old hotel and as a result the bolier and water system are old etc etc and 'we hope it will be ok tomorrow'. In a hotel in 2015 it doesn't matter how old the historical building is, the equipment should be modern up to date a fully fit for purpose otherwise you sdould be charging much lower rates.This place needs further urgent financial investment and an increase in staff numbers and training.
Review 15：The hotel has character. The service in the restaurant was good. The dining menu was limited but the food was well cooked and presented.
Review 16：room was a long way from reception with lots of stairs to negotiate with luggage
Review 17：location of hotel meals in dining room were excellent room was good and nicely equipped wish we had been staying for more than 1 night!
Review 18：Shower difficult to get temperature as wanted. When "false alarm" fire alarm went off, lights on stairs did not switch on because sensor not well placed. Very crowded breakfast room, although staff did their best, long wait for orders to be taken occurred. Food OK. but not outstanding. Free WiFi entailed signing up with supplier and agreeing to being contacted by others. I did not want this, so used the free uncomplicated WiFi at the supermarket (Booths) locally, in Keswick, Penrith or Windermere
Review 19：Situation excellent. staff friendly.
Review 20：None
Review 21：We only stayed one night and were given an upgrade which was excellent. The bed was really good with bath and shower in a nice clean bathroom. Good selection at breakfast for cereal/juices/fruit etc. but if you were only having the fried breakfast then I found the portions a little on the small side but tasty and nicely done.
Review 22：The staff were clueless - most were very well intentioned, though one barman was incredibly ignorant. My request for a dry martini ended in a comic fiasco!
Review 23：Everyone was very friendly and helpful - the décor was tasteful and the location was perfect.
Review 24：Its all a bit tired . Stayed there a few times some years ago and it didnt really feel as though its had any money spent on it since then . Possibly apart from the bathroom
Review 25：location
Review 26：Although the windows are double so there is no road noise, the walls are not so thick, so you certainly hear your neighbours rather too well. A small fridge in the room would have been nice.
Review 27：The staff was phenomenal! They all went far beyond expectations to be helpful, and were very kind to my dog as well. I can't praise them enough.The bar is dog-friendly but not the restaurant, but they serve the same food in the bar. The food was excellent. Plenty of parking, and a big field just across the road where my dog could do his business.
Review 28：we were not told of the exhorberent charge for taking our dogs, just hit with the charge upon leaving. breakfast was so poorly managed it was a joke. i was offerred 3 different breakfasts 3 times. then when mine finally arrived it wasn't cooked. very poor. the staff were freiendly but they had no organisation and were badly managed.
Review 29：Nice location, staff very friendly
Review 30：Breakfast totally shambolic, one English member of serving staff who continually apologises for the quality of service, poor quality bacon serviced with the fat slimy and milky white.
Review 31：Plenty of free car parking, comfortable rooms.
Review 32：The desserts were served on a slate bed which although trendy! created a sound like a building site and made you feel a little self-conscious when eating.
Review 33：The staff were brilliant,helpful and friendly.
Review 34：Unable to use the Wi-Fi but it was my own fault and I should have asked the girls at the Reception as I am sure they would have sorted me out very quickly.
Review 35：Staff all very helpful.
Review 36：Its not a complaint but shower not very powerful and the water temperature was either hot or cold
Review 37：Just a lovely hotel good quality food pleasant friendly staff and comfy rooms
Review 38：Breakfast on the first day of our stay was inedible , meagre and very over cooked. Better on second day after we spoke to the waitress but still meagre
Review 39：Good room facilities and parking near at hand.
Review 40：We think the location of the hotel is excellent. We used the local bus service which stopped outside the hotel. All the staff were really very nice and the room we had was spacious and comfortable. We had an evening dinner at the hotel which was lovely and relaxing. We have stayed at The Swan before and look forward to returning soon.
Review 41：Bathrooms looking tired and mould was visible in some corners. Windows in dining room could do with a good clean.
Review 42：The character of the 'old' pub had been maintained and had a quirky layout as a result. Very cosy feel. Excellent breakfast. The fact that we could stay for one night only at a weekend.
Review 43：Comfortable rooms, lovely breakfast, helpful, friendly staff. Also dog friendly and they set us a table up in the bar area so ours could breakfast with us.
Review 44：For the price we paid £288.00 for 1 night I expected a really good breakfast .. This was a real let down with limited choices. From the menu I chose boiled egg and toast .. I ended up with 1 very small hard boiled egg with toast and sadly the catering did not live up to my expectations .. Also my mum had an item missing from her full English but no explanation
Review 45：Lovely clean spacious room .. Staff really helpful
Review 46：Hoards of Japanese tourists in the hotel, very noisy in the corridors early in the morning and predators in the Dining Room on fresh fruit and pastries.
Review 47：Friendly and helpful staff, pretty gardens and plenty of free car parking.
Review 48：The buffet table needs to be replenished on a regular basis at breakfast there was no choice of continental breads and no marmalade.it is perhaps under staffed at busy times.
Review 49：We were let down on our second night for our evening meal and had to eat out.
Review 50：The hotel bar is very nice with good ales. The breakfast is good if your appetite is not large. Within walking distance of the beautiful Grasmere village.
Review 51：Our room was long way from reception. A lot of stairs if you are taking a case.
Review 52：Hotel was in avery good location. Good to have a bar and Restraunt on site after a long days walking. We managed to make happy hour and got a bar meal discount!
Review 53：The entrance to parking at the back of the hotel is a bit of a tight squeeze, but once in, there is plenty of space.
Review 54：The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, the breakfast selection was fantastic and beautifully cooked, but the friendliness and care from the sisters was the best of all. They were so kind and helpful in every way. Free parking and wifi good too.
Review 55：Why were the best tables in the restaurant unavailable for us at dinner because they were laid up for breakfast early. These were the only tables next to a window with any view at all. If I had known I would have insisted one of the tables was re-laid for dinner. this really ruined our stay.
Review 56：Location
Review 57：Reception staff were not particularly helpful.We stayed in a remote room and were not told of easier rear access or offered help with bags.Wifi was also a problem.
Review 58：The location was great
Review 59：Room not ready when told would be available from 2pm, had to wait 50 minutes.when we got to room the others alongside were being painted,paint fumes were awful. Had to request a move as wife has asthma.couldnf eat breakfast in the morning ad poached eggs tasted of vinegar and black pudding awful.
Review 60：Lovely clean hotel.lovely location.
Review 61：There was nothing I could fault.
Review 62：Staff couldn't do enough. Hotel was immaculately and food was excellent. There was nothing any of our party could fault about our stay. Would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone.
Review 63：Loved the room . Location excellent. Bar area looked a little 'tired' . Breakfast was ok but for the priceI expected more variety. Staff were helpful and friendly
Review 64：On arrival receptionist on duty, Rosa, was very surlish and abrupt. For evening meal (which wasp rebooked) we were shown to a dark alcove, when my husband stated that he wasn't too happy about this and asked for another table waiter did not respond, even though there were other tables.eventually he said 'he supposed he could get us another one sorted but we might have to wait. In the end I convinced my husband that the original table was ok. Food however for EM was delicious. Unfortunately though, my had doc wasn't cooked all the way through for breakfast.
Review 65：Evening meal. Receptionist on leaving called Alison, very good personal skills. Bathroom was lovely and shower was good.
Review 66：The only downside was getting woken up at 4am by someone banging loudly on our door, but this was by no means the staff's fault - rather a drunken guest.
Review 67：Great location, out of the centre of the village, so you feel more secluded and away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, but only a 10 minute walk into the village where you will find lots of lovely shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, they managed to fit us in to the restaurant on Friday night even though it was apparently very busy. The room was simple and traditional, with a good sized flat screen tv - and an extremely comfy bed! Breakfast was also very nice, i would definitely recommend a stay at the Swan Inn
Review 68：Parking might have been an issue if the hotel was fully booked. False fire alarm could have been advised to guests, it caused us concern..
Review 69：Room and bed were very comfortable and hotel is well located for touring the Lakes district,.
Review 70：The pub/bar menu was just a copy of the main restaurant menu. The meals on the restaurant menu were great, but sometimes, when you're enjoying a quiet beer, you just want something quick, simple and traditional
Review 71：The room was very clean and comfortable and the breakfast choice was great
Review 72：Too shorta stay !!
Review 73：Staff attitude made ita pleasurable and relaxed time The friendly environment added to the experience. A high comfort factor just gave that "wrap around" effect.
Review 74：Bar food , poor menu. Soup portion was pathetic. Expensive for quality .
Review 75：Comfortable room .could use a waste paper basket in bedroom. Reception staff very helpful
Review 76：A wonderful warm welcome a room that was comfortable lovely large bed very cosy. Plenty of space. We had dinner every evening and it never failed the quality of the food was outstanding the dining room staff were extremely helpful. Breakfast was a feast
Review 77：Food could have been better. Two of us sent the fish back as it was under cooked. We were not charged for those meals which was good service. The bacon on the second morning was rather hard. Had it been warmed up from the previous day?
Review 78：Bedroom carpet was very tired and caked in dog hair - I am a dog owner but don't have carpets in that condition. Room smelt damp and the bathroom could do with new fixtures - cigarette burn on bath even though no smoking and extractor fan and string was filthy
Review 79：Staff friendly and helpful, location great and good view from bedroom
Review 80：Pillows. Have never slept on such uncomfortable pillows your head sunk into the middle and the sides wrapped around your head would have mentioned it on check out but wasn't even asked if I had enjoyed my stay which I did apart from the pillows
Review 81：Hotel room, comfortable bed, bathroom top knotch and was upgraded for free breakfast was lovely and staff very attentive and helpful
Review 82：Lovely stay with our 2 dogs who where also made very welcome. Food was great we intended going some where else our 2nd night but the food was so good and the hotel so comfortable we stayed in!!!
Review 83：I think there was a blip 1st night evening meal booked for 7.30pm arrived 7.25pm no table so at 7.45 had to ask what was happening, gave us the menu, took our order at 8.00pm took us to our table and at 8.30pm had to ask about our starter. So eventually we had our main course just after 9pm We did get a large glass wine complimentary. The poor waiter couldn't apologise enough. Next night no problem what so ever food fabulous as was 1st night by the way was worth waiting for be it late. Hasn't put me off would definitely go back
Review 84：Hotel, staff, food , room excellent. Not a complaint but I would say not much drawer space cupboard seemed to be wasted with tea/coffee tray. This could have been left on top and cupboard used as dawers. I know it had a shelf but not the same as actual drawer space. Towels large white and fluffy and we had his/hers dressing gown & slippers nice touch.
Review 85：The staff were tense culminating with an almighty crash and shouting match from the kitchen during breakfast.
Review 86：Good access to outside areas when staying with pet dog
Review 87：The room/bathroom The dated ness of the rooms/hotel Price of a cup of tea £4.55!!! The value for money
Review 88：The location, exterior of hotel and breakfast
Review 89：Excellent location in the heart of the central Lakeland fells but also right on a good bus route. Very helpful, efficient and friendly staff. Good food and drink and excellent breakfast. Comfortable room.
Review 90：Upon arrival my husband and I (our adult son was to follow later by train) checked in at reception. We had booked one twin room for ourselves and one double room ( single occupancy) for our son. We were given keys to two neighbouring rooms and asked if we were OK with our luggage (We are both in our 80s ) A good hotel would say "I will get someone to bring your luggage". We managed our own luggage. Neither was a twin room and one wasn't even made up ! ! We were then told we could have a twin room at the far end of the corridor." Our son had travelled from India and we hadn't seen him for a year !! They then found two neighbouring rooms on the second floor at the far end of the hotel. At breakfast on our first morning there was no table ready for us - we had to stand around until a table was laid for three.(we had booked a couple of weeks before, so it was not as though it was a last minute booking). On the second evening we reserved a table for dinner in the restaurant. Our son, travelling light from India, had only one pair of shoes with him - they were muddy after a day walking in the hills so he arrived in the dining room with just socks on his feet - please note this is the norm in India where it is considered bad manners to keep shoes on when entering a dwelling.. The head waiter asked him to go and get some shoes.. He explained the reason but the head waiter insisted. Had the waiter been smart himself we could have accepted the situation but he stood out as scruffy against all the rest of the smart staff, a bad example to his subordinates. - even the manager agreed when our son spoke to her later. After our second night in the hotel we spent the day out and upon our return at about 5pm we were asked to pack and leave the hotel immediately because my son had offended the waiter the previous evening and the waiter was "very upset". The manager's attitude had now changed - had the waiter "got the union in"?
Review 91：Excellent food both in the restaurant and the Hiker's Bar.
Review 92：Coffe was a little expensive
Review 93：The location was excellent for all walks around Grasmere. It was warm and inviting with a good menu choice. Nice and clean with happy staff.
Review 94：The hotel was quite noisy. We didn't get much sleep the first night of our stay
Review 95：Lovely comfy bed, luxurious bathroom and a good breakfast to set us up for a hard days walking
Review 96：Nice atmosphere in hotel. Friendly and efficient staff, good food served in restaurant (local produce), excellent breakfast, comfortable room, cosy bar
Review 97：The shower in the room was not very hot or powerful, the heating didn't work, the bed was not comfortable and the wifi didn't work. The vegatarian breakfast was reduced as the hotel didn't have any sausages.
Review 98：The location of hotel was fantastic.
Review 99：We chose to eat in the Walkers Bar and found that none of the meals advertised were available so had to pay restaurant prices for eating in the bar with very little choice of menu. Also at check-in we were told when we arrived it wasn't until 4 0 clock, but fortunately this was quickly rectified and we were able to check in at 2pm.
Review 100：Easy walking access to Grasmere Village. Scenic location. Pleasant olde world ambiance. Pleasant surroundings and a view of the garden at breakfast.
Review 101：Poor levels of service across our three day stay, starting with unavailability of room on arrival despite having predetermined time of arrival on website questionaire. Mix ups with dinner & breakfast orders, less than attentive staff probably due to insufficient numbers.
Review 102：Excellent location, good food when you got it! Comfortable room.
Review 103：Having to leave because we had the most wonderful time.
Review 104：The pleasant friendly staff couldn't do enough. The lovely bedrooms and olde worldly charm of the hotel. Food was lovely, need to go back try some more.
Review 105：Bar food a little on the expensive side, bathroom layout in our room a little unusual and awkward
Review 106：The most comfortable bed and pillows ever, great breakfast, helpful staff, wonderful open fires
Review 107：Nothing to dislike!
Review 108：The staff were very friendly and welcoming. Breakfast was very good. Lots of choice. Drying room for wet walking gear which is great!
Review 109：We feel strongly that the cuisine is not up to the standard of such an excellent hotel. Two dinners were acceptable but no more, and a third was frankly poor. The main courses were dry overcooked and flavourless. And the service was slow. Diners should not have to wait a whole hour to be served. Loving the Lakes as we do and having good memories of the Swan going back thirty years, this is written in sorrow rather than anger. We look forward to finer dining in the future!
Review 110：The Swan is a hotel my wife and I have visited often. For location, comfort and atmosphere, it is first class, and the staff are, as always, efficient and friendly.
Review 111：Bar prices are way over the top and also the meals in the walkers bar too high guys. Hand cut chips £3.50 for 6 chips get real please?
Review 112：Breakfast & Dinner were both excellent well prepared and the service was top notch. Clean hotel just some little niggles! The room was a good size a little tired but acceptable. The price for 2 nights through booking.com was really competitive.
Review 113：Having to wait until 4:00pm before your room is ready.
Review 114：We have stayed at this hotel several times and have always found the staff very welcoming and attentive. Will see you again very soon
Review 115：Nothing .
Review 116：Everything , hotel is in a lovely location just outside grassmere ,log fires friendly staff , good food and really comfy bed would definatly return .
Review 117：We found getting to the room quite difficult; located at the far end of the hotel requiring two three flights of stair and along three different corridors which was so easy to get lost. There are no lifts which makes it even more difficult.
Review 118：Well located hotel only 10 mins from Grasmere village. The staff are friendly and polite and welcoming.
Review 119：Bed was lumpy, mattress was terrible Shower was no more than a trickle. Wall paper coming away from walls Carpets dirty Wine was very expensive Staff were over stretched
Review 120：excellent location excellent breakfast and evening meal. Ground floor very comfortable
Review 121：1. The TV was not functioning when we stayed there. 2. I misunderstood the website booking and booked 'room only' rather than 'bed and breakfast' - website was not very clear on this.
Review 122：We love the drying room facility and the rear car park for easy access to the rooms at the back of the hotel.
Review 123：We had no dislikes.
Review 124：The walkers bar the open fire and a superb breakfast. Dining room a joy to be in. Reception staff very helpful. An excellent place to relax.
Review 125：Small expensive meals. Insufficient seating at the bar presumably to encourage taking meals at the even more overpriced restaurant. A maze of corridors and stairs to get to the room.
Review 126：Location. Very comfortable.
Review 127：Nothing - having to leave
Review 128：We like everything about this hotel. It is the third time we have stayed here. The staff are very friendly and attentive without being in your face. Great location for seeing the sights in and around Grasmere. Looking forward to our next visit in December
Review 129：Price of drinks too high and also price of dinner. No television aerial down but other rooms had television working. Over 80 and had to walk up three staircases with luggage and along long corridor.
Review 130：Room good size and bed comfortable ~ bathroom nice and clean. Garden good if weather was dry and breakfast very good choice. Staff very pleasant and helpful.
Review 131：Shower not working and bath had the wrong size plug. On asking - the manager declined to allow me to move rooms but assured me a plumber would be called the following day. No other shower facility was offered. Following day - shower was not fixed. I asked to move rooms and was told by the manager that there were no other rooms available. I checked on-line - rooms were advertised and on challenging the manager, he made a feeble excuse about the room not being equivalent etc etc.... I was moved, but too late to be appeased. Shocking customer care. 250 m up the road is an excellent pub with accommodation - next time, we stay there.
Review 132：A great location, with potential to be an excellent hotel
Review 133：The hotel was out of marmalade for three days. Know this sounds very picky but a simple thing to rectify surely? Many of the guests were heard to complain.
Review 134：There was a mix up at the Hotel with the booking which potentially could have been ruined our holiday but thanks to the head receptionist Jemma we were upgraded to a feature room. My sister and I enjoyed the facilities and our room was very clean and comfortable. The Location was excellent and parking was easy.
Review 135：Staff could have been friendlier and more helpful. In the brochure in the room there is a menu for 24hour service and another dinner menu to be served until 10pm. We had arrived late and had not had time for dinner, but even though it was still 9:55pm I was told the chefs were leaving and no food could be made. I then asked for a soup from the 24hr menu and was told they couldn't do that either as they can't do hot food anymore, but if I wait 1 hour until 11pm, someone else would be coming in who could make us a sandwich. Bearing in mind there is nowhere open in Grasmere at that time, I would have expected more from a hotel which markets itself as luxury
Review 136：Nice big comfy bed.
Review 137：Lack of breakfast in booking price. It was £15.50 per person to book breakfast when we got there so we went into Grasmere in the morning instead. Thought that a major drawback. Also hotel was rather a warren of corridors.
Review 138：The bedroom was comfortable with plenty of hot water for showers. We has a tasty bowl od soup in the evening but prices were a little high.
Review 139：Restaurant staff incapable of making decision without consulting restaurant manager. Response to simple requests poor. Really irksome! E.g. Can my 12 year old have a large children's portion at extra cost - I will need to consult restaurant manager: got child's portion with lots of extra veg.
Review 140：Food ok otherwise nothing special just another hotel.
The Fine Print
Note regarding advance purchase:The credit/debit card used to book the Advance Purchase rate must be presented to reception on arrival at the hotel. Please note that failure to do so will result in an alternative payment method being required.Some rooms are accessible via a ramp at the rear of the hotel from the car park. The car park is on a small incline which allows easy wheelchair access.Please note there is no lift at the property. Please contact the hotel for more information on accessibility.