Best Western Plus Castle Inn

Best Western Plus Castle Inn descritpion

Originally a traveler's inn dating back to 1770, the Best Western Plus Castle Inn is now a modern venue with views of Bassenthwaite Lake. In the beautiful Lake District, it features free Wi-Fi, a pool and sauna.
Each bright room has a TV, radio and free tea and coffee. Every private bathroom includes a hairdryer while some also feature bathrobes. Ironing facilities are also available upon request.
Guests can take advantage of the hotel's extensive recreational facilities, which include a hot tub, steam room, tennis courts and a game room.
The hotel is beneath some of England’s highest fells, with large, quiet gardens providing views of Skiddaw. The scenic shores of Bassenthwaite Lake can be reached with a 15 minute walk.
Ritson's Restaurant serves international and local dishes including hearty Cumberland breakfasts. With exposed wood beams, the relaxed Lakers Bar offers real ales and bar meals.

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Facilities of Best Western Plus Castle Inn

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

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).

Reviews for Best Western Plus Castle Inn

Review 1：There was nothing to dislike. Even the rain stopped long enough for us to enjoy a lovely scenic walk.

Review 2：Good food, helpful friendly staff, clean comfortable accommodation, excellent spa facilities and a great location for walking and site seeing.

Review 3：The Hotel web site carried a warning about the local bridge being closed due to flood damage so requiring a major detour to our daytime destination ,however Booking .com failed to issue ANY warning.

Review 4：Good cuisine,and really first class staff .

Review 5：Breakfast was very over priced for what it was. £10pp when booked at reception or £14.50pp if you just turn up. Bland selection of cereals and croissants, one choice from the hot menu of standard full english, eggs benedict, porridge etc.

Review 6：Perfect location for attending a wedding at the Armthwaite hall. Very easy access from the A66 and a short drive to Keswick. Beds and room very comfy, nice and clean. Staff all seemed very happy and helpful.

Review 7：Flooding has caused access problems to the hotel with a bridge closed for repair. The hotel is now very difficult to access and involved me in taking a massive detour. What disappointed me was that the hotel made no attempt to tell me this despite being well aware of the problem.

Review 8：Only tried the bar food which has been pretty good. Service is very good and very professional. I have stayed here quite a few times and I travel 30 mins from my customer to get to the hotel as its one of the best in the area

Review 9：Room was very cold on first entering it as the radiator had been turned off, it then took quite some time to warm up once I had discovered how to turn it on.

Review 10：Lovely hotel, staff very friendly & the meals were great, especially breakfast,

Review 11：The only thing I didn't like we're the pillows were not comfy the bathrooms were excellent

Review 12：The staff were very friendly and helpful made us feel really welcome

Review 13：I was very disappointed being asked if we wanted to eat in the evening at the hotel. As if we were going to, they were going to take £25 per person per day up front. Even if you decided not to eat one night.

Review 14：The room was comfortable. Breakfast was also good.

Review 15：Our room was an external building to the main hotel (presumably because we had a dog)and was damp and tired looking apart from the bathroom which was very nice. We were looking forward to a nice evening in the attached 'Tavern' but it was sterile of atmosphere and with no resemblance to a Tavern whatsowever.

Review 16：Although we didnt use it the Spa facilities looked good. Nice Bathroom in our room.

Review 17：Bar layout left a lot to be desired - it felt like we were sitting in a corridor when trying to eat our supper

Review 18：A very pleasant surprise - not at all shabby unlike some other Best Western hotels. Good facilities and well appointed room

Review 19：The Tavern part was dated and shabby. The hotel was very spread out and on lots of levels with stairs.The reception area wasn't very attractive, it was more like a corridor. The conservatory leaked and the hotel was chilly, we had to ask for additional heating in our room. To make matters worse, someone put a hefty bar bill on our room number and we weren't even there, we were at the wedding.

Review 20：We stayed at the hotel because we were attending a wedding at nearby Armthwaite Hall. The room was clean and comfortable.

Review 21：Nothing regarding the hotel. We had a 70mile detour via Carlisle on the way back to Wales owing to the A66 being closed. Better information from the Police would have been appreciated regarding road closures due to flooding etc.

Review 22：The location close to Higham Hall where my wife was attending a weekend course. A very comfortable hotel with excellent staff and facilities.

Review 23：The room 68 wasn't as clean as I would like, no atmosphere, felt disappointed with stay, breakfast not organised had to ask for milk, not on tables.

Review 24：Food was excellent, The Monday night staff in tavern were very good

Review 25：The lack of wifi over the entire weekend (one reason why we booked). The lukewarm shower which was about as powerful as a dripping tap. The disappointing staff response and the fact they said would speak to management who would address my concerns, this never happened. The springy shower floor which caused me to have a fall.

Review 26：The location was fabulous and the birthday card was a nice touch.

Review 27：The staff were really helpful and changed my room because it was straight onto the road and I live in a cul-de-sac so am bothered by even the slightest traffic

Review 28：We needed to stay room only this time, but we thought the staff and the room were excellent, We try to stay in hotels where there is a Gideon Bible and we were glad to find one in the drawer. For those reasons alone we will be back!

Review 29：Only concern was that due to having our dog with us we were unable to have a cooked breakfast without leaving our dog unattended. Room service only offered continental.

Review 30：Room was lovely and warm. Food served in the bar was reasonable. Paul who ran the bar was especially friendly and helpful.

Review 31：Wifi dropped in & out. We were upgraded to a suite at an extra cost to us. when we arrived in the room, the bathroom sink had facial shavings in it from the last occupant and the floor was covered in bodily hairs(Genital). Not very hygienic or clean!!! We complained to a staff member, who told us that she couldn't do anything right now, as she had been away for two days and this was her first shift back!!!

Review 32：It was a comfortable hotel with a bar and restaurant.

Review 33：Staying overnight for a wedding which was being held elsewhere so didn't have much time to enjoy all the facilities but our bedroom was nice, well equipped and very comfortable

Review 34：As someone who has walking difficulties we were given a room that had a back door next to the car and the main entrance which was perfect. The staff were so friendly and helpful

Review 35：The room we were allocated was a small annex, very poorly lit and remote and open to the weather. We were moved to an excellent room but there was a piece of equipment outside that was continually switching on and off during the night disturbing our sleep.

Review 36：The staff were very helpful and polite especially the deputy manager and Linda + Radek in the restaurant. The food was excellent and well served.

Review 37：Some of the staff need to be more accommodating.

Review 38：Good location to the lake and surrounding areas. Very clean and comfortable room. Room service excellent.Good food.

Review 39：The hotel and facilities were fantastic and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We had a brilliant weekend and will definitely be back sometime.

Review 40：the shower was dirty, the shower plug cover was broken, and I slipped in the shower because of this faulty cover, the management did not seem to care one bit, indeed they took no responsibility for this lack of maintenance and could not believe because of things they have in place, it happened

Review 41：Bed was badly bowed and needed replacing. Our room overlooked the entrance and there was a wedding which played very loud music til 1am so we found it hard to sleep.

Review 42：The pool and leisure facilities were brilliant and we had them all to ourselves which was great! Brilliant location near to beautiful scenery - just a couple of miles from Dodd Wood where you can see nesting ospreys and red squirrels. Staff pleasant and friendly.

Review 43：The breakfast? The 'help yourself' part was excellent thankfully. The cooked breakfast we ordered came but it was SO greasy ... it took three serviettes to 'mop up' and it was still swimming so I just couldn't face it. I left it and had just toast. My husband persevered but in his words "I won't be too disappointed if I don't have that again" ..... Great shame. The fried eggs should be drained and the other breakfast items would be far better grilled rather than fried. Chef ... you let us down - very disappointing.

Review 44：A very warm welcome (young lady - from Scotland -was new, but she was SO professional. Very well done!

Review 45：A lot of noise at night from passing traffic. Could do with triple glazing on roadside rooms. Thought breakfast price a bit high, especially if you are a light eater but there was plenty of choice.

Review 46：Staff very friendly and helpful. Good food. Leisure facilities not used but looked good.

Review 47：A litle isolated if you dont have a car although there are two bus routes with stops at hotel.

Review 48：Very friendly staff, Great meal in restaraunt and nice breakfast. Swimming pool was nice as where the rooms.

Review 49：Food / customer service / misleading information prior to booking

Review 50：I have complained direct to the ceo as was mislead information which I dealing with and will update all potential new visitors

Review 51：Free wifi offered but, unless you were awake before anyone else around 5am you couldn't use it, either it wouldn't connect or it was just so slow everything timed out. Don't count on being able to check your emails if it's important or do any work in the evening if you need to...

Review 52：Absolutely everything (apart from wifi) was fantastic!, great breakfast, leisure facilities, room. All fantastic. Wonderful place to stay for a wedding at armathwaite hall as it was so close on a straight road!

Review 53：The worst house keeping I have ever encountered. The best example being, used cups in room seemed to have been rinsed under the tap with a poor attempt to actually clean them and then replaced on tea making tray still wet and stained.

Review 54：Good location, nice Hotel and friendly staff.

Review 55：The double bed was twin beds pushed together which made for a large bed but this formed a large ridge between the two so we were in effect in separate beds. We stayed for 3 nights and the rooms were serviced each day but the tea cups weren't replaced. This is a minor point but I would expect clean cups each day. The leisure facilities were a nice addition. The sauna and steam room were lovely and hot but are quite tired and the jacuzzi was out of order. That said this would not put us off staying again

Review 56：All the frontline staff were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast gave lots of choice and set us up nicely for our day. As the hotel is out of town we ate in the bar where the food was excellent. The leisure facilities were a good way to relax muscles after lots of walking/climbing.

Review 57：I stayed here same time last year, and will make a point of staying here when I want to visit the Lakes. Handy for Cockermouth and the Northern Lakes the hotel has beautiful well maintained gardens and a welcoming staff. Great to find a swimming pool in this area. Rooms are of typical modern layout and well decorated if a little bland, with very good storage, and both room and bathroom were spotless. The bed was very comfortable with good bedding. Evening meal and breakfast were both good. In all excellent value and a great experience.

Review 58：We checked in at 1 pm were told that check in was only at 2 pm which I said wasn't a problem, we would go and have lunch and come back at 2pm. The receptionist then said it was fine the room was ready, when we walked into the room it wasn't ready. We put our things back in the car went and had some lunch only to be served with a dead fly in the ham. The staff handled things well enough but I am dissapointed for a best western where you pay more for better service and care. I would of expected a refund on the food it for a manage to at least apologise.

Review 59：WiFi was poor and the room was a bit too warm

Review 60：Hotel was in a lovely location. Spotlessly clean with a fantastic shower. Staff were helpful and friendly. Food was excellent.

Review 61：The restaurant and tavern only had a "take it or leave it" choice for vegetarians. For my evening meal, i walked the mile to the Sun Inn where there was a good selection and excellent quality.

Review 62：The cooked breakfast was bad quality, had a full english and was unimpressed. Continental was excellent. half of our double bed was clearly a lot older than the other side and had we stayed more nights I would have asked to change it.

Review 63：The staff was excellent.. really nice to talk to and happy to help. The continental breakfast was excellent as was the fitnes suite. Had a meal in the bar and can really recommmend that.

Review 64：Couldn't fault anything, we had a lovely stay. The hotel has great views, its peacefull, hotel amenities great if it rains(or not for that matter),food lovely,plenty of choise for breakfast, bedroom comfy and clean,all within easy distance for rest of lakes.

Review 65：We arrived at 23:30 with a one year old they already had us booked and and cot built. Very welcoming and highly recommend. The staff recommend a great day out and couldn't do enough to help.

Review 66：bathroom poorly maintained broken tap and broken pop up waste poor shower pressure waste outlet must have been blocked as shower then flooded..vanity unit dirty and ill fitted.We both thought the hotel was quite basic not what we expected for a 4 star

Review 67：Good staff and breakfast

Review 68：We were unable to get wi-fi access because it was a limited connection. We also had issues with the safe in our room but the hotel manager on call was very helpful in unlocking the safe for us so that we could get our valuables out.

Review 69：The food we ate both at the restaurant and the tavern was very good.

Review 70：We found the hotel to be rather "soulless" and in fact ate out each night after the first night in a nearby Inn with a more cheerful atmosphere. Bedroom was not fully attended to.ie Bed not always made up properly- Toilet rolls not replenished. Wardrobe rail collapsed and reported 2nd day but never fixed.

Review 71：The hotel itself was lovely and gardener doing a great job.

Review 72：It's nothing to really complain about to be honest, it's just the room in the middle of the night when you have consumed far to much alcohol, was red hot, there was no heating on and the window was wide open but the heat was unbearable, which is unusual for me as am usually freezing and it wasn't really hot outside either, (before leaving the room to check out we actually discovered a fan in the wardrobe, ha ha ha ha), it's not really something that I would complain about though

Review 73：Food woz beautiful, location woz fantastic, views were lovely, hotel,it's self was beautiful, staff at breakfast time were very friendly

Review 74：Wi fi was very very intermittent , sauna a bit run down hot tub didn't work and hasn't for a while . Food quite pricey for what you got and menu didn't read well . Asked for starter box to share , advertised as Camembert bread local sausages and salmon but only Camembert and bread turned up , the waitress said it was how it was worded on menu .

Review 75：Room was a good size

Review 76：When we arrived we found the initial signage difficult to understand because the arrows on the old entrance to hotel and the modern signage by the carpark "to the reception and carpark" were misleading in that they pointed apparently in the wrong direction. I hope and suggest the management reconsider these signs and change them to mpoint in the right rather than wrong direction.. The staff have looked at the signs and understand the problem.

Review 77：The overall quality of the offer and the willingness of the staff to deal with anything we raised.

Review 78：Slightly expensive but just right side of acceptable considering quality and enjoyment factor.!

Review 79：Great location, very pleasant staff, very ckean, great food,good choice of beers and wine.

Review 80：I didn't find the Tavern Bar very inviting.A bit clinical.

Review 81：The room & the staff.The receptionist & manager of the dining room particularly deserve a mention

Review 82：The staff were arrogant, not welcoming. The food I had was pigeon for a starter which was only cooked on one side. The main was steak which I ordered medium rare and was uncooked. I then complained to be given a second plate which I found a human/beast hair on the plate. I then woke up on Monday morning to take a shower and found there was no hot water.

Review 83：The hotel was very nice & the room was spacious and well presented.

Review 84：Hotel bar was, well, shabby in a word! All public areas are tired and, in my opinion, no where near 4 star. I believe a refurb is immenent.

Review 85：Friendly staff. Good location. Nice big room.

Review 86：Shower very low pressure, but that is being picky (and possibly forced on the hotel as a curb to water loss)

Review 87：Most things done very well, including a very nice breakfast.

Review 88：Little things, no water glasses in the room, no teaspoons when we asked for them, one was provided - for two people?? Tea things in room were only partially replenished for our second night. Breakfast buffet was acceptable but nothing more, made it feel as though they were penny pinching. Anything you asked for was provided but for a four star hotel I felt you should not have to keep asking for what are basics. These are minor points but annoying and prevent a good hotel being excellent.

Review 89：Location, great views, lovely mature gardens. Room was comfortable and clean. Staff were lovely and helpful.

Review 90：Great facilities, swimming pool and pub, I left my silver chain behind, and thought I'd never see it again, however the staff found it and returned back to me in London. I would comeback just to thank them.

Review 91：No bad experience but what a shame the jacuzzi doesn't work! Reading your reviews tells me me it hasn't worked for a long time. 4 star hotel? Time to mend it?

Review 92：The Location ,the breakfast,the pool, The staff

Review 93：Not offering enough to justify the price tag.

Review 94：The hotel is solid....good facilities (and a nice pool) with a staff who are trying hard. The location is tremendous - a great spot for some fine hikes.

Review 95：The pool area was clean. The receptionist was friendly. The breakfast was delicious and the staff kind. The light in the breakfast room was great - greenery and sky view. The heating worked in June - pleased. I liked that there was 2 conditioner bottles available.

Review 96：Some areas were a little gloomy. The basin needs a soap dish next to it.

Review 97：Lovely room with a very spacious bathroom. Despite being next to a crossroads, it was really quiet and peaceful. The food was of a high standard and the gardens pleasant to walk in.

Review 98：Wi fi not working, a real issue as I use it to check on my 96 year old mother, so selected hotel partly because Wi fi was advertised. Sounds strange, but if you wonder how I can do it, see 'Just Checking' website. Sometimes mum forgets to go to bed and I need to remind her, so this was a real worry.

Review 99：Comfort, staff and food great

Review 100：After complaining about our 'upgraded' room which promised a queen size bed...it was 2 singles pushed together which was very uncomfortable, along with limited views, poor natural light and stuffy. We were moved to a standard room which was very comfortable, with a large corner bath and fabulous views. The pool was clean and nice temperature but the jacuzzi was out of use.

Review 101：Fabulous views and picturesque surroundings. Comfortable dining areas with lovely finishing touches.

Review 102：The bed was really uncomfortable, the mattress was not flat at all. sauna/steam were disappointing

Review 103：The pool was good and breakfast very good on fresh fruit. The cooked breakfast was disappointing if you are vegetarian

Review 104：Hard pillows. Said there were spare pillows but there was not. Room could have done with being a better view, were on ground floor with a trellis infront of window

Review 105：Everything. Top class hotel. Could not have asked for more

Review 106：The only criticism would be the price of food and drinks, especially wines which were over the top i.e. £9 for two small glasses of mediocre rose. The fish and chips in the tavern were poor, the batter was below par.

Review 107：Lovely bedroom and immaculate bathroom with fluffy white dressing gowns. Hotel grounds were a joy to stroll round. attentive and helpful staff with a warm welcome on arrival.

Review 108：No WiFi access from Room 4 despite trying on my phone and two other devices. Not a problem for me but for my wife, who likes to keep the world updated via facebook, an issue.

Review 109：Spa and grounds, food was good quality we ate in the bar at night and the breakfast was very good too.

Review 110：The radiator thermostat was broken, so it was boiling hot. We to get someone to turn it completely off, then a small electric heater was provided. The Internet was quite disappointing, I guess because of too many users. Was just very slow to dead.

Review 111：Enjoyed the pool, breakfast, and the table Tennis. Friendly staff.

Review 112：The hotel had no atmosphere prior to staying here I had phoned up to book after been told I was unable to book for one night I was searching on the Internet to find one night was available I booked for me my partner and son when I recieved the email it said for only 2 people I phoned up to be told there was nothing there could do then got a phonecall to be told I had won and I had been upgraded to be told I had won was disgusting esp from a hotel like this

Review 113：the pool

Review 114：the window could not be opened (only the the top part could be partially opened), the standard room was slightly small, the WiFi was really slow

Review 115：very clean, nice bathroom, nice swimming pool, good food, excellent location

Review 116：The only thing I did not like was the quality and price of the Caesar Salad that my husband and I both had on the Friday evening it was meant to be a chicken Caesar Salad there was plenty of chicken but it just seemed to be plonked on a bed of unruly lettuce leaves without any dressing underneath and very few croutons and shavings of parmesan cheese - for £13 each we expected much better and it put us off dining in the restaurant the next night sadly.

Review 117：Cleanliness of rooms and all other areas in hotel - breakfasts excellent served hot and fresh - especially like the choice of fresh fruit

Review 118：the hotel had no atmosphere. the public areas were very bland and an odd layout. the food (tavern) was basic and overpriced (13 for a standard chicken pie) and the breakfast was average.

Review 119：Room (executive) was a good size, bed comfortable and shower great.

Review 120：Did not like the restaurant - no atmosphere and food wasn't as good as expected for the prices charged.

Review 121：very friendly and helpful staff, enjoyed eating in the bar area- food was very good.

Review 122：We had dinner in the Tavern. The food was extremely overpriced for what we had. I had the lamb rump I asked for it medium rare but it came raw. It was quickly changed but the replacement was much smaller. The side salad came in a small dessert bowl and very poor.

Review 123：Leisure facilities. The friendly efficient staff

Review 124：Breakfast was one of the best we've had! Lovely quiet location. Staff were very helpful and friendly especially Stella on reception who was exceptionally helpful and efficient. Will definitely return.

Review 125：Creeky floorboards, toilet flush not great. No major problem and would still recommend staying.

Review 126：Lovely place, friendly staff, good facilities. Enjoyed stay very much

Review 127：only 1 towel provided. uncomfy bed. 2 singles put together instead of double bed which was requested. poor quality pub, poor quality restaurant. breakfast was very poor. i ordered poached egg and haddock. it was swimming in water

Review 128：staff nice

Review 129：Lots of cobwebs round hall ways and few in the room.leisure club very dated and not very clean Spar not working

Review 130：Nice staff and friendly. Lounge areas nice and clean. bedrooms good and big.great bathroom

Review 131：Poor wifi and battery on door broke so we were locked out for over 30 min. They were slow to fix it. Jacuzzi was not working and has not been for a long time.

Review 132：Good location, comfy place. Putting green, nice breakfast, games room

Review 133：Two single beds pushed together as one double bed were different heights and therefore pretty uncomfortable for me and my girlfriend.

Review 134：Breakfast was good as well as the pool.

Review 135：Lack of drinking water in the leisure complex and gym.Also complimentary bottled water is usually standard in the hotels we have stayed in Cumbria

Review 136：The hotel was very quiet and relaxing.The leisure facilities were good although the jacuzzi was not in use during our stay.

The Fine Print

Please note, the local bridge near the property, Ouse Bridge is temporarily close due to flooding.A pre-authorisation with the same credit or debit card used to make the reservation will be required at check-in.Cheques as a method of payment are not accepted on departure although they may be accepted 4 weeks prior to the stay on a deposit basis.If booking on behalf of a guest, a bank transfer must be made at least 7 days before arrival, or an advance purchase rate must be booked.