North Lakes - A Shire Hotel & Spa

North Lakes - A Shire Hotel & Spa descritpion

Featuring an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, and modern rooms, this 4-star luxury hotel is just off of highway M6. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and locally sourced cuisine, while Penrith center is a 15-minute walk away.
Stylishly furnished, each room has fresh milk and a newspaper delivered daily. Guests can relax with cozy beds, free bottled water, and freshly ground coffee and tea in the rooms.
The restaurant serves seasonal, local produce in their daily and dining menus. The bar provides informal dining among log fires, while the cafe has homemade cake and pastries, fresh coffee and tea, and light meals.
The spa and fitness center features a well-equipped, modern gym, a poolside steam room, and a satellite TV lounge area. A range of relaxing spa treatments are available, along with a children’s activity room with games consoles.
Beautiful Ullswater lake’s shores are a 10-minute drive away, while the Rheged Activity Centre is less than 5 minutes away by car. Skiddaw mountain is a 30-minute drive away, and the vibrant town of Keswick is a 25-minute drive away.

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Facilities of North Lakes - A Shire Hotel & Spa

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 North Lakes - A Shire Hotel & Spa

Review 1：Liked everything can't fault it

Review 2：Very pleasant helpful staff Were able to give me gluten free bread and decaf tea at breakfast Stayed in the biggest hotel in Las Vegas 5 star the Venitian over Christmas and they were unable to get gluten free bread or decafinated tea .This hotel was far superior Swimming pool and Spa spotless

Review 3：Bar/food menu very expensive. Rooms slightly dated (1st floor)

Review 4：Big comfy bed, sky sports in the room. Spa facilities, were brilliant. Pool lovely and steam room excellent.

Review 5：The bar food was pricey but the place was buzzing and the food good, so I guess that's market forces, and it was a nice treat to eat there. The internal soundproofing may not have been that strong because we could here the children in the room across the hall crying a lot. However the hotel is otherwise fantastic

Review 6：The spa is brilliant. There was a lovely cosy atmosphere at the hotel

Review 7：Check in was a nightmare ! Note to shire hotels - if you have a new computer system at reception at least TRAIN the staff in how to use it ! Kept waiting for nearly 30 mins , not needed after a 5 hour drive !

Review 8：The beds are very comfy, lovely quiet hotel considering its location, the facilities are superb and the pool was a nice touch after a long drive, the food here is excellent. Overall a good stay.

Review 9：The "superior" double room is really nothing special at all and is small and dissapointing. There was no bath as per the description and "seating area" is a chair in the corner of the room which almost touches the bed making it difficult to walk around the bed easily. Very expensive and nowhere near worth the cost. Hotel appears to have no qualms about duping customers into describing their rooms as something special when in fact little better than Travel Lodge!

Review 10：The Spa and restaurant were pretty good.

Review 11：Only complaint was that the restaurant was extremely expensive for what you got. Steak £27 - shocking!! The receptionist asked us immediately on arrival - do you want a table at the restaurant - as it was late we were left with no other choice. The kids were all hungry and so were the adults after a long journey. Very limited choice at corporate prices. I would strongly suggest a residential rate or a discount for over night stays. The children's menu was very poor - frozen, cheap burgers. Such a shame.

Review 12：Loved the lounge on arrival with a roaring fire. The room was ready and immaculate, with personalised cookies (it's the little things) nice touch. It was a very easy holiday, loads to do with kids around the surrounding area.

Review 13：The bed was a little uncomfortable but I have a superior comfy bed at home so may be biased.

Review 14：The staff especially the restaurant staff were excellent, very professional and helpful.

Review 15：Not really a complaint, as the night porter brought a fan straight to the room when I rang, the room did not have a control for temperature, and even with the window open, it was very hot. Great if you are always cold though.

Review 16：The staff, alpine lodge style lounge area, the pool and gym, the rooms and especially the beautiful bathroom with waterfall shower, extra comfy beds and pillows, the central position for lots of places to visit, ie Penrith, Keswick and even Skipton down the M6, and attentive helpful porters who brought a fan to the room. Didn't try the food but only becasue we were going out to restaraunts with friends in Penrith town centre. I would highly recommend this hotel, especially at Christmas as the setting and decorations are inspired, and made us feel like we were in Will be booking again next year regularly and also for Christmas shopping, and to try the spa treatments

Review 17：Staff on reception were helpful but robotic, no service with a smile here. My room had a very mouldy shower head, they changed my room after I complained, amazing that the cleaners had not reported it already. Hotel is over priced for what you get.

Review 18：Pool was good. Comfortable beds.

Review 19：We booked 2 adjacent rooms. One superior (221) and a standard (223) they couldn't have been more different! The superior room was newly refurbished and of excellent quality. Great bed, bathroom and quality fittings. Lovely robes and slippers and good tea and coffee facilities with fresh milk in the fridge (cost £130) By extreme contrast, the standard room next door was a wreck! Faulty light fittings, lampshades precariously hanging off and a totally destroyed set of drawers. This was reported to the staff who sent a maintenance man who kindly replaced one lamp and spent half an hour hammering the drawers and fitting new runners... nice for the customers in the room! The restaurant was another experience. Great up front, nice welcome in the bar and they took our orders. Shortly we were shown to our table where we waited 40 minutes for any food to arrive. The food was excellent if a bit tardy. Bar staff were in plentiful supply but hadn't a clue about their stock and it took three of them to locate a blended whisky. Overall good value if you stay in a superior room. Book a standard one at your peril!!!

Review 20：Only downside I didn't recieve a ground room floor which I had requested as I have a heart condition. Although they did have lifts who he's helped.

Review 21：The log fire at reception was amazing and also the breakfast service.

Review 22：-

Review 23：Staff we're really friendly, offered to take drinks to tables for us. We stayed here during the floods that took place in cumbria and saw how helpful the staff were in helping people who were stranded. I also forgot an item in the hotel which was posted to me within less than a week, i thought this was brilliant.

Review 24：nothing

Review 25：Excellent spa facilities, lovely room with lots of little extras, wish we didn't have to rush off after a quick breakfast, it would have been lovely to stay until check out time

Review 26：The staff are professional. We arrived late and they rang to make sure we were okay and to check we were still to arrive: this was the weekend of the storms and floods in Carlisle, where we were with our daughter. When we arrived they asked if we were okay and asked if we wanted anything. Then without asking, they gave us an upgrade.

Review 27：N/A

Review 28：Modern bathroom comfortable bed table service breakfast the fresh milk in fridge fabulous impressed didn't use spa or pool but looked lovely

Review 29：Just a little bit expensive. And we booked thinking my wife could use spa facilities as per booking. But she could not just turn up as we thought as it had all been prebooked.

Review 30：Friendly staff. Great food. Son left his teddy bear and staff posted it too us which made him very very happy.

Review 31：Food and drinks were expensive. Not many TV channels worked.

Review 32：Great pool. Lovely touches for the kids- V.I. Little P gowns and welcome cookie went down well with our 7 year old. Comfy pillows.

Review 33：Maybe something to occupy children like an area with games etc

Review 34：Lovely comfortable rooms beds and pillows lovely. Coffee maker and fresh milk in Superior room. Hotel pool sauna jacuzzi amazing. Lovely clean modern facilities.

Review 35：Excellent experience for price - bigger rooms would be nice but fine for the price.

Review 36：Location for ease of access Staff in hotel and spa were always polite and very helpful - nothing was too much trouble

Review 37：Everything else. The rooms are very small, the bathrooms lack privacy, the spa is poor value for money and almost completely booked up in advance, the communal areas are limited in size and not at all welcoming or cozy, the restaurant is expensive and lacks atmosphere. The entire hotel is overpriced and nowhere near as pleasant an environment as the website suggests.

Review 38：The toiletries and the freshly squeezed orange juice in the coffee shop.

Review 39：It should have been more clearly stated when children are not allowed in the pool. It's only an hour a day (I think) but it's useful to know when so one can plan around it.

Review 40：Loved the staff. Very helpful and friendly. Rooms cosy and welcoming. We especially liked the small but effective touches such as the children's bathrobe that has "V. Little I.P." on the back (my children loved them), the spa slippers and the welcome cookies with the children's names on.

Review 41：The staff were very helpful, particularly Jen Braithwaite who coordinated our family gathering. Lovely to see an open fire in the Reception area, very welcoming.

Review 42：Room and en suite were grubby. Not clean (hairs on a dirty shower curtain) and hadn't been decorated this century.

Review 43：Communal areas, spa and restaurants were great.

Review 44：Although the food is of excellent quality and the service is fantastic, the food was a little over priced. £18 for prawn pasta!!

Review 45：Room was fantastic with lots of space for all of us. The Spa facilities were excellent and the pool was beautiful. Location was good for us to travel to places nearby.

Review 46：Costs a lot especially for a student but well worth it anyway And counldnt take a robe haha

Review 47：Relaxing in the spa is perfect Really comfortable bed Super clean

Review 48：Really friendly staff, lovely atmosphere. Thoughtful towards children eg providing cookie with name on and drink as well as comfy robe in room on arrival. Was Halloween also and so plenty of sweet treats for the children. Pool and spa area also very nice.

Review 49：Room had mildew on the walls and ceiling, they did compensate us for this. Pillows are terrible, far too soft!

Review 50：the way they cater for kids is great, restaurant was excellent and leisure facilities were very good.

Review 51：The outside of the hotel is very poor and doesn't do the inside justice at all.

Review 52：The inside of the hotel was perfect. The staff were always helpful and went out of their way to help, very friendly

Review 53：The fact that online it states that it was actually in the lakes instead it was in the middle of an estate , nowhere near the wildlife or mountains

Review 54：The pool and facilities were great , also the food

Review 55：An unexpected pleasure booked at the last minute to breakup a 12 hour drive - after a long journey we swam enjoyed sauna and steam room then an excellent meal with not one grumpy face - just wished we could have stayed longer the next day and made more use of the lovely relaxation and treatments upstairs

Review 56：We had to wait over and hour and a hlaf for our room to be ready even thought the staff notified us in advance that the room would be ready for 12.30

Review 57：The breakfast and the spa facilities are excellent

Review 58：Short of staff during the day and some of our party got a 'lower quality' room

Review 59：Pool area and coal fires with large sofas; lovely for big family groups

Review 60：Check in staff were brusque and offhand and hotel was overpriced for what is effectively a motorway hotel.

Review 61：Proximity to motorway as we were travelling back to Scotland.

Review 62：We arrived in the room 322 we soon discovered that the bunk beds had weight limits of about 70kg even on the lower bunk which meant we couldn't use them. (Not mentioned on booking) The Sofa bed was made up but the mattress was torn and filling hanging out.Shower had the controls hanging from the wall by its wires. Reception staff very abrupt and dismissive.

Review 63：Quality of the food in the restaurant was excellent. If a little pricey. The location is very good and easy access for most areas of the Lakes within walking distance of restaurants in Penrith town centre.

Review 64：On check in, the front of house staff made and error, told us and my visiting South African companions that we did not have a booking. Upon production of my receipt the booking was eventually found but the check in service was very rude. On check out, a mistake was made on our South African family's invoice and the front of house staff was rude, accusatory and whilst it was subsequently corrected, it was done so in a very objectionable manner. As a result of the rude service received, we decided not to eat at the hotel and went elsewhere. More training in customer service and how to promote friendly pleasant staff is required. I was embarrassed with the treatment of my visitors and would not stay here again. A sad end to our three week holiday where the service received at all other hotels was exemplary.

Review 65：Breakfast was all good quality but soon went cold actually wasn't,t too warm to start with .

Review 66：From smiling face at reception to brilliant food the evening meal wow.

Review 67：Spa is nice, but expected more of it (pictures might give a distorted impression). A few of the staff in the reception not too friendly.

Review 68：Nice and comfortable hotel. Good restaurant for both dinner and breakfast. Very friendly staff in restaurant.

Review 69：Nothing to dislike!

Review 70：Lovely staff that responded to our request to get in our room early to get ready for a wedding. Fabulously clean, lovely spa facilities open early in the morning. Great breakfast.

Review 71：we were unable to check in on time, dirty spoons in the room and very slow service in the restaurant.

Review 72：Restaurant food was lovely and reception staff very friendly

Review 73：We went to the cafe area in the afternoon and was told to go to the bar which had a sign saying go to the cafe, so we went back again and the girl said she was cashing up, eventually she came and served us but their was no change in the till, not really a big deal just felt like a little bad service.

Review 74：The spa was really nice and lounge area to relax, rooms were also nice and comfortable.

Review 75：Nothing

Review 76：Absolutely everything! From start to finish a great experience. Reception staff were warm and welcoming. Room was fantastic for a family ie double with bunk bed. Hotel has such a great feel to it when you walk through the doors to a big open fire and fantastic décor. Spa area was lovely. Dining was a great experience with nothing too much trouble for the great waiting staff. Food delicious both evening meal and breakfast. Can't praise this hotel highly enough, we'll definitely be back.

Review 77：The staff in the restaurant were fantastic and really mad it worth while. Very friendly. Both me and my partner stay in lots of places for work though this is very near, if not at the top of the list of our hotel experiences.

Review 78：Bit disappointed with breakfast and being told that I had to pay for it despite our stay already being paid for on the previous day. Staff in restaurant a bit disorganised. Both continental breakfast and full English breakfast not as we had experienced at previous hotels

Review 79：Lovely clean hotel in a good location for local amenities. Very comfortable room. Fantastic personal touches for children

Review 80：From entering the hotel to our departure, we were met by staff members who had a willingness to communicate with the simple etiquette of good morning and good afternoon, through to excellent skills in every other area. Breakfast and evening meals were wholesome and excellent with attentive staff at all times. We would return.

Review 81：quilt was thin and uncomfortable and sticking out of cover in areas,pillows were poor and only option was feathered,radiator kept coming on really loud and whistling

Review 82：Food was incredible,people at spa were very good

Review 83：Evening meal was very expensive for what you get. Get a feeling portions are strictly controlled. The jacuzzi was being cleaned and therefore out of use, which rather spoils the spa experience for us as we want to sit in it and chat.

Review 84：It is such a pity that the first thing you see on arrival is the exterior of the hotel! It is painted the most vivid blue colour. It gives the wrong impression totally about the classy interior

Review 85：Very good location, comfortable and very nice decor. Food was really good too.

Review 86：The hotels appearance is dated and a little tired. The swimming pool area is lit by dull blue lights that make the area feel oppressive. The bathroom in our 'deluxe double' was tiny considering this is suppose to be better than average.

Review 87：The staff were helpful. Dinner in the restaurant was very nice. The English breakfast appears to be sourced with good quality ingredients, making this a very good option.

Review 88：I asked for an earlier checkin when I booked the hotel. I arrived 1 hour earlier than the official checkin time is and was told that I will have to wait. Fair enough, rules are rules. I waited until 14:30, which is the official checkin time, and was told that my room is not ready. I had to wait another hour until they solved the problems they had. That was annoying in itself, but the worst thing was that the reception staff behaved as if nothing have happened after keeping me waiting for 2 hours!

Review 89：Well equiped rooms, good breakfast.

Review 90：Overall everything was brilliant. Even though it is very close to the main road, there is no traffic noise and you feel like you are in the middle of the country when you step in the doors. Great place.

Review 91：The bed's were not that comfortable and the additional put up beds for teenagers were apparently very uncomfortable! The pillows looked plump but were very soft and left me with a stiff neck!

Review 92：The Spa was lovely although a little bit busy!! The breakfast was very nice, although a little bit pricey for fussy children! The staff were excellent and very friendly.

Review 93：For a 4 star hotel the rooms was very basic. 2 single beds pushed together, furniture wasn't really up to date. Front of house though reception, spa, bar, etc were amazing and had 4 star written all over it. But back of house wasn't the greatest

Review 94：Could hear everything outside the room ie kids running up an down drunks returning to there rooms needs to be more sound proof , beds are very uncomfortable. I would not expect this from a "spa hotel " i wouldnt even compare this hotel to a premier inn or a travel lodge. Very bad experience and will not be returning

Review 95：Manager on front desk (30th Aug-15) certainly need to be trained about system and her behaviour towards customers with special requests.

Review 96：Room Space, Free Wifi, Parking, Location and Pool

Review 97：It could have been airtime cleaner, there were some hairs in the bathroom when we arrived. The restaurant menu could be larger for the evening and an outdoor hot tub would be a lovely addition! However these are minor improvements to be made and did not impact our stay.

Review 98：Excellent staff, breakfast was lovely. The room was done to a high standard and the toiletries were lovely.

Review 99：Room very hot overnight & bunk beds not that comfortable for an older child (11y). Evening meal very expensive for what it was, although it did taste ok. Pool was quite crowded (school holidays on a tues pm) & partly roped off for swimming lessons

Review 100：Very helpful staff on reception, family room with bunk beds & fridge great when travelling with young kids. Pool sauna & steam room nice & clean. Food tasty & children's menu ok.

Review 101：Room far too hot, when I mentioned this at check out they said we could have asked reception for a fan - I wish we had known this.

Review 102：Lovely little extras, cookies for kids, little bath robes, good free wifi, friendly staff, complimentary soft drinks in fridge. Quiet room at the end of a corridor.

Review 103：Room was cramped and the bathroom dated. Despite hanging a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, housekeeping gave a sharp knock and started to enter.

Review 104：Nice atmosphere in the public areas of the hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful. Free wifi worked well, which isn't always the case

Review 105：The children were able to swim everyday and the whirlpool was relaxing for us parents. The steam room and gym were lovely. The spa treatment was also nice.

Review 106：Booked and paid for an hour long intensive facial which I felt was a complete waste of money, felt as though the girl didn't really have a lot of experience and should never have been charged that amount, intensive facials involve looking at your skin under a lamp which she never done and she spent more time giving my head a massage which irritated me a lot and then to make matters worse she finished my facial 10 mins earlier which I found very cheeky considering the price. The hotel itself was really nice but in general very overpriced, I have stayed over in much nicer with upgraded rooms for the same money and much nicer staff. Felt the reception staff were very unhelpful and not very friendly at all especially as they are supposed to be the face of the hotel. Overall it was an enjoyable experience minus the hiccups experienced. Perhaps they should stick to taster facials in future.

Review 107：The location was really central and the facilities were great. Breakfast was excellent and the staff in the restaurant at night were very pleasant especially the Spanish male very attentive.

Review 108：Beds were very uncomfortable, room was very hot and unventilated.

Review 109：Lobby was beautiful, Food was lovely, We had asked for an early check in through booking.com but couldn't check in until 3pm,

Review 110：The lad in charge of breakfast spoke too fast even for a native tongue. I appreciate he has to repeat what the set up is but it is clear he doesn't really want to tell you!

Review 111：Friendly reception and helpful

Review 112：The rooms was lovely clean. The food was delicious the staff was very friendly. Very nice hotel lovely decor. Pool was nice temperature whirlpool was relaxing.

Review 113：One morning we spoke to reception and the woman was very abrupt and rude. Having said that other staff were very pleasant. The spa swimming pool is open to the public which we were not aware of so when we went down there to relax we were meeted by unattended children jumping in the pool and playing with floats which took the relaxation and luxourious part out stay.

Review 114：Breakfast was expensive bit really good fresh food.

Review 115：We had a newly refurbished room, which was nice but there was no air conditioning. The room got very warm to the point I had no duvet or cover and I was still sweating. Glad it wasn't during a heatwave.

Review 116：Great facilities with s lovely pool with sauna and steam. Dinner was lovely and staff were very attentive.

Review 117：I would have liked a bath after doing 40 miles coast to coast.my partner was doing yoga in the shallow pool and the two girls behind the towel were taking pictures of him, I was livid and reported this only to be told that they were checking the pool. If this had been male staff taking pictures of young children maybe it would have been taken seriously, totally disgusted and I would not return.

Review 118：The hotel is absolutely beautiful

Review 119：Room were quite hot - no air conditioning. Staff kindly brought w fan but it didn't really do much. Other than that lovely stay, very helpful staff thank you

Review 120：One grumpy reception staff member, no air con in rooms

Review 121：Spa swimming pool (although busy), wifi, room service (although pricey), cookies and drinks for the kids on arrival,

Review 122：the electrical / light switches in the room were a nightmare too many and the lights were un controllable so difficult !!!!

Review 123：the pool /spa was brilliant

Review 124：Very hot during the night, could benefit from aircon! Oh arrival ordered an (overpriced) tea (£4.30) and it took about 20 mins to be served!

Review 125：Very helpful, brought our robes from room to allow us to use the spa and have lunch. Asked for an ice bucket and wine glasses and delivered promptly. Very comfy bed.

Review 126：Although the bedroom was beautiful the bed was the most uncomfortable bed we have ever had to sleep on. As the hotel restaurant was busy we asked if we could eat in the bar and we were told we could. We went down at 7.45 with a friend and his 10 year old son only to be told they could not serve us. We asked for a sandwich for the child and we were refused

Review 127：Excellent facilities and beautiful location. Beautiful bedroom

Review 128：Room very hot at night, even with window open and no heating (UK Summer). Rooms need better soundproofing, one could hear voices and footsteps the length of the corridor.

Review 129：Easy to get to.

Review 130：The restaurant service was poor. The person I assume was the manager was more interested in what was going on round about, didn't pull the chair out for a lady and palmed us off to his staff as quick as quick. Request for another coffee at breakfast was not forthcoming. The breakfast buffet was meagre with lots of empty/near empty plates. White gloves worn by waiters were dirty.

Review 131：The bedroom was spacious with good facilities and very comfortable. Check in and check out was easy and friendly.

Review 132：Lack of air conditioning made the room unbearably hot. The breakfast was very expensive, for nothing very special. The bacon was lukewarm and hard, as were the eggs. We didn't think we needed to book so were charged £15.00 each. We questioned this and it was reduced to £12.70. Over the road at Booths a full English breakfast was £5.

Review 133：The location, room and spa facilities.

Review 134：Staff in the morning very unhelpful, with breakfast unavailable at 7am despite timings advertised on website. They couldn't even manage to make me a cup of coffee, with a blunt "no" at 7.35am. I gave up and left in disgust. Staff at reception refused refund as I had paid for my breakfast in advance even though breakfast not available as advertised. Customer care, what customer care? Service? What service? Shall not return.

Review 135：Room decor was of good quality, the wifi speed exceptional

The Fine Print

From the 24 December 2015 until 26 December 2015, please note that there are limited services available during this period. The restaurant is closed for lunch and dinner, with limited bar meals served in the evening.