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Summary of reviewsThe Royal Hotel boasts a picturesque and serene setting that makes it an ideal base for exploring Ullswater and the surrounding Lake District. Guests frequently praise its fantastic location with convenient proximity to popular spots such as Aira Force, Keswick and Glenridding, offering a peaceful retreat amidst natural beauty. The hotel's central position provides stunning views of the Lakeland countryside, making it a top choice for nature lovers, walkers and those seeking a countryside getaway.
Breakfast at the Royal Hotel is consistently lauded as excellent, delicious and plentiful with a variety of well-prepared options including a full English breakfast and vegetarian and gluten-free choices. The friendly service and quality of food, featuring fresh, local ingredients, earn high marks from guests.
Dinner service also impresses with high-quality pub fare, abundant portions and fresh ingredients, set within a charming heritage building. The varied menu caters to different dietary preferences and is complemented by a selection of local beers and wines. Despite some views on pricing, the quality and freshness make it worth the expense.
Rooms at the Royal Hotel are generally clean, comfortable and spacious with lovely period features and picturesque views adding to their appeal. While some rooms and communal areas could benefit from updates and improved cleanliness, guests often find the overall accommodation charming and restful.
The staff at the Royal Hotel are frequently described as friendly, helpful and welcoming, ensuring a warm and attentive service. Their professionalism and dedication significantly enhance the guest experience.
Parking is ample and convenient, making it easy for visitors to find spaces and the serene environment further enhances the pleasant experience of staying at the hotel. Beds receive consistent praise for their comfort, contributing to a restful stay.
The hotel is genuinely dog-friendly, providing accommodations and an environment that make pets feel welcome with attentive staff and ample outdoor space for dogs to roam and enjoy.
While the WiFi service receives mixed reviews due to connectivity issues and additional charges and some areas of the hotel show signs of aging, the Royal Hotel is praised for its charming, three-star accommodations that deliver a solid and pleasant experience. Show more
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Guest House Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Dog Friendly Guest House
Guest House with Parking
Small Guest House
3-Star Guest House
Room Types
Standard Double RoomAn en suite bathroom and a TV are featured in this room.
Premier Double RoomMore luxurious room with en suite bathroom with bath.
Standard Twin RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The twin room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as garden views. The unit has 2 beds.
Standard Triple RoomProviding free toiletries, this triple room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The triple room provides a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor as well as garden views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Deluxe Twin RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The twin room features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor as well as garden views. The unit has 2 beds.
Family RoomOffering free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The family room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Family RoomProviding free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The family room provides a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor as well as garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.3
Very Good
Location
Situated in a picturesque and serene setting, the Royal Hotel is celebrated for its fantastic location, making it an ideal base for exploring Ullswater and the surrounding Lake District. Guests frequently highlighted the convenient proximity to popular spots such as Aira Force, Keswick and Glenridding with many remarkable hikes and scenic walks accessible right from the doorstep. Its rural, quiet environment provides a peaceful retreat away from busy tourist areas, yet it remains easily reachable for those with a sense of adventure.
The hotel's central position offers stunning views of the beautiful Lakeland countryside with the sweeping vistas of Ullswater and the Cumbrian hills garnering high praise. Despite its somewhat secluded feel, the location is also noted for its good accessibility, making it perfect for both leisurely strolls and more extensive walking holidays.
The Royal Hotel is characterized by its lovely setting with numerous guests appreciating the tranquil atmosphere and the natural beauty that surrounds it. Its close proximity to natural attractions such as the Aira Force waterfalls enhances its appeal, emphasizing the scenic charm and the sense of being amidst nature.
Overall, the hotel's location stands out as a key highlight, providing an excellent blend of seclusion, beauty and convenience, making it an exceptional choice for nature lovers, walkers and those seeking a peaceful countryside getaway.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Royal Hotel consistently receives high praise from guests, many describing it as excellent, delicious and plentiful. Diners can enjoy a variety of well-prepared options, including a delightful full English breakfast, home-made jams and freshly cooked meals using local produce. The breakfast service is noted for its friendliness and the quality of food is often highlighted as a strong point with some guests recommending the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, as well as the home-made granola and muesli. There is a decent selection to cater to various preferences, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Though breakfast starts at 8:30 am, which some find a bit late, guests generally find it worth the wait. Most reviews compliment the breakfast's ability to set them up well for the day, particularly those planning long walks or activities. The combination of tasty food, good portion sizes and the use of fresh, local ingredients makes breakfast at Royal Hotel a standout feature for many visitors.
Dinner
Nestled in a peaceful, panoramic hilltop location, the Royal Hotel offers a delightful dining experience that has consistently impressed its guests. The dinner service at the hotel boasts high-quality pub fare, characterized by home-cooked meals that are both plentiful and delicious. Patrons frequently praise the abundant portions and well-presented dishes, noting the fresh, locally sourced ingredients that highlight each meal. The dinner menu is varied and offers something for everyone, including good vegetarian and vegan options, catering to different dietary preferences.
The hotel’s restaurant area, set within a heritage building, provides a charming and welcoming atmosphere. Diners can expect a great selection of local hand-pulled beers and wines, enhancing the overall dining experience. The outdoor seating in the spacious beer garden is particularly popular during the summer, allowing guests to enjoy their meals in an idyllic setting.
Though the dinner menu might be considered a bit pricey by some, the quality and freshness of the food make it worth the expense. Signature dishes like the crispy halloumi and the highly recommended Royal Pavlova have left a lasting impression on guests. Evening meals are described as brilliant, superb and simply excellent, making the need for dining elsewhere unnecessary.
Alongside the delightful dinners, breakfasts at the Royal Hotel also receive high praise for both variety and taste, providing a great start to the day. The dining experience is further enhanced by the friendly, approachable staff who ensure that every meal is a pleasure.
In summary, the Royal Hotel stands out for its exceptional food quality, comforting atmosphere and welcoming ambiance, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in a serene and picturesque setting.
Rooms
The Royal Hotel offers a mixed experience when it comes to room quality, though many positive aspects stand out. Guests frequently praise the rooms for being clean, comfortable and welcoming with some describing them as lovely, cosy and well-equipped. Spaciousness and cleanliness are recurring themes in the commendations; several visitors found the rooms to be good-sized and spotless with comfortable beds ensuring a restful stay.
However, there are areas in need of improvement. Some rooms are small or even tiny and a few guests noted that certain rooms felt tired and could benefit from modernisation. Issues such as cracked bath panels, peeling wallpaper and outdated decor were mentioned. Additionally, communal areas, including gardens, were not always up to standard with reports of them being unclean or untidy.
Despite these shortcomings, the charm of the period features, a cosy atmosphere and a pleasant, friendly staff often leave a positive impression on guests. The hotel's quiet location with beautiful views, such as those from rooms overlooking Lake Ullswater, adds to its appeal. Nonetheless, potential visitors should anticipate some variability in room conditions and be prepared for a stay that may not match the price expectations fully. Overall, while the Royal Hotel has its charm and comfort, it does warrant some updates to enhance guest satisfaction.
Beds
The Royal Hotel receives consistent praise for its beds with guests frequently describing them as comfortable, cozy and well-made. Many reviewers highlighted the spaciousness and comfort, often mentioning king-size beds that contribute to a restful experience. Descriptions like extremely comfortable, toasty and soft indicate that the beds offer a high level of relaxation. The bed linen is noted for being clean and several guests appreciated the modern amenities, including ample comfort in spacious rooms.
However, there are occasional remarks about less comfortable experiences, such as a few beds being too hard or lumpy. Some beds seemed a bit worn and there were mentions of thick duvets that didn't match the season. Nonetheless, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards the positive, making the Royal Hotel's bedding a standout feature for many guests. Issues with the general cleanliness of communal and garden areas, along with occasional hot water problems, were noted but did not diminish the overall praise for the comfortable sleeping arrangements.
Cleanliness
Royal Hotel has garnered a mixed array of feedback regarding cleanliness, though many guests highlighted several notable positives. Numerous reviews commend the hotel for its clean and functional rooms with descriptions such as clean, tidy and exceptionally clean frequently appearing. Guests often found the rooms to be inviting, warm, comfortable and well-maintained, emphasizing a welcoming ambiance.
The attention to detail in cleanliness was appreciated with spotless rooms and areas receiving particular praise. Many visitors applauded the staff for maintaining overall cleanliness well, ensuring that both rooms and communal areas are appealing. Highlights included clean bathrooms, comfortable and modern accommodations and a generally quiet atmosphere contributing to a pleasant stay.
However, some areas did fall short of expectations. Several guests mentioned issues such as dirty showers, cracked bathroom tiles, a lack of thorough deep cleaning and occasional presence of flies. Communal areas and garden spaces faced criticism for not always being up to standard. Specific complaints also targeted low shower pressure, temperature inconsistencies and outdated facilities.
Despite these occasional drawbacks, the hotel is often viewed as a good base for walking, providing fresh air, peace and quiet. The overall sentiment towards cleanliness is positive with many guests leaving satisfied with their tidy and cosy accommodations.
Staff
The Royal Hotel is celebrated for its exceptional and friendly staff, who are frequently described as helpful, accommodating and welcoming. Guests regularly highlight the warm and attentive service provided by the team, making interactions with the staff a standout aspect of their stay. The staff is consistently noted for their professionalism, efficiency and proactive approach to ensuring a pleasant visit.
Despite some issues with the general appearance of communal areas and minor complaints about meal quality and occasional understaffing, the staff's commitment to excellent service often offsets these concerns. The heritage building provides a charming backdrop and the hotel’s leadership receives praise for creating a hospitable and engaging atmosphere. Overall, most guests find their experiences at the Royal Hotel greatly enhanced by the diligent and friendly staff.
Wi-Fi
When it comes to the WiFi at the Royal Hotel, guest sentiments are mixed. Some guests mentioned that the WiFi access was reasonable and worked without fault, indicating moments of hassle-free connectivity. However, the overall consensus points to several issues. Weak and inconsistent WiFi signals were commonly mentioned with glitches and connectivity problems frequently causing frustration. Additionally, guests noted that there was an extra charge for using WiFi, which many found unnecessary and excessive. Limited phone signal and access restrictions to only one device per WiFi payment added to the inconvenience. While the hotel does provide WiFi service, the additional fees and connectivity issues appear to be significant drawbacks for guests.
Parking
Royal Hotel offers a variety of parking options that have pleased multiple guests. The parking is described as easy, ample and good, ensuring that visitors can find spaces without much hassle. There's plenty of free parking on-site and off-road, making it both convenient and cost-effective for those driving. While the parking operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, the limited number of rooms generally means that finding a spot is manageable. The large car park adds to the ease and availability. Guests appreciate the clean and serene environment of the hotel, which is a short walk to Aira Force waterfalls. The hotel grounds, characterized by their cleanliness and peaceful ambiance, enhance the overall pleasant experience of staying at the Royal Hotel.
3 Star
The Royal Hotel is a comfortable 3-star establishment that offers a charming and basic experience in a lovely location. While the property shows signs of aging and could benefit from some updates to give it a warmer feel, it maintains a certain charm that makes it a pleasant stay. The general appearance of the rooms is decent although some parts of the hotel seem dated and tired. Despite not being as plush as other three-star hotels, it does provide the essential comforts guests would expect. Overall, the Royal Hotel is good for a three-star hotel, delivering solid service and a good experience for its rating.
Dog Friendly
The Royal Hotel is a haven for dog lovers, offering pet-friendly accommodations that cater specifically to guests traveling with their canine companions. The hotel is notably welcoming for dogs, featuring various dog-friendly rooms and an environment that makes pets and their owners feel right at home. Dogs are permitted in the dining rooms and restaurant area, allowing guests to enjoy meals with their furry friends by their side. The grounds are expansive and dog-friendly, providing ample space for pets to roam and enjoy. Staff are particularly attentive to dogs, enhancing the overall pet-friendly atmosphere. Additionally, there are great walks for dogs in the vicinity, making it an ideal destination for pet owners looking for both comfort and outdoor activities. Overall, the Royal Hotel has positioned itself as a genuinely dog-friendly establishment, ensuring a pleasant stay for all guests, whether they have two legs or four.
No, Royal Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Royal Hotel.
Yes, Royal Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Royal Hotel.