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Summary of reviewsRydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre enjoys a fantastic and central location in the heart of the Lake District, surrounded by picturesque grounds and magnificent landscapes, making it an ideal base for exploring nearby areas like Rydal Water, Ambleside and Grasmere. Its proximity to numerous walking trails and historical sites enhances its appeal, especially for hikers. The serene and tranquil atmosphere provides a restful escape and the beautiful views further enhance the experience, making it a highly praised location.
Breakfast offerings at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre are generally well-received with guests appreciating the delicious and varied options, including continental selections and a superb buffet. Many guests enjoyed dining while overlooking the beautiful formal garden and the breakfast's value and portion sizes received favorable comments. The availability of gluten-free options further impressed guests. However, some found the breakfast timing inconvenient and the shared tables occasionally crowded.
The dinner experience at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre presents a mixed bag. While the evening menu's presentation and quality got positive mentions, guests felt the bar food menu was limited and expensive. Reservations are necessary due to limited availability and exploring dining options in nearby villages might be advisable due to the restricted in-house choices.
Room accommodations received varied feedback. Guests appreciated the spaciousness, comfort and lovely views from some rooms, highlighting large bathrooms and cleanliness. However, several rooms were described as basic and in need of renovation with issues like noise, lack of soundproofing and musty smells pointed out. Limited amenities, including no TVs or fridges, occasionally affected experiences, although the location and grounds garnered consistent praise.
Cleanliness at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre also drew mixed reviews. While some guests found their rooms and bathrooms clean, others reported issues like dirty skirting boards, dusty floors and carpets. These inconsistencies suggest varying housekeeping standards across different rooms and facilities.
The staff at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre generally received high praise with descriptions like courteous, polite, friendly and welcoming frequently appearing. Specific staff members were commended for their exceptional service, particularly in accommodating guests with mobility issues or dietary restrictions. However, there were occasional mentions of less favorable interactions, such as perceived lack of coordination and abruptness.
Lastly, feedback on the beds at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre was mixed. Many guests found the beds comfortable with fresh, soft bedding. Nevertheless, others experienced inconsistent mattress firmness with some beds being too soft or too hard and even compared to hostel accommodations. Maintenance of bedding also showed room for improvement.
Overall, Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre offers a charming and historically rich location with commendable hospitality and beautiful surroundings, but with some areas for improvement in room quality, dining options and cleanliness consistency. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Parking
This hotel offers parking facilities. It is a retreat center located in Rydal. The hotel provides a peaceful and reflective environment.
EV charging stations
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Cheap Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Hotel for Adults Only
Small Hotel
Room Types
Standard Single RoomOffering free toiletries, this single room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. The single room offers a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor along with heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Twin RoomOffering free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. The twin room has a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor as well as heating. The unit has 2 beds.
Standard Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. The double room comes with a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
Location
Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre boasts a fantastic and central location in the heart of the Lake District, surrounded by stunning grounds and magnificent landscapes. Guests find its proximity to Rydal Water, Ambleside and Grasmere extremely convenient, making it an ideal base for exploring the area. The historic building, coupled with beautiful gardens, provides a picturesque and peaceful retreat. The location is particularly favored by hikers, being near numerous walking trails, including the Fairfield Horseshoe. The quiet and serene setting, combined with the unique character of the old building, offers a restful escape. Whether for a short stay or an extended visit, Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre's location is consistently praised as exceptional with beautiful views and a tranquil atmosphere enhancing the experience.
Breakfast
Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre's breakfast offerings have garnered a variety of reviews from guests, mostly leaning towards the positive. Many describe the breakfast as lovely, delicious and enjoyable. Some were especially charmed by the opportunity to enjoy their meal while overlooking the beautiful formal garden. The range of the breakfast options also impressed guests with mentions of a wide selection in the continental breakfast and a superb buffet contributing to a satisfying start to the day.
Comments about value and portion size were favorable with statements that the breakfast was good value and provided plenty to start a day of hiking in the countryside. The breakfast catered to different dietary needs, including gluten-free options and guests appreciated the complimentary aspect.
However, a few guests noted some areas for improvement. The timing of breakfast service was mentioned with some finding the 8:30am start and limited flexibility inconvenient. There were also remarks about the breakfast room setup, notably the shared tables and occasional crowdedness. A few guests experienced issues with food temperature, suggesting that hot trays should have lids to keep items warm.
Overall, Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre's breakfast received high praise for its quality, variety and the pleasant setting in which it was served, though some minor adjustments could enhance the breakfast experience further.
Dinner
Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre offers a mixed dining experience according to guest reviews. On the positive side, the evening menu is substantial and nicely presented with superb meals available at the Badger Bar and Restaurant. Excellent bar food is also highlighted. However, there are notable downsides, such as occasional poor and dry meals and a limited and expensive bar food menu. Guests also pointed out that meal choices are limited and reservations for dinner are necessary due to a lack of availability without pre-booking.
Breakfast service faces criticism for inflexibility with only one time slot available for the entire hotel, making the breakfast room quite cramped. An earlier start and better flexibility for breakfast times are suggested improvements. Additionally, there's a lack of clear information regarding meal times. For those staying at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre, exploring dining options in the nearby village might be a good alternative due to the limited in-house dining choices.
Rooms
Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre offers a mixed experience when it comes to its room accommodations. Many guests appreciated the spaciousness and comfort of the rooms with some enjoying lovely views of the garden. The rooms were often described as cozy, warm and immaculate. Guests also highlighted features like large bathrooms and successful room accommodations.
However, the rooms are described as basic and in need of renovation and updating. Issues like noise, lack of soundproofing, poor views and a musty smell were noted by several guests. Some rooms were small and cramped with basic amenities missing, including no TVs or fridges. Problems with cleanliness were mentioned occasionally, from mould in the shower to piles of old toiletries.
While the location and grounds of Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre received praise, the room conditions and facilities varied significantly, making it a place suitable primarily for those using the rooms for sleeping and showering rather than seeking comprehensive hotel amenities.
Beds
Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre's beds have received mixed feedback from guests. Many found the beds to be comfortable, fresh and even very comfy with several positive mentions of lovely and soft bedding. However, there were varied experiences with the firmness and quality of the mattresses, as some guests described the beds as too soft, sloped or even compared the firmness to sleeping on a rock. Issues with short beds and single beds akin to those found in youth hostels were also noted. Some guests faced problems with the maintenance of sheets and the setup of additional bedding. Overall, while many appreciated the comfort of the beds, there were notable inconsistencies that may affect the sleeping experience.
Cleanliness
Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre presents a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness, as can be discerned from the range of guest reviews. On the positive side, several guests found their rooms clean with some specifically noting the cleanliness of the bathrooms. The overall cleanliness of the hotel was mentioned favorably with some highlighting that the hotel was very nice and clean.
However, not all reviews painted such a pristine picture. Several guests reported issues such as dirty skirting boards, dusty floors and hallways and even dirty sheets and carpets. The cleanliness of the bed linen and the presence of dust in the house were noted as areas needing improvement. One guest even had to keep their shoes on inside due to the perceived dirtiness of the place.
While there are commendations for cleanliness, these positives are counterbalanced by significant criticisms. The recurring cleanliness issues suggest that while some areas of Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre are well-maintained, there may be inconsistencies in housekeeping standards across different rooms and facilities.
Staff
The reviews for Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre reflect a strong consensus on the positive experiences with the hotel's staff. Descriptors such as courteous, polite, friendly and welcoming repeatedly highlight the overall hospitality. The staff are often noted for going the extra mile, ensuring that guests have an enjoyable visit. Specific members, like Shirley-Ann, earned warm mentions for their exceptional service.
Special commendations were given to staff members who were accommodating toward guests with mobility issues or dietary restrictions, ensuring a personalized and comfortable stay. The breakfast staff and bar staff received praise for being attentive, suggesting that meal times are handled with care and efficiency. Guests appreciated the helpfulness and attentiveness of the receptionist and other team members, although there were occasional mentions of less favorable interactions, such as perceived lack of coordination and abruptness from certain staff members.
Overall, the overwhelming positive remarks about the staff's friendliness, helpfulness and dedication significantly contribute to a welcoming environment at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre.
No, Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre.
No, Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre.
No, Rydal Hall Christian Retreat Centre doesn't have a gym.