The Waterhead Inn- the Inn Collection Group

Food was mediocre, management poor. Room was lovely, checkin was crazy. Its impossible that no room is ready for check-in before 3pm. If you arrive in peak season how can possibly 40 rooms be checked in at 3pm. ?expect a long wait .

Sadly nothing unique anymore. The Waterhead Hotel was the jewel in the crown of former owners English Lakes. Unfortunately now it is a very average pub with rooms and you could be in any one of the numerous Inn Collection establishments. A very disappointing experience!

Newly renovated situated right on the lake and near the ferry terminal it is a great base to explore the lakes district. The bedroom was large and comfortable the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful and are clearly making an effort to ensure a great stay.

The staff were really good at looking after us and their customer service was great. However, the glass cover for the bathtub wasn’t great as it let a lot of water out when having a shower.

Our bathroom hot tap took atleast 4/5 minutes to produce hot water, which was frustrating. We had supper on our first night and my wife's choice of curried cauliflower with coconut rice with almonds and raisins was a disappointment, as was the waitresses reaction. There were no almonds or raisins and a very weak coconut flavour. The waitress spent her time making excuse after excuse when we mentioned this, from "you must have had a batch without too much milk" to telling us "how interested she was in food,as she used to be a chef" Eventually she agreed to talk to the chef, who she called Dave. The excuses now included " its a new menu" to " he forgot to add the almonds and raisins " Her attitude throughout was indifference and was clearly suprised when i stated that we would not be eating at the hotel the following night. Not once did she offer a practical sollution to this issue but made embarrassing reasons why the food was not as advertised. Our dinner with drinks cost £58, so they lost atleast that amount for our missed night. Things go wrong, but its how you deal with them that are remembered .

Location: Fantastic Room 19: Fantastic, clean, roomy, really good bathroom and quite. King-sized bed was realy comfortable. The Inn was well presented, a really nice place for a meal, however, the menu was limited, could be better but the food we had was really good. Breakfast was a serve yourself buffet or continental. The buffet was nice english breakfast food but not very hot. Staff were excellent, very helpful, chatty and keen to be of service. Overall, an excellent location and a good hotel. The memu for the bar meals could be improved!

Something of a warren of a place, with steps and limited elevators. But if you can manage stairs, it's comfortable and charming. Busy, all-day food service in the bar/dining room. Ask for a room with a lake view.

Amazing hotel, staff, food, service, location. This hotel and its staff made my mum and I’s stay just absolutely perfect. Thank you

The stay was for business. I needed to check in earlier than 3, I arrived at 14:40 and was initially told I couldn’t check in. However Connor worked very hard to accommodate me and did manage to get me booked in after checking with housekeeping. I understand staffing is right as nobody actually lives in the lakes anymore but 3pm check in is too late, especially with a 10:30 check out deadline, especially at the price. I went off to work and due to being emergency services was later arriving back. I would’ve liked a pint but they don’t serve after 11, despite it being a hotel. Surely a night porter can serve? You’re a hotel, get a longer licence. Was kept awake by staff talking outside under my bedroom, was woken up early by delivery lorries crashing metal plates in the morning around 7am so didn’t sleep well at all. Breakfast was mediocre but the coffee was lovely. Female on duty at breakfast was friendly but didn’t seem at all bothered that I wouldn’t stay again. Just smiled and said thank you for staying. Furnishings and building were good as only just opened but leaves no choice for customers as they now own half of ambleside. Everywhere looks same. Staff shouldn’t be allowed to park in customer parking as tight enough without that.