Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

Hotels
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
7.6 (2660 reviews)
23 Church St , Bowness-on-Windermere , gb

Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Lift / Elevator
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Spacious rooms
Friendly reception staff
Cons:
Freezing pool
Poor service
Unclean bathroom towels
High parking fees
Chaotic breakfast experience

Categories

Cleanliness
6.68
Bathroom towels were reported unclean, affecting the overall impression of cleanliness.
Service
8.15
Mixed sentiments; some staff were noted as unhelpful and slow, but some were praised as friendly.
Location
9.19
Consistently praised for its stunning location and convenient access.
Room Quality
8.64
Spacious rooms noted, but some issues with heating may affect comfort.
Amenities
6.67
Facilities like the pool and sauna were reported as disappointing and in poor condition.
Value for Money
7.13
High parking fees and poor breakfast service raise concerns about value.
Food and Beverage
6.68
Breakfast service was chaotic, with long wait times and poor food quality reported.
Overall Experience
7.65
Disappointing overall experience due to numerous service and facility issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 06:43

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Indulge in the elegant rooms at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, each equipped with modern amenities and picturesque lake views. Relax in plush robes and enjoy complimentary toiletries for a truly pampering stay.

Culinary Delights
Savor the exquisite flavors at the award-winning restaurant, offering a menu filled with locally sourced ingredients. Unwind at the Terrace Bar and Lounge with delightful light meals or classic afternoon teas, perfect for a leisurely break.

Relaxation and Wellness
Take advantage of the state-of-the-art leisure center, complete with a gym, swimming pool, and rejuvenating spa facilities. From the calming sauna to the indulgent beauty treatments, immerse yourself in a world of tranquility and luxury.

Experience the epitome of luxury and relaxation at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa. Book now to secure your tranquil getaway by Lake Windermere.

Important information:

The credit/debit card used to book a pre-paid rate must be presented to reception on arrival at the hotel. Please note that failure to do so will result in an alternative payment method being required.

Please note that extra beds are only possible in certain room types and must be confirmed by the property prior to arrival.

Please note that the elevator cannot take full size wheelchairs, making the Restaurant not accessible for guests in wheelchairs.

For guests staying on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast rate you can enjoy a £30 allowance per adult towards food and children’s meals are charged as taken

When booking 7 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: MAN

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs GBP 20 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 13 years old to 14 years old stay for £25 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for free when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.6
Based on 2660 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.68
Service: 8.15
Location: 9.19
Room Quality: 8.64
Amenities: 6.67
Value for Money: 7.13
Food and Beverage: 6.68
Overall Experience: 7.65
E
Elliot family_with_children gb
8
2026-04-16 via Nuitee
K
Karim solo_traveller gb
5
2026-04-15 via Nuitee
D
Dunnage couple gb
10
2026-04-14 via Nuitee
A
Angela Grainger solo_traveller gb
9
Pros:

Very central location staff we friendly and helpful.

2026-04-14 via Nuitee
A
Alexandra couple gb
10
Amazing
Pros:

Lovely staff
Lovely service given
Cannot fault
Amazing view over the lake

Cons:

Nothing
Rooms are lovely decorated

2026-04-11 via Nuitee
F
Frank family_with_children gb
5
Avarage over priced
Pros:

Stone cold waited 30 minutes for it

2026-04-11 via Nuitee
L
Leandros couple gb
4
Pros:

the view

Cons:

The window was extremely noisy when it was windy. The pre-authorisation was very painful and it did not even work in the end...
Paying 25£ per night for parking when already paid nearly 1400£ for 3 nights is unheard of…

2026-04-11 via Nuitee
A
Andrew solo_traveller gb
9
Great Hotel
Pros:

Always welcomed with a smile.

Cons:

As a resident of the hotel, why am I having to pay for parking

2026-04-10 via Nuitee
T
Trace Edwards couple gb
8
2026-04-09 via Nuitee
Z
Zac couple gb
10
2026-04-08 via Nuitee
S
Stella family_with_children gb
8
2026-04-08 via Nuitee
A
Arora family_with_children gb
8
Pros:

The staff( each and every one) was helpful. They went above and beyond to help us.

Cons:

As such nothing, but the room could have been a bit luxurious at the price I paid. It was very basic whilst the description said family deluxe room.

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
J
Jayne couple gb
9
Pros:

Staff were very friendly and helpful.

Cons:

Hotel is looking a little faded, could do with a little revamp.

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
A
Amy family_with_children gb
5
2026-04-05 via Nuitee
N
nigel couple gb
7
2026-04-04 via Nuitee
D
Dale couple gb
9
2026-04-04 via Nuitee
S
Sarah Ackred couple gb
7
Pros:

We loved the location, and the room (standard) was very spacious and clean

Cons:

The spa was grubby, the stream room smelled of urine.

2026-04-04 via Nuitee
K
Kim couple gb
9
2026-04-04 via Nuitee
M
mohamadpour couple gb
5
2026-03-31 via Nuitee
N
Nimisha family_with_children gb
8
Lovely stay if you want to be close to the lake, different attractions, the ferry, restaurants etc.
Pros:

The location- right on the lake and close to attractions.
The pool - was great for our little toddler
And the breakfast had lots of options.

Cons:

The view! I wish we could see the lake. It did say it had skylight windows. Wish it was more obvious to us.

2026-03-30 via Nuitee