The Borrowdale Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (841 reviews)
Borrowdale , Keswick , gb

Free
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Fax/photocopying
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Dog friendly
Friendly staff
Cons:
Inconsistent breakfast
Staff seemed overworked

Categories

Cleanliness
8.61
The hotel was very clean throughout and well-maintained.
Service
9.08
Staff were friendly, helpful, and always ready to assist.
Location
9.12
Beautiful location with breathtaking views.
Room Quality
8.57
Rooms were comfortable, with nice furnishings.
Amenities
8.1
Decent amenities, though some areas could use renovation.
Value for Money
8.56
Good value, but breakfast consistency could improve.
Food and Beverage
8.11
Food choices were limited, but well-prepared.
Overall Experience
8.68
A memorable stay with wonderful experiences.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 09:23

Property Description

Victorian Charm and Picturesque Scenery

Historic Elegance: Step into the past at The Borrowdale Hotel, built in 1866, where Victorian charm meets modern comfort. The traditional rooms offer a cozy retreat, while some boast stunning views of the nearby lake.

Scenic Delights: Nestled in the Borrowdale valley, this hotel is a nature lover's paradise. Enjoy the breathtaking Lake District scenery right at your doorstep, perfect for leisurely strolls or adventurous hikes.

Culinary Excellence and Relaxation: Indulge in delectable dining at the AA Rosette Restaurant, where a fine menu awaits. After a day of exploration, unwind by the open fires in the oak-panelled lounge bar or conservatory, offering picturesque views of the landscaped gardens and mountains.

Experience a perfect blend of history, nature, and luxury at The Borrowdale Hotel - book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway.

Important information:

The Borrowdale restaurant features a fine menu of locally sourced and fresh food, and friendly staff. Please note we like our guests to have a special experience when dining in our restaurant and kindly request casual but smart attire and no faded/ripped jeans, branded t-shirts, shorts, trainers, walking boots ,flip flops or shorts.

When booking 5 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements will apply.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

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

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children are not allowed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Internet

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

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 841 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.61
Service: 9.08
Location: 9.12
Room Quality: 8.57
Amenities: 8.1
Value for Money: 8.56
Food and Beverage: 8.11
Overall Experience: 8.68
N
Nikita couple gb
8
In summary, the Borrowdale Hotel is a gem for anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying fantastic f
Pros:

Nestled in the heart of the Lake District, the Borrowdale Hotel offers a delightful escape for nature lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Here’s a closer look at what makes this hotel stand out, as well as a few areas that could use improvement.

**Stunning Views**
The most striking feature of the Borrowdale Hotel is undoubtedly its breathtaking views. Surrounded by majestic mountains and lush greenery, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’re enjoying a morning coffee on the terrace or taking a leisurely stroll along the nearby river, the picturesque landscape is a constant reminder of the beauty of the Lake District.

**Culinary Delights**
The dining experience at the Borrowdale is exceptional. The hotel’s restaurant serves a variety of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the best of regional cuisine. Every meal is crafted with care, and the flavors are rich and satisfying. From hearty breakfasts to exquisite dinners, the food is a highlight, ensuring that guests leave with not just full bellies but also fond memories of each dish.

Cons:

**Room Size**
While the views and food are remarkable, the rooms tend to be on the smaller side. For those seeking spacious accommodations, this might be a bit of a drawback. The cozy atmosphere can feel a little cramped, especially for longer stays or if traveling with multiple people. However, the charm of the hotel and the stunning surroundings can somewhat compensate for the limited space.

2026-04-15 via Nuitee
S
Serridge couple gb
9
Pros:

Location is amazing . Very clean . Great hotel

Cons:

Room service food wasn't the best , but It filled a hole . Would still go back there

2026-04-08 via Nuitee
M
Mark couple gb
8
2026-04-06 via Nuitee
L
Larman solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

Located a few miles from keswick to grab food and shop. The hotel is located right infront of an amazing walking field and hikes for the dog.

2026-04-05 via Nuitee
H
Holly couple gb
6
Nice staff but some improvements to facilities needed
Pros:

Great location, only 10 min drive to Keswick and close to the Seathwaite farm starting point to climb Scafell Pike. Staff were all really pleasant and helpful.

Cons:

The price didn’t match what was on offer. No fridge in the room (to be fair I did check this before I arrived) but I think this should be standard for this location especially with hiking being such a huge draw to the area, it would be useful to be able to keep food items cold. The room and bathroom was very small. It was relatively clean but there was some areas that have clearly been missed for quite a while, particularly a lot of mold in the bathroom. The food wasn’t the best, the wellington was nice but everything else was mediocre. The trifle was disgusting, horrible texture. The breakfast was served quickly but not the best either, scrambled eggs were overcooked. Overall if it was a cheaper stay I wouldn’t have been overly dissatisfied but for the price there are some areas for improvement.

2026-04-05 via Nuitee
L
luisa couple gb
8
2026-04-05 via Nuitee
R
rachael couple gb
9
Very good, very nice
Pros:

Lovely

Cons:

No uber

2026-04-04 via Nuitee
M
Maria couple gb
9
2026-04-02 via Nuitee
M
Mark extended_group gb
9
2026-04-01 via Nuitee
D
Douglas couple gb
4
We gave the Borrowdale a try but won’t be back . We will resume our annual stays at the Bridge Hotel in Buttermere.
Pros:

Staff quite pleasant

Cons:

Food very poor. A small bowl of cold, chopped up cabbage, and bits of carrot was presented as mixed vegetables. And the shepherds pie was 5% meat and 95% potato.

2026-03-31 via Nuitee
M
Mary couple gb
8
Pros:

The room had all the facilities that we would expect and was bright and clean.

Cons:

Breakfast service is slow, particularly waiting by the entrance for 5 minutes plus every day to be allocated a table.
Breakfast menu and food are excellent.
Staff should replenish empty items from the buffet bar regularly without having to be asked by guests every time.
Bar meal Shepherds Pie cost £25 and was a small, starter sized portion. The serving of red cabbage was miniscule and this was the only vegetable. For this sized dish the cost should have been £12.50 maximum.

2026-03-31 via Nuitee
J
Jess solo_traveller gb
8
2026-03-24 via Nuitee
P
peter solo_traveller gb
10
2026-03-23 via Nuitee
D
Derek couple gb
9
Pros:

Just love the Lake District 😍

2026-03-22 via Nuitee
P
paul couple gb
9
Pros:

lovely hotel,staff really nice nothing too much trouble, breakfast really nice with a great choice ,rooms really nice with a bath which was nice after long walk, rooms clean and tidy with coffee & tea avsilable

Cons:

nothing to dislike hotel was really nice no complaints

2026-03-18 via Nuitee
M
Michael couple gb
9
A very enjoyable stay in a lovely area.
Pros:

Breakfast was excellent with many choices. Food was very well presented.

2026-03-17 via Nuitee
G
Gary solo_traveller gb
9
Added to a wonderful experience and visit to Borrowdale
Pros:

Food was good, room was good although a little too warm durning then night. Unfortunately I didn't get to experience the full breakfast as I had to leave before 8 so only had a basic breakfast. Food met expectations

Cons:

Cooler rooms. I know it is difficult to get it right for all guests. but found it too hot during the night. I turned the radiator off and opened the window and still felt warm.

2026-03-11 via Nuitee
E
EDWARD couple gb
4
Very poor food and service .fawlty towers type dining stagf
Pros:

Roomgood for my disability

Cons:

Parking

2026-03-10 via Nuitee
B
Brenton couple za
10
2026-03-08 via Nuitee
N
Norman extended_group gb
8
2026-03-07 via Nuitee