Macdonald Leeming House

Hotels
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
7.9 (1096 reviews)
Watermillock , Watermillock , gb

Free
Children allowed
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
Safety deposit box
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent food
Friendly staff
Beautiful location
Cons:
Overpriced food and drinks
Plumbing issues

Categories

Cleanliness
7.5
Mention of minor issues with cleanliness or room upkeep.
Service
8.15
Very friendly and warm staff; helpful desk manager.
Location
8.51
Beautiful location, proximity to great walks and activities.
Room Quality
7.86
Rooms are slightly old fashioned but comfortable.
Amenities
7.69
Limited amenities mentioned; plumbing needs updating.
Value for Money
7.15
Somewhat overpriced drinks and food.
Food and Beverage
8.4
Excellent quality food and good range for breakfast.
Overall Experience
7.97
General satisfaction with the stay, enthusiastic about returning.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 12:53

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Experience the charm of a Regency house at Macdonald Leeming House overlooking Ullswater. Each en-suite bedroom is elegantly decorated and equipped with modern amenities, some boasting balconies with stunning lake views.

Dining Excellence
Indulge in award-winning cuisine at the Regency Restaurant, offering a taste of modern British dishes. For a more relaxed dining experience, enjoy the conservatory and terrace with picturesque views of the Cumbrian Fells.

Unmatched Facilities
With 22 acres of grounds, guests can enjoy activities like croquet and private fishing. Relax indoors in the drawing room or by the log fires in the sitting room. Don't forget about the private helipad for convenient access.

Book now to discover the perfect blend of luxury and nature at Macdonald Leeming House!

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 contact the property in advance before booking a dog-friendly room.

Please note that certain rooms in the room category you have booked do not have views.

Please note that the hotel doesn't accept any cash payments.

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

The dinner and bed and breakfast rate includes a GBP 65 allowance toward food per person per night for the dinner

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

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

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • 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.
    People no matter the age 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.

  • 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.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.9
Based on 1096 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.5
Service: 8.15
Location: 8.51
Room Quality: 7.86
Amenities: 7.69
Value for Money: 7.15
Food and Beverage: 8.4
Overall Experience: 7.97
G
Graham couple gb
9
2026-02-13 via Nuitee
E
Edward couple gb
8
Pros:

Loved being able to walk dog down to lake everyday,views were fantastic,food was excellent,walks great.

Cons:

Think was a extra charge at breakfast for various items,should be in price really.

2026-02-09 via Nuitee
G
Gillian extended_group gb
8
Gorgeous gardens and friendly staff
Pros:

Superb location and beautiful grounds

Cons:

It was slightly dated but that was perhaps part of its charm

2026-02-09 via Nuitee
V
Vicky couple gb
10
2026-01-31 via Nuitee
S
Steven couple gb
10
Pros:

Staff were amazing! They made my girlfriends birthday truly special. Breakfast and dinner were really good and the views were amazing. Would recommend the lake view rooms with balcony.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-01-20 via Nuitee
A
alan couple gb
9
well worth the trip.
Pros:

all food was very good.

Cons:

nothing.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
N
Nicholas extended_group gb
1
Very disappointing.
Pros:

The property has a potential to be a very good destination due to its location.

Cons:

The property is very rundown and tired. The hotel itself is very dirty. The rooms were not clean, the bathroom especially. There was dirt all around the floor edges unclean robes in the wardrobe. Hair from a previous guest stuck behind the door of the bathroom floor. The shower when used was full of gunk around the plug hole and had not been cleaned properly in some time. There was no attention to detail at all. The room was serviced following our first night and the bed had not been made tea station had not been replenished. The general decoration was rundown and needs a lot of investment to clean the place up. Apart from the two gentleman on the front desk, the staff seem disinterested and had no pride in their job.

The breakfast was inedible and the staff were not helpful. The bread was cheap and nasty and the Continental breakfast was a shambles with warm yogurt and fruit that looked like it had been in and out of the Resturant for days. In the end we decided to leave and not have breakfast as it was appalling. Quality of produce was not what you’d expect from a 4Star hotel.

For the money this hotel is totally overpriced for what you get, for over £200 per night you should expect a standard and delivery worthy of it and this was not the case. MacDonald hotel group need to investigate this property as it is not good for their reputation of their business. I made a complaint at the hotel but the general manager wasn’t on site. I have emailed him, but still have not received a reply.

Very disappointing as this property is in a prime location with beautiful views.

I think the management and staff should visit some of their neighbouring hotels an ‘another place’ to see what they are missing out on.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
J
Jessica extended_group gb
10
2026-01-19 via Nuitee
A
Anne couple gb
5
Faded glory and expensive.
Pros:

The view was stunning. A good outside terrace for refreshments while looking at the lake.

Cons:

The hotel is living on its past glory. Rather faded. Our room, despite being “super deluxe “ was rather dull and pokey with a tired dirty bathroom and no view. The food was quite average with extortionate prices. £38 for a really ordinary dish. Supplements were applied to much of the breakfast dishes. For example £6.50 EXTRA for avocado on toast.
The room was very expensive and did not provide value for money. Staff were variable, some didn’t take our order very quickly or clear our plates. Some did work more efficiently. Overall I would not recommend this hotel as it’s very expensive with variable service.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
W
Wesley couple gb
8
Lovley and relaxing views
Pros:

Clean tidy, very friendly staff, lovley views and grounds.

Cons:

Fountain outside was dirty, chairs outside patio room 15-19 all chair looks dirt and one of ours was broke. But not replaced. This would of been spotted before our arrival by staff. Guest leaving dog poo bags on garden grounds and in bushes and behind rocks, not putting in bin where there are some on ground for that reason. Value for money too pricey, would love to stay for a week but not worth money and ruined british tourism.

2026-01-15 via Nuitee
A
Abbie extended_group gb
9
2026-01-15 via Nuitee
C
Chris couple gb
9
2026-01-09 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
8
Good quality hotel in great location.
Pros:

Room was warm, comfortable and well equipped. Good choice of Breakfast - I enjoyed the smoked salmon and scrambled egg although it was subject to a £6 supplement.

Cons:

The food that we enjoyed at dinner was good however we though that it was expensive for what it was.

2026-01-07 via Nuitee
N
Nadine couple gb
9
Beautiful location, friendly staff.
Pros:

Fantastic location, beautiful scenery, personal and friendly staff who went out their way to make our experience enjoyable.

Cons:

N/A

2026-01-05 via Nuitee
L
Laurence couple gb
5
2026-01-02 via Nuitee
L
Lisa couple gb
9
The staff were incredible. Very attentive and friendly.
Pros:

The location was wonderful.

Cons:

The decor in the rooms needed a make over. Chipped paint and damaged furniture.

2026-01-01 via Nuitee
J
Jeffrey couple gb
10
Everything about this stay in the lakes is 5 star
Pros:

Amazing views and lovely staff

Cons:

Nothing was amazing

2026-01-01 via Nuitee
L
Lee couple gb
6
2026-01-01 via Nuitee
T
Terence couple gb
10
Love the hotel but loved it more when dogs were in fewer numbers
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Far too many dogs roaming around the hotel and not on leads

2025-12-30 via Nuitee
A
andrea couple gb
8
Lovely relaxing stay, would absolutely recommend
Pros:

Lovely peaceful setting, very clean and the staff were fantastic

Cons:

The food was a bit overpriced

2025-12-29 via Nuitee