Rafters at Riverside House Hotel

Hotels
9.2 (1180 reviews)
Fennel Street Ashford in the Water , Bakewell , GB
+44 1629 814275
[email protected]

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Free

Facilities

Free WiFi
Free Parking
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Garden
Bar
Breakfast in the room
Packed lunches
Non-smoking throughout
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Outstanding breakfast
Friendly, attentive staff
Picturesque location and walks
Comfortable, spacious rooms with terraces
Excellent value for money
On-site EV chargers
Cons:
Occasional slow service
Wi‑Fi / TV connectivity issues in some rooms
Small bathrooms / shower-in-bath
No in-room mini-fridge
Lumpy pillows and some road noise
Isolated cleanliness issue (mold on ceiling)

Categories

Cleanliness
8.6
Generally reported as very clean and well presented (breakfast/rooms praised), though isolated issues noted (mold on bathroom ceiling, shower head needing a deep clean).
Service
9.4
Staff repeatedly described as friendly, attentive and fantastic (reception, breakfast, restaurant and cleaners praised); a few mentions of slow service and one comment about some pretentious staff.
Location
9.6
Consistently highlighted as excellent — picturesque village setting, great walks nearby and close to pubs and local attractions.
Room Quality
8.9
Rooms described as comfortable, spacious and well equipped with terraces in some cases; negatives include small bathrooms, shower-in-bath layout, no mini-fridge and occasional lumpy pillows.
Amenities
8.9
Good on essentials (EV chargers noted, well-equipped rooms), but guests mentioned missing in-room fridge/minibar and inconsistent Wi‑Fi in some rooms.
Value for Money
9.4
Multiple guests called the hotel excellent value and great value, with many saying they would definitely stay again.
Food and Beverage
9.3
Breakfast is a standout (award-winning, outstanding, best on stay); restaurant food received mostly positive notes though a few had mixed views.
Overall Experience
9.5
Strongly positive overall — many glowing headlines and repeat-stay intent, described as a quintessential English gem and a fabulous stay despite a few minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-12 15:20

Property Description

The elegant 5-star Rafters At Riverside House Hotel offers proximity to Ashford Castle, 150 metres away, with a garden and patio. The 14 rooms are allergy-free and equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, coffee/tea making facilities and a private bathroom with walk-in shower, separate toilet, hairdryers and shower caps. Breakfast is served every morning and the accommodation has an à la carte restaurant serving European dishes.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed. Cots are not available.

  • Age restriction

    Guests must be at least 18 years old to check in. The minimum guest age is 18.

  • Parking

    Free parking is available on site.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available and is free of charge.

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

9.2
Based on 1180 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.6
Service: 9.4
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 8.9
Amenities: 8.9
Value for Money: 9.4
Food and Beverage: 9.3
Overall Experience: 9.5
G
Gill • couple • gb
10
Pros:

We had an amazing stay at Riverside House Hotel! The staff were absolutely fantastic — so friendly, welcoming and attentive. The food was delicious, and everything really exceeded our expectations.
The whole experience was wonderful, and we couldn’t fault it. A huge thank you to all the staff for making our stay so enjoyable. We would highly recommend Riverside House Hotel and would definitely love to return! ❤️

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • couple • gb
10
Very relaxing and would certainly stay again
Pros:

Excellent breakfast.

Cons:

The mattress was a little too soft.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
F
federica • solo_traveller • it
4
Cinque stelle che in realtà sarebbero due
Pros:

Il personale addetto alla colazione, sempre cordiale, sorridente e disponibile.

Cons:

La struttura e la camera sono in evidente stato di degrado e incuria, del tutto inaccettabile per un hotel che si fregia di cinque stelle. Il pavimento della stanza è in pendenza, la porta del bagno è ammaccata, ci sono ragnatele negli angoli e le finestre sono annerite dall'umidità.
A rendere il soggiorno ancora più scomodo, una vasca da bagno completamente priva di tenda o altra protezione, con la conseguenza che il bagno si allagava a ogni doccia.
La sensazione è stata quella di essere stati sistemati in una stanza di servizio, piuttosto che in una camera degna della categoria dichiarata. Il tutto alla modica cifra di 200 € a notte.
Un rapporto qualità-prezzo deludente e una manutenzione assolutamente inadeguata: le condizioni riscontrate non sono compatibili con gli standard che ci si aspetterebbe da una struttura a cinque stelle.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
9
Excellent location, wonderful staff in a lovely village
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
D
Dougie • solo_traveller • gb
9
Lovely hotel ticked away.
Pros:

Staff very friendly and beautiful location.

Cons:

Very surprised at a 5 star hotel has slight mold around bath sealer,paintwork required in Bathroom and wall paper starting to peal off from behind the radiator.
These were obvious I wasn't looking as they do in popular TV programmes.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
P
Patrick • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
R
RAY • couple • au
9
stunning views and location
Pros:

Loved the location. Had a large ground floor room with a door onto an outside patio. all was comfortable and nice.

Cons:

restaurant closed normal day closure. Eat elsewhere, was ordinary.

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
J
julie • couple • gb
10
Pros:

The breakfast was great, just a lovely place to stay.

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
N
Norman • couple • nl
8
Sfeervol en goede ontbijtservice
Pros:

Locatie

Cons:

Kleine kamers

2026-10-10 • via Nuitee
Y
Yvonne • solo_traveller • gb
5
Poor hotel choice
Pros:

Location was good.

Cons:

We stayed in room 4 at Rafters on Sunday evening. The room was very small, so much so that there was not even a chair to sit in, when I mentioned this to the lady showing us around she said "a chair would not fit" and pointed to the stool, she said "you can sit on the stool" I said I would prefer a chair. When I tried the stool, 2 legs were rickety and unsafe, this had clearly not been noted by housekeeping. I called reception, a gruby, stained chair was sent up, I had to put a towel on it to sit. Lying in bed we noticed in the morning that at the top of the curtain was full of 'cobwebs' I was appalled, goodness knows what dropped on us in the night. Again bad housekeeping. I did advise reception of this. We chose a veg breakfast, I left most of mine, it was tasteless. Unfortunately, I would definitely not consider our stay to be 5*, very disappointed indeed.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
P
pauline • couple • gb
10
Excellent 5* would definitely return!
Pros:

Excellent quality and value for money. Beautifully appointed room with a focus on quality.
Fabulous location & peaceful.

Cons:

Although there were 2 EV chargers on site, a few more would be helpful to allow for busier times.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
M
Martin • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

The hotel is located in a lovely village. The staff were welcoming and attentive. The food was excellent both in the evening and breakfast in the morning.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
S
Shelley • couple • gb
9
Excellent
Pros:

Very good , normal bread would be appreciated not everyone likes pretentious sour dough

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • couple • gb
9
A dream stay fullfilling a longterm promise to ourselves
Pros:

The patio room was as good as it gets. From start to finish our experience left us with a pro.ise to ourselves to return - soon.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
J
joyce • couple • gb
9
Excellent value. Super quality food. Will definitely go back
Pros:

Excellent beautifully prepared and presented but service was very slow indeed. Attractive dining room and pleasant waiting staff

Cons:

Shower was in the bath.
Nowhere to put the suitcases

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
9
Lovely hotel & great value.
Pros:

Lovely location. Friendly staff & very clean &tidy. Very nice breakfast. Would definitely stay again.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
O
Oliver • couple • gb
10
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
L
Lucinda • couple • gb
10
2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin Nichols • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
B
Barrie • couple • gb
5
2026-09-11 • via Nuitee