The Riverside

Hotels
8 (2319 reviews)
Beezon Road , Kendal , GB
+441539734861
[email protected]

listing image 1
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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Full-service spa
Free WiFi
Free Parking
Fitness center
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Lift / Elevator
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent location by the river / central
Very friendly and helpful staff
Good restaurant / food
Lovely views from rooms
Underground parking available for some guests
Cons:
No air conditioning in rooms — very hot for some stays
Room cleanliness issues (dust, mould, unclean sheets, spiders)
Hotel and rooms feel tired / in need of refurbishment
Parking limited or unreliable for a hotel of this size
Value for money concerns relative to room condition
Small beds and some maintenance issues (noisy doors, broken fans)

Categories

Cleanliness
6
Multiple guests reported poor cleanliness: dust, mouldy silicone around baths, paint peeling, sheets not fully clean and spiders in rooms. Cleanliness is a clear weak point.
Service
10
Staff repeatedly described as very friendly, helpful and attentive (help removing spiders, upgrades provided, warm welcomes) — service is a major strength.
Location
10
Consistently praised: central, next to the river, close to the train station and town — location is an outstanding asset.
Room Quality
6.5
Mixed to negative: several reports of tired, dated rooms, noisy doors, funny smells, small beds and maintenance issues (bath fan not working, spray beyond shower screen). Some rooms were spacious or upgraded, but inconsistencies lower this score.
Amenities
6.5
Amenities are mixed: gym and (unused) pool were acceptable, but recurrent lack of air conditioning, limited/frustrating parking and absence of refrigerators in some rooms reduce the score.
Value for Money
6.5
Guests were divided: some called it good value, others felt it was poor value given dated rooms and extra issues — overall value leans below target.
Food and Beverage
9
Food and restaurant received many positive mentions (excellent restaurant, delicious meals); breakfast opinions were mixed (adequate to good, with a few complaints about tinned fruit).
Overall Experience
9.5
Overall sentiment is positive due to excellent location, strong service and good food; several guests said they'd stay again despite some room/cleanliness issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-12 22:17

Property Description

The Riverside Hotel is a historic family-owned dog-friendly hotel nestled on the banks of the River Kent in Kendal, offering 58 en suite rooms including 2 suites, most with river views. Guests can enjoy the onsite pool and spa, the Tanners bar and the Riverview Restaurant.

Important information:

Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Property Policies

  • Infant Policies

    Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 2319 reviews
Cleanliness: 6
Service: 10
Location: 10
Room Quality: 6.5
Amenities: 6.5
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 9
Overall Experience: 9.5
P
Patricia • couple • gb
10
Pros:

The hotel was spotless and the leisure and spa facilities were brilliant will be returning again as we loved it.

Cons:

The use of the spa and gym they were very clean.

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
G
Gavin • couple • gb
6
2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
D
DEREK • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Food was good in the hotel. service was good good roomette

Cons:

Car parking very limited, at hotel, sent to over spill car park told it was next to a peugeot garage couldn't find it !! it turned out to be a Mazda garage, no signs to say parking for hotel, but signs saying parking for doctors surgery only.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
8
Pleasant and convenient hotel for a stay in Kendal, with good car parking and EV charging facilities.
Pros:

Comfortable hotel in central Kendal. Lovely staff, nice pool and gym. Convenient covered car park with EV charging facility

Cons:

Rooms could do with refreshing and updating. Breakfast was ok but a bit basic and unimaginative.

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
D
Dave • solo_traveller • gb
6
2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
M
Marie • couple • gb
9
2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
L
LydiaPB • solo_traveller • fr
7
We loved being there but some things could be improved
Pros:

The staff was brilliant, each person we talked to was lovely.
And the location is great
Breakfast was nice
And the bar food on the ground floor was very good too

Cons:

I would say that the use of what appears to be AI (or old) images of the room gave us the impression that the room would be more up to date.
They looked a bit worn, furniture was fine, but the carpet was aging, the bed was super soft, and the bathroom joints had mold, rust on the ceiling vent...

Just a hotel that had some life (which isn't a problem) but that has been sold as a newish one (and for the price of a more modern one)
Either the images should be updated to reflect the current state of the rooms or the rooms might need a little lift.

Also, we were surprised to see that the lift is accessible on lower ground, meaning that it isn't very accessible for wheelchair users (same for the restaurant on 2nd floor but they would accommodate and serve food on ground floor I am sure - because they are so lovely)

2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

The location, the room, the breakfast....... everything really!

Cons:

Only stayed one night en route to Scotland but nothing to dislike.

2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
9
We had a lovely break and thouroughly enjoyed staying at the Riverside
Pros:

A very good choice available for breakfast in a comfortable and spacious dining room. Attentive, polite and hard working staff throughout. Our room was spacious, comfortable, practical and very clean with a lovely view over the river. The fitness area was very well appointed and clean.

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • solo_traveller • gb
8
Excellent and well maintained hotel in a great location
Pros:

Friendly reception, great location and very quiet comfortable room. Good breakfast.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
S
Stephen • extended_group • gb
9
Perfect all round stay
Pros:

N/A

Cons:

Nothing to fault

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
J
Jeannette • couple • nl
6
Terleurstellend
Pros:

De ligging, aan het water en vrij centraal.

Cons:

Het was niet schoon. Er zaten veel vlekken en beschadigingen aan de muren. Badkamer had schimmel bij de voegen en kapotte meubels. De fitness viel ook tegen, veel kleiner dan verwacht en druk doordat het tevens door niet hotel gasten wordt gebruikt. Alles was veel minder mooi dan op de foto’s

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • solo_traveller • gb
6
Pros:

Location is lovely 😍

Cons:

Hotel is in need of a refurb, very aged furniture, needs a good freshen up and painted. Rooms were dusty with mould in the bathroom around the bath

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
A
Alison • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Stayed for one night only but was very pleased with the hotel, good location, nice room with river view, free parking, friendly staff, good breakfast

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • couple • gb
2
Not recommended
Pros:

The hotel has a lovely bar area with some outdoor seating by the river serving a good range of food.

Cons:

Dirty very dated dusty room and mould around the window. Under the bed where my partner looked after dropping a pound was thick with dust. Thick dust everywhere. Unfortunately breakfast was not served in the nice bar area. Instead it was in a separate part which was very run down and dated. Spa area also opened to the public so to busy to use.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • extended_group • gb
10
Nice location with parking.
Pros:

Free parking is always a bonus!

Cons:

Nothing!

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
L
Leanne • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

The staff were very friendly, the room was clean, and our dog was welcome!

Cons:

Nothing!

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
L
Leigh • extended_group • gb
10
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
8
Lovely friendly ideally located hotel
Pros:

Staff were lovely and welcoming.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee