The Derwentwater Hotel in Allerdale

One year later from posting the last review. aJust back from another wonderful weekend at Portinscale. Nice old hotel very handy for walking into Keswick no worries about parking. The food was very nice again so big thanks to the chef. Nice grounds set on the edge of the lake. We had a lake view room again so that was a big plus for us. All the staff were very friendly a thank you to Pauline for being so kind. Going back again.

First day stuck in the lift 10 mins No apologies from the office not told on heating 2hrs sitting in the restaurant for evening meal never again

Ignore the earlier reviews. We love this place! Rika has done the most amazing job since taking over here, some areas are a little tired but there is different room types advertised at different price points. Even the cheaper, more ‘tired’ rooms offer a comfortable bed in a beautiful area for a very low price. The superior room where we stay each time is perfect with a view over the lake from the bed, lots of space and a really homely feel. The breakfast is fabulous as is the wonderful Sue whom is one of the kindest & beautiful people I have ever met in my life - we look forward to seeing her on every return visit! The restaurant of an evening offers great food (and drink), at fantastic prices, cheaper than the pub up the road. We haven’t a bad word to say about our regular stays - we will certainly be back. A huge thank you to all of you at the Derwentwater Hotel, especially Rika and Sue, for looking after us and for all that you do! We can’t wait for our next visit.

Absolutely horrific never go here

Rooms are a little tired but staff and location is brilliant. Dog friendly- would definitely recommend

Two night stay with meals, excellent value, great food, clean & tidy room, very friendly and helpful staff and a special thanks to the every attentive Sue who served breakfast & dinner, just a pleasant 20 min walk to the centre of Keswick and very dog friendly, will be coming back again.

Avoid! Rooms are nothing like on the photos and no where near as nice and the cleanliness of bedding absolutely awful. Woman reception was helpful enough and felt sorry for her as she tried and seemed a bit over worked. This doesn't surprise me though as the management of this hotel seems absolutely awful and need to go back to learning how to manage a business properly. No refund on a room I refused to stay in due to cleanliness is an absolute insult!!! Clean your rooms better, stop advertising it falsely, refund your customers if it doesn't meet standard, run your business better and treat your staff with dignity and respect! Total scam as it is at present!

Fantastic staff, lovely evening meal and breakfast, great location but somewhat tired hotel with heating that was inadequate. The staff tried everything they could to make us comfortable by providing an oil fired heating and extra duvet because of the heating not working properly. The hotel shows some signs of age but is clean and well cared for.

Recent 2 night stay, ordered tempura prawns, they were not. They were filo wrapped prawns and poor value for money. Burger was nasty and given to the dog. Chips were not cooked properly, also given to the dog. Rooms in need of tlc. No service on tv every time it was switched on and had to retune each time. Shower switched from scalding to freezing every few seconds and was unusable. Walk to lake very nice, staff fairly friendly, and breakfast was quite nice.

We arrived at the hotel on the 17th November and was given our room, later on we realised that the telly wasn't working right and couldn't get a picture , my husband went to reception and mentioned it, later on we went to the bar area, the lady who was on reception came to us and said they were checking another room for us, which they went above and beyond to help us, and to accommodate my disability too, to make sure I was comfy, resulting in a lovely night's stay, with a nice hearty cooked buffet breakfast, the next morning, we left completely happy with a smile and a full belly, all in all exception value for the money we paid , thankyou to thelpful staff, we would definitely stop again

Stay at the hotel was fine, however the parking situation was atrocious! I was fined twice after paying for the parking for the weekend when we arrived! Totally shocking would not recommend to anyone and will not be staying here again!

We would just like to day a big THANK YOU to all the staff there. We have just spent a 3 nights stay and thoroughly our second break there. Although the room we had was a little tired and the shower was a bit weak, the room was clean and we really could not fault the staff, the service, the food or the location. A business is nothing without great staff members, and some really lovely people work there. We look forward to our next visit, hopefully in the not too distant future 😊

This is the first place me and my partner stayed when we first got together, we came back last week and while we were there we got engaged. The staff are absolutely amazing and decorated our room for us, they really went the extra mile and made our special day so much more special. A special mention to Sue who really went above and beyond with the effort she put into making our room perfect. The reception staff are so friendly, unfortunately I didnt manage to get their names but they also need a special mention, we can't wait to come back for our next stay! The hotel is in an amazing location and we love the walk from Portinscale into Keswick each morning, the food is lovely and the restraunt and bar is lovely and cosy with some brilliant views of the mountains. I would reccomend to everyone.

Rooms are a lil dated but that's what I love. Beautiful place home from home.

The post below does not relate to my visit.

Love this place, great breakfast and views to die for!

A beautiful hotel close to the lake. Needs a great deal of maintenance and upgrade. The facilities are dated. The service is good with whatever they've got. Go with little expectations about the rooms, so you won't be disappointed. The garden is definitely a highlight and don't forget to take a stroll to the lakeside through the garden.

Great hotel if a little dated. 15 minute walk from Keswick. Breakfast was great. Lovely serving staff. All you need from a hotel. Would stay here again.

We’d asked for a quiet room, but were given a room where kitchen fans were audible.Also unable to get ITV to watch the England v Netherlands football match. The hotel staff were very helpful and upgraded us at no extra cost.

The hotel is very run down and needs updating service was poor

the facility was in very poor condition, not very clean. but the place is beautiful, the staff are helpful and the breakfast is good.

Set in beautiful grounds with a walk to Derwentwater. Very dog friendly.

I was staying at a B&B in Portinscale, and came to the hotel for a quick evening meal. The Derwentwater hotel has pleasant grounds with a beer garden (and also a patio, and a covered conservatory if it’s raining!) I had a meal here but it was fairly unremarkable - a 9-inch Margherita pizza cost £10, so it’s over a pound an inch! The tomato base was plentiful - but I thought it tasted like a can of Campbell’s condensed tomato soup rather than passata - I may be wrong. The mozzarella seemed authentic enough so it was fine as a snack. The base was a bit thick for my taste - I prefer thin base. Along with 2 large glasses of a pleasant enough house white Tempranillo my bill came to £24 - so the wine isn't cheap, but I guess it may well be good value for the area. Service was fine - I went midweek. But the views out to Derwentwater from the beer garden were very attractive. See the photo taken at the end of the beer garden. The marina in the second photo is around 10 minutes walk from the hotel along the lakeside road (it's Nichol End marina). There are several other pleasant easy walks and family-friendly cycle routes nearby.

Hotel desperately needs a complete referb. Broken windows in room. Food is basic.

We used to stay at the Derwentwater many years ago when it was privately owned.It was fabulous.My Husband and I went in for a coffee this year and we were absolutely shocked. It was shabby inside.The tables in the conservatory were scratched.The one saving grace were the staff who were very friendly.

We had a lovely stay. Food and service great. Spot on base for walking.

Standard double room is of a poor standard, no working central heating, poor walls, dirty furniture, and very noisy.

The cleanliness or lack thereof is a sight to behold. It's as if they've taken the concept of 'rustic charm' and interpreted it as 'lets not clean anything ever'. The dust bunnies are practically part of the decor and the spiders! There were practically part of the welcoming committee. I must say it's not everyday you find a hotel that offers a free pet with every room!  im fairly certain I even spotted a few species of mold in the bathroom. Now let's talk about dinner, if you've ever wondered what culinary despair tastes like look no further. The chef seems to have confused cooking with incinerating, the steak was. So tough I'm convinced it could've been used as a make shift frisbee. The the vegetables? Let's just say they were a tribute to all things overcooked and under seasoned. The waiters have an uncanny ability to disappear as soon as you need them and reappear only when you are in the middle of a bite. Their timing is truly impeccable. And the atmosphere it's like something straight out of the song hotel California you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave. Mainly because you are still waiting for your check. In conclusion the derwentwater hotel is truly and unforgettable experience and by Unforgettable I mean I've been trying to forget since the moment I stepped out of there. Bon voyage

It's an old hotel that has not been maintained well. I moved 3 rooms during my 2 night stay. The 1st room had a squeaky lumpy bed. The 2nd room had a poor shower. The 3rd room had a squeaky lumpy bed. The floors in the corridors had squeaky floorboards everywhere I went. The walls are thin, I heard more than conversation and the TV from the next room could have done with earplugs to give them privacy. The walls had water damage, and the ceilings looked as though they'd caved at some point in the 3 rooms I went into. After a rainy night, there were fresh water marks on the outer walls of the 3rd room. From the reception, everything was dirty and dusty. The keyboard at reception check-in and the bits at the entrance. I didn't go into the bar or breakfast place because of this. Dust and dirt in the 3rd bathroom. Hair in the 2nd bathroom and the radiators. Ripped and dirty armchairs in all rooms. I slept on the towels in my sleeping bag that I had from another trip earlier in the week and was still in the car. I didn't want to stay there for the 2nd night, but that didn't work out. The staff were friendly. The two gentlemen at the reception, the lady who gave me extra towels to sleep on, and the maintance man who came to check the shower. The location was great!

A nice hotel which is great for dogs. The staff were all very welcoming and polite. The views over derwent Lake are outstanding. The rooms are big with plenty if space for the dog. Clean enough the decor could do with an update and the breakfast wasn't good. However for a place to stay for location and having a dog it did the job.

First of all - the staff I encountered were amazing. Especially Howard on the front desk, what a gem of a person! So helpful and welcoming! Was happy to print of any maps for potential hikes. A huge credit to the team. Location - fantastic! Lovely beer garden and only a stroll to the lake. Food - breakfast was a pretty decent selection. Hot and cold selection of foods available. The bar menu was fairly priced and comparable to pubs in Keswick. Rooms - Bedding and mattress was clean. Clean towels. Carpet left a lot to be desired. Dust was pretty bad behind the furniture. Condensation on windows. Heater in bedroom not warm enough. Heater in bathroom didn't work. Extremely thin walls. Could hear everything of the guest's either side of me ie all the conversations (and burping), TV, barking and flushing. I could hear people in the beer garden after 10pm. I did ring reception as the conversations kept creeping up in volume but nothing really came of it. People should be able to have a drink on their holidays, but the windows are not even remotely sound proof so there's no escaping it. - The communal areas need a lot of attention. The carpets are peeling at the corners and need a really good vacuum or replacing. This is a lovely building that clearly needs some TLC. It's in such a great spot I'm struggling to understand why it doesn't receive more investment. If you can deal with the noise this is a bargain. I want to return for the staff, breakfast and location but the thin walls were too much for me. The Derwent Water Hotel has responded to other reviews asking people to come back and see changes or refurbishments, but unfortunately with peeling wallpaper all over the building I'm struggling to see those improvements for myself. I wish this hotel the best in it's future

We have stayed here several times but it has deteriorated in the last year or two We stayed three nights in a very nice deluxe room but in poor state of repair The curtains were hanging loose broken hooks We moved into anther room for an extended night which when when we booked asked for a twin but got a double had to make the most of it as no other room available The hotel staff were very helpful and polite even though they were extremely short staffed staff were covering all different jobs The meals were not to standard and very expensive for what was served evening meal was £27for three course which is far too expensive as food not up to standard We had an evening bar meal the steak and kidney suet pudding was rock hard and I was unable to cut into it The chips were black and not cooked inside several other guests had the same problem returning meals The young lady serving was very apologetic and polite (poor girl apparently walked out on the same night Obviously overwhelmed When reported to the receptionist who was exceptionally good she recompensed a meal price which was good of her the three staff we saw in three days were all extremely good . Overall the hotel needs a thorough overhaul and some TLC as it could be a beautiful place to stay the surroundings are excellent

V good value - breakfast was a good scran and the grounds are lovely

Lovely hotel lovely atmosphere and amazing views , really enjoyed our stay , will be back again , highly recommend, we climbed scafel and catbells , fabulous place

Stayed in self catering apartments with pooch, really spacious and comfortable. Great location next to lake and close to Keswick Town centre. Great value for money.

Enjoyed my stay. Great hotel if you don't mind a little, but lovely walk into keswick, which I don't. Perfect location for catbells as you can walk to hawes end in about half an hour. Dated rooms but great service and a comfortable stay. The breakfast was great!

An exceptional value for money. Like many others have noted, the hotel is a bit dated, but easily looked over when taking in the whole experience. I found its location great as its just off a main road giving easy access to travel into the lake district. Check in and bar staff were all great, friendly, and helpful. I found the dinning area quite cozy with a nice view and spent a good amount of time there each night. Food was also good with vegetarian options. Local beers on tap also recommend. I will deffinitely be using the hotel in the future. Thank you all for a pleasant time.

Excellent value considering where you’re staying and the size of the rooms. Important aspects such as bedding and bathroom were clean and fresh. Bring your own washing up liquid, shower gel and slippers. The staff were kind and laid back. Our place was for 6 but the sofa bed is quite small for 2. Not sure what people are expecting when you’re paying not much more compared to a hostel per night for an entire place with a living room and kitchen to yourself. The place is definitely out dated but who cares for the price value you’re getting. Allows everyone to enjoy the beauty of the Lake District. Thank you!

So, so dirty, we didn't dare take our boots off. The public area was grim. So disappointed as it's perfectly placed for a stay in the lakes.

Great location with easy access to Keswick and great views of Derwent water. Large apartment with comfy beds, full kitchen and ensuite bathrooms. Grounds extend to the lakeside. Friendly staff. Nice warm rooms with a view.

VALUE FOR MONEY!! the cheapest hotel I came across for a night near the lakes. I was apprehensive when I ordered as I didn't know what to expect for the money. But I was very happy with it when I arrived, nice and clean room with everything you need for a stay. Lovely bar area with a huge conservatory, dog friendly, nice resteraunt area for evening meals and breakfast. Would definitely go back to stay here again.

The hotel is very tired but room was clean and adequate especially for the price we paid, receptionist was really friendly. Breakfast was normal buffet style although they had ran out of quite a few items which we asked for and never got replaced in the hour we were there. Location is great, ideal for walking round Derwentwater and taxi into Keswick was handy for £6.