Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Our stay at the Gilpin Hotel was exactly what we’d hoped for — peaceful, indulgent, and beautifully run. The setting is stunning, with views that make you want to slow down and take everything in. From check-in to check-out, the staff were warm and genuinely attentive without being over the top. We stayed in one of the Spa Lodges, which felt like our own private retreat. The hot tub, steam room, and outdoor seating made it hard to leave the room. Every detail felt considered — from the lighting to the locally sourced toiletries. Dinner at SOURCE was a real highlight. The food was creative but not pretentious, with each course feeling like it had a story behind it. Breakfast the next morning was just as good, especially eaten outside with coffee and birdsong. It’s not a budget stay, but it’s clear why people come here for special occasions. If you’re looking for a mix of luxury, comfort, and real Lake District charm, Gilpin absolutely delivers.

Our stay at the Gilpin Hotel & Spa exceeded our expectations entirely. This was a special treat for our Honeymoon, and the staff at Gilpin treated us like royalty. This boutique hotel manages to create a cosy, intimate and authentic atmosphere, with a real sense of privacy, whilst also feeling like you’re staying in a family home. The staff were down to earth and caring, lead by the fantastic hotel managers Chris and Emily who were excellent. They went above and beyond to ensure we had a special and memorable stay, and we really felt they cared about building a personal relationship with us as guests, which we really appreciated. The food in both restaurants was superb, and it was fascinating to see and chat to the chefs at work. The spa is an absolute haven, and hot tubs overlooking such beautiful scenery - even in February - are perfection. Thank you so much to all the rest of the team, in particular Harry and Hope who were a total delight. Don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a few days at Gilpin - we wished we could have stayed for a month! Molly & Alex

My wife and I had a fantastic three days and nights here in a spa lodge to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. The accommodation, location, staff and restaurants were all outstanding. The breakfast was varied, plentiful and delicious and the food in both restaurants was incredible. Gilpin Spice was more our thing because that’s the style of food we tend to eat anyway but Source was an experience and well worth a visit. Can’t fault anything and would highly recommend to anyone else thinking of a peaceful and luxurious retreat. We will be back one day.

Spent a wonderful two nights at the Gilpin. It is in a beautiful spot and very quiet area. The hotel is a great place to relax and all the team are friendly and professional. Our room was excellent and a hugely comfortable bed. Dinner in Source was excellent well and worth the Michelin star why though do they have bare tables at night but tablecloths for breakfast? This increases the noise levels as the floors are hard. Spice the following night was also excellent. Lovely staff and a great bustling atmosphere with great food. I highly recommend the Gilpin.

My wife and I stayed at Gilpin Hotel and were deeply impressed at the warmth, hospitality and facilities. The staff are the crown jewel of the business - they balance a perfectly clean-cut professionalism with a genuine sense of warmth, congeniality and empathy that made our experience truly unforgettable. Emily is an absolute asset to the hotel - she's professional, empathetic and attentive, and went out of her way to ensure our stay was perfect. Every interaction was defined by a real sense of genuine interest and proactiveness that elevated the entire trip. Jessica was super helpful - she was prompt, attentive, and nothing was too much of a bother. Laura was also great, insisting upon going the extra mile wherever she could. Rob was incredibly helpful and hands on, especially when the hot tub (Cat Bells is superb, I'd recommend it) dipped a little low - he was out promptly and sorted everything out before I'd even noticed. Francis from the restaurant team was also wonderful - he was friendly, attentive and made us feel very comfortable during our visit to Source (which again is amazing). He was super knowledgeable about the menu, had already memorised our dietary preferences and was genuinely just a pleasure to have a conversation with. He and the entire restaurant team were phenomenal - the quality of the dining experience and calibre of customer service is world-class - the effusive praise in their reviews is not overstated, it's totally justified. Gilpin Hotel is a firm favourite, I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to combine a wonderful hotel experience with breathtaking natural views of the Lake District. 10/10.

Gilpin is a very special place. The service was impeccable, the staff clearly enjoy working there. We dined in Source and experienced the Source Tasting Menu. It was absolutely amazing. Every dish was flawless, great flavours & textures, well worthy of it's Michelin Star accolade. The Sommelier was very knowledgeable and gave an excellent recommendation of a West Australian Pinot Noir (apparently the Chefs favourite wine on the menu!). Thank you to the whole team for such a wonderful experience, we will be back!

My wife and I stayed for my Birthday weekend. Our Spa room was in a perfect location with great facilities, exactly what we needed to switch off and relax for a few days. Staff were attentive, friendly and paid great attention to our stay being to celebrate a Birthday. They couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful. We ate in Source & Spice, both very different to each other but both absolutely excellent in their own way - I would highly recommend both. We will definitely be back!

We stayed at Gilpin Lake House Hotel for our wedding anniversary and had the most wonderful weekend. Connor, the Manager, was first class. From breakfast through to the evening, he went out of his way to ensure everything was perfect. Attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming – he made the stay feel special. We dined at Spice and it was fantastic. Danny was brilliant. I’m not someone who enjoys very spicy food and he carefully guided me through the menu so I chose something I would really enjoy. The food was outstanding. We also returned for lunch with friends and once again the service was second to none. Breakfast was another highlight. Two mornings, plenty of choice, and the porridge was exceptional. We certainly didn’t leave hungry. The rooms and corridors were pristine and beautifully maintained, with plenty of space to relax and unwind. The owners speak about love, laughter, and heartfelt hospitality – and that genuinely reflects the experience. It isn’t just marketing language. It’s exactly how Gilpin feels. Warm, thoughtful, and run with real care. It is honestly one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in, and I have stayed in quite a few five-star properties. Gilpin stands out not just for quality, but for atmosphere. You feel looked after from start to finish. A perfect anniversary weekend. We will absolutely return.