After five heatwaves this year, a UK staycation has become more appealing than ever, and the Lake District offers a prime spot to enjoy the sunshine. A mid-week stay at the five-star Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, just 90 minutes from Manchester, provided a much-needed escape from city life.
Located a stone's throw from Windermere, the main hotel sits on 21 acres of countryside, while the separate Lake House estate spans 100 acres with its own private lake. From arrival, the staff ensured every need was met, with a porter greeting guests at the car and giving a tour of the main hotel.
Luxury Accommodation and New Terrace
The main hotel boasts 30 beautifully designed bedrooms, the serene Spa Space, two restaurants including the Michelin-starred SOURCE, a champagne bar, a lounge, and the brand new Laurent-Perrier terrace. Guests are transported around the site in complimentary buggies.
The stay was in Birdoswald, one of five spa lodges, featuring a king-size bed, a lounge area with a media wall, and an en-suite spa bathroom with a free-standing stone bath and rain shower. The lodge's private outdoor garden includes a sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy hot tub.
Despite the lack of air conditioning making the room hot, the space was stunning. The Laurent-Perrier terrace, open until mid-September, offers chilled champagne and paired canapés, with deckchairs, parasols, and greenery surrounding guests.
Pan-Asian Dining at Gilpin Spice
The terrace menu, created in partnership with Laurent-Perrier, features the Champagne house's signature collection. Guests sampled each champagne alongside canapés including potato rösti with Cornish crab, taramasalata, and beef tartare with caviar.
After meeting new head chef Ralph Rojas, who joined from Manchester's Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, a tour of Gilpin Spice followed. The Pan-Asian restaurant's new menu draws stronger influences from Thai, Japanese, and Filipino cuisine, with additions to the sushi and sashimi selection.
Dishes sampled included vegetable futomaki, crispy chicken karaage maki, Wagyu Tataki, and Korean BBQ grilled octopus. A standout was the spice fried chicken in Korean hot sauce, alongside egg-fried rice seasoned with togarashi and barrel-aged soy, topped with a slow-cooked poached egg.
Spa Treatments and Practical Details
The Comfort & Glow massage with ESPA treatment, priced at £115 for 50 minutes, included hot towels, a back massage, a face cleanse, and a scalp massage. The Spa Space, reserved for two guests at a time, features a couples' treatment room, relaxation room, steam room, and a spa garden with outdoor hot tubs.
Prices vary by room type and timing. A Classic Room starts from around £370 per night, Junior Suites around £575, and Garden Suites around £665. Spa Lodges and Spa Suites cost around £900 to £1,500+ per night. Midweek stays range from £370 to £500 for standard rooms, rising to £550 to £750 for suites, with weekend stays typically more expensive.
