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Reviews of Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa 4 stars

23 Church St, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3DF, United Kingdom

#16 of 16 hotels in Bowness-on-Windermere

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 2492 hotel reviews

7.7

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.4

  • Comfort

    8.5

  • Location

    9.5

  • Facilities

    7.9

  • Staff

    8.5

  • Value for money

    6.7

  • Free WiFi

    7.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 15 June 2024

    8.0
    Great position for elderly.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The evening meal and breakfast were lovely. The eating room view brilliant. pool was great

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 14 June 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    We had a velux window in the roof so to get a lake view we needed to stand on a chair and hang out of the window. The toiletries in the room were poor and minimal in comparison to the cost of the room. The room was £350 for one night - there was just 1 X cheap shower gel and a bath soap. No shampoo/conditioner/moisturiser. No shower cap etc. when requested fresh milk from room service only 50 ml of milk was brought to the room, enough for 1 X coffee and 1 x tea. For £350 a night I expect a good supply of fresh milk not UHT for the room. Breakfast was served from a self serve buffet and was luke warm. We were seated by a waitress with a menu on the table, I was expecting to order breakfast to be brought to the table piping hot, this was not the case and disappointing. For a 5 star hotel in a prime location I felt the lack of attention to detail let the hotel down, as a macdonald hotel I had higher expectations which were not met.

    The room was fresh and clean and had plenty of space and a super comfy bed.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 14 June 2024

    7.0
    V comfortable and relaxing, will definitely be back and so convenient
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Access to the garden was directed as via a fire door and past storage rooms, not sure why

    The breakfast was ok but a little cool: some thick toast would have been nice. A very comfortable stay

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 June 2024

    9.0
    Comfortable stay in a beautiful location
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No air conditioning so had to leave bedroom windows open and could hear some street noise.

    Hotel location, friendly staff, bar/lounge area with views over the lake, large size of bedroom, excellent breakfast, walking distance to shops and restaurants.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 June 2024

    8.0
    Lovely
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There was no hot water for showers and expensive hotel

    We loved the breakfast and room and location

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 June 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Family Room 3
    • Stayed 1 night

    The property is quite old.

    Good location, within walking distance to city center. We stayed in a standard family room - it is spacious. They provide decent breakfast. The staff is very kind and helpful.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 11 June 2024

    7.0
    The staff were helpful, the hotel and location were charming, we would rebook.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Not all facilities (Sauna) were available very samll steam room and no jacuzzi (we wanted a spa break)

    Location, helpful staff

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 June 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Disappointed that on first morning there was no hot water. Staff did try to fix the issue but on returning to hotel later in the day was just told it hadn't been fixed. Was eventually offered another room and free upgrade which was lovely but would have just liked not to have had to waste time sorting this out when we only had a short stay.

    Location and setting were excellent

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 June 2024

    9.0
    Accommodating, helpful staff in a beautiful hotel
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hotel, in parts, needs a little TLC. It looked as though they were returning some stuff.

    Excellent location Beautiful Hotel Staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 June 2024

    9.0
    Perfect location with lovely staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff were lovely. Very friendly and helpful: great location, comfy beds and nice breakfast

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 2 June 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Breakfast was terrible, cold, service poor

    View of lake, disabled parking

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 June 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    More could be made of the hotel. Residents bar always in darkness and the library is just a room with empty bookshelves and furniture lying around. Also the car parking could be arranged better.

    Great location, comfy rooms. Cooked breakfast was very good quality. Friendly reception staff.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 May 2024

    7.0
    Great location and views but looking a bit tired.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very shabby and tired bedroom furniture. Bits of the head board kept flaking off onto the pillows. Shower was very weak and took ages to get to temperature and the shower head holes were blocked with black gunk. Public areas were very cold with all the doors left open. Needed a coat to drink in the bar !

    Great location with super views over the lake and nice swimming pool, gym and spa facilities.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 May 2024

    9.0
    Staff friendly, comfy bed and great breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Ran out of breakfast tea at breakfast!

    Perfect location near to the lakeside walk and attractions

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 May 2024

    8.0
    Great hotel, just shame about room being so hot.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Balcony Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Room was excellent, but being direct above the sauna and swimming pool, the room was un bearable hot, even with all the windows open and was difficult and uncomfortable to sleep on an evening.

    Staff, where great and very helpful

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2024

    9.0
    Fantastic
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing always great every time we come

    Very clean and staff very polite especially Mia when having breakfast

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2024

    9.0
    Great, will definitely be back!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing, was all great

    The beds were really comfy The pool and spa was excellent The location couldn't be better

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 26 May 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Was very disappointed in the breakfast, I wanted eggs benedict but was not going to pay £5 extra for the sauce. That’s just ridiculous when you are paying just under £200 a night. I went for avocado on toast, there was 1/4 of avocado 1/2 cold tomato, poached egg. 😡

    The hotel was nice made good use of the bar in the evening was staying with family (17 of us in total) Only there for 1 night so did not get much chance to explore the hotel. Was only there 17 hours due to a bereavement.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 26 May 2024

    8.0
    Very enjoyable and relaxing time.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The range of food in offer was really good.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 May 2024

    7.0
    Food excellent and staff helpful. Overall a very good stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Room overall a bit "dated" Indicates a fridge but not one. This is a great pity as it would be a great attraction and benefit No Traditional Beers on tap. This is rather disappointing though decent bottled beers Lift on Spa end unpredictable at best. The other very slow

    Good bathroom

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 23 May 2024

    8.0
    Very pleasant as usual
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Long way to room

    Suits us. Comfortable. Always delivers

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 22 May 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    there were hairs in the bath from previous person and dirty tissue at side of bed window was broken

    breakfast food was great room a lovely size location fab

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 May 2024

    8.0
    Great place but vary the set menu each day, please!
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There is evidently a problem recruiting and/or keeping some categories of staff. We were booked in for half board but the set dinner menu was the same each night, with only four dishes on offer for each course to cover the main categories of vegetarian, meat eater, etc. Fine if it changed each night, but it didn’t. The food was ok but not as good as on earlier visits. Still we had a good stay!

    Excellent location and very willing staff, who went out of their way to enable ageing parents to be accommodated kindly and sensitively.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 May 2024

    8.0
    Perfect for our half way trip to Scotland
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Parking was away but no big deal

    Nice view and the food was good at night

    Stayed in April 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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