Spa Hotel Review: Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, Keswick, Cumbria
Review: Julie Ford – Contributing Lifestyle Writer – Hotels & Spa
Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel is located in the tranquil surroundings of The Lake District, nestled in a secluded 400 acres of deer park and woodlands. One of England’s original stately homes, this impressive building houses 2 restaurants: The Brasserie, for informal relaxed dining, and the 2 AA Rosette Lake View Restaurant for fine dining which is inspired by traditional English fayre and classical French cuisine.
Both restaurants pride themselves on using lashings of local, seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialties.
For both pre and after dinner drinks you can opt to locate to the bar lounge, The Brasserie, or maybe pot a few balls in the grand snooker room.
The award-winning spa features 16M infinity edge pool, Hydrotherapy pool with Hydro jets, Aroma room (a cross between and Steam room and a Tepidarium), Steam room with Kniepp hoses, traditional Sauna with windows overlooking the grounds, Tropical shower, and a pulsating Rain Dance shower to revive the senses.
The spa also features dance studio, fully equipped gym and an option for personal training sessions.
When we arrived at Armathwaite Hall, which was to be our destination for the next 2 nights, we were greeted with a warm welcome and guided to our impressive Spa Feature Suite. This deluxe, contemporary suite was actually larger than most London flats and featured a lounge area with plump sofas and flat screen TV. The king-size bed was blissfully comfy dressed in crisp cotton sheets, and there was plentiful wardrobes space and drawers. We had picture postcard window views overlooking the beautiful manicured grounds. There was a TV in the bathroom to enhance some serious relaxation time and the shelves were filled with Comfort Zone toiletries.
The Armathwaite Spa was indeed calling after our 3 hour drive and the Sauna, Steam room, and outdoor hot tub (overlooking the deer park so less), was the perfect antidote to wind down and settle into our surroundings for the next 2 days.
After an afternoon of rich relaxation we headed for an evening of fine dining in the Lake View restaurant, which as the name suggests, reaches tranquil views of Bassenthwaite Lake. To start we both plumped for for the Salad of Native Crab and Lobster with Fig Carpaccio, Garden Peas and Onions followed by main courses of Slow Cooked Belly of Pork with Morcilla, Caramelised Cauliflower, Scampi Tempura and Truffle Butter. My guest selected the Herdwick Lamb with Pistachio, Onion, Potato Gratin and Saffron Carrot. All of which were a real treat to the tastebuds. The service was excellent and we were looked after throughout by genuinely friendly waiting staff.
After dinner we relocated into the bar lounge. Decor-wise this was gloriously in-keeping with the building’s old English heritage; wood-paneled walls, grand armchairs and dark wood furniture, all of which lent a cosy ambiance which was almost like going back in time (in nothing but a good way). At the end of the evening on return to our Spa Suite room, the maids had turned down the room, replenished toiletries and refueled our coffee station.
The next morning we headed back to the Lake View restaurant for breakfast – a great selection of continental and freshly prepared cooked options. For a full day of exploring the surrounding areas of Keswick and an afternoon of spa treatments we opted for a locally sourced Full English – cooked to perfection no less.
There are plenty of activities to keep busy during your stay including The Lake District Wildlife Park located next door, organized walks such as ‘ A Walk On The Wildside’ prepared by ‘The Cumbrian Rambler’. There are tennis courts, croquet green, and you can even take the Lama-esque Alpacas for a walk!
After a stroll around the stunning grounds, sans Alapaca in this case, We headed into the nearby town of Keswick to explore the local town.
We returned to the hotel later for a spot of afternoon tea; homemade scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, teamed with freshly brewed coffee and tea, we opted for a sunny spot to sit in the conservatory overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake – blissful!
That afternoon I headed back to the spa for a much needed massage treatment to ease the tension in my back. The spa recommended the Comfort Zone ‘Comfort Touch’ Full Body Massage. My therapist kneaded out what felt like a million knots i didn’t even know they were there. It was slightly uncomfortable at times, i wont lie, however the after effects were fantastic and I would seriously recommend! When the massage had ended, I was taken to the relaxation suite, covered in super soft blankets and given orange-infused water and freshly squeezed homemade fruit juice.
I may or may not have snoozed a little before heading into the Sauna, Aroma room, Steam room and Hydrotherapy pool where I finished with a soak in the superb out-door hot tub which had panoramic views of the lush green grounds.
For our second evening we headed back to Keswick and dined in a traditional English Inn for dinner and finished off with a few nightcaps back in at Armathwaite’s lounge bar. There is so much to see and do both in and around the hotel, spa and surrounding areas that 2 nights just wasn’t long enough, we could have easily stayed and explored for a week. The staff really made our visit – at all times were friendly and welcoming, they made us feel right at home. The food, both breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner in the Lake View restaurant were all fantastic on their own merit. It’s no surprise the spa is an award-winner and the blend of contemporary and Olde England decor blends seamlessly throughout. This is the ideal country getaway to relax, unwind and retreat back to, again and again.
G&G RATING:
Armathwaite Hall Country House
& Spa
Bassenthwaite Lake
Keswick
Cumbria, CA12 4RE
Tel: 017687 76551
Rooms start from £200.00 per night bed, breakfast and use of the spa.
The Spa feature room we stayed in starts from £380.00 per night.
Comfort Zone ‘Comfort Touch’ Full Body Massage: 60 mins £75
Special breaks such as ‘Have a Dram good time, or ‘Why the Fizz not’, leisure and spa breaks such as the ‘Escape’ ‘Serenity’ or ‘Indulgence’ are available here:
http://www.armathwaite-hall.com/lake_district_current_offers.php
You can also sign up to the Late Breaks Club to receive special offers and late deals:
http://www.armathwaite-hall.com/lake_district_late_breaks_club.php