Rothay Garden - Grasmere

William Wordsworth described Grasmere as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.” And there are few lovelier spots in this idyllic Lake District village than Rothay Garden hotel, perched on the edge of Grasmere in the heart of the countryside where Wordsworth and his contemporaries once famously wandered.

The hotel recently benefited from a £2.3m refurbishment, including the introduction of five stunning new Loft Suites, named after the fells they overlook – Helm Crag, Stone Arthur, Silver Howe, Loughrigg and Butter Crag.

“City chic in the country” was the brief from long-term owner / operator Chris Carss to the design team at Ward Robinson, who had worked on an earlier refurbishment of the hotel’s Conservatory dining room in 2003, and a showcase Loft Suite in 2006.

Guests who can tear themselves away from the views – some of the most enticing in the Lake District – will find stunning interiors with bespoke hickory stained oak casegoods by Target Furniture, alongside armchairs, sofas, and tables supplied by Morgan Furniture, and a selection of fabrics from the likes of Harlequin and Designers Guild.

Each suite has the latest guest comforts nestled beneath original beams, and designer bathrooms with Kaldewei bathtubs, shower fittings by Ideal Standard and Samuel Heath, and additional sanitaryware from Rosco and Armitage Shanks. Local firm Robinsons Electrical have supplied smart new Philips flatscreen TVs throughout.

As well as the new suites, the hotel’s existing 25 luxurious Grasmere, Langdale and Rydal Rooms have been refurbished by Ward Robinson in a bright, fresh style. Half of the rooms have six-foot wide king size beds, with the remainder having luxurious five-foot queen size beds, all supplied by Cumbria-based Sealy Beds.

Hotels in the Lake District have largely belonged to one of two categories – fusty old grand hotels, many of which are in need of investment, or chintzy B&Bs which may appeal to the stereotypical American tourists but have little to recommend them otherwise. In recent years however, hotels such as The Samling, Linthwaite House and Hipping Hall have emerged, providing a boutique-style alternative.

High quality gastropubs and restaurants-with-rooms such as The Drunken Duck, The Punchbowl and L’Enclume in Cartmel have similarly raised the bar. Rothay Garden, meanwhile has been going about its business for years, under the steady stewardship of Chris Carss, who hails from the North East originally but started out in Lake District as a waiter at the age of seventeen, and never left. Carss is a self-confessed wine buff, travelling far and wide to sample wines at source. The new feature of which he is perhaps most proud is the £10,000 Cruvinet™ machine which allows the Chilean wines which form the core of the hotel’s superb 160-bin wine list to be served by the glass at the correct temperature. These provide the perfect complement to Head Chef Andrew Burton’s two AA rosette dining on offer in the elegant candelit Conservatory restaurant overlooking the gardens.

According to Carss, the recent investment has helped Rothay Garden’s business hold up well despite the recession, giving it four-star status, and boosting rates accordingly. He is now planning further refurbishment and expansion, including the creation of additional luxurious Garden Suites, an extension to the Conservatory Restaurant, and the introduction of contemporary outdoor leisure / spa facilities, including a hot tub.

Rothay Garden
Broadgate, Grasmere,
Cumbria LA22 9RJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1539 435 334
www.rothaygarden.com

Rooms 30 (of which 5 are Loft Suites)
Dining Conservatory Restaurant
Drinking Lounge Bar