When I was invited to go on a mid-week break to The Swan Hotel & Spa, which is situtated on the edge of Lake Windermere, I didn’t think that there would be even the remotest chance that I would be able to get away. But then one of the dates on offer coincided with a school trip that our youngest was going on and suddenly I was able to say OH YES PLEAAAASE!
The reception area in the hotel…
I picked my friend, Ellen, up at 7.30am (if you’re going on a mid-week break you want to make the most of it!) and we were there by 10am. Oh the joy of a traffic free M6 motorway.
The hotel’s restaurant…
We were greeted by the most beautiful décor in the hotel. I probably should have referred to the greeting that we received from the staff there first but I noticed the Cox & Cox tables, the Oka lamps and the Designer’s Guild wallpaper WAY before I noticed anything, or anyone, else.
A quiet corner in the nest…
Sarah, the Managing Director of the hotel, gave us a really warm greeting. The hotel had put together a fabulous itinerary for us so that we got to experience it in its entirety – for which we were so grateful.
There may have been gin involved!!!! (Thank you John – the gin tasting was amazing!)
We also had a really long chat to Craig, the Operations Manager, who told us about the history of the hotel. The hotel is an independent, family run hotel, which has been in the same family for many years. The fact that Sarah and Craig have been there for 11 and 15 years, speaks volumes. The owners see the hotel as an extension of their own home and take huge amounts of time and care in selecting the décor – and it shows!
Talk about the best backdrop for photographs!
On our first night, we were treated to a meal of a cod, chorizo and bean stew, with a salad and a cheese board, which was delivered to our “nest” – one of four self catering cottages in the grounds of the hotel. Our nest had three double bedrooms and a bunk room. Two of the rooms were en-suite and there was also a family bathroom.
We stayed in the Mallard nest…
The welcome folder, with everything in that we needed to know…
Nikki from Midlife Chic joined us for dinner. Many thanks to her husband who drove her so that she could share a drink (or two) with us. The food was truly delicious. There was something lovely about sitting in a home environment, whilst eating delicious home cooked food – which hadn’t actually been cooked by us!
The living area in the Mallard nest…
Sarah had also arranged for us to go on a guided three hour walk with George and Trevor, two locals who took up some very steep hills which had brilliant views of Lake Windermere at the top (at 75 they walked WAY quicker than I did!) There was also a trip to the spa for a hot stones treatment and a manicure, gin tasting plus dinner in the restaurant on the second night.
My room…
The décor in both the hotel and the Nests was just incredible. Pale pinks, spots, florals, stripes – everything was just so fresh and spring like and cheery. Ellen literally had to drag me away when it was time to come home.
Ellen’s room…
The attic room…
It was also the little touches that made the difference – the homemade cakes that greeted us in the nest (lemon and polenta and bakewell tart, since you ask)…
…as well as the fresh bread, bacon and eggs. When we went on our walk, we were handed a snack bag with a flask of tea, sausage rolls and more homemade cake (very famous five). There were beautiful Espa products in the bathrooms, soft fluffy towels (we both lamented how “un-fluffy” our towels at home were in comparison) and a bag of gifts.
Look at those pink tiles in the bathroom!…
There was just so much to do in the area – George and Trevor filled us in on the walks available, the sights to see and the places to go. There are local towns to visit, steam trains to ride on, boats to hire as well as the hotel facilities of a pool, spa and gym to make use of.
Time for bed…
The hotel is super family friendly (Craig has four children of his own so he totally gets young children) but during the week it takes on a different feel. It’s a little more sedate and quieter in the restaurants and swimming pool, which is perfect if you’ve left your own little ones at home.
If you would like to go for a mid-week break at the Swan Hotel, they are kindly offering a 40% discount between now and the end of June, with the code BGOOD40. If you get the chance, please do go and use it! A four night mid-week break is the standard package but if you can only manage a two night stay, please do email the hotel and they will see what availability they have. I have to admit to being VERY tempted.
Thank you SO MUCH to the hotel for having us to stay and for making us feel so welcome. It was a wonderful experience!
