A five-star Relais & Châteaux property, people flock in designer droves to the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in search of a crème de la crème staycation. Delivering ambience, awe-inspiring scenery and all the fine dining a foodie could wish for, the Gilpin puts the luscious in luxury. Sophie Ritchie shares more:
Nestled in the rugged Lake District terrain near Windermere awaits a rather swish gem indeed. Welcomed by the site of a bronze tree fountain pouring water from its leaves (it apparently set the original owner back a mere £10k after purchasing it on a whim) the Gilpin hotel is renowned for bringing a slice of frivolous cool to the north of England.
Whether that’s its multiple exceptional dining outlets (the most notable being Michelin-starred SOURCE At Gilpin Hotel), dreamy spa facilities or simply staggering range of luxury accommodation options, with truly something for every modern bon vivant, this is a place to see and be seen. I drop my bags and find myself the nearest frothy cappuccino to get acquainted with this bustling slice of British paradise.
The first thing you’ll notice about Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is that it likes to do things a little differently. For starters, it combines two hotels on separate estates – the main Gilpin Hotel and then the more intimate Lake House, tucked away via a winding ‘hold your breath for oncoming tractors’ narrow lane about a five-minute drive away.
Atmosphere-wise, it’s fun, inviting and ultra comfortable. Sit down on one of the sofas in the main hotel lounge and expect to prolong getting up by at least ten minutes as the cushions slowly envelope you – it’s far too easy to lose track of time in this cozily luxurious space.
A five-star Relais & Châteaux property, it’s clear that people come here for crème de la crème staycations. A mere 30 rooms and suites are found at the main hotel, including five drool-worthy Spa Suites, each kitted out with a private hot tub, sauna and spa. If its exclusivity you’re after, The Gilpin delivers it with a capital E.
Meanwhile, over at Lake House you’ll find a handful of just six rooms, nestled in 100 explorable acres of woodland and rolling hills. Step over the threshold and you’ll feel like you’re staying in someone’s beautiful holiday home due to the comfortable surrounding and sheer lack of others (and noise, of course).
The Lake House might be petite, but it boasts some serious wellness power. Not only does it have its own private lake directly behind the house, there’s also a small indoor pool, sauna, treatment rooms and multiple outdoor hot tubs to climb into.
The Room
I reside in the Lake House for my visit, which being slightly introverted suits me down to the ground. It’s peaceful, slow-paced and calm – the ideal place for signing out of your emails, turning off your phone and pulling on the walking boots all weekend instead.
The lakeside view is mesmerising even on the cloudiest of days and with bubbling hot tubs just a few steps away, expect to feel more relaxed within a matter of hours of arriving at the gravelled entrance.
It goes without saying that all rooms are gorgeous, but our ‘Harriet’ Superior Room makes a simply stunning abode, complete with 25 feet of wall to wall, floor to ceiling, glass windows that showcase Knipe Tarn and the surrounding woodland. It’s not just the windows that are enormous – the cloud-like bed feels like it takes up half the floor whilst I eye up enough closet space to suit even the strongest of overpackers.
With luxurious creme and gold colour schemes, soft carpets, inviting armchairs and oodles of bathroom space, this glamorous room feels like it was carved out for a Hollywood film star. Me and my oversized jumper might not quite compare, but I unpack the toiletries regardless and get ready to robe.
The Food
Dining at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is a treat in itself – I’m met with nods of respect and the occasional ‘ooh’ for weeks before my visit whenever it comes up in passing conversation. Whether it’s the statement outside kitchen window that reveals a 360 insider’s glimpse into the inner workings of the chefs or the pretty plateful themselves, it’s clear that SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel is worth getting excited about.
An intimate restaurant, diners sit around small circular wooden tables dotted around the room (we’re tucked in the corner, an ideal position if you’re fond of people watching thanks to the panoramic view). Our flamboyant server patiently explains the concept to us, with several set menu options available for gourmands to choose from.
The ‘ORIGIN‘ menu is a shorter dining experience and provides a great introduction to fine dining, whereas the ‘SOURCE‘ menu is a longer experience that expands your horizons (and belt) with every innovative dish.
What’s more, both options can be tailored to your preferences with a choice of starter, main course and dessert – resulting in a Michelin Starred tasting menu that is completely personal to you each time. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, so we opt for the ORIGIN feast and savour every special bite as the servers present and explain each course in detail.
The food is truly sublime, full of artistic creativity and seasonal freshness. From an Orkney Scallop ‘Lasagne’ through to a mouthful of Cornish monkfish that practically glides off the fork, I find myself savouring each bite simply to make it last a little longer.
The Spice of Life
Whilst SOURCE At Gilpin Hotel is ideal if you love fine dining with flair, there’s another restaurant well worth its salt within the estate. Spice is The Gilpin’s sprinkle of Asian influence, providing both residents and locals with vibrant flavours of pan-Asian cuisine. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines, the Indian subcontinent, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and China, the moreish freshness and flavour diversity at Gilpin Spice will have you ordering ‘just one more’ dish until you’ve sampled half the menu.
Maki rolls, hot plates, silky curries and slow-cooked meats – the range of dishes is incredibly diverse within these walls, which burst with as much color as the menu items do. With a more casual atmosphere compared to its fine dining sibling, it’s also ideal for lunches or low key dinners when hiding out at the Gilpin for the weekend.
The Need-To-Know
- Va va voom: If staying at The Lake House, don’t stress about staying sober or driving in the dark when dining at the main hotel – The Lake House’s complimentary shuttle service will whisk you to-and-fro in seriously chic style.
- Spa time: A little TLC goes a long way. Book yourself a spa treatment at Gipin Lake House with the experienced team of therapists and enjoy a dose of decadent wood cabin rejuvenation.
- Afternoon tea: Hosted at The Lake House, afternoon tea at The Gilpin is a quaint and hunger-quashing affair. Traditional dainty sandwiches, fluffy scones and just the right amount of cakes – washed down with a view of the beautiful lake sitting right before you.
The Wordrobe Verdict
A five-star Relais & Châteaux property, people flock in their designer droves to the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in search of a crème de la crème staycation. Delivering ambience, awe-inspiring scenery and all the fine dining a foodie could wish for, the Gilpin puts the luscious in luxury.
Make it happen
Where: Crook Rd, Windermere LA23 3NE
Wallet: Classic Bedrooms start from £295 per night.
How: Find out more and make a booking via thegilpin.co.uk
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
