Hotel Review: Another Place, The Lake

Last week, I headed up to the Lake District with my mum to visit Another Place, The Lake. The first of a new and relaxed hotel collection focussing on the outdoors, Another Place is sister hotel to Watergate Bay Hotel, (which I visited last September!) and located in the heart of the Lake District by Ullswater Lake. Read on for my review of the hotel.

First impressions: 4/5

Arriving at the hotel on a Thursday evening, we were greeted with a beautiful sunset and stunning views over Ullswater Lake - the hotel (a renovated Georgian house, with an added modern extension) is quite literally perched on the edge of the lake, affording breathtaking views over the surrounding area.

Whilst the main house retains some of its original Georgian features, the interior is Scandi-inspired, with a mostly muted colour palette offset by occasional and bold pops of colour, minimal yet cosy furnishings, and lots of sheepskin rugs thrown over elegant armchairs.

The hotel’s 38 bedrooms range from small and cosy to family-friendly suites; the hotel describes itself as ‘adults-focussed but family-friendly’, which accounted for the multitude of families and couples with young children staying at the property. My mum and I were staying in the hotel’s Joules Suite, arguably the best room in the house, and designed in partnership with lifestyle brand Joules; our bedroom was decorated with plush, boldly-coloured furnishings and entirely filled with shoppable items from Joules. We loved the colour scheme in the bedroom, the expansive space (there was more than enough room for two), comfy sofas, and Tunnock’s teacakes we found in the fridge - I would, however, note that although the bathroom has a large bathtub, the shower is very small, and we encountered a couple of maintenance problems during our stay eg. our toilet being blocked (although these were quickly rectified by the helpful staff). The bedroom is situated right above the front door, so if you’re a light sleeper, be aware that you may hear this slamming when visitors pass in and out of the property.

To do: 5/5

When it comes to the wealth of activities that Another Place has to offer, this is where the property really shines. Placing emphasis on the hotel’s location in the stunning Lake District (which is itself an UNESCO World Heritage Site), guests are encouraged to explore the surrounding area on long walks or by running and cycling. Stand-up paddle boarding on the lake outside the hotel, kayaking, and wild swimming are also some of the more adventurous activities offered at Another Place. Instructors from the Sheep Shed (the hotel’s hub for all of its water-based activities) will take guests out on a boat in swimsuits to remote parts of the lake; this includes the moonlight wild swim which occurs at every full moon - I can imagine that this must be a truly magical experience.

For those that prefer to stay indoors, the Swim Club is the hotel’s spa, and an oasis of calm - featuring a huge pool with floor-to-ceiling views over the lake, it’s an incredibly peaceful place to take a dip. There are also set adults-only hours every day, which makes the experience even more enjoyable for parents and couples alike; if you’re a parent, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel’s on-site Kid’s Zone will take care of your children at set hours daily as well, allowing you to indulge in some much-deserved ‘me time’. You’ll also find an outdoor hot tub, sauna, and private treatment rooms at the spa - I was treated to a wonderful full-body massage, which was incredibly relaxing, and I can safely say I fell asleep during this.

Food and drink: 3/5

There are two restaurants at Another Place to dine in: the more casual all-day Living Space, which is open for lunch and dinner, and the more formal Rampsbeck Restaurant, which is only open for dinner, and where breakfast is also served every morning.

We ate at Living Space on Thursday evening: you’ll find casual and filling options on the menu here such as burgers, pizzas and a range of warm salads. My mum and I both went for the sweet potato soup and chicken burger, which were tasty: unfortunately our desserts were a little overbaked, but the meal was enjoyable overall.

Dinner on Saturday night was in the Rampsbeck Restaurant which serves a more formal, British menu. The restaurant was buzzing, and service was a little slower than usual here; we found that the food here was elegantly presented and the menu had lots of enticing options, but dishes lacked a little flavour, or on occasion, were a little too salty: a three-course meal here costs £40, which is not unreasonable, however, I was still a little underwhelmed by the experience here.

At breakfast, guests can help themselves to a buffet of cooked options such as eggs, sausages, and bacon, with a range of cereals to choose from, and coffee roasted by Origin. The standout feature here is the waffle machines, where you can enjoy making your own waffles; these were our favourite thing to eat on our trip, and tasted delicious drizzled in maple syrup and berry compote.

Comfort and service: 4/5

Staff at Another Place were all incredibly friendly and willing to please throughout the property, from reception staff, to those in the restaurant and spa. The hotel isn’t overwhelmingly large, so we came to recognise some familiar faces throughout our stay.

Despite the house being at 85% occupancy during our stay, it didn’t feel overwhelmingly busy. During the day, the communal areas such as the lounge were relatively quiet as guests are encouraged to go out and enjoy the surroundings - the busiest times of day are mealtimes, with our Saturday night dinner in the Rampsbeck Restaurant having a little slower service than at other occasions. Breakfast was never too busy, as most families with children chose to eat earlier, whilst we opted for lazy, leisurely breakfasts at 10am.

From the cosy and comfy interiors, to the wealth of activities and stunning surroundings, our stay at Another Place was certainly enjoyable and relaxing. It’s a great option for active types or families with children, as it doesn’t compromise on style or luxury for the sake of being family-friendly.