Appleby Manor Hotel & Garden Spa

Really loved our stay at Appleby Manor & Spa. Been on my wish list for a while. We chose not to upgrade our room as not much time spent in it. We chose a courtyard room a few steps from the main hotel. The bed was very comfy and had lovely bedding slept like a log. Two comfy chairs and tv. Bathroom was great and room had plenty storage. I enjoyed the Aqua Thermal Spa and wasn’t too busy. Limit on number in at any time. We chose to eat in the Bistro on the first night. The food and choice was fantastic, we expected pub grub which it definitely was not. 2nd. Night we opted to eat in the dining room. The whole experience was great, drink in the bar while being served canapés and choosing our food. The whole meal was fantastic. The views from the hotel down to the Lake District are amazing. The cows in the field enjoy a bit attention. The gardens are beautiful and very well kept. From the moment we checked in until the time we left, the staff was very attentive, pleasant and welcoming. We felt like royalty. Nothing was too much trouble and never passed you without saying morning etc. and asking how you were. Though this was our first visit hope it’s not the last. Would definitely recommend Appleby Manor.

We had a thermal spa morning with a full body massage. Debbie and the team were fantastic, friendly and welcoming. Corrie did my full body massage, it was one of the best I have ever had, if not the best. I can’t wait to go again. We then had afternoon tea, it was all lovely and so filling. We didn’t stay on this occasion but we have stayed before and would highly recommend. If I had to be slightly critical it would have been good if the hot tubs were hot. They were just warm. But it wasn’t a problem by far.

Here are the facts of my stay. We booked a so-called "Classic Double" for £134. This "classic double" No.11 was located in the 2nd floor attic and was accessed by 25 steps up, then along corridors then 5 steps down, then more corridors then 18 steps up narrow stairs. There is no lift. The room could just about accommodate a narrow 4ft 6" double bed. There was nowhere to put a case. There were 2 upright chairs - ie. no easy chairs as in the photos. Furnishings were very poor. There is no air conditioning and the room faces onto the A66. Therefore you either cook in a stuffy hot room or you open the window and then all the road noise enters. The 2nd floor location was pre-advised in the hotel's website, but not the 48 steps and narrow corridors to get there. The room itself would be more accurately described as a poky box room and should be priced accordingly Dinner in the Bistro was OK. Breakfast very disappointing

We travelled as a group of 4 friends celebrating our birthdays. We regularly go to spa hotels in and around cumbria. Check in quick and we soon got to our lovely rooms, south facing looking out on to the gardens with the rhododendrons in full bloom.. We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather and went to sit in the garden area, having a cocktail.. we asked to order another drink from a passing member of staff and were asked “What you want?” Not exactly what I expected.. We had evening meals included with our package and ate in the bistro on the first evening. Food was good and service OK, but had the feeling they were short staffed.. Breakfast was much better for staff and food delicious.. Saturday morning weather sunny again so we decided to sit in gardens again before we had our Spa session in the afternoon ..unfortunately the peace and quiet was spoiled by the grass being cut by a ride on mower and someone strimming.. this annoyingly carried on all day and spooked our time in the spa as they were then cutting right outside the seating and relaxing area.. not very relaxing and so loud you couldn’t talk!! But the spa staff lovely and delivered our drinks in a timely manner.. Evening meal on the Saturday started with pre dinner drinks and canapés in the conservatory , we sat down and ordered our drinks which took some time to come, as they were delivered the waitress came to say our tanks and starters were ready .. we asked to have our drinks first, her reply was well your food might be spoiled!! Short of staff again maybe? We went through shortly after downing our aperitifs.. we ordered a nice bottle of wine and enjoyed our starters, when we got our mains we ordered another bottle of wine to be told the next bottle would be warm as it wasn’t in the fridge, so we chose a different one and this was delivered warm.. so we refused it.. so lots of ******* but nothing major to spoil our stay.. would recommend to go if you want a spa stay with fab views and I hope they get their staffing sorted.. and maybes some training on how to speak to guests ..

I would definitely recommend this hotel. We had a one night journey stopover just off the A66, beautiful location, staff exceptional, hotel clean, room and bed very comfortable. Breakfast very good served by attentive staff. We would stop at this hotel again and perhaps even take time to try the spa.

I was here as a birthday present from my family for a spa night away with 3 course meal and wine & breakfast. The spa itself was lovely, the staff were great. It is very small however was enough for me & my friend. We were on a second floor room, i had been asked if this was okay on booking which i said yes to thinking they were normal sets of stairs. The first set was, but the second set was spiral, mixed size steps and no handrail. My friend had a fall on these steps as we are both registered disabled. We then had steep stairs going up to our room with no handrails. We did struggle with the 2nd and 3rd flights of stairs & in hindsight had i known they were like that i would have declined a room on the second floor. In our room, there was no view at all which is a shame as that was why i’d asked for a break away in the Lake District. A lot of our lights in the room didn’t work, especially above mirrors! A must for 2 young women! The food we had was mediocre. We dined in the bistro. The chips with my steak were very pale & not very nice. We both ordered the banoffee pie which was inedible to us as it was like a block of caramel gelatine. Not what we expected at all. We both left full desserts & no one asked how the meal was. We had asked what my gift voucher entailed so asked for 2 glasses of one of the wines included. We then got charged for these at the end of the stay, on complaint we were refunded one as the deal was 2 x small glasses however we didn’t stipulate the size of the wine. We just wanted what was included. The breakfast the next day was barely cooked. My bacon was near raw & the sausage was raw on one side. This again was mostly left and nobody asked how the food was. Disappointing stay overall & i wouldn’t return for the price that was paid. It wasn’t worth the cost.

Lovely hotel, fabulous food, super staff, relaxing spa and great location. We had a brilliant break at Appleby Manor and hope to return again soon. The hotel is beautifully furnished, the food exceptional, all the staff were cheery and helpful. There are many some interesting places to visit in this area of Cumbria and of course the wider Lake District.

A romantic short break and we absolutely loved it. Great spa especially the outside hot tubs with exceptional staff throughout. The fine dining is indeed fine and an absolute must. A very relaxing experience, included were tickets to the Lakes Distillery which was again top notch. We will indeed be returning.

Me and my wife stayed here for her birthday, originally because it was much better value than alternative spa hotels situated in the lake district itself. However, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will be back again. The spa was modern and had good amenities, the outdoor hot tub and thermal pool being the highlights. The booking included a two course meal in the hotel's restaurant which we had on the Sunday night. The meal started with appertifes in the conservatory before moving into the resteraunt. The food was delicious and the service very attentive and efficient. Overall we were extremely impressed with the value of staying in this great hotel just outside the lakes.