There’s really only one word to describe Gilpin Hotel: wow. It is a haven of complete tranquillity and opulent luxury nestled in the hills of the simply stunning Lake District.
What the Cunliffe family have created here is out of this world. And we were invited to experience the five-star treatment at the exquisite and exclusive hotel, part of the renowned Pride of Britain Hotels group.
Hotel
The hotel – just a few miles from Lake Windermere – consists of an historic main building; housing the reception area, HRiSHi restaurant, a cosy lounge and bar, and a small number of suites, with a stunning new stone building next door which is home to Gilpin Spice restaurant downstairs and a small cosy spa upstairs.
Dotted along the gravel drive, that winds up the hill, is a collection of unique, stone lodges that nestle into the rugged landscape. These individual garden suites, spa lodges and spa suites provide privacy, luxury and intimacy in equal measure; each with different facilities and amenities, and for different budgets.
Room
We were staying in Lowther; one of the hotel’s five new spa suites; built during lockdown. The ultimate accommodation option if you’re visiting Gilpin, or, in fact, anywhere in the Lake District! Clad in a warm, aged cedar wood and finished with local Lake District slate stone, they sink into the craggy rocks and rolling hills.
We cuddled up in our warm, cosy bed as the wild autumn weather raged outside; the rain lashed against the lodge and the trees bowed to the wind. But our double-aspect bedroom – overhanging our own private lake dotted with lilies and fringed with spiky reeds – remained calm and serene inside despite the storm outside. The beautiful bedroom offers a snug nest to snooze, protected from the hustle and bustle of life in this dark, calm retreat.
Each suite boasts its own private garden and terrace, with large glass doors from each room sliding open onto the patio outside. A Sonos sound system runs throughout meaning you can listen to relaxing spa tracks or your favourite music while you relax in the hot tub outside or take a long hot shower inside.
It’s all about over-indulgence, relaxation and togetherness in the spa suites. A small but chic kitchenette with dining table provides everything you need – from a fully stocked fridge, wine fridge, and tea and coffee facilities – opening onto the gorgeous living area which is warmed by a flickering fire; a metallic modern bulb suspended from the ceiling so you can still enjoy the view through the glass windows behind. There’s a large and sumptuous sectional sofa wrapped around a coffee table and recessed mounted TV where you can enjoy watching the morning news or relaxing in front of a movie.
The lounge flows straight into the grand open bathroom where a vast circular freestanding stone bathtub sits amongst foliage cascading from oversized pots and urns, underneath a suspended birdcage filled with flowers and a large skylight so you can sit back in the bubbles and watch the clouds overhead. The open walk-through double shower, twin vanity sinks, and makeup table are all part of the free-flowing space. You can soak in the bath or take a long, hot shower while still making the most of the beautiful views of your own personal garden and out across the alpaca fields to the rolling hills of the national park.
Everywhere here is connected with the outside world and, inside, the interiors also celebrate the breath-taking location and natural beauty of the Lake District. Earthy tones and colours are used throughout with textured wooden finishes and botanical designs. Everything is warm and welcoming, making you feel as if you’re staying in a cosy home while offering you the luxury and five-star service of a high-end hotel.
Spa facilities
Through the sliding door of your lodge is the spa suite’s piece-de-resistance; your own personal spa. You have full 24-hour use of your own state-of-the-art sauna, steam room, Japanese massage chair, infrared treatment bed and outdoor Jacuzzi during your stay.
Fluffy robes and soft slippers make you feel as if you’re visiting any normal day spa, but this unique relaxation area is set within the comfort of your own private lodge; simply stagger from your bed to the massage chair to wake yourself up with a long, rejuvenating massage session in the morning or, if you’re struggling to sleep, why not head to the infrared bed and allow the heat to ease any aches or pains in your body?
The rain was still hammering down as our therapists arrived and set up two treatment beds in the spa in our suite. They set soothing background music and laid us down under thick, fleecy towels for our 25-minute massage. Warm hands ran over my back and shoulders through silken oil, gently soothing me off into a light snooze as I listened to the rain showers lashing against the roof and the windows.
Food and drink
Gilpin Spice is a bustling restaurant split into three spaces: India, China and Malaysia. India is a calm and relaxed space where diners can enjoy a peaceful meal or the room can be transformed into a high-end meeting space or even a small, cosy movie theatre. China is a private area for small tables and intimate occasions, and Malaysia is the bustling, beating heart of Gilpin Spice, where diners enjoy sitting at the chef’s table watching the kitchen prepare the food, or chatter at scattered tables underneath colourful lanterns.
The modern pan-Asian menu offers spice, flavour and flare from across the continent; celebrating all of the best dishes that the East conjures up. We started with a mixture of small plates including the delicious pani puri – small, crispy puff shells that cocooned crunchy noodle mix, chickpea curry and to which you poured a rich sauce that packed a punch – as well as the Delhi aloo tikki; tempura mashed potato with a sweet spiced creamy yoghurt, tamarind chutney and onion salad.
We chose two main dishes – the sweet and sour pork belly, and the vegetable makhani – with sides of egg-fried rice and vegetables stir fried in garlic and soy. The rich and sweet tomatoey curry was delicious, packed full of soft potatoes and fresh vegetables. The pork belly was rich in flavour and smothered in a honey-like, sticky sauce.
Meanwhile, in the one-Michelin starred HRiSHi restaurant – created by chef Hrishikesh Desai – beautiful local produce combines with classic cooking style, refined presentation and Asian flair to create a contemporary menu which is sure to satiate your appetite. Take a peak inside the restaurant’s creative kitchen through huge windows at the front of the hotel before weaving your way through the historic building’s lounge and into the stylish and chic restaurant. There are three dining rooms, all decorated with calm and neutral tones of white, crisp white table clothes and shiny silver cutlery.
We enjoyed a drink and nibbles in the cosy Champagne Bar, which offers glimpses into the sprawling wine cellar, and perused the menus. HRiSHi offers a seven-course tasting menu as well as a la carte options, and I enjoyed picking-and-mixing from the main menu and the plant-based alternative. The young and enthusiastic staff were clearly passionate about the food they were serving, explaining each and every dish to us with bright smiles.
We started with a deliciously-warm Pain Poolish sourdough bread and special churned butter – based on a family member’s recipe – before tucking into nibbles of brioche toast topped with autumn truffle and Pani Puri; one with cured halibut and the other with Bombay, soya and lime dressing. Next, I sampled the stunningly-presented and brightly-coloured sand carrot with curry leaf sauce while my husband had scallops; one lightly roasted and one served raw but spiced.
Next, we both had the charcoal-roasted cauliflower; a cauliflower steak marinated for hours in milky, curry sauce and served with black garlic, before moving onto the beautiful Cornish cod, served with buttered mussels and a rich but smooth vermouth emulsion. Cumbrian beef and slow-braised beef cheek with caramelised onion was next on the main menu while the plant-based option was butternut squash pithivier served with Khozambu sauce.
Finally, to finish we had two rounds of dessert: a sweet and refreshing lemon tart with pickled British blackberries, and a chocolate and hazelnut delice with soft caramel, and a lime and chilli sorbet, which was so light but so tasty. We moved into the cosy lounge to find a seat to sink into before enjoying coffee and handmade chocolates and petit fours.
Our first morning we wandered down the path to the main hotel to enjoy breakfast in the main restaurant. We sat at a cute table which was flooded with natural light – despite the grey and wet morning outside – laid with a crisp white table cloth and shiny cutlery and finishing touches. We started with freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade toasted muesli, local natural yoghurt and sweet fruit salad. The friendly and chatty staff made us feel very at home as we waited for our cooked breakfast; a tasty cheese and tomato omelette, and beautifully presented eggs Florentine.
For our second morning we chose to have breakfast in our room. The Gilpin Hotel app makes it easy to peruse the menus and order any room service so we booked our slot and made our choices the previous evening. You can also choose to have in-room snacks and meals, including lunch.
As we enjoyed putting our feet up in our suite, dodging the wet weather and watching the clouds roll in and out, the team brought us a delicious picnic lunch of beautifully presented Bento Boxes; a meat feast for my husband and a pescatarian pregnancy-friendly option for me. We tucked into a mezze-style lunch of fresh salads, tasty lobster, spicy chutney, and rich duck parfait; followed by cheese and biscuits, and a smooth creamy panna cotta shaped like a sheep sitting on a lawn of pistachio cake crumb! Yummy!
In a nutshell
Everything at Gilpin Hotel is ingenious, luxurious, and unforgettable; from the stunning setting to the breath-taking suites, and the delectable food to the friendly and helpful staff. This is the perfect escape for a memorable minimoon or a relaxing romantic retreat. Whatever the excuse you need to head to the Lakes this autumn, be sure to spend at least one night at the Gilpin; it’ll be an experience that’ll stay with you for a long time.
Factbox
Amy visited Gilpin Hotel and Lake House in the Lake District. The hotel is a member of Pride of Britain Hotels, a very fine collection of hotels dotted around the British Isles. An overnight stay in the Spa Suites costs from £690 per night, including breakfast and spa access. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 or visit prideofbritainhotels.com.
Address: Gilpin Hotel, Crook Road, Windermere, LA23 3NE
Phone: 01539 488818
Website: thegilpin.co.uk
Photography courtesy of Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
