Skip to main content
  1. Hotel reviews homepage
  2. UK hotel reviews
  3. Cumbria hotel reviews
  4. Bowness-on-Windermere hotel reviews
  5. Reviews of Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

Reviews of Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

23 Church St, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3DF, United Kingdom

#16 of 16 hotels in Bowness-on-Windermere

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 2474 hotel reviews

7.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.3

  • Comfort

    8.5

  • Location

    9.5

  • Facilities

    7.9

  • Staff

    8.4

  • Value for money

    6.6

  • Free WiFi

    7.5

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

Real Bookers. Real stays. Real opinions.

Read more– opens a dialog box
Write a Review

Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: May 3, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Only half a mushroom with breakfast

    Beautiful location Lovely view whilst having breakfast Big comfy bed Lovely shower Staff couldn’t do enough

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: May 1, 2024

    9.0
    It’s was good hotel for one night
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Hotel was next to the lake

    The hotel was right on the lake fantastic location

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 30, 2024

    7.0
    We stay every year for our anniversary very nice but just a few problems this year
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Cold water when run a bath Jar of marmalade to share in the morning everyone putting knife in not clean Chairs in restaurant feel rocky as they are going to break?

    Great location Food in restaurant very good

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 30, 2024

    9.0
    Fabulous
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Balcony Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Parking not great

    Location is fabulous

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 30, 2024

    7.0
    Had a nice little stay in all
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Organisation of the breakfast system very badly delivered , would of been nice to of been told that the Sauna wasn’t working and had been broke for a few weeks

    The views where great from the hotel

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 29, 2024

    8.0
    Pleasant and enjoyable
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We’d booked a spa day for the Saturday and the pool was full of screaming children all day. Not very relaxing when we’d purposefully gone away to get away from ours 🤣 (children pool hours are 10-5) Our Room was opposite the back of the stags pub about 50 metres away and so heard lots of fighting/screaming/shouting around 1am which woke us on our second night. £20 per night parking charge is very steep and should be included in the room rate with it being the most expensive hotel in the area.

    Clean and tidy, great location for all amenities, good facilities and staff couldn’t do enough they were very friendly. Breakfast was delicious!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 27, 2024

    7.0
    Could do better
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    That you couldn’t use debit card to charge for extras on room. Our room had tea stain down the walls and over skirting and definitely not cleaned up in a while.Dining staff weren’t up to much, waited 40 mins first night for dinner, only for them to come back 30 mins later and asked us what we ordered and still forgot to bring us our starters , there were only 6 tables in for dinner at this point and all tables of 2.breakfast wasn’t much better, waited 20 mins for scrambled egg and by this time we had drunk our tea and eaten toast, the next few mornings were the same, the fact that your a 4* hotel leave me wondering why, we have stayed here a few time and this time place was a let down in all ways, even the £20 per night for parking on top of everything else was a bit much.

    That it was close to all shopping even the next villages weren’t to far, plenty to do and see and lots of good eating places out and about

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 26, 2024

    9.0
    Most enjoyable
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    N/a

    All of the above

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 24, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Weather could have been better

    Nice views over the lake

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 20, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super Deluxe Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    N/a

    Excellent location with wonderful views of Lake Windermere

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 20, 2024

    7.0
    Fantastic location, overpriced hotel , bar area tired
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Spa a disappointment pool cold sauna not working

    Location . Lovely bedroom

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 18, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Balcony Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Breakfast was great had dinner 1st night and paid £30 for a steak which looked like a minute steak not worth the money ate out on the 2nd night it was the only issue we had so it was a shame

    Location and facilities

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 16, 2024

    7.0
    Very traditional English hotel, great location
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super Deluxe Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Tired, needs an upgrade Water not hot enough for a good bath or shower even after complaining every night

    Great location

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 11, 2024

    7.0
    good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    nice hotel nice place

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 10, 2024

    9.0
    ideal location and great for a nights stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Balcony Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Swimming pool could have been warmer

    Staff were very warm and attentive, food was lovely and great location

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: April 8, 2024

    7.0
    Beautiful building And location some very easily rectified points let it down
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There were no toiletries in the room except some shower gel which was lovely but I would expect in a four-star hotel at the Price we paid body lotion, shampoo and conditioner. The room and decor was a little tired and needs a refurbishment. There was absolutely no atmosphere in the bar or the restaurant and it was my birthday so I was a little disappointed. Somebody ting on the piano would have been nice. On the Saturday afternoon there were lots of noisy children in the pool which really spoilt the spa ambience. In fact it wasn’t like a spa it was more like a kids play area. Or drinks would’ve been nice in the spa area also.

    The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good and so was dinner the ambience and the location was excellent. The spa was good, but the sauna was out of order.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Too expensive for what it is. Especially the bar prices! Absolutely ridiculous. Breakfast is better at Premier Inn.

    Location

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2024

    8.0
    Very good hotel, friendly staff, but drinks very over priced.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Over priced alcoholic drinks very expensive.

    Good breakfast lots of choices

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2024

    8.0
    Great hotel, fabulous location and very comfortable room!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Family Room 3
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The sauna wasn’t working. But we still enjoyed the steam room and ice room.

    The location was good. V comfortable and well furnished bedrooms. Lovely breakfast . We enjoyed the spa facilities. The bar had lovely views of the lake, even in the rain. The staff were also very friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 31, 2024

    7.0
    Overall it was good 90% of the staff were polite. And room was fine but overpriced as whole
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Wasn’t happy with the staff that worked in the spa reception was quite rude. And the fact the sauna wasn’t working and wasn’t mentioned before I payed for the reservation which actually persuaded me to purchase the room.

    Good location and pleasant room. Also good breakfast.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 31, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Couldn't go to the spa as there was no gowns for us to use in the room, tissue box only had 1 tissue left in it. Ordered breakfast to be delivered to our room for 9.45- 10 am and didn't arrive till 10.15 had to check out at 11

    Hotel was really nice great stay

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 30, 2024

    9.0
    Great stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Bar staff weren't always around, often saw people waiting 5 minutes or more for someone to appear, though to be fair it was out of season. But for a 4 star hotel, we sometimes had to wait for staff to appear, which is OK, but could have been better.

    Location was superb. Hotel very comfortable,. Parking in disabled bay was a bit tight, and you can't reserve a space. Staff were very helpful

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 25, 2024

    7.0
    Hotel is extremely clean and the staff were fantastic. Even at breakfast when they were clearly short staffed. Unfortuna
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Looking at the back end of a takeaway from my window

    Extremely clean and welcoming

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 24, 2024

    7.0
    Pleasurable location, staff and food. Pool freezing and rooms could do with refresh
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Rooms and main reception room looking tired and cobwebs all over

    Perfect location

    Stayed in February 2024

Showing 1 - 25

We Price Match
We Price Match
Low rates • No booking fees • Find something cheaper? We'll refund the difference!

Guests also reviewed these properties: