Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa | Bowness-on-Windermere ★ Book Spa Rooms, Wellness Deals & Guest Reviews

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About the Hotel

Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, LA23 3DF

“This hotel is nicely situated beside the lake, making it a fantastic base for all our activities.”view full review

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, a 4-star Bowness-on-Windermere hotel, offers stunning views of Lake Windermere and exceptional spa facilities. This luxurious retreat is ideal for family holidays and countryside getaways.

Rooms & Amenities

The Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa features 106 elegantly furnished rooms, including spacious balcony suites with panoramic views of Lake Windermere. Rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury toiletries, and options for dog-friendly accommodations. Accessible bedrooms include extra space and specific amenities for guests with disabilities.

Dining & Leisure

Dining options include the Lakeview Restaurant, which focuses on seasonal British cuisine while offering breathtaking views over the lake. The Terrace Lounge & Cocktail Bar serves afternoon tea and cocktails, with a relaxed setting overlooking the gardens. An exquisite afternoon tea is available with homemade treats served on beautiful cake stands.

Spa & Fitness

The spa at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa provides a range of ELEMIS treatments and access to a thermal suite, relaxation room, and an indoor pool. Guests can also enjoy fitness facilities at the Vital & Wellbeing Club, equipped with Life Fitness equipment and personal training options available. The outdoor terrace provides an inviting space for relaxation with stunning lake views.

Location & Activities

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Bowness-on-Windermere, making it easy to explore local attractions like the Fun Factory and Blackwell Arts and Crafts House. Nearby transport options include bus services at St Martins Church and Bowness Pier. Outdoor water-based activities such as kayaking and sailing can be found around the lake.

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Choose your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Twin Room

Max:

2 persons

230 sq. feet

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Standard Double Room

Max:

2 persons

230 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Standard King Room

Max:

2 persons

230 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Price and Room Availability

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Getting around

Comprehensive guide to transport options for seamless travel

City Centre

Bowness-on-Windermere700 ft

Airports

Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 51.2 mi

Blackpool International (BLK) 62.2 mi

Bus

Bus stop 1.4 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Revitalizing Spa

“The spa facilities offered a heavenly escape, with an excellent treatment menu featuring Elemis products that left me feeling rejuvenated.” view full review

Lovely Modern Room

“The room was beautifully decorated with large windows, allowing for plenty of natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.” view full review

Delicious Afternoon Tea

“The afternoon tea service was a good experience, featuring a lovely assortment of fresh pastries and a refreshing cup of tea.” view full review

Accessible Options

“The hotel's amenities included thoughtful features that ensured everyone could enjoy their stay without difficulty.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
On-site car park
Handicap parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre

Guest Parking

Electric kettle
Dryer

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's buffet
Board games
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Steam room
Back massage
Head massage
Full body massage
Foot massage

Room features

Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Soundproofed rooms
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Separate tub and shower
Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle
Dryer

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, LA23 3DF

Map view

Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, LA23 3DF

City landmarks

Landmark

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats

2900 ft

Museum

National Trust Hill Top

2.1 mi

Landmark

Belle Isle

2900 ft

Gallery

Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House

1.4 mi

Landmark

Aquarius Amusements

2000 ft

Landmark

Windermere Steamboat Museum

1.0 mi

Landmark

Cockshott Point

2600 ft

Landmark

Brant Fell Viewpoint

3500 ft

Gallery

Cook House Gallery

1.2 mi

Gallery

Thuline Studio

1.2 mi

Landmark

High Street

1.3 mi

Store

Windermere Canoe and Kayak

3800 ft

Landmark

Orrest Head

1.7 mi

Landmark

Storrs

4200 ft

Landmark

Windy Hall

4600 ft

Landmark

St Mary's Church

1.3 mi

Landmark

Claife Heights

1.3 mi

Landmark

Queen's Park

1.1 mi

Gallery

North South Gallery

1.1 mi

Bay

Mitchell Wyke Ferry Bay

1.4 mi

Landmark

Windermere

3.0 mi

Nearby

Park

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

900 ft

Windermere Marina Village Ferry Nab

Lake Windermere

1400 ft

Church

St Martin's Church

300 ft

The Fun Factory Glebe Road

The Fun Factory Bowness

1700 ft

Store

Love the Lakes

600 ft

Station Road

St Michael and All Angels Church

700 ft

Bowness Bay

800 ft

Theatre

The Old Laundry Theatre

800 ft

Square

The Glebe

1500 ft

Restaurants

Village Inn Bar & Grill

300 ft

Lake Road

Stags Head Hotel

100 ft

Church Street

Terrace Coffee Lounge & Cocktail Bar at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

300 ft

23 Church Street

Jackson's Bistro

500 ft

West End

Bodega Tapas Bar

400 ft

Ash Street

Caffe Riva

400 ft

St. Martins Square

The China Boat

300 ft

Church St

Hole in t' Wall

500 ft

Lowside

Villa Positano

600 ft

Villa Positano Ash Street

Lake View Garden Bar

300 ft

Saint Andrews

The Albert

600 ft

Queens Square

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews from guests about their experience.

66%

loved their spa retreat and can’t wait to return.

6.6/10

Nice

Rooms

5.5

Location

9.3

Service

6.8

Dining

5.0

Billy

United Kingdom, February 2025

6.8/10

The hotel has stunning views of the lake, which definitely added to our overall experience. The staff was friendly and attentive, making us feel welcomed. However, the dining options were rather disappointing as the food didn't meet our expectations and felt overpriced. The overall ambiance of the hotel left something to be desired, particularly regarding the outdated decor and occasional maintenance issues.

Rooms

6.0

The room we stayed in was clean and offered a lovely lakeside view, but it felt dated with chipped paint and uncomfortable furniture.

Service

7.0

The staff was friendly and attentive, but I did notice some inconsistencies in customer service responses.

Location

9.0

The hotel is centrally located in Bowness, perfectly situated for exploring the area.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was underwhelming, with tasteless breakfast and overpriced room service that didn't meet expectations.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities need some refreshing; they felt outdated overall and some maintenance issues were noticeable.

Steven

United Kingdom, February 2025

6.6/10

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The views of Lake Windermere were stunning, and the staff provided friendly service, but the room I stayed in lacked basic amenities and the dining experience left a lot to be desired. While I enjoyed aspects of my stay, I wouldn't call it overall worth the price I paid.

Rooms

5.0

The room I stayed in was rather disappointing. It had no bath and felt poorly equipped, which was quite the letdown for a hotel of this standard.

Service

6.0

While the staff was friendly and eager to assist, the service seemed overwhelmed during busy times, leading to longer waits and mixed messages about my room's availability.

Location

10.0

The hotel is situated right on the shores of Lake Windermere, providing breathtaking views that are truly a highlight of the stay.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was less than satisfactory. Breakfast options were limited, and my meal was underwhelming, especially considering the price we paid.

Facilities

5.0

The amenities, particularly the spa, were not functioning optimally during my visit, with a cold pool and broken steam room, which was disappointing.

Billy

United Kingdom, November 2024

6.8/10

My experience at the hotel was quite mixed. While the location was excellent with stunning views of Lake Windermere, the overall value felt lacking. I was disappointed with the room accommodations and the dining experience, as both did not meet the expectations set by the hotel's luxurious reputation. However, the attentive staff made the stay more bearable, and they genuinely seemed to care about guest satisfaction.

Rooms

5.0

The twin room we were given initially was quite depressing, with a view of grimy stonework and no fridge. After moving to a nicer room, it felt much more comfortable and well-fitted, but overall it did not justify the high price we paid.

Service

8.0

The staff were unfailingly lovely and attentive, even amidst a busy schedule. However, some areas, like the night shift, could use a refresh in customer service skills.

Location

9.0

The hotel is located in a picturesque area of Bowness, which provides easy access to the lakes and local attractions, making it an ideal base for exploring the Lake District.

Dining

5.0

The breakfast was particularly disappointing; the cooked offerings were subpar, and the coffee was the worst I've had. Overall, it did not meet the standards I expected from a high-end hotel, leading us to avoid other dining options.

Facilities

5.0

Facilities like the restaurant and parking felt lacking, with unexpected charges and mediocre dining options. It seems the hotel could improve on what they offer to enhance the overall guest experience.

Phil

United Kingdom, November 2024

6.8/10

The hotel provides stunning lake views and has an overall clean and inviting atmosphere. However, there were some inconsistencies with the service and dining, which could use improvement. While the spa treatments were enjoyable, some aspects of the hotel could feel outdated, affecting the overall quality of the stay.

Rooms

7.0

The room we stayed in had a fabulous lakeside view, however, it was quite hot with no air conditioning. The ensuite bathroom was a bit cramped with the radiator positioned too close to the toilet.

Service

6.0

Some staff demonstrated excellent service and attentiveness, while others lacked proper communication skills, making our experience inconsistent.

Location

9.0

Located beautifully beside the lake, the hotel is perfect for enjoying scenic walks and accessing various local activities.

Dining

5.0

Dining could be better! Although the dessert was delightful, the main dinner felt rushed, and breakfast options seemed premade rather than fresh.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were generally good, especially the pool which was clean and family-friendly, but some amenities like the microwaving service were not handled well.