The Queen's Head Hotel

This hotel stands out as a truly dog-friendly country pub and hotel, celebrated for its high-standard renovations that beautifully blend traditional charm with modern comfort. Guests consistently praise the excellent food, from hearty pub grub to superb breakfasts, and the attentive staff who create a warm, welcoming, and cosy atmosphere. It's an ideal choice for dog owners seeking a hassle-free stay with their pets, walkers eager to explore the surrounding natural beauty, and couples or food enthusiasts looking for a relaxed getaway with exceptional dining. To make the most of your visit, be sure to book dinner at the hotel to experience the highly-rated cuisine, and take advantage of the numerous walking routes directly accessible from the property.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a welcoming bar area that serves as a vibrant social hub, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and providing an attractive space for dining. For guests with mobility needs, an elevator is available, ensuring accessibility throughout the property. The hotel goes above and beyond for canine guests, providing dedicated paw washing taps and a designated dog toilet area, highlighting its commitment to being truly dog-friendly. Additionally, guests can enjoy a pleasant beer garden and the inviting warmth of a roaring fire in communal areas. While the facilities are highly praised, some guests expressed a desire for more dedicated lounge seating or additional chairs in rooms to fully appreciate the scenic views.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the spotless cleanliness and high-standard decor of the rooms, which are described as both spacious and exceptionally comfortable. The modern bathrooms, often featuring wet rooms or lovely showers and baths, contribute to a luxurious feel. Thoughtful touches such as provided toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, complimentary beer, flapjacks, and fresh milk in a flask are frequently appreciated, enhancing the overall guest experience. Many rooms offer lovely views, adding to the appeal. However, some guests noted that rooms could be too warm, even with a fan, and a few mentioned minor issues such as mini fridge noise, hard pillows, curtains not fully closing, slow bathroom drainage, limited storage, or occasional noise from other rooms or the adjacent road in front-facing accommodations.

Dining & Food Quality
The excellent food is a consistent highlight, with guests overwhelmingly praising both the dinner and breakfast offerings. The evening meals are frequently described as proper home-cooked pub grub, leading many guests to choose to dine at the hotel every night due to the high quality and inviting atmosphere. The breakfast receives high acclaim for its variety, including fresh pastries, juices, and a choice of hot meals, often noted as being filling and superb. A unique and much-appreciated feature is the dedicated dog menu, which significantly enhances the experience for dog owners. While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, some guests found certain evening meals to be satisfactory but not exceptional, and a few specific comments mentioned a desire for more vegetarian options or particular condiments.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a superb location in the Lake District, making it an ideal base for walkers and those seeking a peaceful getaway. Guests highly appreciate the easy access to walks directly from the hotel's doorstep, including routes into Ambleside and the surrounding hills. It is conveniently situated close enough to Windermere to allow exploration without being in the midst of its hustle and bustle. While the rural setting is a major draw, some guests noted the hotel's proximity to a busy road, which could lead to traffic noise in rooms facing it. For those preferring amenities within close walking distance, the location is described as somewhat remote, requiring walks along the main road to reach other points of interest.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, attentiveness, and exceptional service. Guests frequently highlight the warm welcome received upon arrival and the team's willingness to go above and beyond, making every effort to ensure a comfortable stay. The dog-friendly service is particularly noted, with staff treating canine companions with great care, even providing dog treats and breakfast sausages. While the overall service is outstanding, a few guests observed that the level of welcome and friendliness can occasionally vary if key leadership staff are not present, though this does not detract significantly from the positive experience. The staff's professionalism and efficiency are also commended, contributing to a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Additional Information
The hotel is exceptionally dog-friendly, going above and beyond to accommodate pets with amenities like a dedicated dog menu, breakfast sausages for canine guests, paw washing taps, and even bags for dirty boots for walkers. Guests appreciate the thoughtful touches such as fresh milk provided for in-room hot drinks. While the hotel caters well to various needs, some guests suggested that breakfast could start earlier to accommodate early risers, particularly walkers aiming to maximize daylight hours. There was also feedback regarding the desire for more vegetarian options on the menu and a preference for less plastic packaging for items like marmalade, indicating a potential for enhanced sustainability efforts. One guest mentioned a small wardrobe in their room, which might be a consideration for longer stays.