On arriving at the hotel the day before our vow renewal we checked in smoothly, when going to our lodge and opening the door we quickly realised we had been given the key for the wrong lodge.
The 2 lodges that the hotel have are adjacent to each other.
We had previously only viewed the 1 bedroom lodge when we visited back in March, we decided it was perfect for what we wanted, plenty of space for myself and husband to get ready along with 3 other guests, hair and makeup.
We thought oh dear they have given us the wrong key, we went back to reception and informed them we had been given the key for the wrong lodge.
The reception was very shocked and explained that they had not made a mistake that this was the lodge our planner had booked and that they couldn’t move us into the other lodge until the next day… this was not good enough as we would require the correct lodge as we would be getting ready in it the next day!!
Well whilst myself and my daughter went for our pre-booked spa treatment my husband went to speak with the planner, who admitted that she had made the mistake and booked us into the incorrect lodge and she was unable or unwilling to ask the couple occupying the other lodge if they would mind moving for their last night.
My husband asked her to come and explain this to me once I had finished in the spa.
Well she didn’t as apparently she had gone home for the day and the duty manager did.
As you can imagine at this point I was extremely upset about the whole thing.
We was offered a complementary return night for our next anniversary, to which I said “what makes you think I would want to come back” and I informed the duty manager that I would not be paying for that night as we would not be in the correct lodge.
She then went on to say that we could have the correct lodge within half an hour of the other couple checking out and that we would be assisted in moving our belongings over. Well this did not happen and my husband had to go to reception at 1pm and request the key for the correct lodge.
We then had to move our belongings ourselves, all while getting ready for 2.30pm when the ceremony was due to start.
We thought that would be the end of the mistakes, but no it continued.
Fish served in the sandwiches for the afternoon tea when it was requested no fish.
The following day I noticed our table plan board that we provided was being used as a back board for a sign for a spa event, the flowers of the tables displayed in the conservatory and our table numbers that I made nowhere to be seen.
I then had to request that these were returned to us asap.
Going down for breakfast the morning after it was agreed with the planner that the room we had used for the vow renewal would be available for us and our guests to use for breakfast the morning after, well you might be surprised as I was that another group was using the room.
Then to top it off we weren’t even listed as to being guests in the hotel when asked what room we were in when entering the breakfast room.
Although the hotel is beautiful and the food we were served was excellent, all being not what was agreed.
I would say the catalog of errors are down to lack of organisation and experience on the part of the event planner.
Some of the rooms are in need of improvements and redecorating.
The majority of the staff are outstanding and the spa is lovely but again needs updating.
This is a completely honest review but please think twice before booking here as I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through the stress and upset we did.

We could not recommend the team at Lakeside enough! From last minute prep rooms, to incredible communication - they did it all for us and we were able to have the day of our dreams. The food, the venue and the stay we had with them was perfect, and we would recommend it to anyone! Thank you to Bethany and the team!

Being a little older than the average engaged couple we decided that thirty close friends and family was the ideal number for our wedding. We have five grown up children between us and wanted the two families to come together in a close and friendly atmosphere. We were in a long distance relationship and frequently met at our boat on the lake, half way between Scotland and Lincolnshire. The Lakeside Hotel ticked all our boxes, beautiful setting, lovely conservatory (very useful if we were to encounter typical Lake district weather!) Excellent ground floor, lake view rooms for the most senior of our party. We booked a lodge in the grounds for three nights for the two of us and invited guest to a drinks party the night before. The hotel couldn't have been more helpful in setting up tables and allowing us to decorate the garden and room with fairy lights. Our boat was moored on the hotel jetty and my husband used it to get ready on the morning of the wedding. Our guests loved being to hop on and of the boat as they pleased. Some of our guests joined us for dinner in the hotel restaurant the night before. The food and service were both excellent.
Bethany, the wedding planner was brilliant, she and the staff ensured that everything went incredibly smoothly on the day and the meetings we had before the day reassured me that everything was in good hands. My mother in law commented that she was so happy with the day that she would be returning in the spring to sample some more of the excellent service. Nothing was too much trouble, they worked brilliantly with all the other suppliers, including a fabulous boat trip for our guest with Windermere cruises.
So many of our guests said that it really was the best and most beautiful wedding they had been to. A really lovely venue with fantastic staff who were happy to make the entire weekend perfect.

The Lakeside Hotel was the perfect venue for our wedding. Everything we wanted was catered for. Bethany was extremely professional and looked after us well and we are happy she was a part of the day. The hotel provided information on nearby services to be involved in the wedding, we chose to have a boat ride after the wedding which the hotel helped us decide which time slot was most appropriate. The food was fantastic and had great vegan and gluten free options. We did not stay at the hotel ourselves which was not an issue as most hotel venues require a minimum number of room bookings to go ahead.

Dear Verity

I just wanted to drop you a line and ask you to pass on my thanks to every member of staff

Front of house (Reception) - For allowing us to check in early, you have no idea how much I needed my room! If I had to spend another hours with my step son I would have gone in to melt down. They were amazing, friendly and professional.

Valet Service - The gentleman who took my luggage up to our room and hung it in the wardrobe, it may seem small to you and him but it was one less thing for me to worry about.

Restaurant Staff (Manager and Waiting staff) – Nothing was too much trouble, all bright and cheerful and made me feel so relaxed.

Staff that set up the Oak Room – Wow what can I say, I had a picture in my head of how I wanted it to look. You and the team nailed it.

Kitchen Staff - The food was absolutely amazing, I have had no end of compliments about the menu and food.

House Keeping – Our room was kept to a beautiful standard, please say thank you too them, they work hard and have one of the harder jobs of a hotel, I just want them to know all the little things were noticed and I thank them for it the weather card, lamps being turned on, water by the bed, beds being turned down etc.

Last but not least you, I have to thank you for all your hard work in pulling off a calm, relaxed wedding. You dealt with the last min changes extremely well and with a smile, it would not have been the day it was without you working away behind the scene!

Many Thanks

Clare

Good afternoon Verity

Just to say a big thank you for making our ceremony day at the hotel so special. It really was great to have everything organised for us and that everything went so smoothly so that we could relax and enjoy ourselves.

Could you please pass on our thanks once again to Katy also for taking the time to help.

In fact our whole few days were very special and we will long remember them. The hotel is fabulous and the everyone involved in our stay could not have been more welcoming, friendly and efficient – nothing seemed to be any trouble and the service was second to none. We will certainly be back!

My Wife and I held our daughters wedding and stayed at the Lakeside Hotel on 03rd December this year and we can not speak highly enough of the Hotel.

The wedding was held in the Windermere suite which is a converted pub just across the road from the main hotel. This is an excellent building with its own self contained bar and kitchen. Spotlessly clean and a nice area to hold a wedding reception in.

My Daughter was married in the Oak room in the main building of the hotel. It only holds 40 and is a little cosy but a very nice area to hold the ceremony in.


Where the Hotel really came in to its own was in the service. From our first meeting through to the day itself we were treated courteously and professionally. The credit for this must go to the hotel's events manager Verity Stephenson who was superb and one feels that a mid event earthquake would be just a minor irritation for her.

This the first and only time I will be the Father of the bride and so we wanted to make it special. There are oodles of pretty Hotels to choose from but if you think you have a choice you haven't. This Hotel is 11 out of 10 and the staff the same. Coming from urban Essex the location is simply stunning with Lake Windermere literally lapping up to the conservatory at the front of the Hotel. Looking in to the distance to see snow topped mountains is idyllic.

This hotel is gorgeous both as a wedding venue and a place to stay. Our only disappointment was having to leave and return to views of the Thames estuary.

Thank you very much to Verity and all staff at Lakeside who made me feel very welcome during my stay and who made our wedding day perfect. Thanks, Zoe and Steve Appleby.

Hi Verity

We had a lovely time thank you! It hurt to come back home to reality!

Thanks so much again for making our day perfect! We couldn't have asked for anything better! Even the weather was perfect!

Thanks again and will recommend Lakeside Hotel to everyone we know!!

Thanks
Abi & Joe

Hi Verity,

We just wanted to say a big thanks to you and the rest of staff at hotel, for ensuring that everything was perfect for our wedding on Wednesday. We had a brilliant day and will treasure the memories forever.


Thanks again.

Charlotte and Wayne Stone

Hello Verity,
Thank you for your lovely email. We had the most wonderful time and loved every moment of our day. Thank you for all you did.
We would love to return and have plans to come back next year.
Take care,
Edel & Gary Fleming

Dear Verity, Nick & the Lakeside Team,
Thank you so much for all your hard work helping us arrange our wedding. Our day was quite simply perfect! A large part of the reason we had our perfect day was the excellence of the Lakeside Team.The team have been exceptionally friendly and accommodating, attentive without intrusive and able to advise and help on every query. Every single member of staff who knew we were getting married asked after our day and checked that we were enjoying ourselves.
In Happiness Andrea & Tim Bamford

You could not choose a better location for a wedding in the Lake District. Most things about this hotel are 5 star - the service, the food, the setting. We couldnt have had a more perfect day.

Our wedding hosts were professional, helpful and attentive. Even the MD was on hand to ask how our day had gone.

This hotel really is a jewel in the Lake District and we just wish we could do it all over again. We had a small wedding in the Oak Room which is in the older part of the hotel - open fires, oak panelling etc. just perfect.

We cant recommend the Lakeside enough - PERFECT!

i have not been to a wedding here but if money were no object, i would be getting married here, the view is beautiful the food superb the staff helpful and polite and the ladies loo is impressive with everything needed for changing a baby( i think a loo says a lot about a place its the first room i attend) i reccomend if you are looking to be married on lake windemere you visit this hotel.