Bowness-on-Windermere, Oakbank House Hotel

Oakbank House - Bowness

The good bits:

Centrally located, (THATS IT)

Not so good bits:

Very Tired decoration,worn carpets and the outside could do with a lick of paint, very tight parking,thankgod we brought the Golf and Not the A6 Avant..average breakfasts,the lady who served the food was boggin, ensuite tiny,noisey floorboards, can easly overhear the next bedroom, rather unfriendly owner. Was locked out upon arrival,had to wait an hour (as he went out for a run)said we has given an arrival time of 6pm (rubbish). anyway we arrived at 515pm..

All in all most certainly NOT a 5* establishment-- better value and better places to be found in this lovely village.

Oakbank House - Bowness

The good bits: Centrally located, good views of the lakes, clean beds and bathroom.

Not so good bits: Tired decoration, very tight parking, fairly average breakfasts, shower runs scalding hot when someone in the place flushes, overhear the next bedroom, rather unfriendly owner.

All in all most certainly not a 5* establishment-- better value and better places to be found in this lovely village.

Due to my job of 15 years I spend over 50 nights per year in hotels and B&B's so by now I know what to expect for my money. Last month (Nov 08) we stayed at the Oakbank B&B, it was an un-planned stay so having seen the vacancies sign I knocked on the door, we only wanted the Friday night but straight away the lady took full advantage and quoted £44ppn, I knew this was slightly high for this standard of B&B in Bowness as we stay in the resort quite often but due to time I accepted. It wasn't till we got back to the cold room later that evening that we realized that the bed was well past it's best, it was dreadful and one of the worst beds I've slept on. Next morning when checking out the man asked me if everything was ok to which I politely explained that the reason for our lack of sleep was due to the old bed, straight away he took offense and tried to tell me it was brand new and it was just that I wasn't used to a pocket sprung mattress (despite having one at home). I paid the bitter man his money and we went on our way never to return!

I would not classify this is an hotel... is more like an old B&B. The staff is not very helpful nor friendly. If you are not driving a hatchback... you will surely struggle to park your car. Although the staff will insists that a van can pass through the gap.We booked 2 rooms and both weren't nice. The bathroom was not very clean. The second one has it own 'door' on the driveway but it is a patio door therefore people passing by can see through it if you do not close the blinds. There is no window and it is freezing at night. The shower is the worst one I have ever used which is more like a mist... got told off that I didn't clear my plate on the last day at breakfast... feel like I was in a boarding school rather than a 5 stars hotel... absolutely rip off for over £100 a night.

The car park was tiny and it was suggested that you leave your car keys with the hotel, just in case they needed to move your car! We booked through an online company, which stated that a deposit was required and the full balance was to be paid on departure but this hotel took the whole £300 for 3 nights on booking. There was an intercom in the bedroom, which the hotelier wasn't afraid to use in the middle of the night to communicate with guests. A bit strange and not a hotel I would recommend. We never met the owners and we decided to find a more suitable hotel, costly but well worth it. Think twice before booking into Oakbank House.