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4-star hotels in Ambleside
A shortlist of 4-star hotels in Ambleside, built from guest ratings and review numbers rather than guesswork. It suits couples after a lakeside weekend, families needing room to spread out, walkers and anyone planning a short break in the Lake District.
Staying in Ambleside
Ambleside sits in the heart of the Lake District, and the 4-star stays on this shortlist are spread across the town and the valleys and villages around it. Four sit close to the middle: Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside at 0.2 km, Rooms at the Apple Pie at 0.3 km, Rothay Manor Hotel at 0.5 km and The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group at 1.1 km. The rest lie further out, on Ambleside Road, the Langdale Estate, Keswick Road, Broadgate, Little Langdale, Far Sawrey and the Hawkshead and Langdale addresses, between 4.2 km and 8.8 km from the centre.
That spread shapes who each hotel suits. Couples and short-break visitors are best served by the central addresses, where you can leave the car and walk. Families should look at the hotels with family rooms, cots or sofa beds, and at the self-catering Heron Place Great Langdale with its kitchen and washing machine. Business travellers get desks, free wifi and room service at the larger properties such as The Daffodil Hotel & Spa and Langdale Hotel & Spa. Walkers and those wanting a Lake District base will find the outlying inns and valley properties quieter, with parking and gardens.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Samling Hotel
Ambleside Road, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSet on Ambleside Road about 5.8 km from the centre, The Samling Hotel pairs a restaurant and bar with a garden and terrace for guests who want to eat and unwind without leaving. A 24-hour front desk, free parking and valet parking make arrivals simple, and free wifi runs throughout. Bike rental and canoe hire suit active stays, while a Jacuzzi, room service and special diets cover quieter needs. Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 288 guests.
See The Samling HotelLangdale Hotel & Spa
The Langdale Estate, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereLangdale Hotel & Spa sits on The Langdale Estate, 4.9 km from Ambleside, and leans on its indoor pool, sauna and massage for guests who want to swim, steam and be pampered in one place. A fitness centre and games room keep other hours occupied, and the restaurant, bar and room service mean meals are easy. Free parking and free wifi are included, with 997 guests rating it 4.6 out of 5.
See Langdale Hotel & SpaRothay Manor Hotel
Rothay Bridge, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereAt Rothay Bridge, just 0.5 km from the centre of Ambleside, Rothay Manor Hotel puts the village within a short stroll. Air conditioning, a balcony and a patio are among the room comforts, while the garden, terrace and river setting give guests somewhere green to sit. A restaurant, bar and room service handle dining, and free parking and free wifi are provided. It holds 4.6 out of 5 from 301 reviews.
See Rothay Manor HotelCharming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside
The Slack 1, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThis Charming 1BR Town Centre apartment on The Slack is the closest of the group to Ambleside at 0.2 km, which suits guests who want to step out into the town on foot. Free wifi and free parking are the practical draws, and the wheelchair-accessible layout widens who can stay. It is a one-bedroom base rather than a full-service hotel, and pets are not allowed. Guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 276 reviews.
See Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views AmblesideRooms at the Apple Pie
Rydal Road, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereRooms at the Apple Pie on Rydal Road sits 0.3 km from Ambleside's centre, so guests can walk to the town and back easily. The rooms come with a desk, fan and private bathroom, and a restaurant on site covers meals. Free wifi and free parking are both offered, and luggage storage helps on arrival or departure day. It scores 4.7 out of 5 from 110 guests.
See Rooms at the Apple PieRed Lion Inn
Main St, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Families
- Family rooms
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereRed Lion Inn on Main St is a pub-style stay 6.5 km from Ambleside, with a bar, restaurant and darts for guests who like an evening on site. Family rooms make it workable for groups, and special diets are catered for. Free wifi and housekeeping are included, and the inn is non-smoking throughout. It earns 4.6 out of 5 from 214 reviews.
See Red Lion InnThe Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant
Main Street Hawkshead Cumbria, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Families
- Family rooms
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant on Main Street in Hawkshead, 6.5 km from Ambleside, offers the widest activity list here: tennis court, badminton, squash, archery, bowling and aerobics all appear, alongside canoeing, fishing and horse riding. Family rooms and a garden suit mixed groups, and the restaurant and bar cover meals. It has 1,548 reviews and a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
See The Queen's Head Inn and RestaurantThe Daffodil Hotel & Spa
Keswick Road, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Swimming pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereThe Daffodil Hotel & Spa on Keswick Road, 4.2 km from the centre, faces a lake and adds a garden, sauna and massage for guests who want water views and spa time. Air conditioning, family rooms, lifts and a 24-hour front desk cover comfort and access, while the restaurant, bar and room service handle food. Free parking and free wifi come as standard. Rated 4.5 out of 5 by 1,217 guests.
See The Daffodil Hotel & SpaCuckoo Brow Inn
Far Sawrey, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay hereCuckoo Brow Inn at Far Sawrey, 8.8 km from Ambleside, is the choice for guests who want a rural pub with a garden, picnic area and games room, plus darts and a golf course nearby. Canoeing and fishing are available, and pets are allowed, which suits those travelling with a dog. Family rooms and special diets are offered. It scores 4.5 out of 5 from 1,105 reviews.
See Cuckoo Brow InnHeron Place Great Langdale
Langdale, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereHeron Place Great Langdale, 7.6 km from the centre, is a self-catering option with a full kitchen, dishwasher, oven, microwave, washing machine and toaster. A balcony, patio, terrace and garden give guests outdoor space, and the fireplace and family rooms add comfort for longer stays. Free wifi and free parking are provided. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 across 1,099 reviews.
See Heron Place Great LangdaleSun Inn
Main Street Hawkshead La22 0Nt United Kingdom Ambleside, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSun Inn on Main Street in Hawkshead, 6.6 km from Ambleside, keeps things simple with a bar, restaurant, pool bar and conference facilities for guests mixing leisure with a meeting. Darts and fishing are on hand, and lifts help with access. Free wifi and free parking are included, and pets are not allowed. It holds 4.5 out of 5 from 551 reviews.
See Sun InnRothay Garden by Harbour Hotels
Broadgate, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereRothay Garden by Harbour Hotels on Broadgate, 5.2 km from the centre, combines a spa and sauna with a Jacuzzi and garden for guests who want to relax on site. Kitchens and kitchenettes in some rooms suit longer stays, and the restaurant, bar and room service cover meals. A 24-hour front desk, concierge, free wifi and parking are available. Guests rate it 4.5 out of 5 from 349 reviews.
See Rothay Garden by Harbour HotelsThe Traveller's Rest
The Traveller's Rest, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereThe Traveller's Rest, 6.0 km from Ambleside, is a bar-and-restaurant inn with a garden and lounge, and it welcomes pets, which suits guests walking the area with a dog. Special diets are catered for and the rooms are non-smoking. Free wifi and free parking are provided, and housekeeping and laundry services are on offer. It scores 4.4 out of 5 from 1,416 reviews.
See The Traveller's RestThe Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group
Lake Road, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Waterhead Inn on Lake Road, 1.1 km from the centre, sits by a lake and offers canoeing and fishing, making it a natural fit for guests who want to be on the water. A garden, terrace, bar and restaurant cover the hours off the lake, and pets are allowed. Free wifi and free parking are included, and the inn is non-smoking. Rated 4.4 out of 5 by 929 guests.
See The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection groupThe Three Shires Inn
Little Langdale, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Three Shires Inn at Little Langdale, 5.9 km from Ambleside, is a family-room inn with a garden, terrace and lounge, plus a bar and restaurant for meals. Special diets are handled, and wheelchair access is available, which broadens who can stay. Free wifi and free parking are provided, along with room service and luggage storage. It scores 4.4 out of 5 from 816 reviews.
See The Three Shires Inn
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Samling Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 288 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 5.8 km |
| Langdale Hotel & Spa | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 997 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 4.9 km |
| Rothay Manor Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 301 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 0.5 km |
| Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 276 | Yes | – | – | – | 0.2 km |
| Rooms at the Apple Pie | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 110 | Yes | – | – | – | 0.3 km |
| Red Lion Inn | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 214 | – | – | – | – | 6.5 km |
| The Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 1,548 | – | – | – | – | 6.5 km |
| The Daffodil Hotel & Spa | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 1,217 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 4.2 km |
| Cuckoo Brow Inn | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 1,105 | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 8.8 km |
| Heron Place Great Langdale | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 1,099 | Yes | – | – | – | 7.6 km |
| Sun Inn | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 551 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 6.6 km |
| Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 349 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 5.2 km |
| The Traveller's Rest | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 1,416 | Yes | – | – | Yes | 6.0 km |
| The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 929 | Yes | – | – | Yes | 1.1 km |
| The Three Shires Inn | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 816 | Yes | – | – | – | 5.9 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For couples
The Samling Hotel and Rothay Manor Hotel both pair high guest scores with quiet settings, and Rothay Manor adds a river, terrace and garden at 0.5 km from the centre. Rooms at the Apple Pie is central and small, with a restaurant and parking, while The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group sits by the lake at 1.1 km.
The Samling Hotel · Rothay Manor Hotel · Rooms at the Apple Pie · The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group
For families
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa and Cuckoo Brow Inn both list family rooms; Cuckoo Brow Inn adds a games room and cot. The Three Shires Inn has family rooms and a lounge. Heron Place Great Langdale is a self-catering option with a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine and family rooms, useful for longer stays.
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa · Cuckoo Brow Inn · The Three Shires Inn · Heron Place Great Langdale
For walkers and pets
Cuckoo Brow Inn, The Traveller's Rest and The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group all allow pets, and all three provide free car parking. The Three Shires Inn, in Little Langdale, offers parking and a restaurant for a day out on the fells. All sit away from the centre, between 1.1 km and 8.8 km.
Cuckoo Brow Inn · The Traveller's Rest · The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group · The Three Shires Inn
For spa and swimming
Langdale Hotel & Spa lists an indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, massage and fitness center. The Daffodil Hotel & Spa has a sauna and massage, and Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels lists a spa and sauna. These are the three on the shortlist with spa or pool facilities.
Langdale Hotel & Spa · The Daffodil Hotel & Spa · Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels
Where to stay in Ambleside
Langdale
Langdale is the valley address for Langdale Hotel & Spa, on the Langdale Estate at 4.9 km, and Heron Place Great Langdale at 7.6 km. Both are self-contained: the hotel has an indoor pool, sauna and restaurant, while Heron Place offers a kitchen, garden and terrace for a quieter, slower stay.
Our picks here: Langdale Hotel & Spa · Heron Place Great Langdale
Hawkshead
Hawkshead appears in the addresses of The Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant and Sun Inn, both at around 6.5 km from Ambleside. The Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant is the most reviewed hotel on this shortlist with 1548 reviews, and Sun Inn adds a conference hall, lifts and a restaurant.
Our picks here: The Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant · Sun Inn
Questions, answered
Which hotels have free parking?
Most of the shortlist does. Free car parking is listed at The Samling Hotel, Langdale Hotel & Spa, Rothay Manor Hotel, Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside, Rooms at the Apple Pie, The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Cuckoo Brow Inn, Heron Place Great Langdale, Sun Inn and The Traveller's Rest.
Which hotels allow pets?
Cuckoo Brow Inn, The Traveller's Rest and The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group all list pets allowed. Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside and Sun Inn state that pets are not allowed.
Which hotels are closest to the centre of Ambleside?
Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside is 0.2 km from the centre, Rooms at the Apple Pie 0.3 km, Rothay Manor Hotel 0.5 km and The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group 1.1 km. The furthest are Cuckoo Brow Inn at 8.8 km and Heron Place Great Langdale at 7.6 km.
Which hotels have a pool or spa?
Langdale Hotel & Spa has an indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, solarium, massage and fitness center. The Daffodil Hotel & Spa lists a sauna and massage, and Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels lists a spa and sauna. No other hotel on this shortlist names a pool or spa.
Which are the best-rated hotels on this shortlist?
The Samling Hotel and Rooms at the Apple Pie share the top guest score of 4.7 out of 5, from 288 and 110 reviews. Langdale Hotel & Spa, Rothay Manor Hotel, Charming 1BR Town Centre parking stunning Views Ambleside and Red Lion Inn all score 4.6, with Langdale Hotel & Spa drawing the most reviews of that group at 997.
Which hotels are best for families?
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Cuckoo Brow Inn, The Three Shires Inn and Heron Place Great Langdale list family rooms. Cuckoo Brow Inn and The Daffodil Hotel & Spa also list cots, and Heron Place Great Langdale adds a kitchen, dishwasher and washing machine.
Do the hotels have restaurants?
Restaurants are listed at The Samling Hotel, Langdale Hotel & Spa, Rothay Manor Hotel, Rooms at the Apple Pie, Red Lion Inn, The Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant, The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Cuckoo Brow Inn, Sun Inn, Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels, The Traveller's Rest, The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group and The Three Shires Inn.
Which hotel has the most reviews?
The Queen's Head Inn and Restaurant has 1548 reviews, followed by The Traveller's Rest with 1416 and The Daffodil Hotel & Spa with 1217. Sun Inn, at 551 reviews, and Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels, at 349, are among the smaller counts on this shortlist.