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4-star hotels in Windermere
A shortlist of 15 four-star hotels in Windermere, drawn from guest ratings, review counts and the facilities each one actually lists. It is for couples, families and short-break visitors who want a four-star base in or around the town.
Staying in Windermere
Windermere is the town at the heart of the Lake District, and this shortlist covers 15 four-star properties, from guest houses on the residential streets to country houses out along the Ambleside road. Ratings run from 4.6 to a perfect 5.0, and review counts from 72 to 2,412, so there is a clear choice between a small, closely reviewed house and a larger, busier one. Most of the addresses sit in the town itself: Phoenix Way, College Road, Lake Road, Townhead, Fallbarrow Road, Biskey Howe Road, Craig Walk, Beresford Road, Thornbarrow Road and Kendal Road. A second group lies further out, at Ecclerigg, Ambleside Road, Ings Village, Bowland Bridge and Lindeth Drive.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Hideaway at Windermere
Phoenix Way, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereGuests consistently give The Hideaway at Windermere top marks across 225 reviews, and its 0.5 km distance from the centre puts Bowness and the lake within an easy stroll. Rooms come with bathrobes, patios and refrigerators, and the garden offers a quiet spot after a day on the fells. Free car parking and free wifi take care of the practical side. Couples and walkers who want polished, peaceful rooms close to the water will feel at home here.
See The Hideaway at WindermereJerichos Boutique Accommodation
College Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 4.9 rating from 259 reviews makes Jerichos Boutique Accommodation one of the best-reviewed addresses in Windermere, and it sits just 0.5 km from the centre on College Road. Guests have a lounge and bar to unwind in, plus free car parking and free wifi. Carpets, a safe and tea and coffee facilities in the room add comfort. It suits couples and travellers who want a short walk to Windermere's shops and restaurants with a relaxed, adult atmosphere.
See Jerichos Boutique AccommodationWindermere Boutique Hotel
Lake Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereWindermere Boutique Hotel stands out for its spa and sauna, with massage treatments and a jacuzzi on site, all 0.5 km from the centre on Lake Road. The 456 reviews average 4.8. Rooms include bathrobes and slippers, and some have balconies or patios, while the restaurant and bar cover meals without leaving the building. Free parking and free wifi round things off. It is aimed at couples and anyone wanting a spa break within walking distance of the village.
See Windermere Boutique HotelQueens Head Hotel
Townhead, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereWith 2412 reviews behind it, Queens Head Hotel is the most reviewed 4-star property on this list. It welcomes pets and offers family rooms, a restaurant and a bar, plus a terrace and garden to sit out in. The address at Townhead places it 5.7 km from Windermere centre. Lift access and wheelchair accessibility make it straightforward for guests with mobility needs, and fishing and horse riding are within reach. A sound choice for families and dog owners exploring the area by car.
See Queens Head HotelCragwood Country House Hotel
Ecclerigg, Ambleside Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereCragwood Country House Hotel occupies a lakefront setting on Ambleside Road, 3.1 km from Windermere centre. A garden, terrace and picnic area look out over the water, and the restaurant and bar serve guests on site. Family rooms, cots and pets allowed make it workable for those travelling with children or dogs. Free car parking and free wifi are included. Its 582 reviews reflect a solid choice for guests who prefer grounds and lake views to a village-centre location.
See Cragwood Country House HotelNew Hall Bank
Fallbarrow Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Family rooms
Why stay hereNew Hall Bank sits on Fallbarrow Road just 1.3 km from Windermere centre, close to the lake. The 95 reviews average 4.9. Rooms include bathrobes, safes and either a fireplace or lounge area in the property, giving it a comfortable, house-like feel. Free car parking and free wifi are provided, and family rooms are available. It suits couples and small families who want quiet surroundings within a short walk of Bowness and the water.
See New Hall BankThe Westbourne
Biskey Howe Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Westbourne on Biskey Howe Road is 1.0 km from Windermere centre, and its 219 reviews average 4.7. A spa is the main draw, backed by family rooms, free car parking and free wifi. Rooms are carpeted and equipped with desks, hairdryers and toiletries. The combination of a spa and family-friendly rooms makes it a reasonable fit for couples seeking treatments as well as families wanting simple, well-kept accommodation a short walk from the village.
See The WestbourneCraigholme
70 Craig Walk, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Breakfast
- Breakfast room
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereCraigholme is the smallest property here, with 72 reviews averaging 4.9, and it keeps things uncomplicated: a breakfast room, free wifi and non-smoking rooms, with a TV in each room. It stands 1.0 km from Windermere centre on Craig Walk. Guests who value a high rating and a straightforward, no-frills stay close to the village will find it fits, though those wanting a bar, restaurant or parking on site should look elsewhere on this list.
See CraigholmeThe Watermill Inn & Brewery
Ings Village, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Watermill Inn & Brewery sits in Ings Village, 3.7 km from Windermere centre, and its riverside setting comes with a garden and terrace. It is a working brewery with a bar and restaurant, so food and drink are on the doorstep. Pets are allowed and family rooms are available, and there is free car parking and free wifi. With 817 reviews, it appeals to guests who want a characterful country pub base with their dog or children in tow.
See The Watermill Inn & BreweryBeechwood
Beresford Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereBeechwood on Beresford Road is 0.8 km from Windermere centre and holds a 4.8 rating from 96 reviews. Guests get a lounge and luggage storage, free car parking and free wifi, with bathrobes and slippers among the room comforts. Laundry service is available for longer stays. It is a good match for couples and walkers who want a well-rated, quiet base within easy walking distance of the village and its restaurants.
See BeechwoodBriery Wood Country House Hotel
Ambleside Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereBriery Wood Country House Hotel lies on Ambleside Road, 4.1 km from Windermere centre, with a garden and terrace around it. The restaurant serves guests on site, and room service is available, alongside breakfast in the room. Family rooms, cots and pets allowed widen who can stay, and there is free car parking and free wifi. Its 593 reviews average 4.6. Best for those with a car who want country-house grounds rather than a village address.
See Briery Wood Country House HotelWindermere Hillthwaite Hotel
Thornbarrow Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereWindermere Hillthwaite Hotel has an indoor pool and swimming pool, a garden, terrace and lounge, and it stands 0.6 km from Windermere centre on Thornbarrow Road. The restaurant and bar mean meals are covered on site, and fishing, canoeing and horse riding are among the activities within reach. Family rooms and free car parking help, with 551 reviews averaging 4.6. It suits active families and couples who want a pool and easy access to both village and lake.
See Windermere Hillthwaite HotelThe Hare & Hounds
Bowland Bridge, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Bar/Lounge
Why stay hereThe Hare & Hounds at Bowland Bridge is the furthest out on this list at 8.6 km from Windermere centre, which is the point: a country inn with a bar and lounge, restaurant, terrace, garden and picnic area. A computer room and free newspaper are unusual extras, and there is free wifi and free car parking. Its 505 reviews average 4.6. It fits guests who want a rural pub stay and do not mind driving in to Windermere.
See The Hare & HoundsLindeth Howe Hotel
Lindeth Drive Longtail Hill, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Family rooms
Why stay hereLindeth Howe Hotel on Lindeth Drive covers a lot of ground: a restaurant, bar, garden, picnic area and room service, with canoeing, fishing, golf and horse riding nearby. It is 2.9 km from Windermere centre, so a car or the available car rental service helps. Family rooms, cots and dry cleaning are on hand, plus free car parking and free wifi. Its 490 reviews average 4.6. Suited to families and longer stays wanting full facilities and space.
See Lindeth Howe HotelCranleigh Boutique
Kendal Road, Windermere, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereCranleigh Boutique on Kendal Road is 1.6 km from Windermere centre and offers jacuzzi rooms along with a garden, terrace and patio. There is free wifi, though parking is the only listed car facility. With 305 reviews averaging 4.6, it appeals to couples after a more indulgent room just outside the busiest part of the village.
See Cranleigh Boutique
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hideaway at Windermere | ★★★★ | 5.0 | 225 | Yes | – | – | – | 0.5 km |
| Jerichos Boutique Accommodation | ★★★★ | 4.9 | 259 | Yes | – | – | – | 0.5 km |
| Windermere Boutique Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.8 | 456 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 0.5 km |
| Queens Head Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 2,412 | Yes | – | – | Yes | 5.7 km |
| Cragwood Country House Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 582 | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 3.1 km |
| New Hall Bank | ★★★★ | 4.9 | 95 | Yes | – | – | – | 1.3 km |
| The Westbourne | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 219 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 1.0 km |
| Craigholme | ★★★★ | 4.9 | 72 | – | Yes | – | – | 1.0 km |
| The Watermill Inn & Brewery | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 817 | Yes | – | – | Yes | 3.7 km |
| Beechwood | ★★★★ | 4.8 | 96 | Yes | – | – | – | 0.8 km |
| Briery Wood Country House Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 593 | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 4.1 km |
| Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 551 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 0.6 km |
| The Hare & Hounds | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 505 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 8.6 km |
| Lindeth Howe Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 490 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 2.9 km |
| Cranleigh Boutique | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 305 | Yes | – | – | – | 1.6 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
Best guest ratings
The Hideaway at Windermere holds 5.0 from 225 reviews, Jerichos Boutique Accommodation 4.9 from 259 and New Hall Bank 4.9 from 95, all within about 1.3 km of the centre. Craigholme also scores 4.9, from 72 reviews. These are the strongest reviewed picks here.
The Hideaway at Windermere · Jerichos Boutique Accommodation · New Hall Bank · Craigholme
For couples
Jerichos Boutique Accommodation on College Road lists express check in and a lounge. Windermere Boutique Hotel on Lake Road adds a jacuzzi, sauna, spa, massage and a fireplace. Cranleigh Boutique on Kendal Road offers a jacuzzi, fireplace and minibar.
Jerichos Boutique Accommodation · Windermere Boutique Hotel · Cranleigh Boutique
For families
Queens Head Hotel at Townhead, Cragwood Country House Hotel on Ambleside Road, The Watermill Inn & Brewery at Ings Village and Briery Wood Country House Hotel on Ambleside Road all list family rooms. Cragwood and Briery Wood also have cots and gardens; the Watermill adds a terrace and a river setting.
Queens Head Hotel · Cragwood Country House Hotel · The Watermill Inn & Brewery · Briery Wood Country House Hotel
Pets and parking
Pets are allowed at Queens Head Hotel, Cragwood Country House Hotel, The Watermill Inn & Brewery and Briery Wood Country House Hotel, and all four list parking.
Queens Head Hotel · Cragwood Country House Hotel · The Watermill Inn & Brewery · Briery Wood Country House Hotel
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
The site's Windermere pages are built around searching live rates for the town, with recent rates shown first and then the best-reviewed rooms. Use the search on the Windermere stays pages to check availability for your dates across these 4-star properties. The hotel addresses name the streets and villages they stand on, from Phoenix Way and College Road in the town to Ecclerigg, Ings Village and Bowland Bridge outside it, and Lindeth Howe Hotel lists public transport among its facilities.
When to go
The site gives no season or month guidance for Windermere, so no best time can be stated from it. What the hotel data does record is which facilities are available year round: Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel lists an indoor pool and swimming pool, Windermere Boutique Hotel a sauna, spa and massage, and Craigholme, The Westbourne, Cranleigh Boutique, Beechwood, The Hideaway at Windermere and Jerichos Boutique Accommodation are all non smoking throughout.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of Windermere?
The Hideaway at Windermere on Phoenix Way, Jerichos Boutique Accommodation on College Road and Windermere Boutique Hotel on Lake Road are all 0.5 km from the centre. Beechwood on Beresford Road is 0.8 km, The Westbourne on Biskey Howe Road and Craigholme on Craig Walk are 1.0 km.
Do these hotels have parking?
Parking is listed by The Hideaway at Windermere, Jerichos Boutique Accommodation, Windermere Boutique Hotel, Queens Head Hotel, Cragwood Country House Hotel, New Hall Bank, The Westbourne, The Watermill Inn & Brewery, Beechwood, Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel, The Hare & Hounds and Lindeth Howe Hotel.
Which hotels allow pets?
Four allow pets: Queens Head Hotel at Townhead, Cragwood Country House Hotel on Ambleside Road, The Watermill Inn & Brewery at Ings Village and Briery Wood Country House Hotel on Ambleside Road. Cragwood and Briery Wood also list gardens, and the Watermill has a terrace and a river setting.
Which hotels are best for families?
Family rooms are listed at Queens Head Hotel, Cragwood Country House Hotel, New Hall Bank, The Westbourne, The Watermill Inn & Brewery, Briery Wood Country House Hotel and Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel. Cragwood, Briery Wood and Lindeth Howe Hotel also list cots.
Which hotel has a pool or spa?
Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel lists an indoor pool and a swimming pool. Windermere Boutique Hotel lists a sauna, spa, jacuzzi and massage. The Westbourne lists a spa, and Cranleigh Boutique lists a jacuzzi.
Which hotel in this shortlist has the highest guest rating?
The Hideaway at Windermere has 5.0 out of 5 from 225 reviews. Jerichos Boutique Accommodation and New Hall Bank both have 4.9, from 259 and 95 reviews respectively, and Craigholme also has 4.9 from 72 reviews.
Do any of these hotels serve food and drink?
Restaurants are listed at Windermere Boutique Hotel, Queens Head Hotel, Cragwood Country House Hotel, The Watermill Inn & Brewery, Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel and The Hare & Hounds. Bars appear at The Hideaway at Windermere, Jerichos Boutique Accommodation, Windermere Boutique Hotel, Queens Head Hotel, Cragwood Country House Hotel, The Watermill Inn & Brewery, Windermere Hillthwaite Hotel, Lindeth Howe Hotel, The Hare & Hounds and Briery Wood Country House Hotel.
Which hotel is furthest from Windermere town centre?
The Hare & Hounds at Bowland Bridge is 8.6 km from the centre, the furthest on this shortlist. Next are Queens Head Hotel at Townhead at 5.7 km and Briery Wood Country House Hotel on Ambleside Road at 4.1 km.