The Best Hotels to Book in the Lake District with Hot Tubs

Snug in the heart of the quintessential Lake District village, Grasmere, Tweedies is a warmly run lodge that welcomes walkers and dogs. Screened from the bustle of town by a row of fir trees, this former private lodge greets guests with the smell of home-baked cakes, prepared for their arrival. From its smaller Nests and Nooks to grander Tweed Suites (where complimentary G&Ts await), the accommodation achieves a domestic cosiness without sacrificing high-level hotel comforts.

Set in landscaped gardens sloping to the waters of Windermere, the Lakeside sits in Ulverston on the quieter, less touristy southwestern corner of the mighty Lake. The grand, slate-grey Victorian hotel offers a wide range of rooms – from ground-floor doubles opening onto lake-front patios, to two private suites in the freestanding panoramic lodge – plus superb dining and wellness facilities. The Aveda Destination Spa – with its sleek indoor pool overlooking the gardens and a full range of spa treatments – is exceptional.

Looking for self-contained lodges with hot tubs in the Lake District? Whitbarrow offers delightfully designed, self-catering accommodation in one of Cumbria’s prettiest corners. Nestled between Ullswater, Keswick and the fell of Helvellyn (a magnet for walkers), this secluded complex mixes renovated farmhouses, cottages and luxury apartments. All equipped with hot tubs, they’re also individually styled and designed – some ideal for couples and others for larger groups and families. There’s also an indoor pool, cafe/bar and kids’ play area on site.

Making superb use of a former 18th-century lodge by the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, the Embleton is one of the Lake District’s best lodges with a hot tub. Its mix of rooms, suites and apartments, all en suite, include luxury touches like high thread-count sheets of Egyptian cotton, extra-soft, oversized towels and arresting views over the fells. Common facilities such as the pool and hot tub, and a restaurant-bar serving Cumbrian ales and local produce, are ideal for tired walkers.

Nothing beats the combination of luxury and beauty of a top-class Lake District hotel with hot tubs. Damson Dene, in the archetypal Cumbrian village of Bowness, on the banks of Windermere, the largest lake in England, is just the place. Set in gorgeous, rolling gardens, its 58 ensuite rooms include some with four-poster beds and others large enough for whole families. But for true indulgence, their freestanding Woodland Cabins, with wood fires, sofa-beds and hot tubs, are unsurpassed.

Perfect for a big group or gathering, Greenbank Farm has a seven-bedroom 16th-century farmhouse with an outdoor hot tub, where you can enjoy vistas over the patchwork fields and distant fells. Only available when the house is booked out as a whole, the seven-seater jacuzzi is perfect for winding down after a long day of walking and adventuring, or a fabulous spot for an afternoon cuppa.

For an extra-indulgent spa experience, the Armathwaite Hall Hotel has special spa rooms that can be packaged with spa days and treatments for tranquil overnight breaks. More contemporary than the classic bedrooms in the stately hotel, these are designed for maximum relaxation. Still, whether you choose to go for opulent luxury or modern serenity, the spa is as impressive as the rest of this historic lakeside hotel, with a heated infinity pool and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the gardens and woodland.

Located in Grasmere, which was once described by the poet William Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”, the aptly named Wordsworth Hotel is also very lovely. The hot tub here is pretty special, too. Set in pride of place under a glass-roofed conservatory that perfectly complements the stone facade of this romantic country hotel, and with views over the landscaped gardens, it’s a good place to chill after a day of exploring Wordsworth’s old town.

The four-star Ambleside Salutation Hotel has a lot going for it, from its spectacular location and its stylish rooms to its award-winning breakfast and state-of-the-art spa, which has one of the most unique hot tubs in the Lake District, an outdoor fountain jacuzzi. For an extra-decadent stay, you can also splash out on a night in one of the fancy Lakeland Spa bedrooms, which have private hot tubs on balconies overlooking the village and the countryside.