Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa Bowness-on-Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

23 Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, LA23 3DF

Set on the shores of Lake Windermere, the Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa is a luxurious 4-star hotel featuring a full-service spa, indoor pool, and elegant dining options. The accommodation includes dog-friendly rooms and stunning views of the Lake District.

Rooms & Amenities

The hotel offers 106 elegant bedrooms, featuring traditional furnishings and modern amenities. Guests can choose from standard rooms to spacious balcony suites with panoramic views over Lake Windermere.

Dining Options

Dining options include the Lakeview Restaurant, which serves modern British cuisine with stunning views of the lake. Traditional afternoon tea is also available, served on beautiful cake stands with homemade treats.

Leisure & Wellness

Guests can indulge in spa services, including ELEMIS treatments, full use of the thermal suite, and a swimming pool. The hotel also provides a fitness center equipped with Life Fitness gear.

Local Area & Attractions

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa is located within walking distance of Bowness-on-Windermere, featuring marinas and activity providers for sailing and windsurfing. Nearby attractions include The World of Beatrix Potter and Windermere Steamboat Museum.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Double Room

Max:

2 persons

21 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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King Room

Max:

2 persons

21 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe King Room

Max:

2 persons

21 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Bowness-on-Windermere700 ft

Airports

Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 51.2 mi

Blackpool International (BLK) 62.2 mi

Bus

Bus stop 1.4 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Wi-Fi

Parking

GBP 25 per day

Baggage storage

Locker room

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Elevator
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center

Guest Parking

Electric kettle
Dryer

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cribs
Children's buffet
Board games
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness center
Sauna
Steam room
Back massage
Head massage
Full body massage
Foot massage

Room features

Heating
Soundproofed rooms
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Separate tub and shower
Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle
Dryer

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

23 Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, LA23 3DF

Map view

23 Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, LA23 3DF

City landmarks

Rayrigg Road

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats

2900 ft

Museums

National Trust Hill Top

2.1 mi

Belle Isle

2900 ft

Gallery

Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House

1.4 mi

Aquarius Amusements

2000 ft

Rayrigg Road

Windermere Steamboat Museum

1.0 mi

Cockshott Point

2600 ft

Windermere LA23 3NE

Brant Fell Viewpoint

3500 ft

Gallery

Cook House Gallery

1.2 mi

Gallery

Thuline Studio

1.2 mi

5 High Street

High Street

1.3 mi

Store

Windermere Canoe and Kayak

3800 ft

WindermereEngland

Orrest Head

1.7 mi

Storrs

4200 ft

Windy Hall

4600 ft

Windermere LA23 1BB

St Mary's Church

1.3 mi

Claife Heights

1.3 mi

Queen's Park

1.1 mi

Gallery

North South Gallery

1.1 mi

Bay

Mitchell Wyke Ferry Bay

1.4 mi

Windermere

3.0 mi

Nearby

Parks

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

900 ft

Windermere Marina Village Ferry Nab

Lake Windermere

1400 ft

Church

St Martin's Church

300 ft

The Fun Factory Glebe Road

The Fun Factory Bowness

1700 ft

Store

Love the Lakes

600 ft

Station Road

St Michael and All Angels Church

700 ft

Bowness Bay

800 ft

Broadway Theatre

The Old Laundry Theatre

800 ft

Square

The Glebe

1500 ft

Restaurants

Village Inn Bar & Grill

300 ft

Lake Road

Stags Head Hotel

100 ft

Church Street

Terrace Coffee Lounge & Cocktail Bar at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

300 ft

23 Church Street

Jackson's Bistro

500 ft

West End

Bodega Tapas Bar

400 ft

Ash Street

Caffe Riva

400 ft

St. Martins Square

The China Boat

300 ft

Church St

Hole in t' Wall

500 ft

Lowside

Villa Positano

600 ft

Villa Positano Ash Street

Lake View Garden Bar

300 ft

Saint Andrews

The Albert

600 ft

Queens Square

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

liked the hotel and would stay again

Friendly staff

Great view

Basic location

Queuing for breakfast

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

8.3

Location

8.8

Service

8.5

Dining

7.5

Frank

United Kingdom, April 2024

8.8/10

The hotel sits in a perfect location overlooking the lake, providing comfortable rooms with balconies and a King Size Bed. The service was excellent, although a slight improvement in customer service skills could be welcomed. Dining offered a lovely view of the water and a variety of dishes. The facilities were well-kept, enhancing the overall experience.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms with balconies and a lakeside view were delightful, especially with the King Size Bed.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, couldn't ask for better assistance from the staff.

Location

10.0

The hotel is conveniently located in the center of Bowness, offering picturesque views of Windermere.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience with a lovely view of the water was pleasing, catering to different tastes with both local and international dishes.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel facilities were well-maintained, providing a comfortable stay for guests.

Michael

United Kingdom, March 2024

8.2/10

The hotel is in a prime location, conveniently near the lake and nicely beside the lake. The rooms offer a kingsize bed with a good view, hassle-free experience, additional bed for my daughters, and even heaters. However, the service could do with a refresh in customer service skills. The dining with a lovely view of the water was delightful, and the facilities were commendable with several options for all diets.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and comfortable with a kingsize bed and a good view. It was hassle-free and even had heaters.

Service

7.0

The service was decent, but it could use improvement in customer service skills. However, room service and housekeeping were satisfactory.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in the center of Bowness, adjacent to the Windermere lake, making it easy to commute to surrounding areas. A great location overall.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience with a lovely view of the water was pleasant and offered several options for all diets.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were good with diverse dining options and a lovely view of the water.

William

United Kingdom, November 2023

8.6/10

I had the best time at the hotel! The lakeside views were stunning, and having an additional bed for my daughters was so convenient. The accessible bathroom made our stay even more comfortable, and the breakfast included was a great touch at £561.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms with lakeside views were absolutely breathtaking. The extra bed for my daughters was a lifesaver, and the accessible bathroom was a thoughtful addition. The breakfast offered at £561 was worth every penny.

Service

9.0

I couldn't have asked for better service during my stay. The staff were brilliant and provided top-notch service to every single person in the room, even during very busy times. The regular check-ins were done in such a friendly manner, making us feel truly cared for.

Location

8.0

The location was perfect being right on the lake. We enjoyed the convenience of being near the lake view restaurant, and the overall ambiance was just lovely. The only downside was the noise from the nearby pubs until 1 am, but that didn't overshadow the beauty of the lakeside setting.

Dining

8.0

Dining at the hotel was a delightful experience. The fresh quality food and lovely views of the sun rising made each meal a memorable one. There were plenty of options to choose from, ensuring everyone's tastes were catered to.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel's facilities were top-notch. Everything from room service to housekeeping was on point, and the amenities provided contributed to a truly luxurious experience.

Nigel

United Kingdom, October 2023

8.4/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. While the service was exceptional with attentive staff, the inconsistency at the night shift was a letdown. The location was stunning, right on the shore of Lake Windermere, but the lack of coordination among dinner waiters was frustrating. The rooms offered varied views, some with skylights, and the dining experience, although with a wonderful lakeside view, had some shortcomings like hard toast.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms with tremendous views were a highlight of the stay.

Service

9.0

The service was top-notch, with brilliant staff offering the best service to every guest.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location on the shore of Lake Windermere was breathtaking.

Dining

7.0

Dining with a lakeside view was delightful, but the hard toast was a downside.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel offered a range of facilities for a comfortable stay.

Lawrence

United States of America, August 2023

7.8/10

The hotel is conveniently located near the lake in the center of Bowness, offering beautiful views. The rooms have some drawbacks like small en-suite areas and poor views but no hassle. The service, especially in the dining room, is top-notch, although reception could use some improvement. The location provides easy access to the lake and activities, despite some tired public areas. Dining offers a lovely view but could use improvements like under-cooked bacon. Overall, the hotel offers a good experience with some room for enhancement.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms have small on-suite areas and limited views, but they are hassle-free and comfortable overall.

Service

8.0

The service in the dining room is excellent, but there is room for improvement at the reception desk.

Location

9.0

The hotel is conveniently situated near the lake in the heart of Bowness, providing beautiful views and easy access to activities.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience offers a lovely view, but some dishes could use improvement like the under-cooked bacon.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities are decent overall with areas that could use a refresh, especially in public spaces.

Jimmy

United Kingdom, April 2023

7.6/10

The hotel offers a great view of the lake and a picturesque location in the center of Bowness. The rooms provide a good view but queuing for breakfast can be a drawback. The service was exceptional, with attentive staff despite busy times. However, the location is basic compared to others in the area.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms have a good view, although queuing for breakfast may be inconvenient.

Service

9.0

The service was exceptional, with staff being very attentive even during busy times.

Location

7.0

The hotel is in a picturesque location in the center of Bowness, providing a great view of the lake.

Dining

7.0

Dining experience offers a lovely view of the water, but some aspects could be improved.