The Lodge in the Vale

absolutely disgusting staff very rude. wouldn't even let me use the toilet until I ordered a certain amount then they gave me the code and treated me like sc*m when obtaining the code or inputing it onto the toilet. I have been here before years ago nothing has changed very rude lazy staff.

We had a change of plan due to a local road closure, so parked near to this venue. We saw they had a sign outside advertising a cafe, so we went over to see if we could get a coffee and use the toilet. As I went in we were met with two ladies who became immediately hostile and told us the cafe is not open until 10:30am. Fair enough, I asked if we could quickly use the toilet as we were both desperate. They said the cafe toilet is for customers only so we couldn’t use it. Also, fair enough. So there we are, stood in the cafe looking at the toilet door dying to go and having to turn back to find somewhere else 15 mins away. Had we been greeted with some humanity in this hospitality venue we would have returned the positivity by stopping by again on the way down from the fells to purchase some goods. Instead we spent our money somewhere friendlier.

Nice location, very easily accessible. Nice cafe and lounge area. Would be useful to have dinner options but fortunately within walking distance to a pub.

Another great stay with Floria and the team. Although the hotel was full, you weren’t aware of the other guests and were able to have a peaceful night sleep. The continental breakfast was great with a variety of fruit, cheese, hams and breads/rolls and the coffee shop stepped up a gear from 1030am onwards with a delicious red pepper and tomato soup, as well as a variety of sandwiches and home baking. Nothing is too much for the staff and I look forward to a return visit in the near future.

Wouldn't stay again a bit like a youth hostel. Told had room upgrade it was very small only window ceiling velux. Don't know what other room would have been like if this was an upgrade !

Room was clean and spacious. Bathroom was small in relation to the room but overall okay - a few extra touches such as better toiletries would make the room that little bit nicer and feel less like a budget hotel. The continental breakfast was sufficient - people with dietary requirements may struggle unless informing the hotel in advance. I enjoyed the barista made coffee in the morning. Sadly Wi-Fi in the room was really poor but it’s unlikely you’ll be in your room for long periods of time considering the beautiful surroundings.

Lovely little hotel with very friendly staff. I was trying to minimise my costs for a 3-night 'mini break' (hoping to climb Helvellyn - which canbe reached, via Sticks Pass, directly from the hotel's door!) and this ticked all of theboxes for my requirements. As there were hardly any other guests, my 'single room' booking was upgraded to a double - but maybe that was as well, because it was certainly not what I'd call 'spacious'! Very clean, lots of hot water (after initially running for quite a long while!) a heated towel rail (good for wet walking gear!) and a shower. My reason for dropping one star was the bed...... it wasnt really very comfortable..... a very thin mattress on a rather creaky wooden base - with little real 'springiness' to be felt. Pillows, too, were a bit flat and 'hard'..... I always take a pillow from home if I'm staying away - and I really needed it on this occasion. Eat-as-much-as,you-like continental breakfast was brilliant! Served in a lovely little area (which doubles up as a coffee shop during the daytime) there were about 5 cereals, croissants, bread, with make-your-own toast facilities, ham, cheese, jam, (marmite - yayyy!!!!!) yoghurt, fresh fruit - and tea/coffee (including latte, capuccino etc. from a machine.) I was able to over-indulge in breakfast and that pretty much saw me through to the evening without worrying about lunch. The eating area is available to sit in during the evening, until staff all go off duty at 9.30pm when it is locked up; there is (very) minimal space, apart from this, in which to sit (a 2-seater sofa and a couple of chairs) - so in the busy summer months, I'm not sure where guests would spend the evening if they weren't 'out' somewhere - but being solo, I didn't mind retiring to my bed to make plans for the next day. Wifi is free and connection is reliable. There are, as advertised, no facilities on-site for any meals other than breakfast. I ingeniously took a couple of 'Pot Noodle' meals with me - and was able to boil water with v the kettle in my room - so for an odd few days it would be possible to 'survive' however any sensible eating in the evening (or lunchtime) requires a car journey to either the nearby pub (also owned by the same company as the Lodge) or into one of the nearest towns. I ate at the pub (The Kings Head) on one evening and the food wasn't cheap (although probably in-line with anywhere else in the country), but it WAS very good! Overall, I had a brilliant time. I achieved my aim of climbing Helvellyn, with a 'jackpot' day of good weather (I stayed 6/7/8 November - so was REALLY lucky!) and I'd certainly stay there again, but if you are looking for somewhere with a bit of space for 'down time', or need to be able toget lunch/dinner on site, you may like to look at other options first.

If you’re looking for really comfortable accommodation with lovely friendly staff then look no further. We booked to stay at Kings Head Inn (sister pub) but were transferred to The Lodge because we had a dog. Transfer was done easily and we were absolutely not disappointed. We were upgraded to a luxury room which was very quiet with gorgeous view. We had a lovely lunch in the Lodge and superb breakfast and had our evening meal at Kings Head Inn just up the road. We enjoyed a gorgeous walk around Lake Thirlmere but The Lodge is also perfectly placed to visit Lakes in the north as well as south Lakes. The weather was not the best when we stayed but this did not affect our trip. Will definitely return and stay again. Highly recommend!

We pulled in for a coffee mid afternoon. The place was deserted. Eventually someone can to serve us, and very pleasant she was. However I think it was the driest, heaviest piece of chocolate cake I’ve ever tried. Left it. A bit soulless is probably the best description. Very clean and modern but lacks atmosphere.