Ennerdale Hotel - Cleator, United Kingdom 

Well where to start. There are few hotels in this region and if you're planning to walk the coast to coast this is an obvious choice but it'd be a mistake. The building and gardens could be grand but as a whole there is an air of neglect - blistering paint and wonky gutters - plus a predominance of stale cabbagey air in the main recpetion area. The staff are kind but not trained to really give this place an air of splendid comfort , Maybe we hit it at a bad time but it took a 20 minute call to Oxford Hotels customer care to run through the whole adventure when we got back. Give them their due, they have been most apologetic. From cold food that should be hot, to wine uncorked before it arrived at the table -all little things but they add up to a poor score, No complaints about the room - well appointed but loud colours, fine bathroom. Some guests compained the plumbing, especially the gutters, made it hard to sleep on a stormy night, Value for money - well perhaps they try to do too much for the price. I'd rather pay ?10 more and be pampered. It just did not succeed in this - I didn't like the kitchen staff hanging around in the bar in their whites - but where was the manager to sort this out? Where was the manager to ask if the stay was going OK - we were never asked . In the end we decided it was Fawlty Towers and would be unlikely to go back. By the way this is the first poor review we have done on trip advisor in 3 years,

Have just returned from Ennerdale Country House Hotel and felt compelled to write about it. The hotel is a grade 2 listed building, set in 5 acres of beautiful gardens, with italian fountains. Our room was an executive double, with patio doors leading out onto the lovely gardens, spacious bathroom with bath and walk in shower, lounge area, playstation, CD player and internet facilities. We had booked dinner, which was in the Fountain Restaurant overlooking the gardens. The food was beautifully presented and extremely tasty with generous portions. Drinks were a little expensive, but there is a great pub (Brook Inn) within a few minutes walk where you can stroll to walk off your dinner. Staff were extremely efficient and friendly. We felt very pampered and would not hesitate to return and recommend this hotel to others. A memorable experience.