Moss Grove Hotel Full Review
Posted: 31 October 2007 by Laura Burgess
We have to start with the breakfast. Our eyes almost popped out of our heads when we saw it for the first time. Every available space in the kitchen was laden with bowls of organic food: seeds, nuts, olives, Mediterranean tarts, croissants, homemade bread -- the list was endless. Being foodies, we piled our plates high and trotted into the dining room to join other guests who, it appeared, seemed to be more restrained when it came to the breakfast. Nevertheless, the food was indulgent without being unhealthy.
In fact, just about everything at Moss Grove is natural or organic, making it the ideal choice for allergy sufferers. It's on the pricey side as you'd expect from a beautifully restored hotel in a popular part of the Lake District.
The rooms are swathed in hand-printed wallpaper and natural clay paints. The magnificent beds are made from reclaimed timber and are a real dream to sleep in with their luxurious squashy duck down duvets. There are organic toiletries in the roomy bathrooms and the water is filtered to remove chlorine and pesticides.
Beds are made from reclaimed timber and are soft and comfortable
Underfoot, the carpets are woven Axminster wool from nearby Kendal: perfect for shuffling around barefooted after a spa bath. By dusk, the hotel takes on a blue glow from the outside, which I'm told, is through energy saving lightbulbs that have a 25-year lifespan. The original Victorian cornices were carefully restored and sheep's fleece was used internally for noise reduction and wall insulation.
Downstairs there's a comfortable lounge area which is quiet enough to read the paper or plan a day's walking in the Lakes. Nearby Lake Rydal is popular with walkers but not as busy as Derwentwater in Keswick which is not too far away. The bus services through the Lakes are handy to go out for the day or arrive without the car altogether.
Essentials: Rooms cost from £125 for a double room for two people, including breakfast. There is a two-night minimum stay and rates may vary on bank holiday weekends. Moss Grove is a short taxi ride from Windermere Station. Grasmere, Ambleside, English Lake District, LA22 9SW, England.
Quality
Value
Ethics
Green
