When you think of the Lake District, you picture mountain peaks, lakes, sheep and rustic, grey slate guest houses. What you don't expect to find is an uber chic retreat! But The Cranleigh at Bowness-on-Winderemere boasts one of the most luxurious hotel rooms in the area.
Now we love Cumbria and usually Visit at least once or twice a year as we have family connections there. So when we were invited to check it out we jumped at the chance ) it would give my in-laws a break too!)
The hotel is on the main road – just a short walk from the town centre. From the outside, it looks like a typical Lakeland guest house. But behind the main building is a converted bungalow called the Sanctuary – a private retreat complete with its own private hot tub and all the latest gadgets.
The first thing you notice is the high pitched ceiling with wood beams above a super kingsize bed with an enormous eight foot designer head board. On the wall there is a remote control log-effect fire and a 46-inch LCD TV screen with a built-in DVD player and a large library of films to watch, free of charge.
The designer black marble-tiled bathroom was a revelation too with a Ben de Lisi glass bath with under floor heating, a large shower enclosure and what's known as mood lighting. We loved the little touches such as the crystal decanter of sherry and the Bose surround sound system. You can have music piped through to the bathroom or the hot tub outside. It really is the prefect place for a romantic weekend.
Although it was an effort to leave our private haven, we felt duty bound to check out Bowness.
There are shops you would expect to find on most high streets as well as boutiques plus a good array of places to eat from cosy pubs to fine dining restaurants.
It's also a good base to explore some of our favourite places including Coniston, West Water, Ullswater and Derwent.
View more details on The Sanctuary here...