The Samling Hotel

In an enviable position above Lake Windermere, and surrounded by acres of gardens, fields and woodland, the hotel has views as luxurious as its interiors. The Georgian Gothic-Revival house has been re-created as a light-filled modern country house that oozes elegance and calm from its silky-soft carpets and subtly textured wallpapers to its velvet sofas and shimmering curtains. Everything is in soft shades of milky-white, dove-grey and powder blue with occasional shots of pink and lilac in flowers and expensive objets. Huge bedrooms (the largest in the separate cottages) are similarly sleek, spare and light-filled with marbled bathrooms, and most with lake or garden views. Contemporary and abstract art fills the walls throughout the hotel. Prepare yourself for dinner, a tasting menu of thoughtful and creative food with dishes designed to intrigue and charm rather than knock you out with theatrics - that’s if you can tear your eyes away from the views through the wrap-around glass windows. Not cheap but everything feels a treat here, from the expensive candle-scent and discreet but friendly service to the private hot tub and sumptuous afternoon teas…