It’s opulent, sophisticated and has views to die for.

The Linthwaite House Hotel in the Lake District has gone that extra mile to offer the perfect place for a romantic weekend.

Its setting is idyllic, with breathtaking vistas overlooking Lake Windermere. As the sun goes down, it glistens on the water, making a perfect backdrop for early evening drinks before dinner.

It’s simply beautiful and a must for a treat.  The hotel is chic and elegant but you’re quickly made to feel at home. The staff are attentive but not overpowering. The rooms are luxurious, stylish and sumptuous, all tastefully decorated.

And it’s all the dream of owner Mike Bevans, who has worked so hard to achieve it.

“Everyone who has worked for years in hotels dreams about owning the perfect hotel,” he says.

“At Linthwaite we fell in love with the house’s superb location and breathtaking views of Lake Windermere, and we decided to develop it into one of the best luxury hotels in the Lake District.”

How right he is. His 30 bedrooms include some of the finest I have ever seen.

We stayed in the new luxury loft suite – an apartment-style accommodation decorated in subtle pale blues and beiges with matching elegant furniture.

The bathroom is stunning with a huge bath which has room for two; there’s a massive walk-in shower, double sinks and even a built-in TV.

The suite has all mod cons, too.

My hubby was a boy with his toys as he flicked through the CD mini hi-fi with Bose speakers, DVD players and linked into wi-fi internet connection.

The billiard room at the Linthwaite House Hotel
The billiard room at the Linthwaite House Hotel

There’s even a very impressive looking telescope with which to stargaze when the lights go out.

Another extra-special room is the lake view room with spa hot tub, which provides guests with the ultimate luxury getaway.

Visitors who opt for this room can step out onto their own private veranda and relax in the hot tub while gazing across  Windermere to the Coniston fells. Other rooms also have lake views and twin-bedded rooms are available.

Linthwaite’s restaurant serves “modern British” food which can only be described as gorgeous. Talented chefs have worked their magic and the restaurant has been listed in Michelin and has a ‘high 5’ in the Good Food Guide.

We had pre-dinner drinks on the terrace with delicate canapés before settling down to elegant fine dining.

A delicious starter soup served in a petite cup with a range of freshly baked speciality breads got our tastebuds dancing. We both then decided on the dill cured salmon, lemon purée, pink grapefruit and gin sorbet.

While I chose curry-crusted cod, spiced sweet potato, coconut and lime emulsion, my other half chose the roasted rump and braised leg of Herdwick lamb, pomme Anna and caramelised onion. The meals were simply art on a plate.

Nothing is too much for this dedicated team at the hotel. They even organised a heatwave in the Lake District when we visited.

Bowness-on-Windermere is a very short drive away and is a honeypot for tourists. People visit to enjoy the lake for sailing and watersports, or just to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the area and the town’s delightful setting.

Ambleside, Keswick and lots more are all on the doorstep, along with dozens of walks for ramblers to pull on their walking boots.

The conservatory at Linthwaite House Hotel
The conservatory at Linthwaite House Hotel

FACTFILE

Lisa Hutchinson stayed at the Linthwaite House Hotel, Crook Road, Windermere, Lake District.

The package included a stay in the loft suite with dinner bed and breakfast costing £315 per person a night. Other rooms cost between £140 and £315.

For more information and latest offers visit www.linthwaite.com or contact the hotel on 015394 88600.

For general advice on attractions in the area visit www.golakes.co.uk