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The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group

4.0 star property
Lakefront hotel with restaurant, steps from Lake Windermere

Photo gallery for The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group

Bar (on property)
Property video
Lake
Property entrance
Lake

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Bar
The current price is AU$194
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb

Explore the area

View map
Lake Road, Ambleside, England, LA22 0ER
  • Place, Lake Windermere
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Ambleside Pier
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Borrans Park
    ‪3 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room

Double Room

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Classic Double or Twin Room, Lake View

In-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Classic Double or Twin Room, Lake View

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Lake view
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Superior Double or Twin Room, Lake View

Superior Double or Twin Room, Lake View

Superior Double or Twin Room, Lake View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Lake view
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Classic Double or Twin Room

In-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Classic Double or Twin Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
Digital channels
Iron/ironing board
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
Digital channels
Iron/ironing board
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

About the area

Ambleside

At The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group you'll be within steps of Lake Windermere and Ambleside Pier. Highlights at this hotel include a restaurant, free self-parking and a bar/lounge. .This pet-friendly hotel offers free WiFi in public areas, a terrace and a garden. Additionally, you'll find luggage storage. English breakfast is available daily between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM. .In proximity to this 4-property class Ambleside hotel you'll find Ullswater.

What's nearby

  • Lake Windermere - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Ambleside Pier - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Borrans Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Ambleside Climbing Wall - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Stock Ghyll Force - 3 min drive - 2.0 km

Getting around

  • Windermere Station - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wateredge Inn - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Freshers’ Cafe - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪The White Lion - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Zeffirellis - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Rothay Manor Hotel - ‬13 min walk

About this property

The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group

Lakefront hotel with restaurant, steps from Lake Windermere
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group also features a terrace and a garden. Free self parking is available.

This 4-star Ambleside hotel is smoke free.

  • 41 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group offers 41 accommodations with a safe and a hairdryer. 24-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.

Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Similar properties

Exterior
Wateredge Inn- The Inn Collection group
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 287 reviews
The price is AU$194
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb
Wateredge Inn- The Inn Collection group

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Daily English breakfast available 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: GBP 14.50 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On a lake
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 24-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 15 per pet, per night
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for English breakfast: from approximately GBP 14.50 per person
  • Pet fee: GBP 15 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards and cash.

We should mention

  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Property is also known as

Waterhead Boutique Hotel Ambleside
Waterhead Boutique Hotel
Waterhead Boutique Ambleside
Waterhead Boutique
Waterhead Hotel Ambleside
Waterhead Ambleside
Waterhead
Waterhead Hotel Ambleside Lake District
Ambleside Hotel Waterhead
Hotel Waterhead
Waterhead Hotel
The Waterhead Inn
The Waterhead Inn The Inn Collection group
The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group Hotel
The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group Ambleside
The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group Hotel Ambleside

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group?

The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group?

As of 29 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group on 1 Feb 2026 start from AU$194.41, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group?

Yep, The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group has a free self car park.

Does The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group serve breakfast?

Yep, English brekkie is available daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group?

No, The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group?

Check-in begins at 3 PM. Check-out time is 10:30 AM.

The Waterhead Inn - The Inn Collection group Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 188 out of 329 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 98 out of 329 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 28 out of 329 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 329 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 329 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
We were placed in a room next to a fire exit that was being used by people all night going outside to smoke. Didn't get any sleep. We complained and were told "sorry about that". They ran out of sausage and bacon with 20 minutes left of the breakfast serving. It is overpriced for the room we were given. It's main advantage is the location.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great Hotel, really friendly staff, meal choices good. Parking is a bit restricted and tight albeit there is a public car park next door, whicjh I didn't need to use.Chris when serving us was outstanding. Will use again, highly recommended
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Lisa

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Ideal Bolt-Hole for Lakes visit.

Very comfortable room. On the top floor, which is unusual when you've brought a dog, but no hassle, other than it's a bit of a rabbit warren finding your room. Breakfast was very good and included at no extra charge. Lovely position overlooking the Lake, and a 10 minute walk into Ambleside. Bus Stops just outside meant we never needed to move car once in car park.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Cal

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service

Disappointing Stay Despite Lovely Location

We were really looking forward to our stay, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. Our room was situated right next to a very noisy kitchen extractor fan, which not only disrupted our sleep but also caused the room to smell strongly of stale food. We had to ask a member of staff to switch the fan off just to be able to sleep. To make matters worse, there was loud rave music coming from the kitchen area late in the evening. My husband raised the issue with staff and, although the music briefly stopped, it started up again soon after. I had to go down personally a second time to complain, which was frustrating. On a more positive note, the breakfast was very nice and the hotel’s location, with views of the lake, is truly lovely. However, the hotel itself is looking rather tired since our last visit and could really benefit from a fresh coat of paint and a bit of TLC. Unfortunately, the noise and lack of attention to guest comfort really impacted our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Brian

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
excellent good choice of breakfast room nice and clean staff very helpful view excellent lift needed
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Carol

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Graham

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

The small details matter

Nice hotel and great location, however sometimes it's the small details that make the difference. 1. We were allocated room 40, a long walk from reception, up 2 flights of stairs, glad I had my walking boots. 2. You need to pay extra for a Latte coffee with breakfast, at these prices it should be included! 3. They advertise an offer of a free drink if you decline room service, but the drinks available are very restricted and we didn't get clean towels.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vikki

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfot fit for a rambling week

The hotel was perfect for a family week of rambling in a rain soaked week. Our puppy was welcomed and kids enjoyed the food. The room itself a little cramped with the sofa bed in use but but it was very comfy
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Darin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Conveniently located, also has a wonderful supper.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sanjay

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location and great breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Summer stay in Ambleside

Lovely hotel in a great location. Views over Windermere are amazing. The car park can be a tight squeeze for larger cars. The premises features a very large pub on the ground floor, which is used for a great breakfast for guests. Reception desk for hotel guests is in the bar. The bedroom was very well appointed, clean and spacious. The only issue that I had was that the staff were a little inattentive... Unnecessary waits to be served, tables in restaurant/bar area were not cleared quickly, not much in the way of a warm, friendly welcome.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Alam, Tracy

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location facing the lake. I wish they had elevators.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful building, great food in the restaurant, delightful location.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent hotel in great location

Excellent hotel in great location Very good breakfast too
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Rachael

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property to stay at, i think we just got unlucky with our family room. Room really too cramped to be a family room with 1 very small window in the corner. Unable to keep the window open at all due to the noise from either a generator/kitchen below. However, super friendly & helpful staff. Good choice of food & great breakfast. Lovely lake front location!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely hotel in a lovely location

Really lovely place. We stayed 6 nights and couldn't really fault it. None of the negatives in other reviews were the case for us. Notably, the breakfast buffet was extensive, fresh and very tasty! We ate several other meals there and they were all absolutely delicious and, though not served speedily, they were very fresh. The location is gorgeous, the terrace beautiful, being so near the water was wonderful. The buses to Ambleside & Grasmere are right near the Inn, or a pleasant 15 min walk to Ambleside. Yes, there's a busy-ish road between the Inn and the lake and I am a light sleeper, but I brought earplugs. My partner slept soundly. Huge bed which was amazing. Very firm but I got used to it. Ours was a large room on the top floor far from the bar, no neighbour noise. Brilliant offer whereby if you don't want your room serviced every day, they will give you both a free drink each night. The bar/eating area was lovely. Would definitely return and recommend. Only thing that puzzled us was that we seemed to be the youngest there, and we are middle-aged.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property and the staff was outstanding.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Great except the food

A great location and room 11 we stayed in has a balcony looking over Lake Windermere. Lift not working. Staff friendly and helpful. Holiday let down by the food. We had dinner on the first night - veg was cold and chips half cooked. Pie crust was like concrete and gravy very thin. Not a nice experience so ate out of the hotel for the rest of the holiday
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

David, White Bear Lake

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient location and amenities
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

sean

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Kevin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Great position
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The pub is nice and the hotel is not

The rooms are wonderful, but they can be a bit noisy due to the hotel's proximity to the main road. It was very upsetting that the lady who welcomed us from the hotel did not want to give us our room 25 minutes before 15:00, when the rooms were ready (the papers with our names and the keys were on the table), so we had to wait with 2 large luggages at the bar (the don't have reception as well). After a long trip, this wasn't very pleasant. For the price, It's better to go to the Wateredge it has better view, is cheaper and the service will be the same.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025