The Best Hotel in the Lake District: Daffodil Hotel and Spa Review

On the shore of Grasmere, you will find one of the best hotels in The Lake District, The Daffodil Hotel. This luxury hotel has unspoilt views over Grasmere and is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday in The Lake District.

Where is the Daffodil Hotel and Spa?

The Daffodil Hotel and Spa is in Grasmere, overlooking the lake.

It’s about a 3 minute walk into the village, and it’s also the perfect start and finish point for a walk around the lake.

The hotel is also located across the road from Wordsworth Grasmere, which is the museum dedicated to William Wordsworth, and where you’ll find the famous Dove Cottage.

Why you need to stay at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa

Not only does the hotel have the best view over Grasmere, but it is also a beautiful hotel.

You can feel the calmness sink in from the moment you walk in.

The staff at The Daffodil are incredible – the attention to detail, the level of service and the kindness they bring are second to none.

If you’re looking for a luxurious base for your Lake District holiday, then The Daffodil is the place. Straight outside the hotel, you’ll find a bus stop, meaning you can leave your car in the free car park for your holiday, and explore more of the lakes.

Don your fluffy white bathrobe and slippers, and head down to the luxurious spa for a little bit of pampering. There is a whole range of treatments available, and guests have full access to the thermal pool, sauna and steam room. It’s the perfect place to relax after a day walking.

After relaxing in the spa, make sure to head to the terrace which is a real sun trap on a sunny day! We went and sat in one of the covered twin seats, and it was beautiful just sitting back and enjoying the view with a drink from the bar.

There is private access to the lake from the gardens of the hotel, and it’s the perfect place to wild swim from, or launch your paddleboard from.

Rooms with one of the best views in The Lake District

You are guarenteed a good nights stay at The Daffodil. I can’t belive just how huge the beds are here, and how comfy they are too.

I stayed in one of the junior suites, which come with a guarenteed lake view, and provide that extra bit of luxury.

As soon as I walked into the room, I was blown away by the stunning views over Grasmere. From the comfy bed with TV, perfect for relaxing after a day walking, there was also a living room area perfect for watching the lake, and enjoying a cup of tea.

You’ll also find tea and coffee, and a nespresso machine, so you don’t have to leave your room for your morning coffee!

In the bathrooms, there is a huge bath (along with Molton Brown products for that extra bit of luxury) and a seperate shower, as well as a vanity area as well.

Breakfast with a view at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa

When you’re getting ready for a day exploring The Lake District, a good breakfast is important and you won’t be dissapointed here.

As well as a buffet style hot breakfast and continental, there is also a menu to choose from a number of cooked to order items, including;

• Pancakes
• Poached eggs on toast
• Porridge

These are included in the breakfast price, and are some lovely extras. The breakfast really was delicious, with food coming out regularly (including freshly cooked fried eggs as well!).

Dinner at The Daffodil

For my fellow foodies, The Daffodil Hotel is the perfect place to come for dinner.

Open to residents and non-residents, the menu here is devine.

For starters, I had the soy, ginger and corriander cured salmon with wasabi emulsion, watermelon, black seseme and fried rice noodles and wow, what a way to start a meal. The flavours were so delicate and blended together so well.

My main was the cornfed chicken breast with chorizo ravioli, creamed savoy cabbage, buttnernut squash and a chicken jus and it was out of this world. The chicken was so tender, and the sweetness of the butternut squash complimented the deep flavour of the jus perfectly.

Sometimes you have to go for a classic, so for dessert I had the Sticky Toffee Pudding which was declicious and the perfect way to end a delicious meal.

Once you’ve finished your meal, you can relax in The Lounge, where you can also have lunch and afternoon tea. It’s a gorgous space with sofas looking over the lake, and a piano in the middle of the room, ready to entertain you.

Afternoon Tea at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa

I love afternoon tea, and there is a reason that The Daffodil Hotel and Spa has such a good reputation for their afternoon tea.

You will find savoury options that pack a punch of flavour, and some of the most incredible patisserie options as well.

The savoury options for our tea were;

• Beetroot, smoked salmon & cream cheese éclair
• Serrano ham, buffalo mozzarella, pesto, sun blushed tomato focaccia
• Panko fried prawn, avocado salsa, crispy filo
• Red pepper & tomato gazpacho, basil oil

All of these were incredible, but my favourite was probably the panko fried prawn!

The sweet options were;

• Buttermilk Plain & Fruit Scones
  Raspberry preserve, Cornish clotted cream
• Raspberry, Chocolate & Pistachio Tartlet
  Sable Breton base, chocolate ganache buttercream, roasted pistachios, raspberry puree
• Coconut & Rose Pannacotta
  Roast coconut pannacotta, rose petal jelly, coconut & rose shortbread
• Carrot & Apple
  Biscuit base, carrot cake, apple compote, cheesecake cream, mirror glaze
• Tiramisu
  Mascarpone custard, chantilly cream, sponge soaked in Kahlua & espresso

Again, everything was so full of flavour, however the standout had to be the Raspberry, Chocolate & Pistachio Tartlet!

Final thoughts on The Daffodil Hotel and Spa

There is no doubt that The Daffodil is one of the best hotels in The Lake District.

The level of detail in the hotel and the level of service is incredible. The food is devine, the views are stunning, and rooms are so relaxing. Having a thermal pool in the spa is perfect for relaxing after a day out walking and exploring the lakes.

I’m already planning my next trip to The Daffodil because it was the perfect Lake District Staycation!

Ready to book your stay? You can start planning your stay at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa here.

For more Lake District guides, make sure to head to our Lake District section. Whether you’re looking for the best places to eat, or things to do on a rainy day, we’ve got you covered for your stay in The Lakes. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram too, for daily travel and food inspo.

My stay at The Daffodil Hotel & Spa was complimentary in exchange for this review. However, all views and opinions are my own.