Refreshingly different from some more traditional Lake District offerings, this contemporary hotel is in a beautiful setting overlooking Grasmere. The 'cluster of old stone buildings almost built into the hillside' house sleek bedrooms and a popular bistro. A family affair – owners Dave and Sally Keighley steer things in the background, daughter Jess is front-of-house, husband Will is chef – it has a warm, informal atmosphere that matches the plentiful use of natural materials: whitewashed walls, slate-flagged floors, exposed timbers and upcycled tables. Our inspectors loved the 'unusual take on standard dishes' and the 'very good food, all home-made and reasonably priced'. Dishes include slow-cooked Cumbrian beef shin stew, prawn fishcakes, veg and butterbean korma, and a choice of sharing platters. 'Simple, modern' bedrooms are minimalist affairs in shades of grey with local wool throws, good reading lights and bright, shower-only bathrooms with locally produced Pure Lakes products. All have fell views. Breakfast brings dishes such as house-smoked salmon and creamy scrambled eggs on sourdough; an ideal start for walks from the door. (HP, and others)