‘Nothing compares’ with the Cunliffes’ ‘really special’ country house hotel and its glamorous satellite, Lake House, with spa, half a mile away. Begun in 1988, it is a family operation, with its own ‘very creative’ in-house architects, Ben and Rachael, overseeing constant additions, such as the single-storey junior suites – large, light-washed rooms with a patio, spa bath and walk-in shower. Even the cheapest classic rooms are spacious, with a lovely bathroom. Garden suites have a feature fireplace, decked gardens, a hot tub, while each of the detached cedar-clad spa lodges has a fresh contemporary style, and a treatment area, steam room, outdoor sauna, hydrotherapy tub and walled garden. All have Lakeland views. ‘They have rooms for all ages’ and food for differing tastes. In HRiSHi restaurant, Michelin-starred Hrishikesh Desai cooks such modern British dishes as rolled braised belly of Huntsham Farm pork with five-spice sauce, while in the cheaper, ‘funky, very modern Asian’ Gilpin Spice, tapas-style pan-Asian dishes include Thai green curry of Morecambe seafood, Herdwick lamb with nizami masala. ‘It’s expensive but has a great reputation.’ (ST, and others)