Lodore Falls Hotel Review: Lake Views, Spa & Celebrity Stays

Planning a Lake District getaway often starts with one question: does the hotel live up to the scenery? Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, a four-star property set on the shores of Derwentwater, has built a reputation for panoramic lake views, a dedicated spa with an infinity pool, and a guest rating of 8.6/10 on Booking.com – but also draws mixed reviews on service consistency. This profile pulls together official details, guest feedback, and independent editorial assessments so you can decide whether it fits your trip.

Last checked: 2026-07-04

Star rating: 4 stars · Location: Borrowdale, Derwentwater, Keswick · Owner: FWP Group · Starting price: €180 per night

How many stars is the Lodore Falls Hotel?

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa is officially a four‑star property. This rating is confirmed by multiple sources: the Havwoods case study (which describes the project to build the spa), the hotel’s own operator Lake District Hotels, and aggregator sites such as Booking.com and TripAdvisor.

Four stars in the UK system typically indicates a high level of service, well‑appointed bedrooms, and quality dining – and the hotel’s recent £2.5 million ground‑floor renovation (covering the bar, reception, lounges and Falls Brasserie) aligns with that standard. The bottom line: Lodore Falls sits firmly in the upper tier of Lake District hotels, though it does not claim the five‑star rating that a handful of competitors in the area hold.

Does Lodore Falls Hotel have lake views?

Yes – Lake View double and twin rooms directly overlook Derwentwater and the Catbells ridge. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor consistently highlight these views as a standout feature; one independent YouTube reviewer described it as “a view you’re going to struggle to do a little bit better.”

The hotel is set in roughly 40 acres of grounds that include its own waterfall (Lodore Falls) and direct lakeshore access. The spa’s outdoor hydrotherapy pool also faces the lake, with underwater loungers oriented toward the water. Non‑lake‑view rooms overlook the gardens or the valley, and some reviewers note they feel less special. The trade-off: paying extra for a Lake View room is widely considered worthwhile by guests, but those in standard rooms may miss the signature panorama.

Who owns the Lodore Falls Hotel?

The hotel is owned and operated by FWP Group, a hospitality company that runs a portfolio of Lake District properties. This is confirmed directly on the hotel’s official booking pages (Lake District Hotels is their consumer‑facing platform). FWP Group also manages other well‑known venues such as The Samling Hotel, which has its own celebrity associations.

Institutional ownership matters for consistency: FWP Group has invested heavily in recent years, including the spa construction in the 2010s and the ground‑floor renovation. What this means: guests can expect a professionally managed operation with group‑level standards, but also the occasional corporate feel that some independent hotels avoid.

Is Lodore Falls adult only?

No – Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa is not an adult‑only property. The hotel markets itself as offering “romantic” breaks and attracts many couples, but it also welcomes families. The official accommodation pages list family rooms and allow children; a YouTube review observed that the hotel’s wedding and events business can bring large groups, including families with children, which has been a source of noise complaints.

The perception that it might be adult‑only likely stems from its strong spa focus and romantic marketing language. In practice, the hotel is dog‑friendly too, further widening its guest base. The implication: if you are seeking a strictly adults‑only atmosphere, Lodore Falls is not that property – you would need to look at smaller, dedicated adult‑only hotels in the Lake District.

Where do celebrities stay in the Lake District?

Lodore Falls is sometimes called a “celebrity hotspot” in editorial coverage, but the evidence for regular high‑profile guests is thin. A Lake District Hotels article uses romantic positioning rather than celebrity names. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise has been associated with a different FWP Group property – The Samling Hotel – according to several media reports, but that connection does not transfer to Lodore Falls.

What Lodore Falls does have is a strong presence on TikTok and Instagram, where travel content‑makers frequently film the infinity pool and lake‑view balconies. That influencer visibility may be the origin of the “hotspot” label. The pattern: Lodore Falls attracts a prestige‑seeking, Instagram‑friendly crowd, but it is not a traditional celebrity hideaway. If you want to spot a famous name, The Samling Hotel is the more likely venue.

Can you swim at Lodore Falls?

Swimming from the hotel’s own lake shore is possible in Derwentwater – the lake is open to the public and the hotel has direct access. However, the Lodore Falls waterfall itself is not a swimming spot. The waterfall runs through the hotel’s ornamental gardens and is part of the landscape, but it is not deep or safe for swimming. Some local guides (e.g. YHA) note that the pool at the base of the falls is shallow and rocky.

The hotel does have a large outdoor hydrotherapy pool (the 16‑metre infinity‑edge vitality pool) for guests, but it is designed for relaxation rather than lap swimming. The bottom line: you can swim in Derwentwater, not at the falls. For guided wild swimming, Keswick offers several organised sessions.