Daffodil Hotel and Spa, Grasmere – Review
By Graham Clark, June 2026
Lake District poet William Wordsworth famously wrote about glimpsing “a host of golden daffodils” in his poem, ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’. These days, there is another Daffodil in this part of the world, one that blooms all year round in the shape of the Daffodil Hotel and Spa.
The commanding building is impossible to miss when entering Grasmere from the south. Standing tall and proud at the northern end of Grasmere, the hotel sits within its own grounds, with the lake gently lapping nearby. Look north and, if the weather is kind, the Lion and the Lamb – the iconic rocky summit of Helm Crag – appears to beckon walkers towards the hills. From the first glimpse of water, fell and sky, it feels like somewhere special.
“Light and airy”
The four-star property is owned by the Crerar Group, which specialises in luxury hotels, and the Daffodil Hotel and Spa is very much in keeping with that standard.
The airy reception area includes a wall of leaflets offering information on what to see and do nearby. Opposite, there are also guides to take away, featuring suggested walks from the hotel.
The bedrooms, designed by interior designer Paul Sawford and inspired by Fibonacci patterns, have a light and airy feel. Rooms range from the Daffodil Double through to the Valley View Superior and the Balcony Suite – the latter being this reviewer’s room for the stay.
“Splendour”
As the name suggests, the suite comes with a balcony offering views of the surrounding hills and down across the lake. Waking up to that spectacular view, spread out in full Lake District splendour, could easily make guests wonder why they would stay anywhere else in the region.
The suite also includes a small lounge, along with the usual amenities expected at this level. Surprisingly, however, there was no fridge in the room. It seemed an odd omission, particularly when almost everything else had clearly been thought through.
The Daffodil Daily – an informative sheet left in the room detailing the day’s activities – was a nice touch. It brought to mind the daily notes left in cruise cabins each morning and helped give the stay a more personal feel.
“Take in the views”
Choosing a light coloured carpet for the corridors may not have been the most practical decision, especially in the Lake District. The carpet leading towards the dining room looked as though a group of hikers had tramped across it at the end of a long day, although it is understood that the owners are looking to address this.
The Lounge, adjacent to the dining room, offers another opportunity to take in the views through floor to ceiling windows. Board games are provided, and there is even a grand piano available too.
The Lobby Bar gives guests the chance to take drinks outside onto the patio and enjoy the spectacular view.
“Appealing”
The dining room menu is largely traditional, with a few clever diversions. Starters include Port of Lancaster smoked salmon, although the goats’ cheese and honey bonbon proved the most appealing choice. It was probably the best presented dish of the evening and tasted fresh too.
The beer battered haddock came with mushy peas and chunky chips. It is a meal that is hard to get wrong, and thankfully the chef did not. Flaky haddock in crisp batter gave way to seriously chunky, hot and tempting chips.
Dessert, an apple crumble ice cream sundae, arrived unexpectedly in a glass jar with spiced apple compote, vanilla and salted ice creams, Chantilly cream and crumble. It may have sounded good on paper, but in hindsight the sticky toffee pudding or selection of British farmhouse cheeses might have been the better choice. Somehow, the composition of the dessert did not quite work.
“Peaceful”
After such indulgence, an evening walk around Grasmere feels almost necessary. Once the day trippers have gone home and the walkers are resting their boots, the village settles into a quiet and peaceful calm. At night, the Lake District stillness makes for a perfect stroll and a chance to gather one’s thoughts.
Breakfast the next morning was served buffet style in the restaurant – a copious affair that sets any hungry soul up for the day.
For those still in need of a Wordsworth fix at the end of their stay, Dove Cottage, the former home of the great poet and now part of the Wordsworth Museum, is directly opposite the hotel. It feels fitting for a top quality hotel that delivers its own touch of poetry in motion.
Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Keswick Road, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9PR
Starting from £220 per night for a double room with two guests on a B&B basis.
crerarhotels.com
Graham was born and raised in Keighley. A dedicated live music enthusiast, he has attended hundreds of concerts across the North and feels fortunate to have Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester within easy reach — all key stops on major touring circuits. He has also supported Bradford Live, the upcoming 4,000-capacity venue opening in autumn 2025, helping to secure backing from some of the biggest names in live entertainment. Passionate about food, Graham draws on his background in hospitality to offer honest, experience-led insights in his reviews. He’s also a keen traveller, having explored extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia.
