Lodge on the Lake, Fallbarrow Park, Rayrigg Road, Bowness, Cumbria, LA23 3DL

We have just returned from Lodge on the Lake having experienced an amazing holiday.

The views are stunning and the lodge itself was fabulously equipped. Sitting on the decking in the autumn sun was gorgeous.

It is located within walking distance of Bowness so we hardly used the car. We walked to the shops and restaurants in the town.

We have booked for spring next year, we all loved it so much.

There was

We have stayed at Lodge on the Lake and the owners' other lodge Beech Hill Lodge many times. When we first stayed the photos still showing on the website were a true reflection of the furnishings in the lodge but the interior has changed significantly since . However if its stunning views you are seeking then you wont be disappointed. Unfortunately the attitude of the owners is not good. We had booked March2020 and March2021 previously but both holidays were made unavailable because of Covid lockdowns. We were due to stay at Lodge on the Lake again in March 2022. There was £130 outstanding from the 2020 booking and also £100 from the 2021 booking. Unfortunately, completely due to an oversight on our part we were late sending the balance for the 2022 reservation. We sent the balance as soon as we realised our mistake but Jenny had rebooked the lodge to someone else. In March 2020 David (the owner) had assured us that 'we would not lose out' We fully appreciate that the £100 deposit carried forward from the 2021 would be forfeited but asked for the remaining £130 still outstanding to be refunded. On 4.3.2022 we received an email from Jenny stating 'please forward your bank details and we will transfer £130. Regards Jenny'. We sent off our details. Despite 3 reminder emails and one recorded-delivery letter the money has not been paid. We had hoped this was an oversight on Jenny/David's part, but clearly not. Be aware that verbal or written promises may not be worth a pinch of salt.

My family stayed in the lodge on the lake from 14th August 2021 for one week. I left a 5* review on Airbnb mainly because overall my family hadn?t seen each other in over a year and we were determined to enjoy ourselves. Plus, I just don?t leave bad reviews unless something terrible happens, like many I give 5* if no major issues - I have learnt my lesson the hard way. Please do not book here! Avoid this host at all costs.

We had multiple issues during our stay. The main thing being a broken dishwasher and a temperamental oven. The cleanliness was also not up to standard for a ?luxurious holiday?. For instance there were thousands of dead insects on windowsills and around the sliding doors when we arrived that I cleaned up (because my baby would try to eat them), the bedside drawer had dirty contact lenses in it, hair in plug holes, cutlery and glasses dirty, wardrobes thick with dust, a dirty bag left on a wardrobe - generally grubby and dated. WiFi was really poor. No smart TVs in bedroom. Two slice toaster. The jetty is closed off with a sign saying hazardous and had multiple broken panels. parking inadequate for 2 standard cars. Roof rotting away. Washing machine/tumble dryer combo useless (one small wash cycle took 3 full tumble spins and still damp). Beach is a few rocks. I could go on.

Yes I should of mentioned all this on a review on Airbnb but it seemed petty when overall we enjoyed seeing each other, the beautiful views and the location.

My family contacted the host on day 1 to inform her that the dishwasher wasn?t working. I was pleased that the host organised a workman to visit the next day but unfortunately he could not fix the problem. We were informed it needed replacing and he would feedback to the host. We heard nothing. Again I didn?t mention this in my previous review as we are a reasonable and kind family, appliances break, this was no ones fault and sometimes delivery can take a week. We know this. I thought the host would be mortified. I could not have been more wrong. The deceitful and very nasty host then left me an awful review - I can only presume this was because Airbnb do double blind reviews so she presumed I would complain.

Really unprofessional. The host lied on her review stating we hadn?t read the manual - even though the workman couldn?t fix the dishwasher! Outrageous. The host then stated we left the lodge filthy and were ?in the worst 1% of customers?. The lodge was left spotless despite having no dishwasher. I was astonished and very upset by this. The host tainted the whole experience.

To be clear this is a 2* dirty lodge in a 5* location, well overpriced and the host will leave negative feedback if you dare report any problems. I am in the middle of formal complaints via appropriate channels. Please note Helen?s response on here and on Airbnb & larissa?s response (Airbnb) which has a very similar theme. Given the small number of reviews I think the number of negative reviews and the hosts general responses speaks volumes. Please avoid.

Rather disappointed with the appearance inside the lodge. The outside view and setting is fabulous but the marketing photos of the inside portray this property to be far better than it actually is, e.g., the sofas are different and not very welcoming, only 2 red cushions per sofa unlike the abundance shown, there were no molton brown toiletries as shown in bathroom photo! The bedrooms were basic caravan cramped type rooms with little space to manoeuvre around.

The drawers hadn?t been cleaned out properly and contained hairs. The bathroom cupboard shelves were dirty inside.

The host was not helpful when presented with problems, customer service training is needed!

This lodge is massively overpriced, you are simply paying for the view.

I visited the lodge for 5 nights with friends in early September. We decided to splash out on a staycation instead of our usual Spanish retreat. We had a great time as the weather allowed us to enjoy the great outdoors.

Unfortunately, the Lodge itself left us disappointed. The view of the Lake is spectacular, but the lodge itself would benefit from a deep clean and overall decoration. We let the owner know on arrival that there were areas of the Lodge that were dirty and indeed not cleaned from the previous guests. Given the climate we are trying to recover from, I was taken aback by her lack of accountability and said she?d let the cleaners know. We did not hear from her again during our stay despite her saying retrospectively that she sent the cleaners around!!

I think it?s fair to say at nearly £3k for 5 nights, you would not expect slugs on the tiles in the shower (even if you?re near water), neither mould stained sheets, and overall lack of cleanliness. My friends and I are all used to a good standard of holiday accommodation and this does not come close, which is a shame as a little more attention to detail and an owner who cares might turn this place around.

I regularly visit Lake Lodges in Hawkshead with my partner, which are superb. I wish I?d have taken my friends there to receive the usual great standards ?

Very disappointed customer.

Our party of 6 stayed in this lodge for 5 nights 1st week Sept.

Firstly the good stuff;

Your back garden is lake Windermere and it?s absolutely stunning - a beautiful picturesque scene. It?s also well situated in Bowness with everything within a 5-10 min walk.

The fair stuff;

The lodge is situated within a park. You do know this if you read the details carefully (as I did) but you wouldn?t know on first sight of the marketing info. I think it?s fair to say you?d expect more exclusivity and privacy given the way it?s marketed and the cost. The park is Fallburrow Park if you want to check it out.

Now the bad stuff;

Sadly this is the significant part of my review. Firstly the furniture & soft furnishings bear no relation to the images used to market the property. The photos attached aren?t great but were taken by me on exit (for a different reason) but give you a snapshot. The overall space is also a lot smaller than the photos lead you to believe. The lodge is essentially a mobile home cladded in wood.

Secondly and most importantly, we arrived to a very unclean lodge. I?m not suggesting that?s always the case but it was for us. The cleaner had only cleaned the main ?on show? areas and ignored everything else. Examples; toothpaste marks on bathroom cupboard shelves, hairs & general bits in bedroom drawers, slugs in en-suite shower (I?m not kidding), mould stains on duvet cover, unswept decking, decking furniture covered in cobwebs and outside debris, kiddie toys trapped in decking furniture (presumably from previous guests), dirty walls, and most corners of all rooms had dirt & cobwebs. Attached photos give examples of all of above. We paid £2865 for a 5 night stay. The appearance, cleanliness and reality of the lodge verses the marketing photos doesn?t compare.

Now the worst part of all;

The Host - Jenny. Very responsive during the booking process. Didn?t want to know re messages of complaint sent on arrival and day 2 of our visit. She replied once and with no apology, only stated she?d get the cleaner to get in touch. Who didn?t! Through subsequent messages of communication since departure, she has basically said ?we created the dirt ourselves?! Because I forwarded photos on day 2, despite having dated photos of the day before (arrival day) has suggested the dirt was created by us. Said slugs should be expected given the property is near water. In addition, completely denies her marketing photography differs from reality. She made no apology for anything, completely the opposite, instead accused and insulted. Our experience also included a main oven that didn?t work, a leaking kitchen sink, a faulty kitchen tap and a faulty microwave handle. I don?t have a problem with any of this kind of thing ? ?stuff happens? and I very politely informed Jenny of this info on departure, not as a complaint, but so she could address before the next guests. I had no thank you or apology for the inconvenience these issues may have caused.

On a much smaller note. You?d perhaps anticipate a small welcome pack with a few gestures; wine, chocolates, milk for example and maybe some helpful info such as ?suggested walks? ?recommended restaurants? ?places to visit? etc, but there was nothing.

We had a wonderful time in Bowness (we basically stayed out of the lodge as much as possible) and if it wasn?t for the fact that I?d be spoiling our lovely holiday memories, I?d pursue my grievances through formal processes. I have written to Jenny with my complaints and requested a partial refund to which she has replied ?no? and essentially get lost. I have never ever dealt with such an inhospitable host in my life! I actually run a similar business myself and whilst I don?t believe ?the customer is always right? I would NEVER respond to a client of mine in the way Jenny has responded to our complaints.

Bowness and Windermere are beautiful parts of the Lakes. Our party had a lovely time, cycling, walking, paddle boarding and dining in Bowness. I?d absolutely recommend a visit, but if you trust my review, do not stay in this accommodation. The entire lodge needs re furnishing, painting and a deep clean before it comes anywhere near a 5* option commanding nearly £3000 for 5 nights.

We love the Lake District and have visited many times.

We found Lodge on the Lake to have the best views of any, truly amazing.

The Lodge itself is stunning with everything of the highest quality.

It is located on Fallbarrow Park which is a lovely quiet development within walking distance of Bowness.

Bowness is very pretty with great restaurants, bars and shops.

Lodge on the lake is not cheap but worth every penny. It accommodates six which reduces the cost per person.

We could not recommend the Lodge highly enough..

This is the best place I have ever stayed. I run one of the most luxurious self-catering accommodation in the UK and for me to say this place is better is saying something. You will not get a better view anywhere in the UK. Sitting in your lounge right on the shoreline of Windermere was simply breathtaking.the lodge was stunning with everything you could need and we loved the fact it was secluded from the rest of the park yet only a few minutes walk to Bowness. I stay in Bowness once a month and stayed in all the top hotels, this place is by far the best and

We stayed as a family in a luxurious and beautifully maintained lodge literally on the edge of Lake Windermere. The children played on the beach at the side of the Lodge and my father spent all day sitting on the decking admiring the view. He never stopped talking about seeing the flying swans, ducklings and beautiful changing scenery. It is a short walk into Bowness which is a lovely place to wander around and shop. There are lots of lovely small retailers and plenty of places to stop for coffee or to eat. The Lodge is not overlooked and no one can walk p