The Borrowdale Hotel, Borrowdale, Lake District

Four miles from Keswick, on the narrow road that leads up Borrowdale, it looks across fields to the fells and southern tip of Derwentwater. The lake and the picturesque village of Grange are each a ten-minute walk. Spectacular Honister Pass, which drops down to Buttermere, is a 20-minute drive. A landing-stage for lake cruises is a ten-minute walk, while Honister Slate Mine, with its shop, mine tour and Via Ferrata experience is a 20-minute drive.

By car: 2 hours 15 minutes from Manchester, 3 hours from Edinburgh and 5 hours 30 minutes from London. There is free parking on-site.

By train: trains run from Manchester Piccadilly (just over 1 hour), London Euston (3 hours) and Edinburgh (2 hours) to Oxenholme Lake District station. The hotel is an hour taxi ride from the station. Book trains to Oxenholme.

The décor is comfortably traditional but not in a heavy-handed way; attractively patterned carpets or parquet flooring and shimmery wallpapers, leather Chesterfields and heathery coloured armchairs, real fires and old prints, oak-panelled bar, plus Lloyd Loom chairs in the conservatory.

This is not a flashy place with lots of extras, but you will find a warm welcome and willingness to help. For outdoor-lovers, there are walking and cycling routes, plus boot hire can be arranged. For relaxation, there's a choice of lounges, plus a terrace overlooking the garden. Guests are also offered discount vouchers to local attractions.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Garden & terrace
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The 40 rooms, with several on the ground floor and some with private entrances, are light and pleasant if a little formulaic with feature wallpapers, wood-veneer furniture, colourful throws and local-landscape photographs. They're nicely clutter-free, and even standard rooms have kingsize beds. Most bathrooms have a bath and shower, and all rooms have a view, whether of lake or fells.

Room types: Standard, Classic, Prestige

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, TV, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi

The cooking is fresh, modern and creative. Perhaps home-smoked salmon tartare with avocado purée followed by guinea fowl with roasted roots and spring onion mash. There are amuse-bouche and between-course sorbets, plus spicy vegetarian options.

The restaurant: AA Rosette, silver service, modern British cuisine. Open daily. Three courses £29.95.

The lounge and conservatory: sandwiches and nibbles, fully stocked bar. Open daily for drinks and Afternoon tea, £24.95 per person.