Cedar Manor, Windermere, Lake District

On the outskirts of Windermere, on the principal route through the Lake District (A591), it's easy to find and just 20 to 30 minutes from the M6. Windermere station is a handy 10-minute walk. It also makes a good base for exploring the area although, despite being screened by trees, some traffic noise is inevitable. Ambleside, Grasmere and Coniston - offering culture, shops, walks and lakes - are within a 10 to 20-minute drive.

By car: 1 hour 30 minutes from Manchester, 3 hours from Edinburgh and just under 5 hours 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 a 20-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to Oxenholme.

The hotel has a modern, but not too modern, country house look with bold statement wallpapers, inviting sofas, table lamps and chic chandeliers. Colours are rich, cushions are plump, and throughout there's a feeling of relaxed elegance. Fine original features, such as a plasterwork ceiling in the dining-room and arched windows mingle with bespoke furniture.

The house is spacious enough for guests to spread out between two sitting rooms, the small bar area plus, on warmer days, a paved terrace. The separate Coach House apartment, with its swanky designer furnishings, tucked behind the main house, has its own dining room, sitting room and small kitchen.

• Terrace
• Bar
• Lounge
• Room service
• Electric car charge point
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

With a modern country-house feel - rich fabrics, soft carpets and bold-patterned wallpapers - bedrooms steer a careful line between designer-y and high-quality comfort. There are velvet armchairs and sofas, no unnecessary ornaments, yet bedside lights where you want them.

Room types: Wansfell, Crinkle Crags, Coniston, Windermere, Miller Ground, Langdale & Claife Heights rooms, Coach House, Junior suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, Egyptian cotton linen, TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

Breakfast is served in the elegant dining room and offers cold choices, plus cooked-to-order dishes that include pancakes, and smoked haddock and poached egg, as well as the full grill (with vegetarian options). There's a small lounge menu of snacks, plus a rather splendid afternoon tea with homemade scones and cakes.

Breakfast: vegetarian and non-vegetarian grill options and a range of cereals, pastries and jams.

Afternoon tea: full tea service. Served 1.30-4pm Thurs-Mon. £24.95 per person (plus a glass of Prosecco £29.95 per person).