Name: The Ro Hotel Windermere
Address: Helm Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, England, United Kingdom, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, GB
Price range: $132–$293 per night
Rating: 7.78

What guests think

At The Ro Hotel Windermere, guests often praise the friendly staff, walkable location with lake views, and enjoyable spa and pool, while noting the steep uphill approach, some dated or musty areas, and extra charges for parking and certain facilities.

Rooms range from spacious lake view options to smaller, sometimes noisy spaces, with occasional issues like weak cooling, corridor smells, or maintenance flaws. Breakfast is frequently enjoyed, though several reviews cite limited variety or lukewarm items, and dinner quality varies; the bar can feel small and may close early. Good for short breaks where convenience matters more than uniform quality.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Spa and pool draw praise, and the terrace views are a highlight. Downsides include a small bar that can close early and paid parking, which may be limited when busy.

Related guest reviews

8

Justin

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Really great experience! Some areas were dusty and not quite as clean as I would expect for the price, but would stay again. Halls smelled a bit like that classic “old hotel” but the rooms did not have any unpleasant odor. Breakfast options were somewhat limited but all very good and we found them to be excellent quality compared to other hotels we stayed at on this trip (including ones that we paid for breakfast!) spa was lovely, and staff at the spa, restaurant, and front desk were all very friendly. Views were incredible from our balcony, and balcony was quite spacious.

6

Sarah

Aug 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We have been to this hotel before but it just seemed really disappointing this time. The staff seem very unwelcoming. They speak quickly in a condescending manner. The room was small and the hotel is generally dated. The breakfast was ok but cheap quality ingredients. They are charging for the car park and despite advertising spa facilities, you need to pay for this as well on top of the high price they charge for average rooms. Just disappointing!

4

FREDERIC

Jun 10, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Worst was receiving parking citation after paying for parking at this hotel. Truly terrible way of treating your customers. No ventilation or cooling of any kind in room on first floor. Window opened about an inch. I will admit the views were nice, but it'd be the same everywhere else.

6

Karl

Aug 20, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel was okay and that’s all I can say. The breakfast was not good and the room a bit cramped. Air conditioning did not work very well and the quilt on the bed was perfect for a very cold winter. The price for one night was, £261 and I then had to pay an extra £10 for parking. Was it worth the money and would we go back. No and No, sorry.

10

Jason

Nov 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great hotel and staff. Shame the hotel bar closed early.

8

Sarah

Nov 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean hotel, buffet breakfast. Small bar given the size of the hotel which closed early on a Saturday night. We had a lake view family room which was big and comfortable. However there was a drainage smell in the bathroom. The pool and hot tub are fabulous

10

Lauren

Jul 31, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Beautiful location, views are stunning on the outside terrace, rooms are lovely whilst small has all you need although would suggest a mirror on the dressing table. Breakfast was lovely, drinks very reasonably priced with a good selection and lovely welcoming staff.

8

Richard

Jun 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stay here each year for the Great North Swim. One of the best in the area. Staff are friendly and can’t do enough for you. The hill up to the hotel is a killer if your fitness levels are not great and parking can be a small issue if it’s really busy. No Hash Browns at breakfast is unforgivable but that is the only slight on an otherwise good stay

10

Rebecca

Jul 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed for a weekend at The Ro hotel and had a lovely time. The staff are all friendly and work so hard. The hotel it's self is slightly dated in some areas but that adds to it's charm. We also used the wellness centre and would definitely recommend it. It's really clean and modern with lots to offer. The hotel is is really central to windermere, we were able to walk everywhere easily. We'd definitely stay here again.

8

JAMES

Sep 8, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The Ro hotel was situated close to the centre of Bowness and was clean and obviously fairly recently been repainted. condition was in general good although the carpets looked like they needed replacing. The rooms were comfortable and the food was good. Drinks were a little on the expensive side and I was unhappy having to pay for car parking at the hotel when we were staying there. However we had a good trip and stay.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is mixed: many guests found rooms clean, but repeated mentions note dusty or musty corridors, stained carpets, and occasional mould or worn finishes.

Related guest reviews

8

Justin

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Really great experience! Some areas were dusty and not quite as clean as I would expect for the price, but would stay again. Halls smelled a bit like that classic “old hotel” but the rooms did not have any unpleasant odor. Breakfast options were somewhat limited but all very good and we found them to be excellent quality compared to other hotels we stayed at on this trip (including ones that we paid for breakfast!) spa was lovely, and staff at the spa, restaurant, and front desk were all very friendly. Views were incredible from our balcony, and balcony was quite spacious.

6

LORRAINE

Aug 26, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel is looking tired. Chipped paint, marks on all the walls. Smells of dampness and flickering lights in hallway. Breakfast has gone down hill from previous stay. At 8.30 am it was barely warm. Previous day very little left at 9.30. Came back from a walk around 1.30 and the excuse for no glasses at the bar for water was ‘clearing up after breakfast’! Disappointed as standards have definitely slipped and no longer value for money

2

Graham

Jun 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Not good at all. The hotel require major improvement work despite it saying it’s had that! Our superior room with lake view was not clean and the shower tray had terrible mould around it. We were offered a change of room. The evening meal was very poor, barely warm and lower than average quality. We were offered a 50% reduction and given an apology. ASKED TO PAY £5 TO PARK YOUR CAR OVERNIGHT IN THE HOTEL CAR PARK & TO HAVE TO SQUEEZE IT UP AGAINST A WALL AS NO AVAILABLE SPACE IS DISGRACEFUL

8

Nicholas

Jul 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The Ro is an old hotel that has been updated so there is some cool boutique decor but also some musty corridors. We paid for an upgraded room which was a good size, nice decor, bright with a great lake view. Bathroom was a bit small and in need of a little TLC.

10

carl

Jun 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

nice hotel, clean and tidy, good breakfast

8

Sarah

Nov 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean hotel, buffet breakfast. Small bar given the size of the hotel which closed early on a Saturday night. We had a lake view family room which was big and comfortable. However there was a drainage smell in the bathroom. The pool and hot tub are fabulous

10

Mark

Jun 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely hotel, very clean, friendly staff. Room was a bit dark due to full blinds and once open neighbouring properties could see in. Also they didn’t provide much in terms of keeping the light out when trying to sleep. Everything else great

8

John

Oct 9, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Ro Hotel not our usual type of hotel, found it a little too corporate for our liking so only for that reason we wouldn’t stay again. Very clean and excellent choice for breakfasts. Very noisy on late evenings as our room faced the entrance/exit and car park; room very small and a little claustrophobic. Area of corridor on ground floor smelt musty from ceiling leaks, a few mop buckets around catching the rain. We didn’t use facilities on evenings so can’t comment on service or facilities available.

8

Robert

Apr 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room pleasant, comfortable and quiet. Whole place seems to have been recently refurbished. Shame though that the badly stained carpet in the main corridor hasn’t been replace as this gives a very poor first impression. Overall would definately stay again.

6

Lisa-Marie

Jul 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff were lovely, very friendly & polite. We stayed in the balcony room, I think it was very expensive and over priced for what it was. The room had lots of stains on the walls, carpet & ceiling, the shower area needs redecorating and again walls and shower tub was stained. The balcony was ok, again it wasn’t cleaned, but the views were lovely. The hotel is at the top of a very steep hill but is in a nice location and close to everything. I think the hotel would definitely benefit from being redecorated as some of the hotel has peeling paint work, scuffed woodwork and peeling wall paper. I expected more for the money we paid, I wouldn’t stay here again.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Room experiences vary widely—some are spacious with balconies or lake views, while others feel small or dark. Several reports mention noise or temperature/ventilation issues, and decor in places can seem dated.

Related guest reviews

8

Matthew

Jan 21, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed for 2 nights in January. The hotel is very stylish and well equipped. Great location near bars and restaurants although the uphill walk after a few maybe a decision breaker! Staff are very friendly and helpful. Our only gripes are the room we stayed in (with balcony view) was very cold. We had to ask for an electric heater to supplement the built in heating. Also we could here the music and noise from the bar (directly below) so if that's an issue don't choose the balcony view rooms. Otherwise a great stay!

4

FREDERIC

Jun 10, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Worst was receiving parking citation after paying for parking at this hotel. Truly terrible way of treating your customers. No ventilation or cooling of any kind in room on first floor. Window opened about an inch. I will admit the views were nice, but it'd be the same everywhere else.

8

Nicholas

Jul 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The Ro is an old hotel that has been updated so there is some cool boutique decor but also some musty corridors. We paid for an upgraded room which was a good size, nice decor, bright with a great lake view. Bathroom was a bit small and in need of a little TLC.

8

Sarah

Nov 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean hotel, buffet breakfast. Small bar given the size of the hotel which closed early on a Saturday night. We had a lake view family room which was big and comfortable. However there was a drainage smell in the bathroom. The pool and hot tub are fabulous

4

George

Mar 6, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Room 128 had no view at all just a stone wall 2ft in front of window. There was bird netting between outside wall and bedroom window. There where Pigeons flying inside netting and birds where on window sill cooing all night long. Which kept us awake all night. This needs to be addressed by management.

10

Lauren

Jul 31, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Beautiful location, views are stunning on the outside terrace, rooms are lovely whilst small has all you need although would suggest a mirror on the dressing table. Breakfast was lovely, drinks very reasonably priced with a good selection and lovely welcoming staff.

10

Mark

Jun 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely hotel, very clean, friendly staff. Room was a bit dark due to full blinds and once open neighbouring properties could see in. Also they didn’t provide much in terms of keeping the light out when trying to sleep. Everything else great

6

NIALL

Jan 8, 2023

·

Stayed 19,364 nights

There was a noise all night from a fan or ac unit. The breakfast selection was good but most of it was only warm, not hot. Nice hotel but let down by a couple of small things, would stay again but would have to be a different room.

10

Stuart

Mar 6, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great stay. Staff were all friendly and excellent, room was comfy, spotless. Using the cast to tv was very easy (other hotels take note, this is how it should be done). Further to other reviews, the hotel is on a bit of a hill so if you're compromised in your walking it may be a struggle and it could get a bit wearing if I was there for a week but it was fine for the weekend. Breakfast was also great although maybe bigger plates would stop even a couple of items feeling crammed in. The room wasn't the quietest, could hear a lot when the footfall was high so the room could have done with some excluders just to cover the gaps below the door to deaden the noise a bit but that's being really picky. A great stay and would definitely stay again.

10

Stephanie

Dec 26, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

Amazing stay, super friendly staff and the service was great. The room was huge and had lovely views over the lake. Would definitely stay again

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Service is often praised as friendly, accommodating and hardworking across reception, bar, spa and restaurant. A few guests reported unwelcoming check-in, short-staffing, or unclear communication.

Related guest reviews

8

Justin

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Really great experience! Some areas were dusty and not quite as clean as I would expect for the price, but would stay again. Halls smelled a bit like that classic “old hotel” but the rooms did not have any unpleasant odor. Breakfast options were somewhat limited but all very good and we found them to be excellent quality compared to other hotels we stayed at on this trip (including ones that we paid for breakfast!) spa was lovely, and staff at the spa, restaurant, and front desk were all very friendly. Views were incredible from our balcony, and balcony was quite spacious.

6

Sarah

Aug 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We have been to this hotel before but it just seemed really disappointing this time. The staff seem very unwelcoming. They speak quickly in a condescending manner. The room was small and the hotel is generally dated. The breakfast was ok but cheap quality ingredients. They are charging for the car park and despite advertising spa facilities, you need to pay for this as well on top of the high price they charge for average rooms. Just disappointing!

10

Richard

Aug 28, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Receptionist chap. Was v patient. We swapped rooms 2 times and settled on the 3rd. Wish was fantastic. Bar staff were great too. We didn’t eat in the restaurant in the evening but breakfasts were great

8

Stephen

Oct 14, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Excellent accessible room. Lots of space for wheelchairs, very relaxed atmosphere. Close to main street in Bowness but at the top of a very steep hill. Staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay here again.

10

loretta

Jan 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Excellent hotel, staff amazing couldn’t do enough for you. Highly recommend this hotel, very central.

10

Maria

Jan 10, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

My stay was great from the moment I got checked in by Persia who was lovely and even offered to see if the kitchen would prepare me something even though they had just closed. After my long journey from London it was a very good welcome. My room had a beautiful window with a view of the Lake and the mountains. The rest of the staff from the bar to the restaurant was really accommodating and kind. It’s within easy walking distance to restaurants, shops, cinema and the lake of course.

8

Rose

Jun 6, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great location, just a steep walk up and down hill. Hotel needs touch up and needs more staff. The staff was absolutely great, but it was hard to watch them run around due to staff shortage.

10

Lauren

Jul 31, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Beautiful location, views are stunning on the outside terrace, rooms are lovely whilst small has all you need although would suggest a mirror on the dressing table. Breakfast was lovely, drinks very reasonably priced with a good selection and lovely welcoming staff.

8

Richard

Jun 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stay here each year for the Great North Swim. One of the best in the area. Staff are friendly and can’t do enough for you. The hill up to the hotel is a killer if your fitness levels are not great and parking can be a small issue if it’s really busy. No Hash Browns at breakfast is unforgivable but that is the only slight on an otherwise good stay

8

Graeme

Jan 4, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This was our first time here and won’t be the last. Every member of staff we met were very friendly & helpful.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Central and walkable to the lake, shops and restaurants, with lovely views. Multiple reviews flag the steep hill back to the hotel.

Related guest reviews

10

Kenneth

Aug 1, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great hotel on lake Windermere - convenient to shopping and dining options plus walkable to the boats that taxi around the lake. The hotel staff was friendly and helpful. Room was ok and had the amenities we needed. Enjoyed the daily breakfast to gear you up for whatever walk or attraction you pursued that day.

8

Matthew

Jan 21, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed for 2 nights in January. The hotel is very stylish and well equipped. Great location near bars and restaurants although the uphill walk after a few maybe a decision breaker! Staff are very friendly and helpful. Our only gripes are the room we stayed in (with balcony view) was very cold. We had to ask for an electric heater to supplement the built in heating. Also we could here the music and noise from the bar (directly below) so if that's an issue don't choose the balcony view rooms. Otherwise a great stay!

10

Amber

Oct 10, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is a true gem in the Lakes District. It has a lot of history (which translates into very small rooms and a non-existent barrier between the shower and the rest of the tiny bathroom). But if you don't need a lot of space, the buffet breakfast was great, it's so close to shopping, dining, and the lakefront. A spectacular view of Lake Windermere from an outdoor patio. Which means a very steep walk up from the main drag. Definitely a classy place to stay.

8

Stephen

Oct 14, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Excellent accessible room. Lots of space for wheelchairs, very relaxed atmosphere. Close to main street in Bowness but at the top of a very steep hill. Staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay here again.

10

Muhammad

Apr 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

A quiet and comfortable place with amazing view of the valley and also a short walk into the hustle and bustle of down town. A great location and place to stay.

8

Jen

Mar 9, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great staff, great views but if your walking into town be prepared to walk back up a big hill. Lovely breakfast. Our room was basic but it was the cheapest, damp smell down our corridor, corridor lights didnt stop flickering and room was far too hot in the night. The downstairs area is really nice especially at night time all lit up.

8

Richard

Jun 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stay here each year for the Great North Swim. One of the best in the area. Staff are friendly and can’t do enough for you. The hill up to the hotel is a killer if your fitness levels are not great and parking can be a small issue if it’s really busy. No Hash Browns at breakfast is unforgivable but that is the only slight on an otherwise good stay

8

Terri Anne

Apr 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location & lovely room

10

Rebecca

Jul 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed for a weekend at The Ro hotel and had a lovely time. The staff are all friendly and work so hard. The hotel it's self is slightly dated in some areas but that adds to it's charm. We also used the wellness centre and would definitely recommend it. It's really clean and modern with lots to offer. The hotel is is really central to windermere, we were able to walk everywhere easily. We'd definitely stay here again.

6

Lisa-Marie

Jul 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff were lovely, very friendly & polite. We stayed in the balcony room, I think it was very expensive and over priced for what it was. The room had lots of stains on the walls, carpet & ceiling, the shower area needs redecorating and again walls and shower tub was stained. The balcony was ok, again it wasn’t cleaned, but the views were lovely. The hotel is at the top of a very steep hill but is in a nice location and close to everything. I think the hotel would definitely benefit from being redecorated as some of the hotel has peeling paint work, scuffed woodwork and peeling wall paper. I expected more for the money we paid, I wouldn’t stay here again.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast receives frequent compliments for quality and variety, but several reviews mention limited options or food not kept hot. Dinner feedback is mixed, and the bar may close early.

Related guest reviews

8

Jessica

Aug 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great stay at The Ro Hotel - beautiful hotel and particularly enjoyed our evening meal at the hotel's restaurant.

8

Justin

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Really great experience! Some areas were dusty and not quite as clean as I would expect for the price, but would stay again. Halls smelled a bit like that classic “old hotel” but the rooms did not have any unpleasant odor. Breakfast options were somewhat limited but all very good and we found them to be excellent quality compared to other hotels we stayed at on this trip (including ones that we paid for breakfast!) spa was lovely, and staff at the spa, restaurant, and front desk were all very friendly. Views were incredible from our balcony, and balcony was quite spacious.

6

LORRAINE

Aug 26, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel is looking tired. Chipped paint, marks on all the walls. Smells of dampness and flickering lights in hallway. Breakfast has gone down hill from previous stay. At 8.30 am it was barely warm. Previous day very little left at 9.30. Came back from a walk around 1.30 and the excuse for no glasses at the bar for water was ‘clearing up after breakfast’! Disappointed as standards have definitely slipped and no longer value for money

10

Mark

Nov 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Breakfast was amazing.. Very fresh

6

Karl

Aug 20, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel was okay and that’s all I can say. The breakfast was not good and the room a bit cramped. Air conditioning did not work very well and the quilt on the bed was perfect for a very cold winter. The price for one night was, £261 and I then had to pay an extra £10 for parking. Was it worth the money and would we go back. No and No, sorry.

10

Jason

Nov 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great hotel and staff. Shame the hotel bar closed early.

6

Helen

Jun 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

A fabulous terrace overlooking Lake Windermere. Staff friendly and very accommodating. Room very clean and comfortable. Unfortunately dining experience was poor, slow and unedable food as the salt was eye watering!! Waiter and manager were very apologetic and gave excellent hospitality. Disappointing as if they had a different kitchen team we would have given it 5 stars.

10

Lauren

Jul 31, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Beautiful location, views are stunning on the outside terrace, rooms are lovely whilst small has all you need although would suggest a mirror on the dressing table. Breakfast was lovely, drinks very reasonably priced with a good selection and lovely welcoming staff.

10

Emily

May 4, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We had an absolutely amazing stay at this property. The staff were so helpful and polite, they took fantastic care of us. The hotel and surrounding area were beautiful and well kept, the rooms were comfortable with plenty of space and accessible showers. Breakfast was included with the stay and was a delicious buffet, and dinner in the restaurant was fantastic. When we return to Windermere we will absolutely be coming back to stay here again.

6

NIALL

Jan 8, 2023

·

Stayed 19,364 nights

There was a noise all night from a fan or ac unit. The breakfast selection was good but most of it was only warm, not hot. Nice hotel but let down by a couple of small things, would stay again but would have to be a different room.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$154
February	$164
March	$158
April	$191
May	$204
June	$196
July	$192
August	$194
September	$185
October	$169
November	$166
December	$157

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4 $256	5 $293
6 $162	7 $199	8 $201	9 $161	10 $181	11 $221	12 $258
13 $139	14 $144	15 $199	16 $161	17 $159	18 $190	19 $282
20 $158	21 $139	22 $150	23 $156	24 $170	25 $177	26 $248
27 $157	28 $164	29 $162	30 $132

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $150	2 $175	3 $243
4 $164	5 $148	6 $157	7 $156	8 $157	9 $176	10 $228
11 $148	12 $156	13 $161	14 $156	15 $192	16 $192	17 $224
18 $144	19 $133	20 $146	21 $136	22 $149	23 $203	24 $262
25 $140	26 $176	27 $160	28 $154	29 $154	30 $214	31 $241

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about The Ro Hotel Windermere

Have a question?

Considering this hotel for your Bowness-on-Windermere trip?

Prices for upcoming dates