“Ah, you’ve got Room 105. Very special. You’re going to love it.” When the charming guy carrying your bag tells you that, after you’ve checked in to a hotel, you could be forgiven for a slight air of scepticism. After all, he’s not likely to say, “Oh Room 105 – poor you.” However, when he opened the door I saw exactly what he meant. In front of me were TWO seductively curvaceous baths facing out towards a huge bed, a spacious seating area, large bowl of fresh fruit, bedroom slippers, fluffy bathrobe, quality toiletries, huge flat screen TV and iPod deck. It’s not often I’m really impressed by a hotel bedroom but this time – oh yes.
The room exuded warm, seductive charm – the only drawback was that I didn’t have a warm, seductive guy to share the romantic atmosphere with. The Langdale Hotel describes it as ‘Luxurious, Cool, Romantic, Unusual, Stunning, Contemporary, Surprising, Fun, Naughty, Cheeky, Relaxing, Exciting, Different.’ Yep, I’d agree with that – and add ‘Quality Quirky’ to the list!
I’d been invited to see for myself what the Langdale offers their hotel or timeshare property guests and also to test drive the Twizy, a tiny electric car that is causing more of a stir on the roads and lanes of the Lake District than any Ferrari or Porsche would. A quick wander round the hotel was enough to see that there’s every facility you could wish for on a luxury holiday, whether for a family, on a romantic break, business trip or solo traveller like me. Here are a just three of my favourite things:
- The Langdale Spa – having a facial or massage is always a real treat. When you can combine both in one blissfully relaxing session then tis heaven indeed. Spoilt for choice with an extensive menu of treatments, beautician Louise suggested I opt for the Elemis Face & Body Sensations which promised a “thermal-soothing massage followed by an anti-ageing facial designed to restore youthful radiance.” What she actually gave me was an hour or so of sheer relaxation and indulgence and I certainly FELT rejuvenated, whatever the age I looked …
The Swimming Pool – with 20 metres to paddle up and down in I could happily avoid the half-term kiddies splashing around and then take a few minutes time-out in the ‘Sanarium’, a Scandinavian-type wooden cabin combining the heat of the sauna with the less dry atmosphere of a steam room. And no, I was not tempted to try the chilly ‘deluge shower’.
- Purdey’s Restaurant – now this is where the Langdale exceeded my expectations by a country mile. I’d been told the food was very good, but then you’d expect that in a luxury hotel of this calibre. What I was not prepared for was dishes that would merit a Michelin Star and provide a superb sensory sensation. Having opted for the Tasting Menu, which at £49.50 is excellent value, I was presented with plate after scrumptious plate of divine taste bombs. Outstanding was the combination of roast artichokes, Scottish girolles & crunchy samphire. But the craziest dish, which surprisingly worked really well. was the lemon meringue cheesecake & raspberries with a heady basil sorbet. Masterly, Chef …
After a great night’s sleep wallowing in king-size splendour, I was back in Purdey’s for breakfast. The restaurant was buzzing as people fueled up for a day out in the autumnal Lakeland sunshine. Now it was time for my Quirky Travel adventure in the Twizy. The cute little electric car was fully charged and it’s really easy to drive. Switch engine on, foot down and off you go. It charges from an ordinary plug socket and there are power points around the south Lake District. And what an eye-catching little wowzer it is!
I drove out along the Langdale Valley, through Ambleside and up to Grasmere, relishing the autumnal colours whilst wishing I had brought some gloves, as the car doesn’t have windows. It has a neat turn of speed and is easy to manoeuvre. As you probably know, electric cars are virtually silent from the outside (though not from the inside!) so I had to be careful not give the Lake District walkers a heart attack as I crept up behind them on the narrow country lanes. Everywhere I went people smiled, children laughed and it was more photographed than James Bond’s Aston Martin … With a battery distance of 40+ miles I didn’t need to recharge and was really sad to have to hand back the keys a couple of hours later. (More details of my trip in The Kendal Courier magazine and to be posted on the blog shortly.)
The Langdale Hotel leases the Twizys from the Co-Wheels Car Club so their hotel and timeshare guests can hire one from just £10 an hour. Great value for one of the most fun ways to get around the Lake District.
Many thanks to the staff at the lovely Langdale Hotel for making my stay so enjoyable and for that gorgeous bedroom. Find them on Face Book here. You can discover other interesting ways to get around the south Lake District, including ferries and electric bikes, with Go Lakes ‘Drive Less, See More’ campaign.
I want Father Christmas to bring me a Twizy on Decemeber 25th 😉 You can see the spec here
//www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/twizy/product.aspx
This hotel looks fabulous! Given that I’m not too far from Cumbria, I think I’ll check out their website right now – would be an easy weekend getaway for me!
Zoe!
First of all I want to say how much I love the final photo in your blog. Those autumnal leaves and classic lakeland view just evoke the autumn freshness that is synonymous with Cumbria!
Now I can start to tackle all the jealous emotions whilst reading this fab blog post 😉
Thank you for selflessly reviewing Room 105! It sounds as though it should definitely be on anyone’s ‘romantic rooms’ list. Staycations are a great way to celebrate anniversaries and the Langdale looks as though it would definitely not disappoint. Those bath tubs are just something else!
One of the great things about your blogs is your honesty. Indeed, although the electric car sounds ideal, having no windows could be a disadvantage with Cumbria’s often moody weather 😉
The quietness of the car is a lovely thought, to not adding to sound pollution but, I always worry about those with no or partial hearing so hope that there is a horn to toot in case as you say you come up behind walkers, who may be a little deaf too?
I must say you do look so very at home in Twizzy 🙂
Elspeth I’m sure you’d absolutely LOVE that room at the Langdale and perchance an indlugent Spa treatment to help you recover from any jet lag 😉 And yes, the Twizy is quiet and I didn’t work out the horn so just shouted! Apparently it does unnerve the sheep too …
I absolutely loved it and would be delighted to have one. It needs to be looked at as an alternative to a bike or on foot rather than a car and dress appropriately. My tiny hands were really cold by the end so driving it on any day other than the occasional hot, sunny ones we sometimes get, requires wrapping up. Next time I shall go prepared!
Basil sorbet doesn’t sound like an obvious choice, but I’m sure it works well. With a bit of experimentation you can always find great and unexpected combinations. Avocado juice, with condensed milk and chocolate is an apt example. Not something most people in Europe would think of as we’re so used to using avacados as an ingredient for savory dishes.
Must admit I wasn’t sure about basil sorbet Nico but it was a real treat. That’s the joy of a Tasting Menu where you can be a bit more adventurous. Your avocado juice dish sounds most intriguing!
I love the sound of the hot tubs, coupled with the right company & oh of course some fizz this would definitely get my romantic seal of approval!
I love the sound of the hot tubs, with the perfect company & a bottle of champagne this would definitely get my romantic seal of approval! x
Sure you would love it Rebecca 🙂