We arrived before check in time as we were walking in the area- spoke at reception and we were able to leave the car. All the staff were very welcoming. We were shown to our room on check in. Room was very clean. Bed was comfortable. There was no TV in the room but wasn't an issue for us. The drying room was really useful. Booked dinner for one night which was delicious! Breakfast was great. Especially loved the afternoon tea and scones which were complementary and welcome after a long walk! Would recommend to anyone and stay again

Breakfast could have been from earlier- even if just the buffet section for walkers out early

We had the apartment with separated rooms. Kitchen bathroom and sitting area. All spotless and warm. Went for a few days walking with our dogs. Facilities were brilliant all set up for walkers. Even a drying room and dogs welcome. Would def recommend and return.

Staff were so friendly and attentive. Facilities were spot on and everything we needed. The restaurant food was amazing but we didn’t eat there every night as a set menu could be expensive. Perfect for a spacial treat. Breakfast had everything g you could want and chef was exceptional. Great place

Everything was perfect for us. It is very central to some of our favourite Lake District hikes like buttermere and fleetwith pike. Only a 10 min drive which is the nearest town for a supermarket/takeaway Breakfast was great, full English served with great fruit, pain au chocolat and cereal. Best thing was complimentary tea and coffee all day. Coffee was PROPER coffee (grinded beans from machine) and if you’re lucky the chef puts out free treats such as scones mid afternoon. We loved our stay, thank you!

Nothing! However we would only stay here if you have access to a car.

Quite simply, this is an oustanding place to stay. The staff add hugely to the overal experience. Jason, the highly capable manager, has a friendly, enthusiastic team, all of whom manage to make everything seem effortless - a skill in itself! High standards are assured, yet delivered with warmth and a degree of informality. There is nothing stuffy about the Royal Oak! Genuinely, it is one of the most welcoming hotels I've ever stayed in. There are several significant plus points worth mentioning: it is a comfortable, convivial and convenient base for the stunning walks in beautiful Borrowdale, with Keswick less than 7 miles away. The breakfast choices are superb and all the dinners on our three-night stay were excellent. Creative, delicious and beautifully presented. There is a drying room available for the inevitable wet gear for those keen walkers and did I mention the comfortable beds? This is a spot that will draw many guests back! We're planning a return trip at the next opportunity.

We had booked a stay at a hotel near Ullswater for another two nights which didn't come close to our experience at the Royal Oak. We regretted not staying on for longer. Lesson learned!

Location is great for walking around Borrowdale and is a bus ride away from Keswick. The hotel seems recently refurbushed and the staff are very friendly. Things are laid on such as books, packed lunches (tho I did not have one of them). The little bar is nice and had beer that I can actually drink. The room was very good value through Booking.com. No TV in the room was a bonus I think. Finally, for me the peak experience was the shower!

They could improve the food offerings for those on a gluten-free diet, for dinner and breakfast. Both were good (indeed I ate most of it that I could) but the experience was behind what many other places now do routinely for this situation.

Fantastic location, friendly team, and stylish, comfy room. Excellent breakfast, but limited hours of 08-09.30. Good packed lunches for walks. On the coast to coast route.

I didn't think £170/night was value for money. No housekeeping during 3 night stay. This reminded me of the Covid era and really annoys me. Stop charging more for less. No TV. The restaurant only serves a 3 course set menu, and several items were not available each night. Completely overpriced at £33 for 2 courses, £38 for 3. This isn't destination dining, it's good pub food in a nice sleepy village. There's nowhere else to go in the evening. Overall a good stay that would be great if better value and more dining choices.

We loved and enjoyed every moment of our stay. Amazing staff that are so helpful, friendly, hard working and attentive. The food was phenomenal, so fresh, tasty and really delicious. We liked the ethos of the dinner menu. A set three course local and seasonally sourced choice of dishes, a real treat. Our breakfast was also a feast of great choices, locally sourced with homemade jams etc… delicious and really set you up for a day in this very beautiful and scenic location. So much thought has gone into all the little but important details of a stay. The rooms are clean and beautiful and the beds are extremely comfortable. The showers are hot and powerful and we loved the local soap and shampoo. Our room had black out curtains, kettle and a good selection of hot drinks. You could also enjoy hot drinks during your stay from the dinning room at anytime. The hotel had a drying room and some very comfy lounge areas. Dogs were welcomed and got spoilt with a little treat hamper. The carpark has a EV charger, everything has been though about nothing missed. We really cannot wait to go back and enjoy this fantastic find. Thank you for looking after us so well.

We liked everything there is nothing about this hidden gem not to like.

I had a great stay at the Royal Oak Hotel in Keswick. The location is amazing, nestled in a secluded and beautiful area that feels like a true escape. The food was excellent, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel very welcome throughout our stay. The rooms were nice and clean, though our room was a bit on the small side. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful getaway in a stunning setting

Our room was a bit on the small side.

Excellent quality accommodation at an excellent price. The choice of local ales was very good as was the quality of the breakfast. The staff were very helpful and friendly and it was nice to have two resident's lounges where you could relax with a beer at night. The room and en-suite were large and very clean.

The only negative was that there was no TV in my room but this was a minor issue.

This was our second visit to The Royal Oak and it was just as good as the first. The location is perfect for exploring the Borrowdale Valley on foot and this lovely revamped traditional Inn is a great place to return to at the end of a day in the hills. Close to Keswick if you want to pop in with a good bus service and an open top version to make the most of the views. Thoughtfully modernised with everything you need to relax with family and friends, comfortable beds and plenty of hot water. The rooms and shared facilities are clean and modern and the staff couldnt be more helpful. We had a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast booking which we felt was good value. The food is lovely, freshly prepared and locally sourced.

We like it here, my only comment would be if you have younger kids who are 'picky eaters' as mine used to be the evening 3 course menu may be difficult to manage. It is good food but it is a limited menu. Freshly cooked and sourced that day there is no 'Kids menu' as such. It would be worth asking in advance if you have concerns.