I stayed for two nights at Ambleside Central (Sunday 13th and Monday 14th April 2025) and was happy with my time there. I stayed in room 7, which was at the rear of the property, which meant it was quiet. The building is located on Lake Road, which is often busy with traffic for most of the day, so if your room is front facing, you will probably hear traffic from your room and hear people walking and conversing along the street. To find Ambleside Central, if arriving by bus, do the following: when you arrive at the main bus interchange at Ambleside (where there are two bus shelters), simply walk up to the top of that road and you are on Lake Road, then turn left and across the road you will see the main door to Ambleside Central, beside a fish and chip shop, called the Codfather. There is a sign right next to the door indicating it is Ambleside Central. The Lily Bar is to the right of the fish and chip shop. Ambleside Central is very easy to find. On the day I was due to check in at Ambleside Central, I was given two codes by text message on Whatsapp. Each code has a set of four numbers ending with a hashtag symbol #. I received them around 3pm, once my room was ready. The first code is for entering the main front door to the building and the second code is for entering the room where you will be sleeping. There are no keys and no-one to greet you when you arrive, though sometimes there are cleaning staff still around. The door will make a buzzing noise when unlocked. The door handles are modern, hi-tech and black in colour and have numbers on them. When you press a number on the door handle, all the numbers suddenly activate and light up clearly in blue – which indicates it’s ready for you to enter your code number. For entering your room, you press the relevant numbers to enter your code number and end it with the hashtag # symbol and then lift the handle up completely and push it down completely – but do not be rough with it. Then you enter your room.

It would be nice if there was a reception area where someone could greet you and check you in.

Loved the location although the noise on Saturday night from the bar next door was a bit annoying. Probably wouldn't have bothered me that much if I hadn't had a really bad headache. The place was easy to find and really good directions and information from the hosts prior to my visit. Room was clean. Ensuite was clean apart from the shower had black mould on the shower head and in the cubicle. That was a little disappointing. Overall I enjoyed my stay ☺️

Clean, functional and generally quiet with good arrangement for parking a few minutes walk away. Well placed near town centre.

You don’t see anyone who represents the property at any time during the stay. Not a big problem, they answer the phone and everything seems to work as intended with door codes etc. My room was exposed to some noise from others coming and going but again it wasn’t prolonged and didn’t affect my stay.

Great location, and had everything we needed for the small trip

No storage for our clothes, room was a lot smaller than the photos (guess you used wide angle lenses for the photos which is deceiving) and there were false nails on the top of our bed frame when arriving so worry to room wasn’t properly cleaned before we arrived.

Great location and fabulous value for money. Although the toilet is not ensuite, it's totally private (we get a key for it) and just across from the room. Large room with extremely comfy beds, right in the heart of Ambleside.

Nothing, really. I read the reviews and the music and noise from the bar downstairs wouldn't bother me and rooms do get hot in summer (it's a guest house so no air con). Fortunately we had cooler days and not even a fan needed. Free parking is offered a distance away but I chose to use the pay & display across the road as it was actually affordable.

Very clean, good information about room access and parking. Central location for access to local shopping, walking, running and bars/restaurants.

Be aware that the walls are not ideal sound barriers. I kept the bathroom door shut to mute the sound of my neighbours early morning "ablutions / habits" nothing left to the imagination. It did not detract from my stay,.... was quite amusing.

Spotless room! Very comfy bed! No need of keys to enter the building or the room, so no worries about losing keys! (Code system is used) Good location. Close to several restaurants, cafés, gift shops, Tesco, etc. Also very close to the bus stops! The car park is a few meters away from the guest house, but it is free Very good communication from the manager of the place!

It was a very hot weekend, so the fan was not enough and we had to open the window. The window was open to the back of some type of pub or something. I felt the smell of cigarettes a few times.

Room was comfortable, and exceptionally clean. Information regarding check in was clear and concise. Perfect for our stay.

Bathroom separate to bedroom, across corridor. Didn't bother us much but felt as though it could have been annoying for other guests when we were in and out of the bathroom. We tried to be as quiet as possible. The carpark was a fair walk away through pitch black wooded area on a night which we didn't expect therefore we found alternative parking.

Very simple accommodation and we like it. Also, its location was just perfect.

Our room was okay. The thermostat of the shower didn't work well; so I notified the owner of it and he let us use the shower of the other room which was not used. You see, nobody is perfect; so we all had expected this sort of thing might happen and the owner was very kind.

The room was a good size for 3, it was very comfortable, a good location and very clean. I was surprised by the toiletries and housekeeping visit.

The Friday night was good, and even though we were at the front of the house, above Lillys bar, there was hardly any noise, Saturday was Derby day, so unfortunately, Lillys bar was noisy until 2am, not so good. The bathroom is rather tiny but manageable. But all in all, great value for money and would recommend.