Harley Young lives the life of luxury with her own private lake house spa
Nothing quite resets your mood like a spa getaway.
There’s just something about escaping to a faraway place, floating in a bubbling hot tub and getting all cosy in a fluffy robe that shakes off stagnant energy unlike anything else.
But sometimes, when everyone else has had the same idea and the spa poolside gets a little too crowded, that much-needed moment of tranquil relaxation can become anything but.
What if I told you that there was a spot in The Lakes where you can enjoy uninterrupted, private access to a heated pool, sauna and cedar wood hot tub, at a secluded destination with its own private Lake, no less?
Add in a few extras… I don’t know, perhaps a couples massage, a lavish afternoon tea on the jetty, a night’s stay in a room with lakeside views and your very own chauffeur-driven Porsche to escort you to and from dinner at an award winning restaurant?
Thought that might grab your attention.
I know such an experience exists because I was lucky enough to try The Gilpin’s Spring Spa Trail Escape for myself earlier this week. Read on to find out just what it entails and whether it's worth the luxury price tag*.
A grand welcome
Even just arriving at Gilpin Lake House is an impressive experience. After following the windy country roads down towards Knipe Tarn, the Gilpin’s own private lake, my partner and I were greeted by a set of wrought iron gates that opened leisurely as we pulled our car up towards them.
We followed another windy path around and were greeted by the Lake House itself; an impressive stone building owned by the Cunliffe family who bought the property back in the 80s and lovingly transformed it into what it is today - an award-winning five-star destination where people travel from far and wide to visit.
Stepping into the Lake House is like visiting a charming old friend. Every inch of the property oozes tradition and has been courteously cared for by a team of wonderfully welcoming staff. It has that old money feel and is both grandiose yet homely at the same time.
After a swift check-in, we were shown to our room for the evening; ‘Harriet’- one of just eight bedrooms, further highlighting the destination's exclusivity.
The door swung open and so did my jaw, utterly gobsmacked by the spectacular lakeside view in front of me. So besotted by the scenery, it took me a moment to take in just how ginormous and beautiful this room truly was. Homely and inviting, not stale and sterile, this huge en-suite bedroom had just enough charming nicknacks and décor to feel welcoming rather than intruding on someone else’s space.
A spring spa escape
Once unpacked, settled in and changed into our swimwear, we donned our Gilpin-embroidered robes and made our way to part one of our spa trail escape; the Lake House’s very own indoor pool and sauna area.
The spa facilities are reserved for a maximum of 12 guests per day, meaning that those visiting the spa can have their own slots of exclusive access - that means no polite queueing for the hot tubs, no squabbling for loungers, and certainly no unwanted chatter to distract from your peace.
My partner and I enjoyed the area to ourselves for an hour, rotating between leisurely laps of the pool and drying off in the salt sauna. Once our time in the pool was up, we were collected by the Gilpin’s in-house spa therapists and guided over to the treatment lodge for a couples treatment.
Treatment for two? Don’t mind if we do
The space itself was reminiscent of a modern day hunting lodge with large, comfy armchairs and faux fur cushions, perfect for sinking into as we filled out our consultation forms. Once we’d discussed our areas of concern and goals for the session (shoulder tension and relaxation), we were led through to the treatment room - a beautiful, tranquil space with cosy log burners and unparalleled views of the lake.
Over the course of the next hour we were transported to a realm of relaxation and serenity before gently being brought back to the room - both feeling like we’d just woken up from a really good nap.
All that relaxation turned out to be very hungry work, but luckily for us, the Gilpin had just the right treat in store.
Afternoon Tea on the jetty
Last week’s diabolical weather seemed but a distant memory and the sun had decided to come out to play, so, instead of having our afternoon tea in the adorably quaint boat shed conversion, we decided to have it al fresco on the jetty instead.
Perfectly cut finger sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, coronation chicken pani puri, freshly baked scones, a selection of sweet treats paired with a pot of tea (glass of Champagne for my partner who was feeling extra fancy) and the jaw-dropping views of the lakeside had us lost for words. Joined only by the birds serenading us in the trees, this fairytale moment was one that I’d treasure for years to come.
Bubbles and… more bubbles?
Pleasantly full and on a complete high, it felt like the afternoon couldn’t get any better. That was until a member of the team reminded us that we had an hour of private lounging in the cedar wood hot tub complimented by another glass of champers for my other half and a non-alcoholic alternative for myself.
Does life get any better than this?
Dinner at Gilpin Spice
Completely relaxed, showered and refreshed, we donned our best outfits and got ready for an evening of dinner at Gilpin Spice, located at Gilpin’s main property five minutes down the lane. No need to call for a cab though, as the Lake House guests’ very own chauffeur Dave was ready and waiting to drive us in style in the destination’s incredibly swanky Porsche.
A stylish, buzzing restaurant inspired by the rich culinary traditions of south and south east Asia, Gilpin Spice boasts a carefully curated menu using the freshest ingredients around.
Mostly served as small plates and side dishes designed for sharing, we opted for a portion of the spicy tuna tartare maki and gochujang fried chicken to start before delving into the Cumbrian saddleback pork belly and slow cooked ox cheek with egg fried rice and wok fired pak choi as our mains. All of which was absolutely phenomenal and prepared before our very eyes at our incredibly lucky seats at the chefs table.
Once we’d finished our delightful meal and enjoyed a nightcap over in the Gilpin bar next door, chauffeur Dave was on hand to take us safely back to our not-so-humble abode for the night.
Breakfast with a view
After what was quite honestly one of the best night’s sleep I’d had in ages, thanks to the plush king sized bed and the Lake House’s peaceful, remote location, I was ready to take on the day, throwing back the curtains and taking in that incredible lakeside view once more - which is somehow even more spectacular the second time around, by the way.
Winter had well and truly loosened its cold, harsh grasp and spring was in full bloom as the sun beamed down on the lakeside garden where squirrels danced amongst trees and ducks waddled along the lawn. Think of your favourite Disney film and amplify it by five - that’s how a morning at the Gilpin Lake House feels.
Setting us up for our next adventure ahead, we enjoyed our final meal; a multi-course breakfast of fantastically fresh fruits, pastries and cooked delights which we savoured for as long as possible, not wanting to bring our incredible stay to its bittersweet end.
Details
*The Gilpin’s Spring Spa Trail Escape is currently available at a discounted rate (£100 off), exclusively for the month of April. The ‘Spring Spa Trail Escape’ in a Lake House Classic Room is available from £605.
For more information or to book this package, click here.
The Gilpin Lake House, Knipe Tarn, Kendal LA8 8LN
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