The Dunes Hotel

Barrow in Furness 54.15931700, -3.21069300 , Hawthwaite Lane (Show on Map)
7.8
Good


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsThe Dunes Hotel is a serene retreat nestled in the tranquil countryside, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the South Lakes and Lake District. Guests consistently praise its scenic setting with fantastic views and lovely grounds, ideal for relaxing walks and providing a peaceful ambiance. The hotel's strategic location, close to attractions like Roanhead beach, the South Lakes Safari Zoo and National Trust Sandscale Reserve, enhances its appeal despite being somewhat remote.

The breakfast experience at The Dunes Hotel is well-regarded, offering a variety of high-quality options from fully cooked English breakfasts to continental selections. Guests frequently commend the superb, delicious food and ample portions, all served in a pleasant dining atmosphere, often in a conservatory with fabulous views. The friendliness and professionalism of the breakfast staff stand out, contributing to an overall satisfying start to the day.

Dining at The Dunes Hotel's restaurant also receives high marks for its delicious and well-presented meals. Signature dishes like the Sunday roast are particularly highlighted. Despite occasional inconsistencies in food quality and service speed, the majority of guests appreciate the high standards and the lovely ambiance of the restaurant.

Rooms at The Dunes Hotel are praised for their spaciousness, modern touches and cleanliness. Visitors find the recently refurbished rooms to be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, although some older rooms and bathrooms may require updates. Families find the accommodations particularly suitable with family rooms that are spacious and practical.

Cleanliness across the hotel generally impresses guests, who describe the environment as spotless and comfortable. There are isolated incidents of cleanliness issues, but these do not overshadow the overall positive experience.

The staff stands out for their friendliness, helpfulness and dedication. Numerous guests highlight the attentive, polite and professional service they received, contributing significantly to a pleasant stay.

Parking facilities at The Dunes Hotel are another positive aspect, offering ample, secure and easy-to-access parking spaces that guests find very convenient. Although minor issues such as limited spaces during busy times or the lack of close parking for some rooms exist, the overall feedback on parking is favorable.

The hotel proves to be an excellent choice for families with its child-friendly amenities like playgrounds, thoughtful touches for special occasions and a welcoming atmosphere for both children and pets. The hotel’s attentiveness to families' needs, including tailored options for infants and children, enhances the family vacation experience.

Although the beds receive mixed reviews regarding their comfort, many guests enjoy restful nights on spacious, comfortable beds. The variability in bed comfort doesn't significantly detract from the overall positive impression.

In summary, The Dunes Hotel offers a delightful stay with its beautiful location, excellent dining experiences, spacious and clean rooms and outstanding staff service, making it a favored choice for both leisurely getaways and family vacations.
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Hotel with Parking
The hotel provides a free private car park on site, available on a first come, first served basis.

Cheap Hotel
This hotel is a budget-conscious choice. It is situated on Hawthwaite Lane.

Family Friendly Hotel

Dog Friendly Hotel

Business Hotel

Accessible Hotel

4-Star Hotel

Room Types
Family Room (2 Adults + 1 Child) This spacious family room offers views over the Duddon Estuary and features an en suite bathroom.

Double or Twin Room Featuring free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit has 1 bed.

Economy Double Room Offering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit has 1 bed.

Deluxe Double Room Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit has 1 bed.

Double Room Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit has 1 bed.

Guest Reviews
7.8
Good
Location
Nestled amidst the tranquil countryside, The Dunes Hotel offers a blend of serene beauty and strategic convenience. Ideal for exploring the South Lakes and the picturesque Lake District, the hotel is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle. Just a short drive from the stunning Roanhead beach and close to attractions like the South Lakes Safari Zoo and the National Trust Sandscale Reserve, the hotel's location provides easy access to beautiful natural landscapes and local points of interest.

Guests consistently praise the hotel's scenic setting, describing it as beautiful and stunning with fantastic views. The grounds are lovely, adding to the peaceful ambiance. Though situated in a somewhat remote area, guests appreciate the quiet and rural vibe, finding it perfect for relaxing walks and a tranquil stay. Some note the property's proximity to key destinations such as Ulverston, Barrow and Lake Windermere, enhancing its appeal for both leisure and business travelers.

While the hotel is off the beaten track, making it a little challenging to find and distant from bustling towns, visitors find this seclusion part of its charm. The lack of nearby amenities may be seen as a drawback for some, but for those with a car or those who enjoy a peaceful retreat, it remains a great spot to disconnect and unwind.

Overall, The Dunes Hotel stands out for its beautiful, quiet setting and strategic location for exploring the surrounding natural attractions. With stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere, it provides a perfect escape for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Lake District and its environs.

Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Dunes Hotel has garnered primarily positive reviews from guests. Many praised the variety and quality of the breakfast options, highlighting the available choices from a fully cooked English breakfast to continental selections. Guests frequently described the breakfast as excellent, superb and delicious with special mentions of specific items like sausages and full English spreads.

The breakfast staff received numerous accolades for their friendliness, professionalism and efficiency, even under pressure. Despite a few instances of staffing shortages leading to delays or limited availability of items at the buffet, the attentive and polite demeanor of the staff was appreciated.

Several guests mentioned enjoying the breakfast atmosphere, particularly when served in the conservatory with fabulous views. Huge portions and high-quality ingredients were also noted as highlights, making the breakfast experience satisfying and enjoyable.

On the constructive side, some guests pointed out issues such as running out of certain items, the occasional underwhelming continental options and food being left under heat lamps for too long. A few reviews mentioned breakfast service being slow or chaotic, particularly when the hotel was busy. Nevertheless, these issues seemed to be exceptions rather than the norm.

Overall, the breakfast at The Dunes Hotel is well-regarded with most guests leaving satisfied and ready for the day's activities. The combination of high-quality food, a good range of options and a pleasant dining atmosphere makes for a positive start to the day for visitors.

Dinner
The restaurant at The Dunes Hotel receives high praise for its food quality, variety and presentation. Many guests found the meals delicious, well-cooked and beautifully presented with particular highlights including the Sunday roast and evening meals. Both breakfast and dinner were noted for their excellence and the restaurant's charming and relaxing atmosphere was appreciated.

However, some reviews mentioned inconsistencies in food quality and service. A few guests experienced issues such as cold dishes, greasy food or meals that were not to their taste. Service speed was a point of contention with some diners experiencing slow service. Despite these hiccups, the majority of guests found the food to be of a high standard and the restaurant setting lovely.

The restaurant also faced operational challenges, such as limited menu options and occasional closures due to staffing issues. Some found the menu pricey, though many believed it offered good value for the portion sizes and quality provided. The restaurant's bar and eating area were also praised for their pleasant ambiance and good drink selection.

Overall, while there were some areas needing improvement, most guests found dining at The Dunes Hotel to be a positive experience, warranting repeat visits and high marks for both food and atmosphere.

Rooms
The Dunes Hotel offers a variety of rooms that are generally praised for their spaciousness and cleanliness. Many guests appreciate the comfort and modern touches of the more recently refurbished rooms, which feature tasteful decor and sizeable beds. Rooms on the ground floor and those facing the staff car park have notable large windows, while some guestrooms are elevated by modern accessories and bright atmospheres owing to natural light.

However, there are mentions of the hotel's need to update certain areas, particularly in older rooms that exhibit dated furniture, worn carpets or minor maintenance issues like broken fixtures or mismatched lighting. Some bathrooms are described as being functional but in need of an upgrade with mentions of mould and low water pressure impacting the overall experience. The lack of air conditioning and the occasional problems with room temperatures—either too hot or too cold—were recurring themes.

Several attic rooms possess charming skylights but are criticized for their small size and difficult access. Despite these concerns, a notable number of guests felt the rooms were still comfortable and met their needs, praising the hotel's aesthetic appeal and the functionality of the amenities. Families found the family rooms to be accommodating and spacious. While the service received mixed reviews with some citing noise issues near reception or lack of communication among staff, the quality of rooms remained a positive highlight for many visitors.

In summary, The Dunes Hotel provides a pleasant stay with a focus on modern, comfortable and spacious rooms, despite some needing updates and occasional minor inconveniences.

Beds
The Dunes Hotel offers a mixed experience when it comes to the comfort of its beds. While many guests have noted that they enjoyed restful nights on the hotel's large and comfortable beds, opinions on bed comfort vary significantly. Some reviewers raved about large, spacious beds that were comfortable and provided a good night's sleep. Phrases like "super comfy," "very comfortable," and "comfy bed" were frequently used to describe their sleeping experience. Several guests appreciated the clean and cosy rooms and found the bedding comfortable and the rooms warm. King-size and super king-sized beds garnered positive feedback as well.

However, there are numerous critiques about bed comfort with issues ranging from hardness to lumpiness. Several guests found the beds too hard or uncomfortable with some mentioning noisy and broken springs and even collapsed beds. The infamous bed in room 47 was repeatedly singled out as particularly problematic. Some guests also reported unpleasant mattress smells and poor-quality pillows.

Despite these criticisms, it seems that if one lands a good bed, it can make a stay at The Dunes Hotel quite enjoyable. Nonetheless, prospective guests may want to request specific bed types or rooms to increase their chances of a comfortable night's sleep.

Cleanliness
The Dunes Hotel generally impresses with its cleanliness. Guests consistently note that the hotel, including common areas and individual rooms, is kept very clean with many describing it as spotless. Numerous reviews highlight the inviting, clean and comfortable atmosphere with modern and spacious rooms that are regularly maintained by the housekeeping team.

However, there are some areas requiring improvement. Several guests mentioned issues such as dusty surfaces, dirty carpets and cobwebs. Specific concerns were raised about the bathroom conditions, including mould, dirty tiles and outdated fixtures. Some guests also reported that their rooms were not serviced during their stay with problems like unemptied bins and strong odours.

Despite these issues, the hotel’s positive aspects of cleanliness are frequently noted, indicating overall satisfaction in this regard, even though there is room for enhanced consistency in cleaning standards.

Staff
The staff at The Dunes Hotel receive predominantly high praise from guests with many hailing their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness. Reception staff, bar staff and those working during breakfast are frequently mentioned for their positive attitudes and willingness to assist. Highlights include staff going above and beyond to accommodate requests and being particularly great with children. Guests found the staff to be generally polite, professional and knowledgeable.

However, there are inconsistencies. Some reviews mention instances where reception was unmanned or where guests encountered rude, unhelpful staff. There are also mentions of staff appearing untrained or overwhelmed, leading to slow service or confusion during busy times. Despite these occasional lapses, many visitors were impressed with the overall dedication and friendly demeanor of The Dunes Hotel staff, who were often seen working hard to ensure a pleasant stay for their guests.

Wi-Fi
Guest reviews of The Dunes Hotel present a mixed picture regarding the Wi-Fi service. On the positive side, several guests reported good to excellent Wi-Fi connections with some noting that the signal was strong and they were able to stream movies without issues. However, a number of reviewers had negative experiences, citing unreliable or poor signal and in some cases, Wi-Fi being completely unavailable for days. There were also mentions of Wi-Fi not working in the rooms. Overall, while some guests found the Wi-Fi service satisfactory, others faced significant connectivity issues, suggesting an inconsistent experience across the hotel.

Parking
The Dunes Hotel offers a variety of parking options, which have received overall positive feedback from guests. Many reviewers appreciated the ample parking space available, describing it as plentiful, big and secure. The availability of free on-site parking was frequently highlighted as a significant advantage, making it convenient for guests to park their cars without additional costs. Additionally, the parking was considered easily accessible with spaces close to the hotel, facilitating a hassle-free experience.

The hotel features a large and spacious car park with some noting the vast parking area and big parking bays. On-road parking near the hotel is also an option and it is generally easy to find a spot. Safety of the parking area was another positive point with guests feeling assured about the security of their vehicles.

However, some guests mentioned a few drawbacks, such as limited parking spaces near the rooms and occasional crowding due to hotel events. Others noted the lack of dedicated and disabled parking near the entrance, which could be inconvenient for some. A few guests pointed out minor issues like the car park being located on a muddy back road with no pavement and difficulties in finding parking near the front of the hotel.

Overall, the parking facilities at The Dunes Hotel are commendable, providing a secure, spacious and cost-effective solution for guests, despite a few limitations during busy periods.

Family
The Dunes Hotel emerges as a top-notch choice for family vacations, notable for its welcoming atmosphere and extensive offerings for kids. Catering to families, the hotel proudly features family suites and rooms tailored to guests' needs, ensuring a comfortable stay for everyone, including infants who can benefit from amenities such as cots and highchairs. The outdoor environment is a standout with various playgrounds and parks, including a children's playground directly opposite the building, promising endless fun for young ones.

Guests consistently highlight the child-friendly ambiance, mentioning how their children enjoyed the play areas and play parks specifically designed to keep them entertained. The addition of thoughtful touches, like balloons, banners and a box of chocolates for birthdays, adds to the welcoming vibe for families. The staff's attentiveness to kids, such as heating bottles and providing breakfast options for children, further enhances the family experience.

Pet owners will also appreciate the hotel's dog-friendly policy, welcoming pets alongside families, allowing everyone, including furry friends, to enjoy the stay. Despite minor issues like the occasional noise, families overall have a positive impression of the hotel's offerings for children, emphasizing the value for money and recommending it to friends and relatives.

These attributes make The Dunes Hotel a strong contender for families looking to relax and have fun, especially those attending events like weddings or visiting nearby attractions. Even with a few areas for improvement, such as children’s meal service and room maintenance, the hotel's family-centric approach and enjoyable facilities provide a delightful stay for families with kids.

4 Star
The Dunes Hotel offers a beautifully decorated and stylishly laid out environment with a cozy and upscale feel that many guests appreciate despite some debates about its four-star rating. The hotel is considered to provide great value for money with some reviews mentioning it as being very good or excellent in this regard. The staff, especially Nancy at reception, received high praise for their friendly and warm service with some guests highlighting their five-star service as a key positive.

The hotel's food offerings are generally well-received with many guests enjoying the delightful breakfast and excellent restaurant options. There is also a good selection of alcohol and cocktails available, adding to the positive dining experience. However, a few reviews suggest that there is room for improvement in the restaurant's food options.

While The Dunes Hotel is described as lovely, a stunning place to stay and meeting many amenities expected from a four-star property, some guests feel that it falls short of four-star standards. Comments suggest that with some work, it could fully realize its four-star potential in the future. Despite these critiques, the overall experience at The Dunes Hotel remains positive with its charming ambiance and good facilities for an enjoyable stay.

Business
The Dunes Hotel has garnered praise for its ideal location, making it a convenient choice for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel's four-star quality and business-style decor have been noted as fitting for business stays. Guests have appreciated the conference facilities and rooms suitable for business meetings.

However, some guests have pointed out inconveniences for business travelers, such as occasional staff shortages and loud conversations affecting the professional atmosphere. While its amenities and meeting spaces make it a great business stopover, these aspects may not fully meet the expectations of all business visitors.

Accessible
The Dunes Hotel offers a range of accessibility features that accommodate guests with disabilities, making it a practical choice for visitors seeking comfortable and inclusive lodging. The hotel provides accessible rooms, designed to be easy to move around in and suited for elderly guests. Key facilities include accessible bathrooms with features such as wet rooms to enhance convenience.

While the hotel itself is clean and modern, fitting well into its easy-to-reach locale close to main attractions, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The lift does not service the second floor and some rooms, including attic ones, may not be easily accessible. Additionally, the service lift to the first floor is sometimes the only way to access certain rooms. The disabled parking is available but not always directly adjacent to the main entrance.

Guests have noted minor inconveniences, such as the inaccessibility of the wheelchair ramp due to large gravel and the difficulty of opening Velux windows. Despite these, the hotel still boasts amenities like an easily accessible children's play area and convenient access for dogs, offering a generally positive experience for those with mobility challenges.

Luxury
Nestled in a picturesque location, The Dunes Hotel provides an enchanting experience that balances comfort and a touch of luxury. Characterized by its beautifully decorated and furnished interiors, the hotel exudes a lovely modern charm. Many guests highlighted their joy in staying in suites that come with luxurious bathrooms and tasteful decorations, adding to the overall premium feel of the place.

Though not classified strictly as a luxury hotel, the establishment offers great value for money, throwing in a sense of homeliness and comfort that many guests enjoyed. Upgrades to the suites, particularly for special occasions like wedding nights, were highly appreciated and added a personalized touch to the stay.

The idyllic and absolutely beautiful location of the hotel further enhances its appeal, making it a favored choice for a few days’ relaxing getaway. Guests also noted the importance of minor enhancements like coffee machines in rooms, which could elevate the luxurious experience even more.

While the hotel’s website might hint at a fine dining experience, some reviews pointed out that the menu was somewhat limited and basic, suggesting there’s room for improvement in the culinary offerings. Despite this, the overall package of understated elegance, modern facilities and beautiful surroundings makes The Dunes Hotel a highly recommended destination for friends and family seeking a comfortable yet special retreat.


No, The Dunes Hotel doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at The Dunes Hotel.

Yes, The Dunes Hotel welcomes dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at The Dunes Hotel.

No, The Dunes Hotel doesn't have a gym.

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