Rothay Manor, Ambleside: 'I visited the luxury Lake District hotel where dogs are treated like royalty as well as us humans'

The couple had spent 12 years working in ski chalets in the French Alps but were keen to return to the UK and Jamie had spent many happy times in the Lake District.

That was ten years ago and since then the Shails have spent time and money creating the luxury haven that is Rothay Manor.

The hotel champions the enjoyment of slow travel, celebrating laid-back luxury and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, with great walks and good food at its core.

As dog owners themselves the Shails wanted to ensure the hotel is not just dog friendly but actually provided everything which a dog owner (and their dog) needs and wants to make a hotel stay enjoyable – and not stressful.

For example, its boot room comes complete with a dedicated washroom for doggies… and even some Ruff & Tumble dressing gowns.

In the room there is a dog bed and bowl provided along with dog treats and poo bags.

We were staying one of the Pavillion suites, separate from the main hotel with its own private garden which was perfect for us as it meant we didn’t have to take our labrador Remi through the hotel to get to the room.

In the summer you can just imagine sitting in the private garden sipping something cool and admiring the view. As it was the weather was not amenable to that but it was still a lovely thing ti have.

The hotel partnered with Ben Cunliffe Architects and Dynargh Design to create the Pavilion Suites - big, luxurious private spaces (upwards of 35m2) and intended to be a sanctuary for guests.

Designed to bring a sense of the outdoors in - using soft, country inspired colour palette peppered with opulent fabrics, the suites have their own private gardens – ideal for dogs - (one with its one hot tub.)

And despite the dog-friendly nature of Rothay Manor there is absolutely no tell-tale smell of our canine friends anywhere.

Dogs are welcome in the main hotel bar with roaring log fire and there is even a dog friendly dining room which serves exactly the same food as the main dog-free dining room with the same service and surroundings.

The Michelin recommended Rowan restaurant focuses on fresh seasonal food - Ulverston crab, Lake District lamb, Cumbrian meats, locally caught fish, prepared and cooked to highlight the quality of the ingredients.

When we visited Yorkshire rhubarb was much in evidence – even in the welcoming cocktail.

Yorkshire also featured heavily in the lavish cheese selection which only features British cheeses and is definitely worth keeping some room for.

And despite its lavish grand surroundings the Rowan restaurant, in fact the entire hotel, is super relaxed and informal.

Breakfast is also served here and is definitely a great way to start a day of exploration with fresh ingrediients and healthy portions.

Situated in Ambleside, Rothay Manor’s views of Lake Windermere and the Langdale Pike are breathtaking – even in the rain which is pretty typical for this part of the world.

But as, they say, even the rain couldn’t dampen our spirits as we headed out.

Rothay Manor is just a five-minute walk from the centre of Ambleside (with its famous Bridge House), and surrounded by countless walks of varying abilities – from Skelghyll Woods to the top of Jenkin Crag, and onto Wansfell Pike.

We actually caught the open top bus from the town centre, deciding to alight at Windermere and walk to Bowness. If you think it would be all lakes and mountain you’d be wrong.

We found ourselves walking through a lovely wood where we could let Remi off to explore and meet other walkers and their pooches.

There are plenty of dog friendly places to have a pint and a meal but not many can have the view of The Lake View Garden Bar (lakeviewgardenbar.com).

Not only are dogs welcome but they can have their own meal.

Due to weather we sat inside to admire the view and the extensive menu, but you can imagine on a sunny day sitting in the big garden om the shores of Windermere often accompanied by live music.

After lunch we walked down to the jetty and caught the boat from Windermere (www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk) back to Ambleside. The Windermere Jetty Museum is dog-friendly and worth a visit (lakelandarts.org.uk/windermere-jetty-museum).

Visitors can explore Windermere’s 200-year-old boating history, through interactive display, oral histories and a fascinating collection of boats, gadgets and curiosities.

For those with an interest in motoring and vehicles from across the ages, just a short drive from Ambleside is the Lakeland Motor Museum (www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk) a fantastic attraction and also dog friendly.

There is also a lovely walk to Stock Ghyll Force, a 70-foot waterfall nestled in woodlands right in the heart of Ambleside. It's an easy walk up, and the pretty falls are hidden into the hillside.

Once back in Ambleside the rain stopped and there was time for swim in the lake – the dog not me – before walking the short distance back to Rothay Manor to prepare for our sumptuous evening meal.

The Lake District, and Ambleside in particular, has something for everyone. At Rothay Manor you can relax is luxury surroundings whether you are human or canine.

A stay at Rothay Manor starts at £280 for bed and breakfast. www.rothaymanor.o.uk

To find out more about Ambleside at the Lake District visit visitlakedistrict.com.