Hotel Lovelady Country House (Alston, United Kingdom)

Set two miles from the small market town of Alston, this hotel really is a rural retreat. Indeed, after Alston, the next nearest town is around 15 miles away. A majority of reviewers said they had a tranquil and relaxing stay and were able to sleep well, helped by what many described as comfy beds. Many guests said it was a perfect location for enjoying walks nearby and accessing leisure activities in Northumberland, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

The hotel is proud of its fine dining for which it has earned two AA rosettes. Many guests agreed that the evening meals were of a high standard, while the breakfast has been called plentiful and tasty. A few guests grumbled about menu prices and limited alternative dining options nearby.

Many reviewers experienced a warm welcome from courteous and friendly personnel. A lot of visitors liked the old-fashioned ambience and character of Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel.

A few reviewers found some of the décor and traditional furnishings to be a bit tired-looking or dated; others spotted peeling paintwork and signs in a poor state of repair. A few reviewers reported some occasional minor cleanliness issues or difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi during otherwise comfortable stays.

Remote locations like this mean you feel like you are getting away from it all. However, there can be drawbacks as some guests observed. Alston may be a town, but it has fewer amenities than some villages; so you might be disappointed if you were expecting lots of cafes, shops and restaurants to choose from. Getting there by car can be tricky along smaller country roads, especially during harsh winter weather.

A few visitors noted that not all rooms had scenic views, and one or two were disappointed to get a view of an area containing bins.