Macdonald Leeming House

I have never left a hotel review like this in my life, but my experience at Macdonald Leeming House, Ullswater was so shocking that people deserve to be warned. From the moment I arrived, things went wrong, and not because of bad luck, but because the staff misled me from the very beginning. Before even being given my room key, I asked if there were any better rooms available to upgrade to. I was told clearly and confidently that there were no upgraded rooms available at all. I accepted that and headed to the room. What I walked into was disgusting. The room was filthy, covered in dust and grime, and worst of all, medication and belongings left behind by a previous guest. A clear health and safety failure and proof the room had not been cleaned properly – if at all. I went straight back to reception and was moved to another room. Shockingly, the second room was just as dirty and neglected, with the same lack of care. At this point I checked online, and that’s when I realised I had been misled from the start. While standing in the hotel, I checked the Macdonald Hotels website and Booking.com. Both were showing multiple upgraded rooms available for the exact same night. Rooms I was told didn’t exist. Rooms I had asked for before even seeing the state of the first one. This was not poor service it was complete misrepresentation. On top of that, there was no manager on-site, and although I was told one would call me, nobody ever did. I was left to deal with two unsafe rooms and staff who weren’t honest with me. With no clean or safe accommodation, and no support from management, I had no option but to leave the hotel entirely. I could not find any suitable alternative nearby at such short notice and ended up having to drive all the way back to Scotland late at night. No four-star hotel should ever put a guest in that situation. This hotel may have beautiful surroundings, but the reality behind the front door is filthy rooms, misleading information, and no management presence when things go wrong. I strongly advise anyone considering this hotel to think twice. What you see online and what you actually get may be very different.

A lovely place to stay, staff very friendly and helpful. Rooms lovely food great

We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect wedding venue! The house and location is truly stunning, but it was the amazing team that made the experience unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, the staff were warm, attentive, and fully committed to making our day special. The intimate setting made everything feel personal, and we loved that we never felt in the way of other guests, nor they in ours. Everything was impeccably organised, and the whole day flowed effortlessly, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment. The food was also incredible - beautifully presented and delicious. We’re so grateful to the entire team! A special thank-you to Lesley and Monika for going above and beyond. If you’re looking for a venue where you’ll feel completely supported from start to finish, this is the one. Highly recommended! We'll definitely be coming back!