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3.5
#1 of 2 hotels in Shap
Location
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Welcome to Shap Wells Hotel, your Shap “home away from home.” Shap Wells Hotel aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year.
Rooms at Penrith Best Western offer a flat screen TV providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free internet access.
24 hour front desk, room service, and baggage storage are some of the conveniences offered at this hotel. Breakfast will also help to make your stay even more special. If you are driving to Shap Wells Hotel, free parking is available.
Should time allow, Shap Abbey is a popular historic site that is relatively easy to get to.
Shap Wells Hotel puts the best of Shap at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Nestled in scenic surroundings, the Shap Wells Hotel is celebrated for its old-world charm and cozy amenities, despite some remarks about the decor being dated. The hotel's historic atmosphere and cleanliness receive consistent commendation, with guests highlighting well-maintained common areas and tidy rooms. While the location is ideal for serene retreats, some guests have concerns over room noise.
The staff's polite and attentive service often exceeds expectations, contributing to the hotel's appeal. However, opinions on value are mixed, with some finding the food overpriced, yet the drink prices reasonable.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Charming
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2 night stay at Shap Wells Hotel. It looks a little out dated but don't let that put you off. We had a great stay and at a time where restrictions are in place due to COVID. The staff went above and beyond to make sure that they and all their guest were as safe as they possibly could be. We had our temperature taken on arrival, there are markings on the floor for distance, our key was in a packet so untouched after cleaning, we were allocated a table in tbe dining room which was ours throughout, all staff were wearing visors or masks. We were asked to take a pen from a box of pens and that was ours to keep to sign paperwork, do our menu selections etc. The room (number 75)was clean and comfortable, it was a good size, no housekeeping in our room whilst we stayed but that's understandable at this time and we did not mind at all, if we needed more towels or anything we could ask for it. The tea/coffee etc in the room was plenty. We would definitely stay again and would like to go back after COVID to see how it differs but for this visit we felt well looked after and very safe. The grounds are lovely with lots of local walks and stream, lovely views and close to the lake district for day trips out. All staff were very friendly and very helpful, thank you for a great stay at a difficult time.
Thank you Tracy and Eric
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel is set in the most beautiful location, the grounds are stunning with fields, woodlands, rivers, sheep and red squirrels. The hotel has designated rooms and areas for dogs and they even provide pick and mix bags of dog treats. The pros... The setting, the staff who are amazing and the dog friendliness. The cons.... Rooms are dated and need an upgrade. Could have done with water bowls in the dog friendly rooms especially as the charges are £15 per night per dog on top of your room charge.. Finally.. The food is not great, for this type of hotel you would expect fantastic food. The breakfast is buffet style and unfortunately the cooked food was cold and the continental very limited. We had the 3 course evening meal, the starters were freezing so sent back, the main and the desserts were very basic quality which you might find in a basic greasy spoon. The food came out far too quickly to have been made fresh. The staff make the hotel as they could not have been more welcoming and helpful. 5 stars for location and staff, 2 stars for rooms and food
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Was offered to go here as our break to Llandudno was cancelled by Shearings/Ledger coach break. As we travelled by coach we were more or less stranded in a very hilly wilderness, the town of Shap is about 4 miles away there is no proper bus service, [3 buses a week we were told } Got quotes from taxi companies for around £20/£25 one way. The hotel is fine if you have a dog and want to walk, the meal times were rigid we were told that breakfast was at 7.30 and evening meal was at 1830. and you could not change. The bar area is gloomy and pricey (£9 for a double malt whiskey ) They have made some rules one of which was that you could not use the ground floor toilet where the bar is situated, reason given Covid. My room No. 64 was as small as you can get and not as comfortable as I would have liked, there was no housekeeping carried out on this 4 night break, you could go to reception and ask for what you might need. As we were on a coach break we were taken out daily to different towns. There was two ladies who didn't want to go out on the Wednesday, they were told that if they stayed in the hotel there was no bar or snacks until 1700. I would say you really need a car to stay here and like dogs, The food was fine and the staff were good. My main problem is with Shearings/Ledger for sending us mainly elderly people to this hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed here on several occasions and continue to enjoy our stays. We asked for our "usual rooms" on the landing of rooms 110 - 120. Big spacious rooms overlooking the rear car park; the only noise was from the fast flowing stream, which was very therapeutic. The hotel had been closed for several months due to Covid-19 restrictions, and is now operating within the English Government Guidelines. On arrival we were given a very informative leaflet on how the hotel is currently operating. The food service was mainly plated table service; the exception was at breakfast time, when guests could attend the service counter and make their choice of hot food . The system in place was excellent. We had an evening meal on both evenings of our stay; the food was fresh and hot. The only downside was at the bar, with a limited range of draught beers, due to the brewery not making a delivery. The housekeeping service was kept to a minimum, as explained in the leaflet. Staff did not enter the bedrooms during our stay, but one could request replenishments/ replacements, at any time, even for an electric kettle at midnight. All literature and extraneous / unnecessary items had been removed from bedrooms and public places. All staff were wearing face masks to protect guests and themselves. Guests were asked to wear masks in public spaces. The staff were very polite and helpful. We consider the hotel to be great and value for money. As Arnie says "We'll be back".
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Date of stay: September 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Rooms on the landing 110-120 are big rooms and are quiet.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful location and dog friendly, that’s where the positives end. The smallest room and dirty cups (despite asking numerous times for them to be changed). As it’s in the middle of nowhere there’s no choice but to eat their overpriced poor food. Take your own antibacterial wipes as no one will clean the tables between guests. I live in a big tourist area, you could get a better room with breakfast included for this price. I would not recommend this place and definitely not in the middle of a pandemic!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My satnav told me I had arrived when we reached a cow shed on a single track road in, it seemed, the middle of nowhere.
I was glad we persisted because the hotel, once we had found a parking space, was an attractive white faced building reminiscent of a hunting or ski lodge. I particularly liked all the bare wood and stained glass around the hotel. I know some reviews have used the word ‘dated’ but I think it well reflects a past period while having good modern facilities. I don’t expect furnishings that show every latest fleeting fashion.
I thought it would be a good venue for a murder mystery night and I noticed a poster for something similar on a notice board just before leaving.
The old petrol pump in the courtyard was a nice historic feature, but electric car charging would be quite attractive to this guest.
I was really impressed with the attitude of the staff in terms of sanitising, temperature checking and mask wearing. There was a clear process for staff and guests to follow. Staff were under pressure. One guy seemed to be receptionist, bar person, breakfast server, all rolled into one! Despite the pressure they were all polite and helpful.
Breakfast followed a process that was clearly explained and it was a comprehensive cold and hot breakfast.
I would like to return, perhaps when things are more normal.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Upon arrival we waited a long time to check in due to minimal staff. Once checked in they took our temperature and we were good to go. We got to our room and couldn’t believe how tiny it was. It hadn’t been cleaned to a good standard either. The two cups on our room were worryingly dirty. Definitely hadn’t been cleaned so we cleaned the whole room ourselves. We requested new cups but they never arrived. The food was shocking. We ordered and within 4 or 5 minutes our food was bought to the table. There is very limited veggie options so I actually had to order a meat dish. Not ideal at all. The veg was basic frozen veg and everything on the plate was tasteless and was not worth anywhere near what we had to pay. In between customers dinning and at the bar, nothing was cleaned. We sat in the bar area for an hour or so, we had to disinfect the tables and sofas and we saw guests come and go but not one member of staff were cleaning tables in between. Maybe Covid doesn’t exist there!!!??? We were really appalled By the level of cleanliness. We will never go back.
Good points: Dog friendly, stunning views and strong Wi-fi.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were part of a coach party with a stopover, and under COVID restrictions.
This is a stand alone hotel a mile or two away from the motorway. There are two ways to get to this hotel from the road, either the first turning off the road which is quicker or if you stay on the road for another mile or so you approach the hotel from the other side. That’s ok, but if you are are coach party and take the first turning, you end up going down a road with a restricted height and width bridge which a coach would not be able to get through as we did. The result Is a half mile reverse up a narrow undulating, bendy road, and quite a challenge for a coach driver. You would think someone would have had the foresight, to put a sign up at the start of the road saying unsuitable for coaches etc, but this was not the case and this is apparently a regular occurrence.
The hotel itself is quite dated on first impression and would suit back packers etc, or for a short stay. It’s quite old in appearance from the outside and it follows inside with dark panelling. It could be called character but it’s not to our taste as it feels too dark and dreary.
The room was a little on the small size (room 62) on the first floor. Again a bit dated with a older flat screen TV and one of the worst remote controls I have ever used with the battery cover missing and the remote was really tacky and sticky even after I attempted cleaning it. It was horrible to handle. The bed was of a poor condition with a mattress in a at end of life condition and two pillows with one as flat as a pancake and one slightly better. We did find two new pillows in the wardrobe in the morning, shame we didn’t look the night before. If you watch the tv in bed, the pillow disappears between the headboard (fixed to the wall) and the bed, very awkward and uncomfortable. A very poor sleep overall due to the mattress and pillows. It is also quite a noisy room and as it’s in the corner, seems to have bathrooms either side, with one side activating a fan when used creating a buzzing noise in the room. Sounds from the other rooms easily travel through to this room. The bathroom looks modern but not very practical either and has a loose toilet seat, very basic to put right! The dining room was large and again quite old but it seemed to work well. Food was good and service was fairly fast and efficient. The porridge is Definitely recommended as really tasty. Vegetarian sausages are available but you need to ask for them.
Summary, The hotel is ok for back packers or travellers for a night or two due to its location, but we would not stay here again by choice.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Avoid room 62
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Daniel Quilligan-Millar, Other at Shap Wells Hotel
Responded Aug 1, 2021
Dear Guest. Thank you for your review, you have made some points in your review that we can work with to improve our guest experience. With regards to the Orton road entrance to the hotel, we do inform our tour providers of this fact, if the coach driver decides to go down that road, knowing the restrictions, that is not the fault of the hotel, that rests with the driver who decided to drive down that road knowing the consequences. If you had spoken with a member of the managerial team during you stay we may possibly of been able to help with your request, however we can't do anything about that now that you have departed, which is a real shame! I will certainly pass your sentiments to the breakfast chef. I do hope to welcome you back to the hotel in the future. Warmest regards, Daniel Quilligan-Millar Guest Service Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Shap Wells Hotel was the worst Hotel my wife and I, have ever stayed in, the room was filthy. The On Duty Manager was arrogant, condescending and had no Management / Customer Relation Skills, no timely hot breakfast, no WIFI, this place failed in every respect in the contract between the customer and the Hotel. The best part about this Hotel, was leaving it.
We arrived at 14.40 hrs and requested an early check in, the Receptionist said Check is at 15.00 hours, so we waited outside the main entrance doors. An elderly couple arrived at 14.45 hrs and were immediately check in, on return to Reception at 15.00 the Receptionist stated our room wasn't ready at 14.40. He then asked my name, so if he didn't know my name, how did he know what room was allocated to me?. I was asked if I wanted to book breakfast, I said yes please, an early one as I had to be in Edinburgh for 10.30 hrs, I was informed there were only 2 times available to me, 09.15 hrs and 09.30 hrs, I couldn't have an early breakfast as they were all allocated to the 3 coaches, yet to arrive. I requested confirmation of the process for booking breakfast and was informed, on arrival, at Reception. So if I was the first in the queue and the coaches hadn't arrived why did they have priority. I was informed I could have a bag ration if I wanted to leave early, disgusting. The room, Room 94, a disabled room in the Old Wash House on the other side of the Car Park was filthy, it had, had a superficial clean but the carpet had matted dirt and dog hair throughout, the toilet had a trail of dead and live insects from the window, to the shower, the skirting boards were covered in cobwebs and filth, there were fly's and insects everywhere. I complained to the Receptionist and he said he would come over personally and clean the room, he gave it another superficial clean. On departing I asked the Receptionist his name as I didn't catch it earlier, he informed me it was Daniel and he was the On Duty Manager. I was shocked, how could someone with no customer relation skills, arrogant and condescending attitude possibly be a Manager. I asked if our room, Room 94 in the old wash house had WIFI as advertised and was informed that as it was located away from the main building, no it did not. This Hotel is aimed at catering for Large Coach Trip Companies, full paying customers are made to feel like an utter inconvenience.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Find another Hotel, Shap Well Hotel is a disgrace to the industry.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Daniel Quilligan-Millar, Other at Shap Wells Hotel
Responded Aug 22, 2021
Dear William, I am sorry that you found me to be condescending, arrogant, and no to have no managerial or customer service skills. I am generally welcoming, and have never before been described in the wording that you apt to describe me as. I do not at any point feel that guests are less important than coach tour guests at all, in fact the only reason that the coach tour had already been allocated breakfast times is that they had been resident with us for three days before you checked in. we do try our vest best to accommodate all of our guests needs and requirements as best as possible. at no point did i say to you that you do not receive wifi in the old bath house, and never in 12 years have I ever intentionally made a guest feel like an utter inconvenience. Our check in time is from 15:00 hours as stated on all online booking systems. We do try our very best to meet requests of earlier check ins wherever possible, The reason why I had not been able to check you in at 2pm when you had arrived is that I had not received the rooms back from our housekeepers until 2.45pm. Once again I am profusely sorry for your negative experience and do hope that in time you feel that you would come back and have a more positive experience with us. With my warmest regards, Daniel Q-M Duty Managerial Team
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We booked 2 rooms for a family stay from Friday 17th July to Sunday . We have stayed before but being apprehensive about Covid phones to clarify what had been put in place. Robert was superb. Answered all questions and was very reassuring. He also managed to allocate us the room we preferred as we took our aging dog. All staff went out of their way to ensure a pleasant & safe stay . Key was handed over in plastic bag. Temperature taken upon check in. Hot breakfast served by chef. Dining room tables very spaced out. We sat in bar area as we had the dog so cereals, fruit, toast & drinks preordered in form & delivered to table. Room clean . Had a fabulous time. Great hotel in fabulous grounds. Saw loads of red squirrels. They have gone to great effort to adapt make hotel experience as safe ,enjoyable and near to normal as possible . Will definitely be returning again. Thanks to all
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
York, United Kingdom147 contributions91 helpful votes
I don’t recall seeing any car charging points, but I would check with the hotel reception and I am sure they can advise on how they can accommodate your requirement.
There are more places to choose from in the Shap area.
PRICE RANGE
C$170 - C$214 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
best western penrith, penrith best western, shap wells hotel
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Best Western Shap Wells Hotel
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCumbriaLake DistrictEden DistrictPenrithShap
NUMBER OF ROOMS
110
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
