"The wonders of Windermere are many. It boasts England’s largest lake, the Beatrix Potter museum and the perfect balance between the modern amenities of a prominent rural town and the traditional architecture and old world quaintness you would expect from such a popular British holiday haven. And a few hidden gems too, one of which was our final destination – Linthwaite. As the centre of Windermere gradually makes way for the rural landscape, it’s a matter of minutes before a tree-lined country road invitingly spirals upwards to this luxury hotel, which you just know is going to be accompanied by something special once the journey reaches its summit. And so it proves, when the walk to check in bypasses the front door and continues out onto the veranda. It’s the hypnotic appeal of this part of the world. If you’re fortunate enough to get a vantage point like this, giving you a ringside seat to Lake Windermere and the hills that linger majestically above it, then it must be savoured. It’s your own personal balcony above the best this country has to offer. And it also makes you wonder how breathtaking it would be on a clear sunny day – but even the dull drizzle that hovered during our visit couldn’t detract from the location’s splendour, and that doesn’t diminish once you step inside. So how is it best to describe Linthwaite’s appeal? The website says “professional without being pretentious”. General manager Andy Nicholson backs this ideal up by labelling it “unstuffiness”. It might not be a word, but it captures Linthwaite’s charm perfectly." Read the full article here. Nick Smith, Liverpool Echo, March 2013