Looking for the ultimate minimoon hotel? More and more couples are opting for a UK staycation post-wedding to relax and recharge. And, nowhere does it better than Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, a truly luxurious, five-star hotel and spa in the beautiful Lake District. Find out why Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is such an incredible minimoon destination below.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House: The Ultimate Minimoon Hotel
Gilpin Hotel & Gilpin Lake House
First, choose between two offerings at this five-star retreat. Set in 21 acres surrounded by Lake District countryside, Gilpin Hotel has 30 bedrooms – most of them with private hot tubs (and some with a whole spa to yourself!) – several restaurants including a Michelin-starred offering, a Champagne Bar, lounge, terraces, spa treatment area – and resident llamas and alpacas!
Alternatively, Gilpin Lake House lies a mile away from Gilpin Hotel, set on 100 acres of private grounds with its own private lake and just nine bedrooms, sharing a boat house, spa treatment room, hot tubs, saunas and swimming pool.
Find out more about Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Minimoon Packages
Gilpin Hotel’s ‘Gilpin Moons’ offer the ultimate in luxury in the beautiful Lake District. Lucky couples can expect champagne in room on arrival, three dinners at Gilpin’s three restaurants – including one wine-paired, Michelin-star tasting menu offering – couple’s spa treatments, Windermere Lake Cruise tickets and more.
Rooms at Gilpin Hotel
Truly the definition of laidback luxury, at Gilpin Hotel all 30 bedrooms have Lakeland views, most leading directly onto the gardens – but we recommend minimooners opt for a room with an outdoor hot tub.
These can be found in six Junior Suites and six Garden Suites, which have decked or slate patios with their own wood-clad outdoor hot tubs – perfect to enjoy with a glass of bubbly as newlyweds.
To really splash out, look to the five Spa Lodges, with their own ensuite spa featuring steam rooms, hydrotherapy hot tubs and saunas – or, the even bigger Spa Suites where honeymooners can expect a bedroom ‘floating’ over the pond with views to the mountains, a circular stone bath, double shower and a spa room with sauna, steam room, infrared lounge bed, massage chair and a huge outdoor hot tub.
At Gilpin Lake House, you’ll have use of the the Lake House spa, boat house, hot tubs and stunning private lake and grounds.
Dining at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Opt for a minimoon package at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House and you’ll enjoy three included meals. With a complimentary evening chauffeur service between the main hotel and the Lake House, guests can dine in any of the three restaurants.
Michelin-starred restaurant SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel is a must, where you can expect nine-course tasting menus. Dishes such as langoustines, roast Cornish cod and Creedy Carver duck breast are paired with sommelier-chosen wines – led by new head chef Ollie Bridgwater (ex Fat Duck).
Spice lovers should look to pan-Asian Gilpin Spice – with two AA Rosettes, no less – for aromatic curries and spice-infused meat and fish sharing platters, inspired by countries along the spice trail.
The trio is complete with the new Knipe Grill at Gilpin Lake House, where such sumptuous dishes as 48-hour smoked beef brisket and pork chop smoked over coals are served up alongside an impressively comprehensive wine list.
We’d also recommend carving out time in your minimoon to sample the truly excellent afternoon tea on offer; it’s sure to be like one you’ve never had before! Think vegetable samosas with a tamarind dip as well as an array of traditional finger sandwiches, of course, and the likes of pistachio cake and lemon and chocolate mousse with home-made scones and macarons. Why not upgrade to a champagne tea to toast your new married life?
Spa Treatments at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House’s spa trail and special spa experience, with gorgeous local Pure Lakes and luxurious ESPA products, are part of what makes this such a special minimoon hotel.
Both properties now have their own spa offerings so that wherever you are staying, and whatever room you’re staying in, there is a spa trail or special spa experience just for you.
A new Spa Space was added at Gilpin Hotel in late 2022, where Chris worked with Sarah Jane Nielson and her team at Nielsen House, to create a calming and tranquil flow through the whole spa space, creating a sensory journey with naturally scented and textured wall coverings.
The scents of the oils and the warm, rich woods welcome you into the apothecary-inspired reception, with hints of the spice trail in the restaurant below. The natural feel flows through with an open bright meadow scene leading to the cool dark impression of woodland in the textured treatment rooms, natural stones in the steam and shower rooms, and a light, calming relaxation room.
Outside two hot tubs nestled in Garden Arwen, created with the roots and stumps which fell during Storm Arwen, different kinds of woodland grasses reflect a woodland floor, with woodland ferns to the north and sun-loving sedums to the south.
Choose from such luxuries as as Aromatherapy Massages, Walkers Rituals and special ESPA signature experiences, to facials, hot stone massages and holistic body care treatments.
Things to Do at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
If you can tear yourself away, you’re just moments from bustling Lake Windermere at the heart of the Lake District where, come summer, boat cruises and walks around the lake provide a wonderful way to spend a day. Come winter, watch the snow-topped fells from a cosy pub or, indeed, your own hot tub!
Weddings at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
It may be a spectacular minimoon hotel, but Gilpin Hotel & Lake House also serves as a truly fabulous wedding venue. Held at the Gilpin Lake House – fully serviced with Relais & Châteaux trained staff and Michelin-starred trained chefs – wedding menus are designed to ensure couples have the perfect dining experience in the most beautiful of surroundings, from a champagne afternoon tea and private dinner on the day of your arrival, to breakfasts and four-course wedding day meal.
The Wedding Package at Gilpin Lake House
The house and 100 acres are yours for two nights (or more if you wish). Arrive with family or friends and enjoy a relaxed evening at Gilpin Lake House with a three-course dinner chosen from our buffet menu, followed by your wedding day with a choice of our four-course wedding menu choice.
Example Package: The Love Story (18-60 people)
Exclusive use of Gilpin Lake House for two nights, with 18 people staying at the Lake House and your Wedding Ceremony and Wedding Breakfast in the conservatory. (Costs for 2023: 18 guests £20,012. Additional wedding day guests £175 per person).
Book Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
To book your minimoon or wedding at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House or simply find out more, head to thegilpin.co.uk or call +44 (0)15394 88818.