We were given a voucher to use at the Applegarth and reviewed the various posts on TA before we went. Our experience didn't have any of the problems that we noted by other users: that isn't to say they didn't occur.
Our room on the first floor was small, but this is a Victorian building:
it was clean and comfy. The rest of the hotel/bar/lounge was furnished nicely and well maintained. Having seem the photos of what it used to look like, it is a dramatic improvement. If you want to see an untouched bit, use the toilet just by the main door.
The breakfast was good. We ate one evening meal in the restaurant. The food was reasonable, a little over overpriced maybe compared to what we ate outside in Windermere.
We were served by all the family members, except the father. We found them all to very pleasant, helpful and hard working. Overall, a very pleasant stay with no Fawlty Towers moments.

If I could have given this a zero rating, I would have. The mattress on our bed was broken with the springs sticking out and a missing handle on a long window in our room meant it would be extremely easy to fall out of the window if off-balance, in fact my partner almost did fall out of the window himself.

When we raised these issues with the owner in a polite and constructive manner we were completely shocked by his reaction. In fact he used what can only be described as the most foul and offensive language to tell us to get out of his hotel. When I said I would be taking the matter further, he laughingly told us that he was bomb-proof.

Prior to our discussion with the owner we had witnessed a distressing situation when he attempted to throw out a young woman carrying a baby who was visiting an elderly resident, telling her that children were not allowed in his hotel.

Our bedroom was tiny and bore no relationship to the rooms shown on the web site and the food represented very bad value for money.

The whole experience was akin to Fawlty Towers without the good humour. I cannot believe this man is in business.

Superficially a mediocre hotel, but after 24 hours, our views dropped to postively awful. We were given a very small double room above the kitchen. Ensuite was so tiny that you could barely turn around. Next morning we asked if we could move to a larger room as my partner is a larger man of 6'3". We were immediatley offered an upgrade to a mini suite in the basement, which again on first impressions seemed very good. However, the bed was like sleeping on a straw bale, the pillows really uncomfortable, the sink plug did not work, the power shower was lovely until it flew off the fixings as soon as it was turned on, the toilet leaked and only flushed properly after the second attempt ; the badly fitted bathroom door did not close and the window was cracked. A silly small TV on top of the wardrobe, and another in the sitting area. We were reluctant to complain again as they had been so accomodating at moving us. We ate in the restraunt the first night. Food was ok, not special, service was excellent. Things went really downhill when I asked for an ice bucket with ice, and was informed very curtly that there would be a charge of £2.50 !!. I was about to book for the restaurant but was so put off by the attitude that we went out for a meal locally.

We used the swimming pool at their partner leisure centre, which was sadly overcrowed and extremely small.

Bar area and decor was ok, cheap fittings though and no attention to detail.

On checking out the same lady asked us if were leaving with more than we arrived with!!, we did not understand what she meant, then she explained that we should have taken advantage of the excellent shopping facilities...believe me you don't go to Windemere for shopping Kendal not very different .

I told her about the leaking toilet and was told that this was due to condensation..we did not bother to mention all the other faults with the room, but have noticed other similar reviews about basement rooms so assume they already know.

All in all probably not a bad hotel for the area, my Mum and Dad would love it.

From the moment we arrived the staff were freindly and warm and could not do enough for us, the rooms were very good with great view and always clean, Food was what can only be described as excellent restaurant service was first class and the head chef was charming and courteous . The cruise on board Mistress was terrific and Alan and Suzanne could only be described as the perfect hosts, it all added up to a wonderful experience for myself and my partner and will be booking again for next year, many thanks to all.