Windermere Marina Village are offering cycling enthusiasts a £50 discount on self-catering cottage breaks if they ditch their cars and arrive by bike.

With Windermere station a mere 10 minute ride away and numerous trails on our doorstep you won’t need a car to get the most out of your biking break. Four-star self-catering cottages, secure bike storage and a wash down station ensure you and your bike are well catered for at Windermere Marina Village.

Occupying an enviable position on Windermere Lake, the marina is the largest in the North of England offering not only moorings but also cottages in Windermere. The cottages overlooking the marina are spacious, well-equipped and offer you a little luxury after a day out cycling. Many of the cottages have double rooms that can be converted to twins offering flexibility for groups and can be booked for 3, 4 or 7 night breaks. Throughout your stay you will also enjoy full use of our onsite bar, bistro & leisure club; soothe those aches and pains with a dip in the Jacuzzi or pint on the terrace.

Jason Dearden, Managing Director of Windermere Marina Village & mountain biker says “We want to provide cyclists with the facilities they need and are keen to encourage people to leave their cars at home, reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy the stunning Lake District landscapes; so we’ve installed secure bike storage, provided flexible accommodation and an incentive to book”.

For further details of the facilities on offer please check out the website at http://www.wmv.co.uk/bike-holidays-lake-district.asp or call the reservation team on 015394 46551. Please quote “Car Free” to receive your £50 discount and ensure the bike storage is booked along with your cottage.

Hillthwaite House Hotel, the luxury hotel in Windermere is pleased to announce the appointment of a new member of the management team.

Thomas Cross has joined Hillthwaite as the new General Manager. His family roots are very local with his Grandparents having been the proprietors of the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale, back in the 1950s and 60s. Thomas hopes to bring some of his own skills to Hillthwaite and offer customers an even better experience.

Thomas Cross says “I have already realised that the Hillthwaite House Hotel is a very special place, with a very positive and calm nature”!! Being extremely lucky to live and work in the wonderful area of the English Lake District, Thomas makes full use by having a keen interest in fell walking with his walking companion, Ruby the dog.

Set amidst the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District, between the villages of Windermere and Bowness, Hillthwaite House Hotel is the most ideal of hotels in the Lake District for all types of breaks including short Lake District weekend breaks or for use as a base for your walking holiday in the Lake District National Park. Impeccable service and comfort, lovely food sourced from local produce, friendly, attentive staff and the many guests that return to the hotel time after time speak for itself.

Hillthwaite House Hotel has been awarded a VisitBritain Quality in Tourism Rating of 3 stars and the silver award.  Silver Awards are given to Hotels and Guest Accommodation that provide exceptional quality in all areas, in particular in service and hospitality. It reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision.

For more information on the Hillthwaite House Hotel visit http://www.hillthwaite.com or telephone 01539 443 636.

The Woodlands Hotel in Windermere launch a new luxury suite for the 2009 season. The new newest addition to the Woodlands Hotel accommodation, is the recently completed executive suite. The suite is located within the main hotel building offering a large amount of space but with all the facilities of a hotel right on site. A luxury bathroom has been fitted complete with roomy stand up shower. The fitting have been chosen for their upmost quality. Far larger than a normal hotel room, the new suite has plenty of room to walk around along with a seating area and can actually sleep three persons or be a luxury Windermere hotel break for a romantic couple. A further suite is set for completion in December 2009. Woodlands is one of the few Windermere hotels to achieve a five star guest accommodation status. Sarah and Alan Ayres, the proprietors, were thrilled to be recognised for their hard work by the AA, which was awarded for their exceptional standards of quality guest accommodation and service. Woodlands Hotel in Windermere is a handsome Edwardian Villa situated between the villages of Windermere and Bowness in Cumbria – the Lake District, just a few minutes away from the shores of Lake Windermere. Guests will enjoy the luxury, stylish and contemporary Boutique accommodation being offered at Woodlands, which has now been formally recognised as being one of the finest hotels in Windermere. There are a total of fifteen luxury and en-suite guest bedrooms including a choice of single, double or twin bedded rooms. The resident’s bar and lounge is an exciting space for guests to relax after a long day’s site seeing and exploring. According to the AA, a five star Guest House needs to demonstrate an awareness of each guest’s needs with nothing being too much trouble. All bedrooms must be en-suite or have a private bathroom, with excellent quality beds and furnishings. Breakfast must include specials/home-made items, high quality ingredients, and fresh local produce. The new suite meets and even exceeds The AA’s five star criteria. Sarah and Alan have not compromised or neglected their environmental policy through these refurbishments and improvements. They continue to support the Tourism and Conservation Partnership and hold a CBEN bronze award for good environmental practice. With the escalating effects of using a car on both the environmental impact and the rise in fuel costs, Woodlands offer a collection service from Windermere train station. For more information on the new suite or to check availability go to http://www.woodlands-windermere.co.uk or telephone 015394 43915

Applegarth Villa Hotel and Restaurant in Windermere, the Lake District, announce the completion of five refurbished rooms.

The five rooms have all been individually designed in collaboration between the owners of Applegarth Villa their interior designer. The rooms are part of the ongoing development of Applegarth Villa which last year saw JR’s Restaurant refurbished along with the outside terrace. The newly refurbished rooms have been fitted with all the facilities expected by today’s hotel guest; power showers, 32 inch flat screen televisions, Egyptian cotton sheets, Wifi and ipod docking stations. Two of the rooms have even been fitted with flat screen televisions in the bathroom!

The guest rooms are not the only refurbishment at the Applegarth. This week sees the launch of their new website. The new site has been designed to be easy to navigate and reflect the continuing development of the hotel and its brand. Showing images and details of the new rooms along with links to their restaurant and Windermere lake cruises websites, the new site is a comprehensive online brochure and information resource. With online sales such a large proportion of a hotel’s revenue, updating a website is as important as the updating of the hotel itself.

Applegarth Villa and JR’s Restaurant has been owned by Alan and Suzanne Mumford since 2001. Applegarth Villa is a magnificent Arts and Crafts period property set in a quiet area of Windermere Village within easy walking distance of the train station and shops with the unique benefit of free and private off road parking. Elegantly appointed, Applegarth Villa offers a choice of Windermere accommodation from classic double rooms to luxury four-posters with views over the Lakeland fells. Alan and Suzanne have created a classic Lake District hotels experience whilst offering a modern twist with the contemporary design and technology. In continuation of their quest to meet the needs of the modern hotel guest, Applegarth Villa offer luxury cruises on their 50 feet Sealine T50 Flybridge cruiser. The boat, located on Lake Windermere, can hold up to 12 people and can be chartered out for half or full day cruises complete with refreshments throughout. It is the largest motor yacht on Lake Windermere and offers total luxury.

For further information on the refurbished rooms, availability and cruises, go to http;//www.lakesapplegarth.co.uk or telephone 015394 43206.