As well as a Michelin star restaurant, Holbeck Ghyll offers luxury and lakeside views. Ruth Addicott finds out what else it has to offer.

A HELICOPTER tour, Michelin star restaurant, sailing lessons and sunset cruise... add to that a dramatic setting, overlooking Lake Windermere and you have Holbeck Ghyll.

The former hunting lodge has gained a reputation as one of the top luxury hotels in the Lake District, catering as much for Hollywood stars as local hikers. Comedians Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan had lunch there in the BBC series The Trip, it has an award-winning restaurant and one of the most extensive wine cellars in the region. With this in mind, I head off with my friend, Louise, to see if it lives up to its reputation.

Holbeck Ghyll sits between the towns of Ambleside and Bowness-On-Windermere, overlooking famous peaks such as Coniston Old Man and the Langdale Pikes.

After driving past it five times (distracted by the view), we are greeted with a warm welcome, blazing log fires, huge leather armchairs and a chess board in the lobby waiting to be played.

The hotel was built in the 19th Century and was bought as a luxury hunting lodge in 1888 by the fifth Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Lowther.

The Yellow Earl, as he was known, was the first president of the Automobile Association and bequeathed the famous Lonsdale Belt to boxing.

Holbeck Ghyll remained a private home before being converted into a hotel in 1973.

Complete with stained glass windows and polished oak panelling, it has retained a traditional but cosy feel, but little touches add a more modern edge, such as the fresh flowers, luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets and a decanter of locally-distilled damson gin in every room.

Holbeck Ghyll has 14 individually decorated rooms and suites in the main house, plus six rooms in The Lodge and two luxury cottages.

Our room had a luxurious feel and a spectacular view over Lake Windermere. At first glance, the only thing missing was a wardrobe, but even that had been imaginatively placed (in the bathroom).

Another highlight is the fabulous Miss Potter suite where Hollywood and Bridget Jones star Renee Zellweger and Lloyd Owen (Monarch of The Glen) stayed in 2006 while filming Miss Potter. The decor is a lot more contemporary than some of the other rooms and it has a bedroom, bathroom and separate lounge, which open out onto a private terrace with sun loungers and a sunken hot tub to accompany the views.

Relaxation and rejuvenation is very much the theme and shortly after arriving, we’re ushered off for our spa treatments. We’re booked in for a traditional massage to “relieve the body of all stress and tension” and reflexology treatment to “bring harmony and balance to body and mind”. Having arrived by car and turned down a hike and sailing lesson in favour of the spa, we don’t have an excuse for weary limbs, but the treatments are spot-on nonetheless.

For more energetic hikers, the spa has come up with the appropriately titled Fell Walkers’ Life Saving Back and Leg Massage. There is also the option of the Spa Day Experience for groups of up to four, or a three hour Night Out treatment, including a manicure, pedicure, head, neck and shoulder massage combined with a makeover. Before dinner, we take a stroll around the grounds (a perfect setting for a wedding) and check out the tennis court along with The Shieling, a traditional stone cottage, 45 metres from the main house. It has two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lounge and dining area which opens onto a balcony with steps down to a private garden.

After a cocktail and canapes in one of the two formal lounges, it’s time for dinner. Both the lounges and dining room have stunning views and with it’s elegant furnishings and oak panelling, the dining room feels a bit like a gentleman’s club which only adds to the sense of being somewhere quite exclusive.

Inspired by the hotel’s talented head chef, David McLaughlin, the restaurant has won a Michelin Star for 12 years running.

I opt for the guinea fowl, leek and prune D’Agen with hazelnut to start and Louise has the quail salad – both of which are delicious.

For the main course, we choose roasted brill with apple, potato, celery and cider foam and roast venison with pumpkin puree, braised red cabbage and herb gnocchi. Again, beautifully cooked and full of flavour. The puddings are just as tempting, with choices such as passion fruit sorbet and mango parcels and chocolate plate.

Prices for a two-course lunch menu start at £25 and dinner from £65. The gourmet menu, including canapes and six courses, starts at £78.

Apart from an unbeatable dining experience, the hotel is a great base to explore the Lake District and places such as Wordsworth Museum and The World of Beatrix Potter.

“Well-behaved” dogs are also allowed and even get their own welcome pack.

The hotel offers activities throughout the year, from gastronomic getaways for food, wine and whisky lovers, to guided walking breaks and photography weekends. For those looking for a bit more glamour, there’s the chance to hire a “supercar” for the day, take a sailing lesson or a Champagne sunset cruise on Windermere.

The hotels also offers a car service to collect guests from the station or airport and a private helicopter for anyone wanting to see the scenery from the sky.

Sadly, it’s back to the car for us, but as we leave we take a last glimpse at the lake looking totally serene in front of us.