This is somewhat unusual because I'm currently part-way through what's likely to be a nine months stay during each week for business purposes. But I do like this hotel very much and so I felt publishing a review now was perfectly in order.

I arrived here after trying a number of hotels in and around Carlisle and Penrith. The area isn't blessed with great hotels; yes, there are the usual chains plus a few others but I'm rather picky since I spend a lot of time away from home on business.

Crosby Lodge is truly delightful and very good value for money. The accommodation and decor appropriately reflect the age of the building, which is set in its own grounds. The service and hospitality are excellent and it is exceedingly quiet and restful, important after a day working away from home. Service and quality are clearly important to the owner, Mrs Sedgwick and her staff, and these attributes are reflected in their approach to customers - efficient but unobtrusive.

The restaurant menu is surprisingly extensive and very good quality. Everything is cooked to order and the menu is updated regularly. Likewise the wine list is wide ranging, good value and like the menu, changes to reflect availability.

The breakfast menu is also very good. The test for me with hotel breakfasts is scrambled eggs, which surprisingly not every chef seems able to cook without turning rubbery. Crosby Lodge passess the test.

Crosby Lodge is a world away from the busy, rather anonymous hotels that many of us are used to. At the end of a busy day you can feel yourself relaxing into the place. Whether here on business or pleasure this is the place to stay - believe me you will not be disappointed.

We had a team building experience in Cumbria. Our company chose Crosby Lodge. I will keep it brief as that is all it needs to be. The setting was a classic Grade 2 listed building. Decor was clean and well suited to the building. The welcome was warm and friendly and both the service and food was excellent.

Certainly return with my family.

My very well travelled sister and I stayed at the hotel earlier in the year - it was a perfect retreat from the fast-paced society and the soul-less, pretentious hotels of the modern day. I am in my 50's so don't consider I am yet antiquated (or even gentile). To know the owners had worked hard in the same place for 40 years was part of the personal charm. So yes .... they were aging and human....yes... a few minor changes maybe. But please do try it for yourself and support the individuals who work hard and not the corporate pockets.

I was recommended Crosby Lodge by a business associate who had stayed quite a few times while in Cumbria on business as the propose of my trip was I have a new friend living in Brampton and the hotel was the perfect location only a few miles way.

When I turned onto the drive at the front of Crosby Lodge I could not hold back my smile, something quite unique and boutique, my own castle for the weekend idyllically situated in its own grounds. As I walked into Crosby I was greeted by a charming young lady who guided me to my room and there lay my second surprise! A Georgian bed which looked so inviting with its opulent mahogany frame, I could not wait to get into and it was only 3pm!

I unpacked went back downstairs into one of the sitting rooms and was greeted by another lady who asked if I had found everything ok with my room, it was richly furnished and just to my liking but I had one simple question “I could not find any tea making facilities” the lady confirmed one of the long standing traditions at Crosby Lodge was that you always had your tea served fresh in the mornings, after all she said “I do not want my guests having to tackle those tricky little processed milk pots which represented everything Crosby Lodge wasn’t”. What a nice touch.

Totally relax and feeling great I went out for the day with my friend but booked a table for two for dinner before leaving.

When I returned I could not make my mind up, did I want a shower or a gin and tonic first, well the gin won served in a beautiful crystal glass and taken to my room so I could get ready. My friend arrived at about 7.30pm and by this time was sitting in the bar where the table service was good, on hand and observant just what you would expect.

The restaurant was dark red and not my favourite room but the tables were beautifully set and we chatted enthusiastically as we waited for our meal. My friend informed me Crosby’s kitchen always made their own bread and pasta on a daily bases so that had aided my choice which was to start Crab & Linguine followed by Lamb Trio for my main course. Both complemented by an excellent 2007 Pouilly-Fuise, vive la France, at a bargain £29. The evening was most enjoyable and we ended up back in the main bar reception room with shoes off and feet up drinking coffee accompanied by the smoothest Armagnac ever.

In the morning I awoke after a wonderful night sleep, I have been married for some year and without my husband I always find it difficult to sleep, but not last night. The perfectly pressed bed sheets, blankets and bedspread made for the best night’s sleep in a long time. The shower and bath towels just added to my luxurious weekend and I still had breakfast to encounter which did not let me down. Freshly squeezed orange juice and well cooked poached eggs on toast was a very pleasant end to my weekend.

I could not recommend Crosby Lodge highly enough and the best £90 for bed and breakfast I have spent in a long time.