Stayed a Saturday night with the 2 kids while exploring the area. It's quite good for the south lakes, just a minute off the M6, so you can be in Kendal in about 20mins. The buffet breakfast is quite good, but quite expensive at around £14 per head. A major reason we go to this hotel is the spa/pool, but this time - and if I remember correctly, the last time we were there the jacuzzi was broken, and according to another guest, had been for at least a week. Also the changing areas are looking a bit decrepit, with untiled bits of wall, and broken doors on the lockers. The women's changing room was also unheated, which was a bit nasty when the weather outside is below zero.

The thing which frustrated me was the sense of deja vu with the keycards just randomly stopping working - this happened the last time we stayed too - at one point, leaving the family waiting outside the door, I had to queue up at reception for 10 mins to get the card sorted out, and then later that morning, I had to go back and forth 3 times to reception before it worked again. The problem according to the receptionist was the card being near to other cards or mobiles - which to me means they're rubbish cards - I use a swipe card at work, and have not had such a problem ever with them, even being put through the washing machine doesn't affect them.

Finally I find it appalling that some hotels are charging for wifi at all, when coffee shops can manage it for free, but their prices were outrageous - for movies and wi-fi they charge £28 per day.

A good 10 mins drive from the city centre but 1 minute from the M6 motorway so for any business folks then this hotel is ideal. Everything about it is typically Holiday Inn. The staff were helpful, the breakfast good, the price was good and I would have to say good value for money. Much much better than any motorway type accomodation.

Good value if you book in advance and there are two of you sharing a room. Rooms are spacious and the bed is comfortable. Breakfast is buffet style and you can have as much as you like!

We have visited the Holiday Inn Lancaster on many occasions over the last ten years and find it a hotel with good facilities and a relaxing atmosphere......
On this occasion we found the experience comparable to the many times we have stayed before.
Upon arrival we were (as priority club members) offered an upgrade to an executive room (always gratefully accepted!!) by the friendly and professional receptionist, a good start!!

The room was clean, spacious and well equipped (flat screen TV's are a major improvement) and our son made his usual headlong dash for the swimming pool!! Leisure facilities good and clean as ever....and a major reason for our use of this hotel....
Evening pre meal drinks in the bar; served by a pleasant and helpful barman who agrees with me that a better range of beers could be stocked!! (boddies is not that nice!! perhaps a range of bottled beers is better?). The evening meal was pleasant and well presented, though the menu choice is becoming less and less each time we visit (no specials board or local produce) and though good quality is now "Pub grub" of an okay standard.
The breakfast was as expected, plentiful, hot and with plenty of coffee!! (though no scrambled eggs or black pudding!!)
The reason this is not a 5* excellent review? two things.....on check in we ordered 3 newspapers, two copies of the Times and one Daily Mirror... (we both like to do the Times crossword in the morning! a breakfast routine for us..) When i went to reception i was told "only one copy of The Times sorry" and "there is a garage 10 mins down the road" Oh dear...not being a morning person this did not go down well!! and the lack of choice in the restaurant.....
From my perspective an enjoyable stay marred by one silly error and a lack of menu choice....Holiday Inn it is the little things that make a difference!! 4* or 5* review? one newspaper and a few more menu dishes!!
For anyone who has never stayed we recommend this hotel (always ask for a river view room the Lune is lovely!!)