Derwentwater Hotel

Alfa currently describes the rooms as including comfortable beds, televisions and tea and coffee-making facilities, with a number of bedrooms enjoying lake views. Final room categories, prices and detailed layouts should be checked once the new hotel inventory is fully released, as older descriptions from the previous operation may no longer reflect the refurbished property. The new lift is intended to serve all floors, improving circulation around the building, but Alfa notes that some rooms are on split levels and will still involve steps. Visitors who need fully step-free access should therefore discuss the exact room route and bathroom arrangements with the hotel before booking rather than relying simply on the presence of a lift. The grounds are one of the hotel's strongest features. Around 15 acres of landscaped gardens surround the property and a walk through the grounds leads towards the lakeside at Derwentwater. Portinscale itself provides a quieter alternative to staying in central Keswick while remaining close enough for the town's shops, cafés, attractions and transport connections. Importantly, the closure does not mean all accommodation on the Derwentwater site is unavailable. The self-catering apartments and holiday cottage remain open during the hotel refurbishment. Alfa also opened a further seven brand-new studio and one-bedroom apartments for stays from 20 July 2026. These provide an immediate accommodation option while work continues on the main hotel. When Christie & Co announced the sale of the property to Leisureplex Hotel Group, the wider site comprised 47 en-suite hotel bedrooms, 18 self-catering apartments and one self-contained holiday cottage. The addition of the seven new studio and one-bedroom apartments means the self-catering side of the estate has also been expanded as part of the new ownership period. Leisureplex acquired the Derwentwater Hotel and Derwent Manor Apartments from Coast & Country Hotels. The acquisition made Derwentwater the 25th property in the Leisureplex collection, which operates alongside Alfa Holidays and Alfa Hotels. Early plans referred to a smaller refurbishment, but the scope subsequently expanded and Alfa now describes the 2026 investment as £4 million. The January 2027 reopening is already commercially active rather than simply an aspiration. Alfa's full range of 2027 coach holidays staying at the Derwentwater Hotel is on sale. Travellers interested in an independent hotel stay should check the latest Alfa Hotels information as the reopening approaches, because room-only and self-drive availability can differ from packaged coach holidays. Facilities advertised for the refurbished hotel include on-site parking, free Wi-Fi and the new lift. The new restaurant and conservatory will form key parts of the public areas, with their design intended to take advantage of the lake views. Final restaurant opening times, menus, bar arrangements and access for non-residents have not yet been published and should not be assumed from information relating to the old hotel. For self-catering apartment and cottage reservations during the refurbishment, Alfa currently asks guests to contact the Derwentwater team on 01768 772538. The current hotel email published by Alfa Hotels is derwentwater@alfahotels.co.uk. The Derwentwater Hotel is at Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5RE. Keswick is around two miles away by road, while walking routes connect Portinscale with the town and the northern end of Derwentwater. The location also works well for exploring Catbells, Whinlatter Forest, Newlands and the wider north-western Lake District. Current status checked 9 August 2026: the main hotel remains temporarily closed for refurbishment and is confirmed to reopen in January 2027. The self-catering apartments and cottage remain open, including seven additional studio and one-bedroom apartments available since 20 July 2026. No exact January reopening day has yet been announced.