Mr & Mrs Smith

I just feel compelled to say how fabulous Samling is, how absolutely gorgeous our cottage (Lethera) was, and how brilliant and attentive the staff were. Definitely a worthy Lake District hotel for the Mr & Mrs Smith selection, as usual. In nearby Ambleside, make sure you pay a visit to the lovely never-ending chocolate shop and stop in the Royal Oak pub for a cosy pint or very good hot chocolate. And in Bowness on Windermere (just down the lake side if you ask a knowing cabbie), make sure you pay a visit to the Hole In The Wall, which we were told is one of the oldest pubs in the area and is very hidden but full of locals and brilliant beers. Had a brilliant time, despite horrendous weather.

What a fabulous place, we thought. Prestonfield in Edinburgh and Seaham Hall near Durham were the ultimate in opulence and service until we came to Samling. Staff, food and setting are all 5-Star, plus top tip: buy good champagne and book the hot tub for an hour or two, it has the most stunning view. We stayed in the main house, but we think that the Manmire Cottage could be even more romantic for our next visit. Our recommendation is simply go there and be wowed. We hope it will continue to be outstanding under its new management as the von Essen group is divided up and sold.

Samling is in a lovely setting on the hillside, overlooking Lake Windermere. Our room Methera was a good size with a separate living area. The bathroom was large and with a great shower. Things to do: We went on the full lake boat trip, and whilst it was a cold day, it was a fantastic way to see the lake and the Lake District, not to mention the number of fabulous lakeside houses. You can buy a ticket that lasts 24 hours and it is worth it if there are other parts of the lake you want to visit. Ambleside is worth a good look around, particularly if you are into buying walking/mountain gear. There are a couple of lifestyle shops as well, so plenty for browsing. Lots of coffee shops and restaurants. It is well worth visiting Elterwater and also the surrounding area, lots of reasonable walks for those who don't want anything too strenuous, and a few good pubs along the way. Grasmere is a good place to visit, Wordsworth is buried there. There is also the Wordsworth museum in Grasmere. We had our mid-morning latte at the Miller Howe cafe, we had stayed at the hotel a few years ago and the cakes/pastries looked good. A few people were having the all-day breakfast, which looked substantial and fabulous, just what is needed before or after a long walk. Townend and Troutbeck are worth a drive or walk through. The Kirkstone pass has fabulous views, and if you are feeling intrepid then drive up to it or down from it from Ambleside via The Struggle, it is single track and lots of bends so not one for speed, and you need to watch for other cars coming in the opposite direction. If you want an adventure or a very long walk, the drive up the Honister pass is interesting. The slate mine is at the top, which has a shop good slate placemats etc. A museum/mine trip and a via ferrata, not for the fainthearted. The shop is not glossy, it is after all situated at the top of a hill pass, so don't expect some fancy lifestyle shop, if you like slate it is worth a visit. There is a cafe, which we did not use. Food: Where food is concerned, one of the reasons we stayed there was for the food and it has a Michelin rating. However ,my advice would be to eat there one night -- the current chef is leaving, I think it may have been an interim chef on the 3 days we were there -- and find other places to eat on the other nights. At present the menu does not change night to night.

I wanted to do something special for my wife's 30th birthday, and arranged on recommendation from the hotel a helicopter flight with Helivation. We had an hour and a half flight with two stops, which turned into a 3-hour trip. It was fantastic if you are only in the Lakes for a weekend, this has to be the best way to see the area.

Grasmere is well worth a visit. We ate in the Red Lion pub (+44 (0)1539 435456) which had a super restuarant, the food was inexpensive and of a good standard.

The Samling was lovely, and within a 10 minute drive of Ambleside. In Ambleside you must try Zefferelli's wholefood/veggie restaurant (although the first time we visited we had read the whole extensive menu before we realised. My husband isn't veggie, but raves about Zeff's). Curiously, above the restaurant is a cinema (they also have another in the old school house, 200 yards away) and you can have a delicious two-course meal, and watch the latest movies for under £17. Absolute bargain.