New Lake District Hotel And Spa Set To Open In Windermere

​A historic Windermere hotel is being transformed into a new luxury destination combining accommodation, dining and extensive spa facilities.

Elysium Windermere is scheduled to open in early 2027 as part of The Elysium Collection, a new group of British hotels. The development is taking place at the former Windermere Hotel, which has stood in the area for 179 years. The project aims to give the historic building a new lease of life while retaining important elements of its original character and heritage.

The completed hotel is expected to provide 74 bedrooms for visitors staying in the Lake District. Alongside the accommodation, the development will include a restaurant focused on local produce and ingredients. The dining operation will be overseen by Stephane Delourme, who previously served as head chef to Rick Stein.

The restaurant is intended to form an important part of the hotel's overall offering, with its approach centred on ingredients from the local area. The involvement of an experienced chef adds a further element to the development as the new hotel prepares to establish its identity within Windermere's hospitality sector. Further details about the food and drink operation are expected closer to the opening.

A substantial spa facility will also form part of Elysium Windermere. Planned facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a cold plunge for guests seeking a different type of wellness experience. The spa will also feature four treatment rooms.

The combination of hotel accommodation, dining and wellness facilities is designed to provide guests with a broad range of services within the same destination. The development is being positioned around the changing expectations of people visiting the Lake District. Its facilities will allow guests to combine time exploring the area with opportunities to relax and make use of the hotel's leisure offering.

The former Windermere Hotel is currently undergoing a full restoration and renovation programme. Work is being described as sensitive, reflecting the age and character of the building. The intention is to preserve the heritage of the original property while adapting it for a new role as a modern hotel and spa.

Architects and designers 3DReid are involved in the project, helping to shape the restoration and renovation work. Their involvement forms part of the wider effort to balance the historic identity of the building with the requirements of a contemporary hospitality operation. The project is expected to reveal more about its design as the opening date approaches.

The restoration represents a significant change for a building that has been part of Windermere's hotel landscape for generations. Rather than replacing its historic character, the project is intended to retain that identity while introducing facilities suited to modern visitors. This approach is central to the plans for the new hotel.

The Elysium Collection is being developed as a new British hotel group, with Elysium Windermere forming part of its plans. The collection's approach is focused on understanding how guests use their time when travelling and creating stays where different elements of the experience are brought together.

James Houlston, chief executive of The Elysium Collection, is an experienced hotelier who was also involved in the transformation of The Swan Hotel in the Lake District. He said the development of the collection had been shaped by changing travel habits and the expectations of modern guests.

According to Houlston, guests are increasingly conscious of how they spend their time as well as their money when travelling. He said this had influenced the group's approach to creating stays where the different aspects of a visit are carefully considered from the point of arrival.

More information about Elysium Windermere is expected to be released as the launch approaches. Details still to be announced include further information about the hotel's facilities, design partners, makers and suppliers. The additional announcements are expected to provide a clearer picture of how the restored property will operate once it welcomes its first guests.

With the opening planned for early 2027, work will continue on the historic building over the coming months. Once completed, Elysium Windermere will combine 74 bedrooms with a locally focused restaurant and a substantial spa operation, bringing a new hospitality offering to the Lake District.

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