Harrogate hotels

You could be forgiven for walking right past this hotel without even noticing it. From the outside it looks remarkably like a handsome terrace of Georgian houses—which it was until the boutique hotel company Hotel du Vin (HdV) snapped them up. One of the best hotels in Harrogate, it combines pared-back, old-world elegance—hardwood floors, tan-leather Chesterfields—with a touch of the French flair the hotel chain is known for.

Guestrooms feature leather-covered sleigh beds and bright, metro-tiled bathrooms with tubs and terrific monsoon showers. If you’re feeling flush, book a loft suite with twin roll-top baths.

The on-site bistro offers French classics such as beef bourguignon, one of the best cheesy French onion soups I’ve tasted, and an irresistible tarte tatin. The wine list is classy; ask the sommelier for recommendations.

If you’re looking to be in the heart of the action, The Harrogate Inn is the place to book. The hotel has a prime position, whether you’re in town to catch a show at the nearby Royal Hall, attend a conference at the next-door Convention Center, or to shop in the fashionable Montpellier Quarter.

One of the town’s 19th-century spa hotels and now one of the best hotels in Harrogate, a recent makeover has given it a modern interpretation of high Victoriana. Expect polished brass and wood, chequerboard floor tiles and dozens of fringed floral lampshades. In contrast, the guestrooms are decorated with muted colors and spare but neat furnishings.

Food, too, is nothing flash but offers a crowd-pleasing menu of steaks, pizzas, salads and—my Yorkshire favorite—fish and chips. The atmosphere is buzzy and the staff are friendly, making this one of Harrogate’s best-value hotels.

With its parkland setting, rooftop spa, golf courses and swimming pool, this is Harrogate's best spa hotel. Located on the south-eastern edge of town, it sits in its own wooded estate. Bold, new bedroom wings in creamy stone carefully blend with the original Georgian hall.

One of the best hotels in Harrogate, its guestrooms have a sophisticated, modern look, and are airy, sleek and understated. Ask for a Follifoot Wing room—bigger, funkier (think leopard-print chairs) and with roll-top baths. Most of your time will probably be spent in the rooftop spa, an indulgent space with a hydrotherapy pool, saunas and steam rooms scattered amongst the trees.

The Clocktower Restaurant has a crowd-pleasing brasserie menu, but the glass-walled Horto was my favorite. More fun and adventurous, its dishes include the likes of tomatoes with grilled peach and smoked burrata, and pork with peanut satay.

Set in a leafy residential road a 10-minute walk from the town center, Ascot House is one of the best hotels in Harrogate if you want peace, and free parking! The large, detached stone villa has a quietly traditional feel—with proper tablecloths and napkins—but a contemporary style.

You’ll find Victorian floor tiling, decorative cornices and stained-glass windows in the hallway, but colorful headboards, brightly patterned cushions and Scandi-style furniture in most of the 19 guestrooms. The top three rooms are spacious affairs with grander furniture and generous windows. The biggest of these, The Turret Room, spoils with a circular seating area in the turret—great fun for people-watching on the street below.

The hotel is breakfast-only, but it’s delicious and cooked to order. For evenings, I’d suggest checking out the restaurants in nearby Parliament Street.

If you fancy bedding down in a posh country pub, head north out of town for three miles to find one of the best hotels in Harrogate. The Boar’s Head is part of the estate village of medieval Ripley Castle, the latter still lived in by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby (who you might even spot popping into the pub).

A traditional coaching inn with stone-flagged floors and a cobbled courtyard, guestrooms have a country-house look with floral-print curtains and a scattering of antiques. It’s a cozy set-up, but if you want more privacy, I suggest booking a room in the separate Birchwood House.

One of the best dog-friendly hotels in Harrogate, your furry friend is made very welcome here and can even join you for meals in the bar. Food is elevated pub classics like beef and ale pie and mushroom stroganoff, served either in the bar or dining room.

Now here's a rare chance to sleep in an English stately home. Built in the 17th century, Goldsborough Hall has all the grand flourishes you'd expect: towering windows, stone balustrades, oak paneling, carved plasterwork ceilings and stone lions by the entrance.

One of the best country house hotels near Harrogate, it's just a 15-minute drive from town and is found in the peaceful village of Goldsborough. Guestrooms aren’t just big, they're vast. Those in the main hall are pleasingly traditional, with grand four-poster beds, richly-patterned rugs and fancy pelmets at the windows. But I prefer the low-beamed rooms in the adjoining 19th-century dower house, which have a more contemporary elegance.

Make sure you find time for a turn around the garden to build up your appetite for dinner. A fine-dining affair, it kicks off with cocktails in the Jacobean library followed by an eight-course tasting menu.

If you fancy a cosier spot than Harrogate—while still being close—consider Knaresborough. A couple of miles to the east, this market town offers charm, history and a dramatic setting above the River Nidd. The Knaresborough Inn, one of the best good-value hotels near Harrogate, is a handsome, red-brick Georgian building.

I love its over-the-top, more-is-more style, with plaid carpets, richly-patterned wallpapers and walls crammed with pictures. Guestrooms are less busy though still have bright feature wallpapers and attractive painted wood panelling. None of the rooms are huge, making this hotel better suited to a short stay, and it’s worth noting that the annex rooms are quieter.

Food ranges from burgers and pizzas to steaks and curries, with dishes that are hearty rather than polished. If the weather’s warm, stop for an al fresco drink in the garden before dinner.

Slick, sleek and shiny, the Crowne Plaza is Harrogate's best business and leisure hotel. It's located next to the Convention Center, a 10-minute walk from the railway station and even closer to the town’s many shops and restaurants. As one of the best hotels in Harrogate, it has all you'd expect from this well-established chain, with a wide welcoming lobby, a fleet of meeting rooms, a fitness center and spacious guestrooms.

Decked out in greys and pale woods, the latter are airy, uncluttered spaces with modern bathrooms. Views over the town from the upper floors are spectacular, so it’s definitely worth requesting a higher floor. There's a breezy on-site restaurant offering a crowd-pleasing menu, from steaks and burgers to pizza and pasta. But it's just as easy to walk into town, where you’ll find a wide choice on offer.

This handsome Georgian building is one of the finest spots in town for location. It’s set opposite Harrogate's fashionable Montpellier Quarter, and around the corner from the Royal Pump Room Museum and colorful Valley Gardens. Inside, prepare yourself for a mix of styles.

Public rooms are sultry and sophisticated with deep colors, tropical-print wallpaper panels, chandeliers and big mirrors. Guestrooms, meanwhile, verge on the minimalist. If you're staying a few days or traveling as a family, consider the hotel's serviced apartments next door.

There's also the Fat Badger bar, a traditional affair with booths and copper-topped tables. Have a drink here (I was particularly tempted by the Pink Badger cocktail) or on the terrace, both of which are popular with locals. Eat in the bar if you like the buzz; I preferred the more relaxed intimacy of the dining room.

It might look a traditional white-washed coaching inn but step inside and, whoosh! It's all pale-wood flooring, silvered ceilings, shiny surfaces and funky lighting. One of the best boutique hotels in Harrogate, it's located in a fashionable part of town and opposite the parkland of The Stray.

Guestrooms are sleek and modern, with oversized headboards and pops of bright color jazzing up the neutral background. I sneaked a peek at one of the Penthouse duplexes with their enviable roof terraces, and I loved the bright bathrooms with underfloor heating and toiletries by L'Occitane.

As one of the best hotels in Harrogate, its restaurant—also popular with locals, which is always a good sign—offers classic modern European dishes. Make sure you spend time in the courtyard bar. This is the place to find the Harrogate "scene", with plenty of Champagne flowing.