The Harrogate Inn

Hotel review

Down the street from Betty’s famous Café Tearooms, opposite the Royal Hall’s splendid Edwardian theatre and around the corner from the town’s beautifully kept Valley Gardens, it would be hard to find a better spot that has something for everyone. The former Victorian spa hotel has been given a much-needed boost by the current owners who have mixed a riotous and eclectic Victoriana downstairs with spare and clutter-free bedrooms on the three floors above.

There are a handful of suites on the ground floor which have a few richer features – panelled headboards, feature wallpapers and grand bay windows – but, in general, bedrooms are airy, modern and practical without unnecessary frills and ornaments. Pale grey walls and herringbone-patterned carpets are enlivened with sea-blue feature walls and armchairs, gold-coloured cushions and a jolly series of close-up photographs of eggs, balls of string and raffia. Most bedrooms are spacious, although the entry-level ‘Cosy Doubles’ are well-named. Bathrooms, most shower-only, but do ask if you prefer a bath, are bright and modern with good storage.

By contrast, the ground-floor public areas – two vast bar-restaurants and a cosy sitting room – are bold, colourful and eclectically decorated. Stripped-wood floors and chequerboard tiling mix with bottle-green dados, pale-green panelling, exposed-brick sections and a jumble of mirrors, Victorian watercolours and tropical botanical prints.  Large floral-fringed lampshades hang from the ceiling while, over the main bar, shines a splendid stained-glass dome. The small corner sitting-room – a quiet retreat from the buzz of the bar, and a favourite spot – is decorated with huge panels of exotic vegetation.

Food is classic pub territory – fish and chips, steak and ale pie, burgers and pizzas – with a few smarter dishes such as pan-fried sea trout and prawn, pea and mint risotto. Throughout, the staff are bright and cheery, and go out of their way to help. Should the weather be kind, the beer garden is a great people-watching place.

Helen Pickles