“Perched high above the cliffside village of Robin Hood’s Bay, the Victoria enjoys enviable views and a terrace that will keep drawing you back. Contemporary rooms mix with traditional Victorian features, while there’s a choice of dining between traditional pub classics and smarter bistro dishes.”

Hotel review

With views out to sea one way, across the bay to the striking headland of Ravenscar in another direction, and inland to the North York Moors, this hotel, arguably, has prime position in Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Yorkshire coast. The only downside is that it’s a steep uphill climb back to the hotel from the harbour. But, then, that’s the charm of this former fishing – and, occasionally, smuggling – village that tumbles down the steep Yorkshire cliffs to its sheltered beach and harbour.

Built in 1897 by a former sea captain as an hotel for officer-rank sailors, the Victoria combines Victorian and maritime features – grand oak staircase and thick oak doors, decorative ship wall panels, traditional-style bar – with a light, contemporary style. Smart Osborne’s bar, with its pale green and peach velvet-upholstered sofas and armchairs, flows into the main Osborne’s conservatory-style restaurant with pale wood floor, vast windows and light, varnished-wood tables, all of which have a view over the terrace out to sea.

Choose either to eat here or in the Loxley Pub (the traditional Yorkshire bar) from a menu that mixes classics – fish and chips, burgers, Yorkshire ale-braised steak pie – with smarter dishes such as sea bass with roast garlic and sorrel mash, slow-braised maple-glazed belly pork with fennel seed, and a good choice of vegetarian options. There are also handsomely proportioned platters such as a Yorkshire ploughman’s, and a raft of desserts including delights such as a strawberry and elderflower cheesecake. While the cooking is classier than the average seaside hotel, the service is warm, chatty and friendly.

Bedrooms continue the pale green and soft pink-and-peach colour scheme in walls and soft furnishings, together with solid varnished-wood furniture that, although more practical than stylish, is nicely restrained so that rooms feel spacious, even though some entry-level rooms can be on the cosy side. Bathrooms, however, are generous and offer a good mix of bath and shower options. Several rooms have balconies or patios, and those in the adjacent large Victorian villas are dog-friendly.

Enjoy a handsome breakfast – the choice includes kippers, eggs Royale, and omelettes as well as the usual full grill – before checking the tide times and taking a walk along the beach. Or, more likely, picking a chair on the terrace and just being mesmerised by the view.

Helen's hot tips: Take a walk along the beach to the delightfully named Boggle Hole – a narrow ravine with a café as well as a renowned youth hostel – and return along the clifftop path. Make sure you leave enough time before dinner for a cocktail on the sea-facing terrace; sometimes with live music.

Recommended for

  • Restaurant

    • Locally sourced Yorkshire produce with British and Meiterranean influences at Osborne’s Restaurant & pub classics at The Loxley
  • Other Activities

    • Hunt for fossils and hidden treasures among Robin Hood’s Bay’s rocky shores when the tide rolls out
  • Country Escape

    • Set beside the North York Moors, it’s ideal for scenic walks, cosy pub stops and fresh Yorkshire air
  • Cycling

    • Hire a bike and pedal the Cinder Track, the old railway route linking Robin Hood’s Bay with Whitby
  • Sights nearby

    • Explore Falling Foss and its woodland trails before stopping for tea and cake beside the waterfall
  • Great walks

    • Follow the Cleveland Way along the clifftops for big sea views and a brilliant coastal walk
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

    • Some rooms have a private balcony or terrace with great views
  • Pet friendly

    • Four legged friends are welcome, charges may apply
  • Outstanding location

  • Sea Views

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Full of character

  • Good wine list

  • Family Suites

  • Romantic

  • Luxury

  • Charming

  • Contemporary

  • Traditional

  • Beach nearby

  • Child friendly

  • Village

  • Historic

Facilities

  • Rooms

    30 rooms in this hotel
  • Restaurant

    Locally sourced Yorkshire produce with British and Meiterranean influences at Osborne’s Restaurant & pub classics at The Loxley
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

    Some rooms have a private balcony or terrace with great views
  • Parking

    Free parking is possible on site, no reservation needed
  • Pet friendly

    Four legged friends are welcome, charges may apply
  • Bar

  • Communal Dining

  • Fireplace

  • Walking distance restaurants

  • Outdoor dining

  • Safe

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Good wine list

  • Family Suites

  • Wifi

  • Satellite / Cable TV

  • Concierge

  • Suites

  • Sitting Room

  • Child friendly

  • Garden

Activities

  • Other Activities

    • Hunt for fossils and hidden treasures among Robin Hood’s Bay’s rocky shores when the tide rolls out
  • Cycling

    • Hire a bike and pedal the Cinder Track, the old railway route linking Robin Hood’s Bay with Whitby
  • Sights nearby

    • Explore Falling Foss and its woodland trails before stopping for tea and cake beside the waterfall
  • Great walks

    • Follow the Cleveland Way along the clifftops for big sea views and a brilliant coastal walk

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Overlooking the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay, Hotel Victoria boasts some of the best coastal views in North Yorkshire. This is the perfect base from which to explore the region’s renowned coastal locations such as Whitby, Scarborough and Staithes, as well as the treasures of the North York Moors National Park.

Many of our loyal guests return year on year, enjoying the unique combination of our stunning location, welcoming accommodation, superb dining experiences and attentive service.

What is there to do in the area? The fishing village boasts the Robin Hood’s Bay Museum which charts the area’s maritime history, smuggling past and village life, while the bay is the perfect location for rock pooling and fossil hunting.

The hotel is sited at the eastern end of the 190-mile Coast to Coast Path, which became a National Trail in March 2026. The famous route, pioneered by Alfred Wainwright, crosses England from St Bees in Cumbria. Sections of the 110-mile Cleveland Way can also be easily accessed from the hotel, along with the coastal path to Whitby and the Cinder Track for cycling enthusiasts. While the North York Moors National Park includes an expansive stretch of open moorland with ancient stone circles and historic ruins and provides the perfect back drop during the Dark Skies Festival.  

Within the village, visitors can explore a host of independent shops selling crafts, gifts, clothing and jet jewellery; cafes and restaurants; ghost walks and smugglers walks.

Further afield, the historic port town of Whitby is home to the famous Whitby Abbey ruins, a bustling fishing harbour and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum telling the story of his famous voyages. The traditional seaside town of Scarborough features a Castle, the Rotunda Museum, Peasholm Park, Scarborough Spa and the Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Hotel Victoria offers a selection of options including a traditional Yorkshire cooked breakfast with ingredients sourced from local suppliers and a continental buffet with pastries, croissants, granola and fresh fruit served in the Osborne’s restaurant.

Do you offer other meals? There are several fantastic areas for guests, visitors and local residents to dine, drink and relax. The Osborne’s Restaurant and Lounge Bar offers an extensive menu of British and Mediterranean seasonally inspired cuisine, afternoon tea, Sunday lunches and a wide selection of fine wines, local ales, and expertly crafted cocktails, including the signature cocktail ‘Smugglers Ruin’.

The adjoining Loxley Pub has been carefully renovated to offer a quintessential, cosy ‘Yorkshire pub’ experience, whilst the large garden and terrace area has an added Garden Bar, so visitors can enjoy a relaxing drink whilst taking in the panoramic sea views. The hotel is passionate about working in partnership with local and regional suppliers to bring the very best of Yorkshire to its guests, sourcing from local, high-quality growers and producers wherever possible.

And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? The bay has a super selection of restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars including Brambles Bistro, the Cove, the Fish Box, Baytown Brewery and a vineyard.  

Which are your most popular room types, and why? The sea view rooms with balconies are the most popular as they offer guests a true coastal escape, benefitting from breathtaking vistas across the bay. Increasingly, we’re attracting more families with dogs, thanks to the recently launched dog-friendly suites in the Captain’s Quarter and dedicated doggy dining menu.

What facilities do you have for children, and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? We offer a range of family rooms and suites within the main hotel as well as options for families to stay in the newly refurbished Captain’s Quarter adjacent to the main building. Extra beds for children are available on request and can be put up in a number of the spacious bedrooms.

What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers? Whether you’re looking for a relaxing coastal break, an active walking holiday, a family adventure or simply somewhere to escape and enjoy good food and spectacular views, Hotel Victoria is the perfect setting to explore the magic of the North Yorkshire coast.

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