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The Victorian spa town of Harrogate is ideally positioned a stone’s throw from the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Just 20 miles from the historic city of York, Harrogate is the ideal place for a romantic weekend getaway or a family vacation.
When searching for accommodation in Harrogate, you’ll immediately see that you’re spoiled for choice. There are some excellent hotels in Harrogate and, better still, many of them are within a short walk of the town center. That’s all great – until it comes to choosing which one to pick!
To make that decision easier, we’ve rounded up the five best hotels in Harrogate.
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Before you book
Before booking your Harrogate hotel, there are a few things you will want to consider.
Location is always important when choosing a hotel but, in Harrogate’s case, all of the best hotels are close to the town center. Harrogate is fairly small and very walkable, so no matter where you choose, getting around shouldn’t be an issue.
Whilst there are plenty of excellent hotels in the beautiful countryside outside of Harrogate, staying in the town gives you the best of both worlds. You will enjoy the convenience of having some top restaurants and shops within walking distance whilst easily being able to get out in the Yorkshire Dales for a day trip.
Staying in Harrogate also allows you to explore the town’s attractions which include the Victorian spa baths, The Stray and Betty’s Tea Rooms. You’ll also be able to easily reach York, which is just half an hour from Harrogate by train.
Another aspect to consider is when to visit Harrogate. Luckily, it’s a great place to visit all year round. Summer is the best time to explore the Yorkshire Dales in good weather, but spring and autumn make them look even more dramatic. And they look stunning under a blanket of snow in the winter. Harrogate’s attractions and restaurants are open year round too, and a visit in the winter would give you the opportunity to visit York’s amazing Christmas market.
It’s worth noting that hotel prices in Harrogate fluctuate significantly based on demand. English school holidays are always the most expensive time to visit, and when there are events on in town, expect price to rise dramatically.
The best hotels in Harrogate
1. Crowne Plaza Harrogate
An easy ten-minute walk from the town center and railway station, the Crowne Plaza is the largest and most well known hotel in town. The friendly service, spacious rooms and cozy bar make it one of the best hotels in Harrogate.
Recently refurbished, this comfortable hotel is a far cry from the dated Crowne Plaza Hotels you find in North America. Every room comes with slippers and robes plus bottled water and free chocolates.
The Crowne Plaza is connected to the Harrogate Convention Centre by an aerial walkway, making it the perfect choice if you’re attending an event there. The fascinating Royal Pump Room Museum, which tells the story of how the strongest sulphur wells in Europe put Harrogate on the map, is less than ten minutes away on foot.
2. Majestic Hotel & Spa (DoubleTree by Hilton)
Having recently gone through an 18-month refurbishment program ahead of joining Hilton’s DoubleTree portfolio, one of Harrogate’s oldest hotels has had a new lease of life breathed into it.
Originally opened in July 1900, this grand and imposing building is unmissable.
An ode to Harrogate’s Victorian glory dates, the highlight of the Majestic is its spa. It’s not quite as it was back in 1900, but it is the ideal place to relax and pamper yourself with a massage or facial. The spa also features a heated indoor swimming pool, steam room and a Himalayan salt sauna.
Carters Champagne Bar & Grill serves a delicious breakfast every morning and has a dinner menu featuring succulent steaks aged in their own ageing cabinet and fired on their Josper Grill. Frederick’s Lounge Bar, named after the hotel’s founder Sir Frederick Gordon, is a beautiful space to enjoy a nightcap.
The Majestic is located right behind the Crowne Plaza, making it another top choice for being in the heart of Harrogate. Given how long the Majestic has been around, it gets booked up quickly (especially in summer), so the best deals are found far in advance.
3. Cedar Court Hotel
Another historic property, the Cedar Court is a grade II listed building, built on the site of Harrogate’s first ever hotel. Aside from warm and hospitable service, the main reason this is one of the best hotels in Harrogate is its location. The Cedar Court Hotel overlooks The Stray, a pristine 200-acre park.
There’s an elegant restaurant which serves some of Yorkshire’s finest produce as well as classic afternoon teas. The Lounge bar is warm and cosy, but the highlight of any stay here is watching the sunset over The Stray with a drink on the lawn (good weather, unfortunately, is not guaranteed!).
The Cedar Court is located just a short walk from the town center with Harrogate railway station just a ten-minute walk away, whilst the Pump Room Museum is around twenty minutes. Another of Harrogate’s top attractions, RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, is only a five-minute drive.
4. Hotel du Vin Harrogate
A name synonymous with luxury in the United Kingdom, Hotel du Vin is known for their boutique hotels with refined bistros and extensive wine cellars. Their Harrogate outpost is no different.
Occupying eight Georgian houses overlooking The Stray, Hotel du Vin is ideally located for exploring Harrogate and the surrounding countryside.
Bistro du Vin is the highlight here, serving modern French cuisine with over 80 wines on offer. All their meat is supplied by Donald Russel, an award-winning Scottish butcher who supplies the royal household. Alongside the a-la-carte menu, the Bistro has a six-course tasting menu featuring wine pairings.
It’s not all about the wine, of course. The rooms are fabulous, too. They’re beautifully decorated with traditional Georgian features and standalone bathtubs, minibars and desks.
5. The Crown Hotel
With over 300 years of history, the Crown Hotel is a Harrogate institution and one of the town’s best hotels. This classic English inn is set apart by its grand dining room, The Churchill Suite, where breakfast is served every morning. Exquisite three-course dinners are also served here and are remarkably good value.
Henry’s Bar is another elegant space. The walls are adorned with pictures of Harrogate in years gone by.
The Crown is possibly the best located of any of Harrogate’s hotels. The Royal Pump Room Museum is less than a minute’s walk away and another Harrogate institution, Bettys Tea Rooms is less than five minutes away.
Bettys serves traditional afternoon teas, homemade cakes and delicious lunches in the setting of a classic English tea rooms. There are five Bettys locations now, including a stunning location in York, but the story began here in Harrogate back in 1919.
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