[waterhouse]

We had a week's holiday a fortnight ago (seems longer) and moved about a bit in the North of England.

The first place we stayed was in the Yorkshire Dales near Settle.  We arrived a bit later than we expected in a downpour.  The chap on reception helped carry the bags in and kept the kitchen open so we could get a meal.  Whenever we saw members of staff they smiled.  We like it so much we stayed an extra night. The food was brilliant.

We booked another hotel based on its feedback and location, but rather more expensive.  The receptionist got our name wrong despite there being only one other guest.  She didn't smile, or help with the bags, nor did she mention the hotel restaurant.  So we ate elsewhere. 

It became apparent that the place had changed hands and was undergoing a major refurbishment.  But that didn't explain the complete absence of fire notices, emergency exit routes or all the fire doors being wedged open by the builders.  Nor did it explain their placing tools and rubbish on the stairs.  When we asked for fire instructions the map actually showed the fire escape to be out of a 3rd floor window onto concrete below: the arrows were in the wrong place.

The room was really lovely (though the main light switch was hidden behind a wardrobe) and the bed was comfortable.

When we met the new proprietor it all became clear.  He was a builder or a property developer.  He didn't understand hotels and service - all he saw was a building with "the finest hotel room in the North-East" in his words. 

By the time he'd given us a discount we paid the same as as the first hotel - which was definitely run by hoteliers.  But we have really warm memories of that hotel and just irritation (and a few good stories) with the second.  We'll go back to Settle, for sure

[Blueeyes]

Hiya, could you post the name of the first hotel you stayed in? My hubby and I are often on the lookout for nice friendly hotels for weekends away and prefer somewhere personally recommended.

Thanks 

Blueeyes xx

[waterhouse]

The Traddock Hotel in Austwick

[Blueeyes]

Thanks for that, just had a look on trip advisor and it's looks lovely, just got to find a free weekend now! 

Blueeyes xx

[Victorian Farmer]

we had a hotel in paighnton when we go to the sales we only use 3 places premier inns  travel lodge and Macdonald  Resort you no whot you will get .all 3 have deals iv been to meney hotels that just dont cut it .Macdonald will be good eney where you stay £45 a night long week end £150 pound no problem .when i retired i went to Edinburgh for a week .Macdonald was fantastic food etc .Hilton is a nother good 1 but they are my fav.

[waterhouse]

I spent over ten years running an international business which meant vast amounts of business travel.   Business travellers generally want predictability: those who return frequently want to be remembered and things to stay constant. When visiting a new hotel you expect the best and anticipate the worst: the hotel has to prove itself. That's the advantage of chains.

It took me a while to adjust to leisure breaks where you pay less but get more, though often delivered with idiosyncratic style.

[Rosemary]

We've just had a lovely break at the Best Western Ox Pasture Hall near Scarborough. Room was very nice; great shower, narrow bath. Public areas lovely - leather sofas, wood burner, stone walls. Staff very nice although sometimes they were a bit hard to track down  .

The food was beautiful - there's a restaurant and a brasserie - we ate in the latter but you could have restaurant choice if you wanted.

Only downside of the food was that their eggs, although free range, weren't as good as ours. The braised shin of beef pudding was to die for as was the chicken and leek pie. The slow roasted belly pork with black pudding was pretty good too.

Good local cheese, although not a big selection. Wonderful sticky toffee pudding and the raspberry creme brulee with raspberry milkshake and shortbread was good too.

We went by train, so taxied to and from the hotel with luggage, but walked into Scarborough (about 4 miles to the front) one day. Lovely forest walks in Raincliffe Woods just across the main road.

The hotel takes dogs and there were quite a few there, none bothersome though. The hotel was a farm and the buildings are stone, with pantiled roofs, grouped round a sheltered courtyard; there are grounds around the hotel for exercising dogs but they aren't enclosed.

Certainly would be happy to recommend based on our four night stay.