Cedar Court Harrogate

The New Year celebration dinner was one of the best we’ve had at this kind of event, and breakfast was first class. We’d come for the two-day New Year package, from 30 December to 1 January, and had booked an extra night, so we’re leaving on 2 January. We’d stayed before and knew roughly what the hotel was about. We arrived early because we had a 2.30pm booking at The Turkish Bath in town. Our room wasn’t ready, so we couldn’t check in then, but they let us park. Checking in later was fine. We asked for an itinerary for the package, but there wasn’t one, and the questions we asked went unanswered. The bar staff were pleasant and helpful. After we got settled, we went down to the bar, and later Harry helped us get answers, even bringing the events manager over. Dinner was okay, though not great. Some of the triple-cooked chips with the main course were burnt. They offered to replace them, but halfway through a burger, that didn’t seem worthwhile. We’d been assured we wouldn’t have to change rooms for the extra night, yet a cleaner knocked early, and later someone came right in without knocking. I understand it was the hotel manager, but that’s not a great practice. We did enjoy the stay overall, though I wish the different departments would communicate with each other.

The wedding reception was in a beautiful room, and the staff were professional and friendly. The food was fantastic, and the bar prices were very reasonable. We didn’t stay overnight, though the bride and groom’s room looked beautiful. The hotel itself was clean and classically presented. It was perfect.

The bathroom was clean, though it’s starting to look dated and could use an update. I found a little debris under the side table, so the cleaning could have been more thorough. Still, at Cedar Court Harrogate the room felt fresh, quiet and comfortable, with a large bed and a good-sized TV. Nothing was a major issue, and I’d be happy to stay again.

The breakfast was excellent quality with loads of choice, and all the other staff were really friendly and helpful. We were given a Classic room on the fourth floor, but it only had a Velux roof window and felt claustrophobic. The receptionist sorted out another room for us, which had a lovely comfortable bed. The maître d’ was a bit abrupt at 9.15, telling us breakfast finished at 10 and we had to be out of the restaurant by then. He said the same to everyone who came in after us, including our group of eight associates, who’d booked a table two weeks earlier so they could sit together. It didn’t feel welcoming. If breakfast runs until 10, people should be able to come in for it until then. Maybe he was just having a bad day.