DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa

Breakfast was excellent, and otherwise our stay was good. The building is an interesting old place with lots of character, but our room was so hot that we slept very badly, even with the windows open. It needs some kind of air conditioning for hotter weather. If fully fitted systems aren’t possible, even a plug-in floor unit in each room would help. The car park charge also seemed extortionate, which was a surprise.

The spa was a relaxing treat after a day out, and it was well looked after. Our room was spacious, clean, and nicely furnished, while the staff were friendly and professional. There are plenty of good bars and restaurants nearby. The car park was stressful, though. There was a convention on, and we had a little bump while trying to find a space. DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa is a lovely place to stay.

I paid about £90, which felt like good value. At £250 a night, I’d look elsewhere. Staff were friendly and I had no problems with them. I booked the basic room but, with Honors Diamond Status, got upgraded to a King Bed Deluxe Guestroom. There were no drink vouchers at check-in, though the usual DoubleTree cookie was nice. The room was large and comfortable, with a king bed, several armchairs, and a spacious bathroom. The TV wasn’t smart and had only a limited set of channels, so I wish I’d known to bring an HDMI cable for my laptop. The diner looked nice, but breakfast was standard hotel fare and I’ve had better at other Hilton’s. I wouldn’t have paid extra for it. I didn’t try the spa, but the gym had a somewhat wider equipment selection than most Hilton’s. The interior was lovely, though the exterior looked shabby and could use a pressure wash. Also, the lift didn’t reach the top floor, so there were a few stairs to manage, something to consider for accessibility. The hotel is in a convenient location.

Harrogate itself made our first visit special. The town is beautiful and full of charm, and people we met were so kind. Strangers stopped to chat and showed warmth toward us and our baby. The town’s residents are as welcoming as the place is lovely. The hotel was a letdown by comparison. At reception, we felt brushed off rather than greeted warmly or professionally. Our room was clean and maintained well enough, but dated in its decor and furnishings, and the poor view took away from the comfort. Breakfast was the bright spot: the food was good and the restaurant staff were genuinely attentive, friendly, and warm. The stay felt mediocre for the price and what we expected from the brand. The hotel was underwhelming, though the rest of Harrogate made the trip memorable and worthwhile.