Ivy By The Sea

Room 5 felt bright and roomy, with seafront views from two windows and more light from the side windows. It had two big couches, a table and chairs, a dressing table and mirror, plus a second sleeping area beyond an arch with a large double bed and its own TV. The modern bathroom was spacious too, with both a bath and shower. Rachel was around and really accommodating, and Libby and the rest of the team looked after us so well. We’d first popped in for food and drinks over the early May bank holiday, then came back for a two-night stay over the spring bank holiday. We got home last night and already want to return. This small hotel is a gem, and the negative reviews feel completely unwarranted. Give it a try, I’d recommend it without hesitation.

The way a short-haired woman spoke to her younger staff in front of customers made the whole place feel awkward. She sounded dismissive and unprofessional, and the staff looked close to tears. I found her rude and inconsiderate towards both customers and colleagues. Good service starts with treating people respectfully. I left feeling uncomfortable and wouldn’t come back.

The restaurant itself was pleasant, tidy and clean, so I’d gone in with high hopes. The fish and chips were a huge letdown: barely any fish inside the batter, and what little there was had become too hard to eat. The chips looked homemade but were only average, while the bread was dry and hadn’t been buttered. I mentioned it to a member of staff, who looked shocked. A sad effort for Scarborough.

We came for lunch and won’t be back. My son’s pizza meal had been piled into a small basket, with the cheese stuck to the bottom, and it seemed to have been sitting there for a while. It should’ve been served on a plate. Our burgers were flat, cold, tough and badly overcooked. The glasses and cutlery weren’t clean either, so I had to wipe the rim of my glass and polish the knife and fork. We’ll find somewhere better next time we visit.