The Craiglands Hotel Sure Hotel Collection by BW

We ate in the bar and really enjoyed the food. The staff were accommodating and very helpful, and our room was clean and comfortable, with tea and coffee facilities. Craiglands Hotel is ideally located for Ilkley and the surrounding parts of Yorkshire. We had a great stay, will be back, and would recommend it to friends and family.

Sleep was a real problem. The bed was too small for a couple and the mattress was extremely uncomfortable, so we woke up with back pain every day. There was loud music and singing from events almost every night until 1 a.m., making it hard to sleep. None of this was mentioned when we booked. The room needs renovation and a better clean. There was dust all over the wardrobe and spiders on the ceiling. The shower temperature kept switching between hot and cold. Service was poor too. At the hotel bar, a staff member said they were in “chaos” because of a private New Year’s party, and we felt like a low priority. We asked for a cocktail, but he said he couldn’t make one and offered only pre-made cocktails. I don’t understand why one couldn’t be made on the spot. At check-in, the staff member was messaging on WhatsApp and taking phone calls at the same time, which made the reception service unpleasant. Terrible experience. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel, especially to anyone who wants to come back in the evening and get a good night’s sleep. Choose another hotel.

The wedding day staff were amazing and very organised, breakfast aside. We’d ordered room service that morning, but toast, cutlery, milk and two cups were missing. I felt like a nuisance asking for the things they’d forgotten. Food and drinks were extortionately priced: the £18 fish and chips came with about six chips, and although lovely, it wasn’t worth the money. A pint of Moretti was £7.10, and bottled water was £5. Bar service was a bit slow too. The bridal suit on the first night was beautiful and spacious, though the shower pressure was a little disappointing. The second night we had a lovely family room with a big, comfortable bed and a pull-out sofa bed all made up for my son. Both rooms were cleaned to a high standard, so credit to the housekeepers. There’s no soundproofing, and it was noisy until midnight. Breakfast on the second day was chaotic with so many guests, but there was enough food for everyone and the quality was top notch.

The ballroom is very good, and the location is handy for walking into town or heading up the road to Ilkley Moor and the Cow and Calf rocks. Parking is good too. But the hotel has a run-down feel and needs refurbishment, especially the bar and dining areas. Our basic double room was clean but very small and also needs work. All the staff were pleasant and helpful. The same people seemed to be covering reception, the bar, meal service, and clearing up, though perhaps that’s a sign of the times.