Scarborough hotels

Bright, breezy and fun – these were my first impressions of Bike & Boot. Colourful wellington boots are suspended from the ceiling, bicycle paraphernalia hangs on walls, lampshades are made out of old fish-boxes. The fun and colour continue in the guestrooms, with bold orange or blue headboards, window blinds printed with vintage advertising posters, and stripy carpets. Furniture is simple and minimal, creating a feeling of relaxation – and, in the smallest rooms, making the best use of compact spaces. Overlooking South Bay, it’s one of the best hotels in Scarborough for both views and location; I was on the beach within five minutes. It’s also one of Scarborough’s best dog-friendly hotels – dogs even have their own washroom. Food in the big open-plan bar and restaurant is full of crowd-pleasing dishes such as burgers, pizzas and pastas. Best of all, there are crumpets for breakfast.

The Riviera Town House is a great choice if you want to be in the heart of Scarborough. It’s midway between the Spa Complex and the Castle, and five minutes from both South Bay beach and the main shopping streets. I was also pleased to find it’s one of the best hotels in Scarborough for value. Guestrooms are neat and bright with good reading lights, posh bathroom products and many with baths as well as showers. The very reasonable prices also include a terrific cooked-to-order breakfast. Take your pick from Danish pastries, kippers, bacon and sausage sandwiches, and eggs how-you-want, as well as the ‘full English’ with vegetarian alternatives. My tip for an evening meal is to pop round the corner to Bareca Bar (in the Bike & Boot Hotel). It’s bright and fun, with great cocktails and pizzas, and less than a five-minute walk.

Many visitors to Scarborough don’t know this part of town exists. I didn’t. The Crescent (after which the hotel is named) is an elegant crescent of Regency townhouses that surrounds a central lawned garden. It’s so quiet, and yet the area, close to the Cliff (or Spa) Bridge, is incredibly central. It took me less than 10 minutes to get to South Bay beach. As a result, The Crescent is one of the best hotels in Scarborough for getting away from the crowds. Its light, traditional style suits the age of the building and its peaceful setting. Guestrooms are bright and fuss-free, with pops of colour in feature wallpapers and throws. Choose a top-level room if you want luxurious extras like four-poster beds. I was surprised to discover The Crescent is one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Scarborough; dogs can even join you for dinner.

Should you prefer the quieter surrounds of a village but still want to be close to Scarborough, take the 10-minute drive south to Cayton. It’s in this pretty village on the edge of Scarborough that I came across The Farrier. Once the village blacksmiths – hence the name – and village inn, it’s now a smart gastropub. With five beautifully appointed bedrooms, it’s one of the best hotels in Scarborough. It’s big on food, I quickly discovered, with brunch, afternoon tea, and vegan as well as standard lunch and dinner menus. Expect imaginative dishes, such as Italian polpette meatballs and lamb with blood orange and oregano dressing, amongst the pub classics. Guestrooms are big with a modern-rustic style. I liked the equine references – think horse-print wallpapers, leather headboards and thick wool blankets. For extra privacy, choose The Old Stables in a separate building across a courtyard.

If you fancy some country air mixed with Scarborough’s sea-saltiness, head 15 minutes north to Cloughton village. The family-run Falcon Inn, one of the best hotels in Scarborough, is just outside the village. From here, it’s a five-minute drive to the coast. I discovered, it’s a handy spot if you want to do some walking too as the North York Moors stretch behind the pub. Inside the handsome, stone building – a former coaching inn – it has all you’d expect from a traditional country inn: low-beamed ceilings, horse brasses, and a big welcoming bar with local ales. It’s been given a bright makeover with William Morris-style wallpapers and plaid-covered chairs and banquettes. The guestrooms are modern-rustic with pretty wallpapers, some with exposed-stone walls. Expect generous-sized pub classics on the menu. My advice is to save some room for pudding, the cheesecake is a favourite.

In the smart residential area of Scalby, on the outskirts of Scarborough, The Plough offers a cheerful welcome and a warmly traditional feel. It’s extremely popular with locals, I quickly realised – the bar and restaurant were buzzing. Regulars enjoy its reliable, well-cooked British pub classics – think gammon steak, home-made steak and ale pie, beer-battered fish and chips, and sticky toffee pudding. Guestrooms have a country feel with fresh colours, tartan throws and pretty curtains. Some have wooden tongue-and-groove panelling, others have four-poster beds. The rooms in the eaves, I thought, were particularly cosy, with rolltop baths too. Even the standard rooms have coffee machines and bathrobes, which felt like nice touches. But what makes The Plough one of the best hotels in Scarborough is its closeness to the town’s open-air theatre, where you can catch A-Lister names and great gigs just a quick taxi-ride away.

Scarborough is great fun, with its boisterous seaside-y atmosphere. But if you want to stay somewhere with a more sedate pace – but still be within easy reach of Scarborough – consider Filey. A 20-minute drive to the south, I find this seaside resort fits the bill if you want somewhere smaller, quieter and with an equally great sandy beach. Perched above the southern end of Filey bay, the White Lodge is one of the best hotels in the Scarborough area for views. Built as a grand private house in the 19th century, it later became one of the first luxury hotels in the area. Today, it has a fresh, contemporary style with great views from the restaurant (with its Modern British menu), a real fire in the lounge, and breezy guestrooms with a New England feel. My favourite place was the terrace; just the spot for a pre-dinner G&T.

This is one of the best hotels in Scarborough if you want to be in the old town. I loved exploring this area with its atmospheric narrow streets and traditional pubs, with the castle soaring high above and the harbour below. The hotel is well-named; it spreads over five narrow floors with lots of steep staircases. The style is firmly traditional, with patterned wallpapers and carpets, lots of pictures and ornaments, and a few antiques. Guestrooms are compact but spotlessly clean. Mine even had a four-poster bed, and I was lucky enough to have a view over rooftops to the sea. Breakfast, in the lower ground floor dining room and conservatory, is generous. The hands-on owners cook and serve too. There are plenty of eating places around the harbour – I can recommend The Golden Grid for tip-top fresh seafood, and whopping fish and chips.

For me, the charm of this hotel is summed up in its address: The Esplanade. A word that conjures up a grand setting, splendid views and a certain elegance. And The Weston, one of the best hotels in Scarborough, has all of these. Part of a lofty Victorian terrace, overlooking South Bay and the town’s Spa Complex, it has a traditional feel but subtly modernised. There are high ceilings, occasional antiques and a snug library, but light colours and bold modern art. Guestrooms have a simple contemporary style – nothing brash, but thoughtfully done. If I was staying again, I’d definitely treat myself and go for a front room; preferably first floor with a huge bay window. In Cecil’s, it has one of the best hotel restaurants in Scarborough, with imaginative dishes such as honey and soy glazed salmon. Definitely save room for the roasted peach crumble.

Only 10 minutes from the seaside fun of Scarborough, Wrea Head Hall is in a different, quieter world. Wrapped in gardens and woodland, it’s one of the best hotels in Scarborough. You come here to be cossetted – I certainly was. I had barely dropped my bag in my room before I was on the terrace with freshly made scones and tea. The grand Victorian hall, with its mullioned windows, bell-tower and oak panelling, mixes country house and modern furnishings. There are classic striped sofas in the lounge, for example, but modern sculptures on tables. I loved the artwork – the owners are keen collectors – including some bold abstract paintings in the bar. Bedrooms are either traditional country house or more contemporary; both spoil with generous sizes and big bathrooms. The hotel’s menus are formal fine dining, but the service is wonderfully warm and down-to-earth. Very Yorkshire.