Search Best Hotels in Helmsley

We usually stay at the Fairfax or the Feathers, but they were fully booked. We decided to try the Black Swan, probably shouldn’t have. The hotel is very tired despite the recent renovation - I can’t see where in the upper halls and bedrooms? The room was very basic. Bathrooms need updating, and in fact cleaning before guests arrive. We were very late to check in, despite this we had to ask for the bathroom to be cleaned as it had been forgotten about, hairs, old water marks and tide rings - grim! Though the lady member of staff did apologise profusely and was very nice at both dinner and check out - a real asset to the hotel. A room bug bare for me was nowhere to hang longer items like coats and dresses. The wardrobe was for shirts and folded trousers only. I had to hang long dresses on the light fitting. Also there is no shaver/toothbrush socket in the bathroom. Such little things that would make stays easier. We had dinner, which wasn’t bad for ‘pub grub’ but it wasn’t restaurant quality so to speak. I’d add that the gravy and sauce were more like water in both consistency and taste. Pies were great! Sadly we didn’t get to try the breakfast (which was included in our rate) as despite being a weekend, there are no room-service options and breakfasts aren’t available past 9.30am. So Sunday at 9.41am, we had to trot over to a nearby café to have breakfast. This was very annoying as you can imagine! I wouldn’t recommend staying here with so many better options locally. Which is a real shame, as the food used to be so much better and I would’ve expected after renovations the hotel would’ve seen an improvement. It has not. But, if you just want pub food and you’re in the area then maybe give it a go.

Ok, so it was really bloomin' hot when we came here, which I think makes the outdoor pool even more incredible about this hotel than it already is! This actually isn't our first time to this hotel. We came last year, and loved it. So we returned again this year. Like i said, the weather was glorious, so arranging for choccies and champagne in the room to sit around the pool and devour was absolutely incredible! Both times we have come here, we have been very lucky in the fact we have been upgraded for free! which although is something hotels offer when quiet, its still so lovely to get this. The bedrooms around the pool are glorious, (only type of room we have now stayed in!) and they truly are little cottages!!! we most definitely loved the rooms. The staff are polite, professional and smiley, which of course is a very nice touch. Dinner in the restaurant was good. I think the only thing this hotel lacks is a killer menu with killer service. (Please don't take this as an insult!) I feel the menu was good, food served was nice. But not memorable. The service in the restaurant is OK. That of a good standard. But they did mix up our wine and forget our water. Small small small things, but they do poke out when the rest of the hotel was so so so enjoyable. We will be back, and we will dine again. nothing here is unlikable and it truly is a lovely spot. if you go when the weather is nice & kids are at school this place is heaven!