Harrogate is a charming spa town, known for its ‘health giving’ spring waters, the glorious Georgian and Victorian architecture that sprang up around the springs in their heyday, and for its gardens — the Royal Horticultural Society’s Harlow Carr Gardens are on the western edge of town. The best places to stay in Harrogate range from charming B&Bs to large and elegant hotels, with facilities and amenities for all whether you're looking for a family holiday or a romantic getaway or a central hotel with parking.

If you are planning a couples' break, the Montpellier Quarter is a good place to start; these pedestrianised streets are where you’ll find many of Harrogate’s antique shops, art galleries, jewellers and boutiques. As well as numerous bars, cafes and restaurants. Next on the agenda for couples might be a spa treatment, a visit to the Pump Museum or a stroll around Harrogate’s impressive parks and gardens.

Don’t discount Harrogate for a family holiday either, Betty’s world famous tea rooms are a favourite with all ages, and many of the parks and gardens are designed for play as well as beauty. This part of the countryside is a good option for keen walkers — you’re on the doorstep of the stunning Yorkshire Dales, which is a wonderful landscape for any outdoor enthusiast. These appeals have made the town a popular weekend, or mini-break destination, and many of the best places to stay in Harrogate are fashionable and romantically decorated, with great restaurants and bars. But the thing they all have in common is that they'll be very busy in the peak summer months. So get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Harrogate

For a Country House Hotel

• Rudding Park is a grandly glorious country house hotel just outside Harrogate, with long lawns, huge windows and just the right number of pillars. Inside are 90 rooms and suites, including some family-sized suites, plus a choice of three restaurants — one with 3 AA Rosettes. Outside there’s a swimming pool, golf course and a spa. The decor is exemplary country house hotel style, complete with chandeliers, antiques, fine fabrics, roll-top baths, and original artwork.
• Goldsborough Hall is a Grade II listed stately home, also just outside Harrogate. Now that it’s become a hotel it offers 12 guest rooms, plus a fine-dining restaurant specialising in local produce. This is the sort of hotel where all the rooms are individually decorated, and some feature antique four-poster beds and original oil paintings.

For a chic stay

• Harrogate’s Hotel du Vin & Bistro has been created from a Georgian townhouse row, so it’s elegant on the outside, with that slightly more industrial Hotel du Vin edge to the interiors. The award-winning cuisine is typical Hotel du Vin, as is the champagne and claret bar, and the pool table in the snug.

For Romance

• The Ascot House Hotel is a charming Victorian townhouse in an historic part of Harrogate, now turned 19 room hotel. Each of the rooms is individually decorated — with grandeur if you want it, but unfussy options too. The restaurant offers a fine dining experience, and there’s a relaxed bar area. We recommend couples book the Turret Room.
• The West Park Hotel looks traditional on the outside, but is contemporary inside. There's a spacious bar and restaurant, with parquet flooring, plenty of light and mirrors, and pops of turquoise. Upstairs are 25 rooms and suites, all uniquely decorated, but all feeling smart and luxurious. The rooms at the front of the hotel have views over The Stay, and its 200 acres of open parkland.

For Families

• The White Hart Hotel is a luxurious property converted from an elegant Grade II listed Georgian building in a smart quarter of Harrogate, just opposite a green space. There are 61 rooms and suites, all decorated in a range of traditional and contemporary styles (if you fancy a four-poster bed here’s your opportunity). There are also apartment options, with one, two, three, or four bedrooms — so ideal for families. There are two restaurants onsite, a pub, and The Fat Badger Grill.

For Walkers

• Cold Cotes is a collection of converted farm buildings just a few miles north of Harrogate, with eight spacious guest rooms complete with their own private entrances and oak beamed ceilings. All around are gardenThe rooms are surrounded by the property's gardens, and the peace is maintained by the adults only policy. No restaurant, but they do serve breakfast.

Best B&Bs

• Teardrop Cottage is a pretty period property built right up against an old viaduct in the town of Knaresborough, just outside Harrogate. The cottage has been re-imagined inside as a three bedroom B&B, with rather opulent, romantic details, and a small hot tub spa. The ground floor room has a private terrace with a wonderful view of the viaduct. It’s possible to rent out the whole cottage.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Harrogate?

• Harrogate’s closest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport, which is around 20 minutes away by car or taxi, or about 25 minutes by bus. This part of North Yorkshire is served by both the CrossCountry and East Coast train lines, with the closest major stations in Leeds and York. If you’re travelling from London, or via London, the direct train leaves from Kings Cross and takes just under three hours.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Harrogate is known for its gardens, and lovely surrounding countryside, so for the full Harrogate experience you should visit in spring or summer. The colours of autumn are spectacular also, though, and winter has its own appeals, so don’t be put off if you have to miss the floral season. Harrogate’s architecture, its spa facilities and restaurants, boutiques and galleries, and the beauty of the region, are year round and there’s plenty to do indoors if the weather is wet.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to our Gurus’ recommendations for the best places to stay in Yorkshire
• Include near neighbours like the best places to stay in the Yorkshire Dales, York or Skipton
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Harrogate