Can anyone recommend a good hotel near York?

[Chris71]

It was 10 years ago next month that Mrs Chris71 and I first met. To celebrate, we are depositing the little bundle of fury that eventually sprang forth from that union with his grandparents and heading off for our first weekend alone in over a year.

We're on a pretty tight budget by the standards of a major anniversary - say £150 ish per night for the room - and we're trying to find somewhere comfy and cosy within about half an hour of York. Peace and character are the main requirements, but otherwise open to suggestion. It could be a B&B, pub, hotel, even a spa. Only other thing is it must have a decent restaurant on-site or within walking distance.

So, PH, any ideas?

[Chris71]

whoami said:

The Talbot Hotel in Malton is very good.

Nice restaurant on-site too.

Looks like a good call. Like that area up near Castle Howard too - shame we're going to be in the family bus if we visit.

[Chris71]

This is proving trickier than I expected.

I stay in the Hotel du Vin in Birmingham occasionally for work and I really like it, but the OH wants to get a bit further out of York. And while I thought The Talbot Arms was a great call she didn't seem that taken with it...

It doesn't have to be anywhere particularly grand. A bit of character and decent food (on-site or close by) are the only real prerequisites. Maybe a gastropub somewhere? I like the area off towards the Moors, but anywhere within half an hour or so of York is good.

ETA some of these places look good: http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/restaurants/search...

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 8th February 15:20

[Chris71]

dabooga79 said:

Zod said:

The Black Swan is great, but a bit over the OP's stated budget. If budget is less important, I'd also add the Star Inn and, a bit cheaper, the Pheasant, both at Harome. The White Swan at Pickering is not bad at a cheaper level.

The OP only stated the budget for a room, he didn't state what the budget was for the meal just that it had to have a decent restaurant on-site! If you consider you can get a room, breakfast and thirteen course taster menu with wine for under £400 I don't think that's bad, especially for a special occasion.

Funnily enough, The Black Swan caught my eye.

Budget is a bit of an issue, but not insurmountable. It strikes me as relatively good value for what it is. I just wonder if it might be a bit too avant garde, though. Mrs Chris71, being Yorkshire born and bred, muttered something to the effect of 'nowt with "foam" or "jus" on' when I asked about her preference for food.

The General Tarleton in Ferrensby looks quite tempting, but the Trip Advisor reviews are a little mixed. http://www.generaltarleton.co.uk/index.html

[Chris71]

soxboy said:

Chris71 said:

Funnily enough, The Black Swan caught my eye.

Budget is a bit of an issue, but not insurmountable. It strikes me as relatively good value for what it is. I just wonder if it might be a bit too avant garde, though. Mrs Chris71, being Yorkshire born and bred, muttered something to the effect of 'nowt with "foam" or "jus" on' when I asked about her preference for food.

The General Tarleton in Ferrensby looks quite tempting, but the Trip Advisor reviews are a little mixed. http://www.generaltarleton.co.uk/index.html

I haven't been to the General Tarleton for a while but must admit not heard any bad reports about it.

Mostly seemed to be people moaning about one of the waiters. I take internet rants with a pinch of salt, though. One of the people on there talked about it 'passing my usual dust test', at which point you know they're taking a bit too much pleasure in critiquing the hotel.

That's the closest and one of the most affordable of the ones we like, so seems like a good candidate. The Pheasant appeals too.