Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Hotel du Vin Harrogate

18 Nov 2010 by BusinessTraveller

WHAT’S IT LIKE? One of 15 hotels in the Hotel du Vin collection, the 48-room Harrogate property opened seven years ago and occupies eight Georgian houses overlooking the Stray, the 80-hectare public common. The entrance is unassuming – a dark wooden door flanked by potted trees – and inside it has the feel of an old parlour, with a dark wooden floor, vintage leather sofas you can sink into, pictures of French chateaux on the walls and a couple of Indian statues.

The reception desk is to the left, with armchairs to sit in while you check in. To the right is the claret-walled bar and a sweeping staircase that leads to the rooms. Ahead, behind a glass wall, is a lounge area with more comfy sofas and direct access to a private courtyard. Staff are friendly and welcoming, and one accompanied me to my room to show me around.

WHERE IS IT? On Prospect Place, a stone’s throw from the town’s attractions. It is a short walk to both the rail station and Harrogate International Centre. Leeds airport is about a 20-minute drive away.

ROOM FACILITIES The rooms are a mixture of standard doubles, big doubles and suites, and the nature of the building means no two are identical. Tying in with the theme of the hotel, all are named after champagnes and wines, and at least half look on to the Stray. They are stylishly decorated with classy colour palettes – soothing shades of purple, grey, brown and green – and feature plenty of wood and big comfortable beds dressed in Egyptian cotton.

The loft suites, with their wooden beams and floors, are wonderful. Facilities that come as standard include a DVD player and stereo, baths and monsoon showers (some rooms have the shower above the bath, but most are separate), a minibar (with full-size cans, large bottles of water and half-bottles of wine), an iron and ironing board, trouser press, tea and ground coffee with fresh milk (a welcome touch), a safe, room service from early in the morning until about 10pm, and Hotel du Vin-branded toiletries made by Arran Aromatics in generously sized bottles. Wifi is free for the first half-hour and then £7.50 for eight hours or £10 for 24 hours, or cables can be provided for broadband access. Only the suites have air conditioning.

My big double front-facing room, called Hugel, was on the first floor. It was big and carpeted and had lovely views on to the common through the large curved bay window – a chaise longue sat next to it for enjoying the scene. It felt calm and uncluttered, and there was also a wooden desk with a suede chair, a large wardrobe, a full-length mirror and a selection of lifestyle magazines. I also received a free copy of the Independent. The bathroom was large and lovely with mosaic tiling, a roll-top bath by the window (it has a blind if you are shy), and a large walk-in shower. Note that there is no showerhead in the bath so if you have a soak and then want to wash your hair, you have to go across the room to the shower.

A couple of quibbles. When I went to borrow a DVD from the library in reception, which is advertised in the in-room information brochure, I was told they had stopped offering guests either DVDs or CDs – so if you want to use either the DVD player or stereo you will have to bring your own. I thought an iPod dock would be a welcome addition. Also, the wifi worked only intermittently during my stay – reception told me they were having problems with the connection.

Be aware that noise travels – at 11.15pm a member of staff came to my door and asked me to turn down the TV as a guest had complained. Perhaps it was a particularly raucous edition of Question Time, but the TV was not positioned by the wall – the bathroom was behind it and the wardrobe separated it from the corridor – so I was surprised that I had disturbed anyone. I also heard some noise from above and from the road, but not enough to bother me – in fact, I had one of the best sleeps I’ve ever had in a hotel room.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Hotel du Vin properties are all about the food and wine, and Harrogate is no exception. The Bistro is typically French in cuisine and décor, with a mixture of banquette seating and tables and chairs, wine-themed decorations and a few nudes on the walls. It was buzzing with locals as well as residents when I visited one Thursday evening. I had the smoked mackerel and Parma ham (£6) and roasted cod with clam chowder and savoy cabbage (£13), and both were great – not the biggest of portions, but ample.

There are about 500 wines to choose from, and a knowledgeable sommelier is on hand to suggest pairings. An excellent breakfast is also served here – the continental option costs £11 and includes a good array of cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, jams, breads and pastries, and you can add an à la carte option such as a full English or eggs Benedict for £3. Open 7am-10am for breakfast (8am-11am Sat-Sun), 12pm-2pm for lunch (12.30pm-3.30pm Sun) and 7pm-10pm for dinner (6.30pm-10.30pm Fri Sat). The Champagne and Claret bar is open 24 hours for guests (until 11pm for non-guests) and serves light snacks in the afternoon.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Hotel du Vin’s sister chain Malmaison is more set up for meetings, but there are two rooms on the ground floor that can be used for smaller gatherings and private dining. Abbey Well holds 60 people seated and 90 standing and opens on to the courtyard, part of which could be sectioned off for a gathering. The room is a smart space with vintage-looking brown leather chairs, ornate mirrors, a drop-down screen and a colourful painting of a dinner party. The L-shaped Henley Vineyards holds 30 seated or 75 standing, or 130 for dinner when combined with the restaurant, which it adjoins. Downstairs from the bar, the Cellar Snug has a billiards table and cosy sofas and can be used for drinks receptions of up to 50 people. There is no business centre.

LEISURE FACILITIES Added two years ago, the cosy, warm spa is in the basement and has five treatment rooms offering a variety of facials and massages, as well as two nail bars, a steam room, monsoon shower and relaxation room. There was a small gym before this but it was taken out to make way for the spa. Guests can use the Nuffield Health and Wellbeing centre 3km away for £13.50, which includes taxis each way and use of all the facilities, including a swimming pool.

VERDICT A stylish, welcoming hotel with an excellent food and drink offering, as you would expect from Hotel du Vin. Its smaller, boutique nature sets it apart from some of Harrogate’s larger, more traditional-style properties.

FACT FILE

NUMBER OF ROOMS There are 48 in total, a mixture of standard doubles, front-facing lower-level big doubles, front-and rear-facing big doubles, studios, loft suites and big suites.

ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The fantastic bed, lovely views from the big bay window and the large bathroom with roll-top bath and walk-in shower.

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in December started from £125 for a Standard room.

CONTACT Prospect Place; tel +44 (0)1423 856 800; hotelduvin.com

Michelle Mannion

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