Hotel Du Vin, A Fine Vintage In Harrogate

From the outside it looks like a long terrace row, step inside the Hotel du Vin in Harrogate and the first thing that you feel is the warm ambience. The hotel has been open in Harrogate for a few years and I must have walked past it many times without noticing the hotel. A non descript door leads you into another world.

The main attraction to Hotel du Vin is its location which is within easy walking distance of all Harrogate's main attractions along with The Stray and the shopping opportunities.

The hotel does have its own parking spaces but they are at a premium.

The main reception area gives a feeling of space though not too much as to make it cold. Check in was fast and pleasant and surprisingly we were shown up to the Superior room we had been allocated. I did request a quiet room which was granted as the room was towards the end of the corridor. Mind you no hotel can stop what sounded like a heavy footed elephant pacing around the room above you at 1am in the morning!

The bathroom was impressive with a walk in monsoon shower and a free standing bath, though you might have to be a contortionist to try to open the blinds in the bathroom due to there not being much space at the end of the bath to move around to get to the blinds.

The main bedroom was extremely spacious with a super king size bed complete with Egyptian cotton sheets which covered a superior mattress. There was a chaise lounge in the room too, which wasn't really ideally placed for watching the television, so like most hotels these days, you have to watch your favourite TV programmes from lying on the bed.

A Nespresso coffee machine comes as standard along with fast free Wi Fi. All the rooms are named after a wine.

Some of the corridors look a bit tired and could do with a little TLC, but then again you don't spend much time in the corridors!

Meals are enjoyed in the Bistro on the ground floor. As the hotel name implies the accent is on French cuisine, though most of the friendly and efficient staff are from Eastern Europe. The wine list is first class too.

There is a Prix Fixe Menu available Monday to Saturday until 7pm and Sunday after 6pm. 2 courses cost £19.95 or 3 courses for £24.95

Off the main menu my starter of soup l'oignon was just as good as any I have sampled in France. A classic French onion soup served in a proper soup bowl with a cheese crust - c'est magnifique! My partner's salade verte had just the right amount of dressing on and was as fresh as a morning stroll along the Stray.

My main of Filet steak accompanied by a thick peppercorn sauce served with warm pommes frites was excellent, though my partner thought her Ribeye steak was a little too fatty for her.

The Cheese Plate was the highlight for me, you are guided around a selection of French cheeses and a salty Blue Monday Stilton type cheese from Alex James (Blur bassist) farm in the Cotswolds. A bespoke plate of cheese lay before me, all served as all cheese should be, at room temperature. Tres bien.

Breakfast is also taken in the Bistro, though we found the continental breakfast more appealing than the cooked breakfast which seemed a little lost served on the big plates.The quality of the breakfast was good although items from the cold buffet breakfast seemed slow to be replenished.

There is also a Spa at the hotel which seemed popular though we did not experience it.

A good vintage all round.

Hotel du Vin, Prospect Place, Harrogate HG1 1LB
https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/harrogate/