Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Harrogate

Something seems to have gone wrong. We have greatly enjoyed staying here before and dropping in for occasional lunches. We liked the good food and wine, and the exceptionally good service. The premises looked immaculate and smelt fresh. Back today, looking forward to a pleasant impromptu late lunch at about 1:30pm. People were eating but there were plenty of spare tables. We waited to be seated in the restaurant … and waited… and waited. After a while my wife reported to the hotel receptionists that there were similarities to the Marie Celeste. They said that someone would come. A few minutes later a barmaid arrived at the bar. We explained that we had been hoping for a lunch table but that there were no restaurant staff. She went to find them. But several minutes later she still had not returned. So we left. By that stage we had realised that things had changed at the Hotel du Vin. It no longer looks immaculate. We let the receptionists know that we had intended to have lunch, but had decided to leave. They didn’t seem bothered. This place used to have excellent management. It needs to get it back again.

I had been given a voucher for the Hotel du Vin chain and decided to use it as a dinner treat with my daughters. The Harrogate branch had tables free. The staff were fantastic, our waitress was incredibly friendly and advised us when she thought that the sides were too big so perhaps we could share. There was no cocktail menu but she said 'tell me what you like and I 'll get the barman to make it up for you ' so we had specially designed cocktails. They were in no rush and kept assuring us we had the table for the night so we could just stay and chat if we liked.

Surprised that on this occasion the room wasn’t the best. Always stay here and will continue to do so however I’m leaving this review so it can be improved upon. We stayed in one of the basement rooms, nice but hadn’t been cleaned, hairpin on the floor, hairs in the bath and on the toilet. Couldn’t put the bath soap in the bath as it doesn’t reach. Overall dirty feel to the room if I’m honest and had a strange odour to the room and toilet. Fridge was warm so I declined tea in the morning as the milk inside fridge was warm. Apart from it not being clean and warm fridge, it was a lovely room. Not sure if the hole in the toilet skirting board is for a mouse but it needs repairing. Carpet does look like it needs a good wash. Coffee machine would be good like the other rooms.

Another lovely stay in Harrogate especially over these difficult times made all the better by the fantastic staff at Hotel du Vin. Tristan couldn’t of been more helpful when we booked in and Maxime was the perfect bar manager. Although breakfast had to be served in our room, Michael the chef made an outstanding effort to keep the standards high.

Lovely overnight stay at Hotel du Vin in Harrogate. All staff very friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Very comfortable room and bed. Would definitely return here when in Harrogate!