5 Star Quality in a 5 Star town (Hotel du Vin)

Member Name: degsy70

Product:	Hotel du Vin
Date:	04/02/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great rooms, food and staff

Disadvantages: Drinks can be pricey

Hotel du Vin in Harrogate is the first 5 star hotel to be opened in the area, a surprising fact given that it is apparently the 3rd most desirable place to live in the country!
Since opening it has become increasingly popular with locals, travellers and celebrities. The building was completely renovated and is now a very darkly lit but very atmospheric place to be. Harrogate is surrounded by protected land known as the Stray and as a result is one of the most picturesque places to visit, the hotel overlooks part of the Stray and their are fewer finer sights (especially when it's snowing).
The hotel bar is relatively small but the restaurant seats well over 100. The drinks are pricey but superb quality and after all it is a 5 star hotel. We often go there as a treat either for just drinks, dinner or on a few occasions to stay over (despite living about a mile away!)
There is a quiet room downstairs to chill out in, there is a pool table with a major slant on it (you have been warned!), and an incredible cigar room.
As for the rooms, we have stayed in the most expensive and the cheapest rooms at this hotel. We booked the function room for my 30th birthday and everything was done with such class. That night we stayed in the Dom Perignon suite, you have special key to use in the lift which goes to the top floor where the suite is. The bed was at least 7 feet wide and could have slept 10, there are his and hers baths with a view of the stray and a walk in shower that would house a rugby team (not that I would want that!). As a treat it was superb and worth the money (about £300 a night). On other occasions we have stayed in a room overlooking the rear of the hotel which again was nice and relatively cheap (£60). More recently we had booked dinner there and had also booked a cheapish room, on arrival we were upgraded immediately to a better room overlooking the stray. It pays to let them know when booking a room that you will be dining with them; you are more likely to get an upgrade.
The food is excellent although as you'd expect you don't get massive portions but you can tell it's all locally sourced. The cheese board is worth trying. Decent meal for 2 with wine will set you back about £70.
All in all a fantastic hotel that really makes you feel special

Summary: Worth a visit as a treat