Whitby hotels

In Whitby, the best place for views is West Cliff, which looks across to the abbey on the opposite headland. And La Rosa, which occupies a Victorian terrace on West Cliff, is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Whitby for views.

Step inside and the amazing vistas continue. To say it’s theatrical doesn’t do it justice. It’s like walking into a vintage store. Every surface and wall is crammed with objects and paraphernalia: colourful glass and china, dolls and teddy bears, stuffed fish and birdcages, flags and bunting. Walls are richly painted, while rugs are scattered on dark-stained wood floors.

One of the best boutique hotels in Whitby, its guestrooms are similarly eclectic, usually based around a colour theme. My room was very yellow. Hamper breakfasts are served in-room—I ate mine at a tiny table gazing at the views. There are afternoon teas and cocktails on offer too.

On the south-western edge of town, this is one of the best hotels in Whitby for horizon-stretching views over the North York Moors. If, like me, you enjoy hikes as much as beaches, this hotel ticks all the boxes, with both within a 10-minute drive.

Originally a 17th-century farmhouse, it’s retained a rustic feel with beamed ceilings, wood panelling and sturdy wooden chairs in the large bar-restaurant. There’s robust food on the menu too: steaks, burgers and fish and chips. Plus the north-eastern favourite “chicken Parmesan,” a substantial dish of breaded chicken breast with Béchamel sauce and cheese.

Guestrooms are in converted stables, cozily clustered around a courtyard so they’re close, but not too close, to the bar. One of the best dog-friendly hotels in Whitby, dogs are allowed in all areas of the hotel.

Spread across a Tudor manor house and a Georgian townhouse, Bagdale Hall is one of the top choices in Whitby for authentic historic style. Here you’ll find original beamed ceilings, thick stone-mullioned windows and ornate fireplaces.

If you like guestrooms that embrace the best of traditional British looks, you won’t be disappointed. All but one of the rooms sport four-poster beds, while fabrics and furnishings are characteristically British: think richly-patterned carpets, leather Chesterfield sofas and lots of bold red and royal-blue shades. Many bedrooms have fireplaces too.

What makes this one of the best hotels in Whitby for me is its closeness to Pannett Park, with its wonderfully old-fashioned Whitby Museum, a real “cabinet of curiosities” from Victorian dentistry equipment to gigantic fossils. The hotel is breakfast-only, again firmly traditional, including omelettes, a full grill and kippers from Whitby.

Less than 15 minutes from the town, the Victoria Hotel is one of the best hotels in Whitby for stunning sea views. At the top of the hill above the postcard-pretty seaside village of Robin Hood’s Bay, which tumbles steeply down to the harbour, it has an enviable location.

I arrived here after walking along the coastal path from Whitby (part of the Cleveland Way long-distance footpath) and couldn’t believe my luck. My room, on the second floor, had fantastic views of the coast.

While guestrooms have a quiet elegance, with soft colours and pretty fabrics, public areas are bolder, with bright jewel colours in the bar and modern furnishings in the conservatory-style restaurant. If it’s warm, make sure you have a drink out on the terrace, where the views are amazing. Menus offer stylish Modern European dishes; don’t miss the broad bean risotto.

If you’re looking for one of the best hotels in Whitby for a peaceful stay, consider the Saxonville. Quietly situated amongst residential streets on West Cliff, it’s away from the crowds around the quayside. I quickly discovered, however, that it’s less than a five-minute walk to the beach.

The family-run Saxonville is a great place if you prefer a traditional hotel style and experience. There are bright patterned carpets, a large dining room with starched white tablecloths and comfortable chairs and coffee tables in the lounge.

Guestrooms are neat, simple, and spotlessly clean, with understated furniture and colourful cushions and throws. Evening meals comprise popular British classics such as pork with sage and onion stuffing, and salmon with lemon hollandaise. But the biggest treat is the wonderful old-fashioned cart of home-made desserts you’re served afterwards.

Located on cobbled Church Street, on the eastern side of the harbour, it’s easy to miss the narrow entrance to this inn. One of the oldest buildings in the town, the tall 17th-century White Horse & Griffin is full of atmosphere. Wood-panelling, decorative plasterwork and cast-iron fireplaces have been restored to create a cozy bar and handsome dining room.

Ten quirkily shaped bedrooms, some with exposed timbers, are spread over four floors. It helps to have a sense of adventure to stay here. To find my room, I had to negotiate a maze of passageways and funny little corners; floorboards creak and ceilings can be low.

There’s plenty of fish on the menu, but also surprisingly good vegetarian options. Afterwards, I took my wine into the tiny, wood-panelled bar. Definitely a place to swap tales of your day’s adventures with other guests.

The Resolution is one of the best hotels in Whitby for those looking to be central but away from the boisterous quayside. It took me less than five minutes to walk to the latter, with its tempting amusement arcades. Five minutes later, I was on the beach.

The Resolution looks traditional from the outside but is sharp and modern inside. There are exposed brick walls and smart banquette seating in the restaurant, and an atmospheric bar in the vaults. The menu is big on steaks and fish, and portions are huge—make sure you have a light lunch.

Guestrooms are contemporary, with clean-lined furniture and cool neutral colours. Once you’ve peeked into the suites, as I did, you’ll wish you’d booked one. Swish with oversized headboards, bold feature wallpapers and jewel-bright colours, some have freestanding tubs in the bedroom.

To be close to a choice of beaches, have a look at the Ellerby Country Inn. One of the best hotels in Whitby and surrounding areas, it’s 15 minutes from Whitby Sands and 10 minutes from the family-friendly beach at Sandsend, while gorgeous Runswick Bay is only a couple of kilometres away.

The latter—often voted one of the best beaches in Britain—is one of my favourites. I was thrilled to come across this family-run village inn, which offered a quiet retreat at the end of a day on the beach or walking on the clifftops. Guestrooms are spacious with neat, modern furnishings. Some are dog-friendly and a couple have balconies overlooking the pretty garden.

Furthermore, it offers an extensive menu from lasagne to mussels, home-made steak pie to sea bass fillets. Plus, a tempting vegetarian menu.

Tucked down a quiet country lane that’s overhung with trees, Broom House felt like a secret find when I first came across it. In the village of Egton Bridge, on the North York Moors, it’s deep in the country yet only 11 km from Whitby.

It’s one of the best hotels in Whitby to enjoy both seaside and countryside. One day I was striding across the moors, the next exploring Whitby’s historic streets. The Victorian farmhouse has been extended and modernized without losing the charm of high ceilings, flagged floors and large sash windows.

Guestrooms are calming in soft shades, pretty wallpapers and pine or painted furniture. Attic rooms have lower ceilings but offer some of the best moorland views. The huge garden is a restful spot to return to, and there’s an honesty bar in the lounge. With home-cooked breakfasts plus two village pubs for evening meals, I was happy.

The Forge pub, in the village of Aislaby just five kilometres from Whitby, is a real find if you want a family-run country inn. I couldn’t have asked for more friendly and welcoming staff. Everyone—both strangers and regulars—was made to feel right at home.

The stone-built pub is one of the best hotels in Whitby if you want to enjoy a busy day in town, but retreat to a quiet village in the evening. Meals are robust, and on the menu you’ll find both pub classics—such as steak and mushroom pie or beef lasagne with chips—as well as smarter dishes such as sea bass or duck breast.

Rooms are neat and bright, with colourful cushions or pretty bedspreads. They’re not fancy, but have all you need: comfy beds, piping-hot water and attractive views to get you out of bed in the morning.