The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire – Review

Our first sight of the front of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa, after settling in and walking into town, confirmed that it had been aptly named. The view of the whole building was absolutely majestic!

The Majestic Hotel, HarrogateIt is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens, on a hill-top position overlooking Low Harrogate and its green dome is visible for miles around. This enormous hotel opened on 19th July 1900 and was known as the “best address in town”, with its imposing public rooms and ‘modern’ facilities. It had been decided to build a luxury hotel in “the world’s greatest spa”, as Harrogate was then known, to the standards of the Golden Age of ‘Old Europe’. New and exciting features to be included were electric lifts, telephones, good plumbing and top quality service.

In the first ten years of the twentieth century Harrogate was nicknamed “England’s Klondike” because of its amazing development. The Royal Baths, The Kursaal (an elaborate theatre) and The Majestic Hotel were the principal locations in the town for the social life of the age.

Great artistes of the day performed at the Kursaal such as Sarah Bernhardt, Lily Langtry, Harry Lauder and Nellie Melba while staying at the nearby Majestic Hotel.

The Majestic Hotel, HarrogateThe Majestic also attracted nobility and royalty. The Maharaja of Patiala, with a huge retinue, took over an entire floor and some of the staterooms were transformed with shimmering silk hangings.

In 1926 The Majestic went ‘Charleston mad’. Special dancing classes were provided ‘by request’. Some of the older guests were scandalised – what were things coming to! Women dancing with bare legs, women smoking in public and even the Majestic had a new woman manager!

In 1949 a special banquet was held at The Majestic in honour of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visiting the Great Yorkshire Show. After dinner they appeared on one of the hotel’s balconies to wave to the townspeople who had gathered in the grounds.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s it was the turn of well-known actors and pop-stars to stay at The Majestic – The Bee Gees, Neil Sedaka, Tommy Cooper, Dennis Waterman and David Essex amongst others.

And in 1997 Prince Charles paid a visit.

The Majestic Hotel, HarrogateToday, as part of the Puma Hotels’ collection, the Majestic Hotel has 170 bedrooms, including 63 premium and de-luxe rooms and one suite. Its facilities include the Majestic Restaurant, lounge, Victorian-styled Regency Bar, a Health & Leisure Club and 9 meeting/function rooms.

Our visit started in the car-park at the back of the hotel. Apparently, it was deliberately built at the rear of the property so that established residents would not be upset by the sight of ‘travel stained guests’ arriving at their hotel!

We were allocated a Premium Room on the first floor at the front of the hotel. It was the largest hotel room we have ever had – it must have been well over 400 square feet and was tastefully furnished. The view from the windows, of the lawns and town were lovely, enhanced by the two days of sunshine we were lucky enough to have.

The Majestic Hotel, HarrogateThe hotel recommends advance booking of beauty treatments and Decleor Salon treatments to avoid disappointment. Rooms are available after 2pm and should be vacated by 11am. There is car-parking available, but at a cost.

Our three course dinner in the main restaurant was very enjoyable. The chandeliers were almost as delicious as the food! I read somewhere that in 1931 dinner cost eight shillings and sixpence.

The traditional full English breakfast buffet the next morning set us up for the rest of the day. Before checking out we had a final walk, in the sunshine, around the flower-laden town centre.

DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa
Ripon Road, Harrogate, HG1 2HU, United Kingdom
Visit website

Read about Zena’s visit to Harrogate

250 people found this helpful
16847

Share Article:

Zena Nattriss

Keen traveller, photographer & writer

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

A canal cruise in Portugal’s ‘little Venice’, two of Brittany’s beauty spots, and visiting Bilbao’s famous landmark museum….
This is not a leisurely cruise – it’s an expedition for adventurers. Anyone wanting to relax all day is on…

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.