We had a delightful 2-night, inclusive, dinner bed & breakfast stay at the Black Swan in early September. From reception onwards, this was a winning experience. The Afternoon Tea on arrival day [see photo] was pure indulgence and showed the attention to detail (including leaf-teas – ‘normal’ and ‘decaf’ – and a selection of sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones with cream and jam) that we came to expect for the rest of our stay. Service in the Tea Room, and later in the bar and the Rutland Restaurant (for dinner and for breakfast), was friendly, courteous and professional. The standards that have won recognition/awards for the Tea Room and the Rutland Restaurant continued to be evident during this visit. Our bespoke bedroom [photos] in the Georgian part of the hotel was very nicely decorated and fitted out – comfortable bed, two armchairs, and work desk with chair. Tea and coffee making facility. Plenty of hangers in the wardrobe. A good bathroom with quality fittings. Free WiFi in the public areas, and safe-deposit facility at reception. Our (included) three-course Table D’hôte dinner menu offered different and varied selections for each of the two nights. Food was excellent and service polished – including an unexpected, pleasant, amuse-bouche to precede the starter. We both thoroughly enjoyed all three courses, on each night. Breakfast was also of good quality offering, like dinner, mainly local produce (the Wilkins of Tiptree preserves – another quality touch – being an acceptable exception!). Fresh cut fruit and fruit juices; cereals; pastries/croissants; and a hot selection cooked to order. Margaret had the kippers one morning, and the haddock with poached egg on the second. I saved the Full Yorkshire Breakfast for our departure day – to keep me going ‘till we got home. Helmsley [see separate review] is a delightful historic village on the southern edge on the North Yorkshire Moors – which allowed us to have an easy day driving around and visiting a number of locations, including English Heritage [see separate review] sites. Also handy for the coast (at Whitby, Robin Hood Bay, or Scarborough).
