Old Swan Hotel

Hotels
8 (6019 reviews)
Swan Road , Harrogate , GB

Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Good food
Cons:
Room quality issues
Cleanliness concerns
Overpriced amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
6.96
Several reviews mentioned cleanliness positively, but some rooms had issues indicating a lack of thorough cleaning.
Service
8.93
Staff were consistently described as friendly and helpful across multiple reviews.
Location
8.97
Location was highlighted positively, being convenient and close to town.
Room Quality
6.92
Mixed sentiments; some rooms had significant issues, affecting overall perception of quality.
Amenities
7.95
Amenities received a mixed response with some lacking, such as in-room facilities, but overall sufficient.
Value for Money
7.91
Generally viewed as reasonable pricing, though some items were noted as overpriced.
Food and Beverage
8.46
Food received positive remarks, particularly regarding breakfast quality.
Overall Experience
7.93
The overall experience was shaped by some negatives but balanced out by positive aspects, leading to a satisfactory stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 04:58

Property Description

Historic Charm and Modern Comforts
Surrounded by picturesque lawns and gardens, The Old Swan was once the famous retreat of Agatha Christie. Originally an 18th-century coaching inn, this historic property seamlessly blends its rich heritage with modern amenities.

Elegant Rooms and Dining Options
The hotel offers modern rooms with en suite facilities, tea/coffee-making amenities, and scenic garden views. Indulge in a culinary journey at the Swan Lounge and Bar or the Wedgewood and Library restaurants, known for their locally sourced delicacies.

Central Location with Famous Neighbors
Located a short stroll from Harrogate town centre, The Old Swan is within walking distance of iconic spots like Betty’s Tearoom. With its proximity to Harrogate Railway Station, convenience meets luxury at this historic gem.

Book now to experience a blend of history and luxury at The Old Swan.

Important information:

Please note that extra beds/cribs can only be accommodated in the Executive Rooms.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LBA

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 6019 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.96
Service: 8.93
Location: 8.97
Room Quality: 6.92
Amenities: 7.95
Value for Money: 7.91
Food and Beverage: 8.46
Overall Experience: 7.93
F
Fiona • extended_group • us
8
Loved it and the proximity to the town. S
Pros:

Lots of character. Staff were extremely helpful.Restaurant was great and breakfast was great, too.

Cons:

Windows don’t open and rooms were too warm

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
R
Raymond • couple • gb
8
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
E
Evans • extended_group • gb
9
Lovely building and lovely area
Pros:

The whole experience beautiful hotel and perfectly located

Cons:

The fact that the dining room always seemed really cold

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
N
NICOLA • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

Lovely staff and location

Cons:

Whilst I understand the hotel is old and need to keep the nostalgic feel it is in need of a refurb. The breakfast service wasn't great, had to ask the staff for bowls and to restock the food. It

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
C
Christine • solo_traveller • gb
8
Harrogate getaway + Autumn Flower Show
Pros:

Old world charm & elegance. Clean & comfortable, staff pleasant & courteous.

Cons:

N/A

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
D
Diane • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
B
Boulton • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
J
john • couple • gb
9
Great stay at the Agatha Christie mystery Hotel
Pros:

Great location for the conference centre

Cons:

Mattress was a little too firm but that’s just our opinion

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
A
Angela • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
D
Damian • couple • gb
9
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
J
Jayne • solo_traveller • gb
7
Great breakfast and good service.o
Pros:

The hotel is an impressive old building and the interior reflects that. The service was very good, staff helpful and pleasant. Very good breakfast.

Cons:

The room was a little small and a bit dated. The sink in the bathroom did not drain but it was fixed very quickly when we reported it. For my sister and myself, 64 and 69 years respectively, it was a little way out of town (particularly for eating out in the evening).

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
T
Trudi • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

Very grand interior with lovely old fashioned furnishings etc in reception, lounge, breakfast room.

Cons:

Bedroom was quite small and had no views.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
A
Andy English • solo_traveller • au
8
Pros:

Staggering distance to everything that I wanted to go in Harrogate - Bettys, Turkish Baths, Chinese restaurant at baths, Primark, Sports Direct. Staff were delightful..

Cons:

Roadworks in Harrogate, meant round & round in circles before entry into hotel. Bathroom was tiny & lifts were pre-historic - but overall good stay.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
A
angus • couple • gb
9
Lovely old hotel close to centre but very quiet
Pros:

Has character but still is smart and tidy. Food good. Breakfast was busy but it was all controlled and comfortable. Credit to the team

Cons:

All the people were great but service in the bar was always slow as it always appeared busy. Everything else was very good

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
N
nazza64 • solo_traveller • it
10
Pros:

Fascino Old England

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • extended_group • ie
10
Fabulous
Pros:

Everything Hotel Location Facilities

Cons:

Grumpy waitress at breast her face never cracked a smile

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
J
Jenny • couple • gb
7
Pros:

our room had a very tiny bathroom, which was difficult to manoeuvre in, it would have been better to just have a shower and not a bath, the toilet is right on top of the bath and a wall you have to move around just to get into the bathroom. the mirror in the room was in the corner and no dresser under yet the dresser was at the bottom of the bed and nothing above it and very poor lighting {these small details matter when you are trying to do hair and makeup} and the TV was on the left hand side of the room so you had to twist to watch it from the bed

Cons:

the sized of the bathroom, I don't expect a huge bathroom and it would not normally not bother me but this was boarding on being claustrophobic and I have never been in such a small bathroom

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
R
Robin • couple • nz
6
Satisfactory for the price.
Pros:

Staff. Breakfast, location.

Cons:

We booked an Executive Room with a view, however the windows were covered with an opaque film. Water hammer when operating taps a night. Tiles loose ready to drop of the bathroom wall from height, could be a safety issue.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
K
Kirsty • couple • gb
8
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
N
Nicola • family_with_children • gb
8
Pleasant. Adequate. Excellent parking, nice outdoor space and close to amenities.
Pros:

I was in room 162, a twin room near the lift as requested, as my mother has COPD and is 82. The setting of the hotel was lovely and it had parking. It was close to town, restaurants, and the pump museum. The staff were very pleasant. The room was a good size and clean. The breakfast room was lovely and the seats were comfortable. Some mornings, the sausages and eggs got a bit hard, but apart from that, it was adequate, and the croissants were lovely. I've stayed in several hotels in Harrogate over the last 25 years, and I would stay at the Old Swan again. I was pleased to see enough coat hangers, a hair dryer, an iron and an ironing board.

Cons:

The food was not great. On the first night, we had fish and chips; it was awful. It was bland, pale and soggy; it seemed like a packet of fish, so we didn't stay for dinner again. The breakfast was fine. The room was a good size, but the bathroom could have been better; it was too small and had a tiny, cracked sink. We were at the front of the hotel, so I didn't like it at night. There was a net curtain because when you turned on the light, I'm sure people could see in. As you washed your face, the back of your calves touched the toilet bowl. I know it is an old building but there was only one lift.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee