Hotels in Scarborough

Scarborough's hotels fall into a few clear groups, shaped by the town's Victorian layout. The grandest properties sit along the Esplanade on South Cliff, purpose-built in the resort's Victorian heyday with sea views, function rooms and, in some cases, their own spa facilities - these suit visitors who want a full seaside-hotel experience with entertainment laid on. A step down in scale but still comfortable, the mid-range hotels dotted around South Bay and the town centre offer straightforward, well-run stays close to the harbour, the Spa and the shops, usually with parking and a restaurant on site, and tend to represent the best value for a short break.

Away from the hotel row, Scarborough has a strong run of independent B&Bs and guest houses, many in the same Victorian terraces but run on a smaller, more personal scale. The best of these have been renovated well beyond the fusty seaside-guest-house stereotype, with genuinely comfortable rooms, good breakfasts and, in several cases, sea views to rival the bigger hotels at a fraction of the price. A handful, particularly on South Cliff, now operate at a genuinely boutique level with rates to match.

For something with more space and grounds, a short drive out towards the edge of town brings a small number of country-house hotels set among woodland and gardens, better suited to a special-occasion stay or a base for walking than a classic seaside break. Wherever you choose, book ahead for July and August - Scarborough's accommodation fills up quickly around its summer events programme, and the best-value rooms on the South Cliff go first.