The Cairn Hotel

Firstly before i go to the negitive aspects of this hotel i must point out that the staff over all were professional and very customer focused. My personal opinion of this hotel is that unfortunately it was dated, the rooms quite small and the food was not to any degree of a high standard. Bland, non imaginative and possibly recycled from morning to evening meal. Sadly this was a let down. Will not be returning.

We stay in lots of different hotels during the year but this has to be the worst ever. Twin room was so cramped that the tv was at right angles to the beds as there was hardly space at the foot of the bed to get past. The window was wide open when we arrived in a vain attempt to dry out the carpet where there was a large wet patch. Tried to swap but told hotel was full. Dinner was very plain , wine was good but wrongly listed on the wine list. When we checked out I had not been charged for dinner but was honest enough to tell reception who in fairness did not charge for the wine when they added on the cost of dinner. Bed was uncomfortable as mattress was worn out like the rest of the hotel. Avoid.

We stayed Saturday night at the Cairn having tramped the streets of Harrogate. Wish we 'd gone somewhere else! It was a very tired place, needs total refurbishment. The reception area had a giant plasma screen which I assume was for the football. Not very appropriate for a hotel that has pretensions to grandeur. The receptionist was nice and professional. The room was OK but had those horrible high reading lamps over the bed so you feel like you are in a spotlight. The room was clean and TV was a good size and had a good reception. We had a lovely view of the back of a conference centre and some dead plants in a huge pot. But on the plus side heard no noise once the 60th wedding anniversary party had packed up for the night! Dinner was mediocre, production line food, bit like Butlins. I had tomato and mozzarella as a starter and the cheese was actually a slice of processed mozzarella! First time I'd ever been given that in any restaurant. You had to go up to the carvery for the main course and choose from various dishes sweating and growing skins under the heat lamps. The carvery chef was surly. The man on on the table behind me let out a loud belch and I had to control my laughter (not the hotel's fault!) - but at least he appreciated the food. The waiter, Laszlo, was nice but needed some help. I had the impression the hotel is understaffed. Breakfast was average, again you had to queue for hot food and it did not look very appetising. I guess this is to cut down on overheads, i.e. staff. A shame that what appears a once grand Edwardian hotel has fallen on such hard times. Maybe they have too much competition in the town.

Grotty public areas. Very old and in desperate need of refurb. Rooms LOOK better, but we were given a twin when we asked for a double. When we complained, we were given a double room that despite the heating being on full was freezing cold and bleak. Old CARPET in the BATHROOM did nothing to lighten our spirits. We did not stay here. Would highly recommend The White Hart in Cold Bath Street.

We stayed at the Cairn for a four day break in October. On arrival [late morning!] I was somewhat surprised to be asked to pay for the full stay in advance. Fortunately, I decided to have a look at the room before parting with my money. The initial room allocation was a pokey dark little cell with one small window so high there was no opportunity to even see out! When I declined the room, we were allocated a beautiful, newly refurbished room with a nice view. We did wonder if we had been given the initial allocation because we had made our booking through Laterooms. As noted by previous reviewers, the breakfasts were good and the staff were very friendly.

We stayed at the Cairn and got a good deal online two days before arriving, as in previous reviews we found the staff to be very friendly. Our room was at the end of a corridor and therefore suprisingly large (two bay windows) the room was clean as was the bathroom. Breakfast was very good, again served by very friendly staff.

Recently stayed here on a February 'mini break'. Fantastic value for money. Room lovely and spotlessly clean. Food superb. I would vote the staff as some of the friendliest people I have come across for many years. We were made to feel so special and felt as if we had known them all for years. Will definitely return.

The hotel is fine and would have got a higher rating from me if it wasn't for the amorous activities of pigeons at 0400hrs on the window sills and in the eaves around our bedroom.

Having a daughter that lives in Harrogate who welike to visit regularly,to be different my wife and I chose the Cairn for this our approx 15th trip at Easter 2002 .As we travel from the Isle of Man and by boat and train/bus takes approx 9 hours and by plane door to door is under 3 hours and costs very little more we fly and do not take a car.On the days we dont see our daughter we use shanks's pony or public transport,and the Cairn is quite a bit further from the shops etc than the other hotels we have stayed at,however because of the quality of service of the reception,dining room and domestic staff,the Cairn is the only place we will be staying.Add to this superb food and prices plus plenty of parking,Make it the TOPS,WE CANT WAIT FOR OUR NEXT TRIP!