The Black Swan Hotel

The Black Swan Hotel descritpion

In the picturesque North Yorkshire market town of Helmsley, The Black Swan is a stylish hotel with boutique bedrooms. The historic inn has an award-winning restaurant and tearoom.
The beautiful, 500-year old building is furnished with antiques and classic furniture. Guests can enjoy indulgent afternoon teas, featuring handmade artisan pastries and teas from around the world.
The elegant bedrooms have fresh, traditional decor and tea and coffee facilities. All rooms feature a private modern bathroom and a cozy sitting area, and each has a TV, a telephone and free Wi-Fi.
The acclaimed 2 AA rosette restaurant has a menu including homemade puddings, quality steaks and fine wines using seasonal produce.
On the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, The Black Swan Hotel is within easy reach of Rievaulx Abbey and Castle Howard. Free parking is available on site.

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Facilities of The Black Swan Hotel

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.

Food & Drink ：Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reviews for The Black Swan Hotel

Review 1：lots of locals coming in to use the bar. would be nice if it was just for residents.

Review 2：EVERYTHING!! food is fab, staff are lovely. we have stayed before and loved it

Review 3：Some of the you staff in the bar seemed a bit clueless

Review 4：The food in the Gallery was lovely. Breakfast was a perfect way to start the day. Very nice. Emanuel.. "Manu" our waiter in the Gallery was spot on.

Review 5：Staff could have been more observant with service at breakfast - needed to ask for coffee even though tables were being changed by at least two of the staff .

Review 6：Location very good and cosy traditional welcome.

Review 7：I'm asthmatic and first room allocated smelled of "air freshener" that didn't disperse after windows had been open for several hours-I later learned that air freshener is placed in the vacuum cleaner bags....we were allocated a different room without any fuss and that was fine...staff were very understanding......I avoided the "lilies" like the plague!!!!

Review 8：Relaxed atmosphere - friendly and attentive staff.

Review 9：Stayed on Saturday night and there was no parking space in the Hotel car park, front or rear. Had to park in the main car park which is pay and display during the day.

Review 10：Excellent location. Hotel has lots of character and the food is superb. Lovely walled garden at the rear.

Review 11：None at all.

Review 12：Our 3rd stay at this lovely hotel. Staff overwhelmingly courteous, and attentive but not intrusive. Dining is first rate with excellent variety to the menu.

Review 13：We loved everything about our stay, location, room, dinner and breakfast and a staff dedicated to customer service Some nice little extra touches too like the leaving pack would gladly return.

Review 14：We couldn't park anywhere when we arrived.

Review 15：The room was very comfortable. The bed was very comfortable. There was great attention to detail. The staff were friendly and efficient.

Review 16：Our room was noisy and there was no bedside table which was irritating. Dinner menu was a bit "fancy" for our taste that trip but it looked delicious. A small point but the toast at breakfast was always cold and very underdone - it shows how good the trip was if this is my only negative!

Review 17：The staff were very pleasant and the location is terrific. Rooms are nicely decorated and the quality of the breakfast overall is good.

Review 18：Staff not very helpful and not good at communication with guests. Decor was dated. we thought it had an upgrade. Room was a long way from main part of hotel. No flexibility in restaurant due to large wedding party.

Review 19：Helmsley !! Spend many visits there to other hotels.

Review 20：All staff were so friendly and helpful and there's a lovely home from home atmosphere. We had afternoon tea in the tearoom which was excellent. When we were leaving we were given a little bag with 2 bottles of water and 2 apples - such a lovely gesture. Helmsley itself is delightful and we will certainly be returning to the Black Swan.

Review 21：Seemed pricey for one night stay and probably expected a bit more. It's a popular location though so I imagine it's very much a supply / demand thing. Still had a lovely stay

Review 22：Staff were excellent, room nice but bathroom dated. Food was great in the restaurant.

Review 23：No complaints really.

Review 24：The location right on the square is great. Very comfortable and peaceful room overlooking the rear so no busy road immediately outside window. The best thing about the Black Swan is definitely the restaurant as the food and wine offering is excellent. Bar great too with live music offered on Sat nights. Really enjoyed.

Review 25：My husband and I were married at the Black Swan in 2010 , this was our first trip back , to our surprise the staff who were there at our wedding remembered us and treated us superbly, they made our stay a wonderful expirrience , in particular Mark the head waiter was exceptional !! Our stay was wonderful and I would recommend any one who wanted a beautiful Yorkshire village setting this is the place .

Review 26：Could do with a refurbishment in the bedrooms and especially the bathroom area The windows in the bedroom needed attention

Review 27：The location Cream tea in the tea rooms

Review 28：The whole place is a little shabby and doesn't live up to it's star rating. It is OK, but just OK and no more. On arrival we were placed next door to where very noisy refurbishment was taking place and we had to insist on being moved. We had booked the room many weeks earlier for a special celebration (The Hotel knew this) and felt that we should not have needed top complain about such an obvious problem.

Review 29：Beautifully positioned in the town square, excellent staff, and the food in the restaurant was superb.

Review 30：Our room was overlooking the staff and delivery entrance and was very noisy at night and first thing in the morning. Meals were a bit fancy and with very few vegetables on the plate, although the quality of the meat was excellent.

Review 31：Staff were excellent and nothing was too much trouble.

Review 32：Car park an uphill walk from hotel.

Review 33：The staff were very friendly and efficient. Food quality was excellent quantity just right for us, some might find quantity low.

Review 34：Poor choice of vegetarian food on the menu however you were able to modify certain dishes.

Review 35：The staff were very efficient and polite. The rooms were lovely. We received excellent service in the restaurant.

Review 36：The rooms were a little tatty. The duvet was feather - likely too high a tog for the summer, and coupled with the fact that the sash window wouldn't open at the top and fell down when opened from the bottom this made the room uncomfortably hot.

Review 37：Fantastic location right at the heart of Helmsley with polite and attentive staff and a superb breakfast.

Review 38：Nothing not to like.

Review 39：This is a delightful hotel, with excellent facilities, friendly and very helpful staff in a wonderful location. Rooms are a good size clean and very comfortable with good bathing facilities. Food is excellent. Sitting and dining areas are fabulous. It was the best hotel we stayed in on our 5 day visit to Yorkshire

Review 40：The "Yorkshire" cooked breakfast was not to the same standard or quality as the other food at the Black Swan. The bacon was over cooked and the sausages were bland.

Review 41：The food at dinner and at the Tea shop was wonderful and a real treat. All the staff that we encountered were, pleasant and helpful Thank you for allowing us to store the bike in the boiler room.

Review 42：The options are poor if you do not wish to 'Fine Dine'. The 'bar meal' was good, but the choice limited.

Review 43：All the staff were very helpful

Review 44：Lack of parking, too few dishes for evening meal.

Review 45：Out look and buzz of the hotel very good, staff top line, rooms good but a long walk to some and lots of stairs. 2nd visit to hotel new year was the best.

Review 46：I enjoyed staying here very much and wish it had been for more than one night. The hotel is full of character and my room was clean and very comfy. Sadly, it was raining so I didn't have chance to sit out in the beautiful gardens. The staff were very friendly and helpful, the food was good and the hotel's location is great.

Review 47：There was nothing about this hotel that we did not like. Excellent. Even loved the fact it was dog friendly, so many wee dogs in the Cygnet lounge behaving very well whilst their owners had food

Review 48：Everything. It was a very very pleasant stay

Review 49：Not keen on the bar area as the seats are as high as the tables which makes eating a bar meal a tad awkward. I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting a more quirky boutique type hotel. The room I was in was a corporate chain style with not much character and tired looking bathroom.

Review 50：The a la carte food was great with a good wine selection.

Review 51：It rained throughout our stay!!

Review 52：This hotel is fantastic, it feels like a family run hotel but with fine dining, excellent decor and the most professional staff you could wish for. The food was of the highest standard with a vast and varied wine list, we shall be staying here again.

Review 53：no leisure facilities. Could have a bigger more accessible car park

Review 54：friendly,helpful staff, lovely rooms, ideal location. food very good and plenty of it!

Review 55：Breakfast bacon each morning over cooked staff bringing cooked food out long before you have finished cereals

Review 56：Lovely hot water for a soak in the bath bedding good quality,comfy beds

Review 57：Stayed one night in a pleasant comfortable room overlooking the Market Square. There was a good atmosphere, and all the staff were attentive & friendly. Dinner was enjoyable with a modern slant & beautifully presented. A hearty breakfast set me up for the day.

Review 58：For a summer stay, the duvet on the bed was too warm! A very comfortable bed in spite of that.

Review 59：The location and the friendliness of all the staff. Our room was more than adequate. Meals were excellent too.

Review 60：The Black Swan provides a unique experience to which you will want to return. Dinner in the restaurant is a taste experience par excellence. The welcome is warm and the parting such sweet sorrow.

Review 61：The price for an extra night on Friday was very expensive. May have included dinner?

Review 62：All the staff were friendly,helpful and attentive. Facilities, including the sunny walled garden were first class.

Review 63：Small yappy dogs in small bar area, on leads which needed to be a lot shorter! Bed could be larger and bath and associated plumbing faulty, this was reported.

Review 64：Buzzy friendly hotel in great area, food well above average at dinner, though portion sizes a little meagre. Waiting staff excelled. Lovely garden.

Review 65：Expensive rooms and drinks (£10 for a glass of wine). We were charged for drinks we did not actually have. Breakfast order was incorrect when arrived (missed items off)

Review 66：Lovely hotel in a great location. Excellent staff.

Review 67：Very minor and very personal the bed was a bit hard for us but not everyone would agree with that.

Review 68：Found the staff to be welcoming and friendly and went out of their way to help. The food was excellent and the location and surrounding perfect.

Review 69：The dated decor in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Review 70：The service and friendliness of the staff. The food in the bar was good too. The gardens and outside drinking areas were lovely.

Review 71：No bad experience but two suggestions. Please provide small flasks of fresh milk in the rooms as uht milk is an abomination. When staying for a week it would be great to have a least one new dish on the dinner menu once or twice as you soon run out of options!

Review 72：Great room overlooking market square. Paint work a little tired but only a minor point. Staff very helpful and friendly. A great atmosphere of calm effeciency making our stay most relaxing. The restaurant is superb from the enormous choice of delicious breakfast to the beautifully presented dinners. Small touches of amuse bouche and petite fours..lovely. Selection of cheeses presented by an artisan with a passion.

Review 73：The room was too hot, only a small window. The worst thing was the noise from a generator which kept me awake all night.

Review 74：The garden was beautiful and the staff very pleasant. The room was clean.

Review 75：Bathroom could do with being upgraded to match the quality of the room. It was also a bit dusty in places.

Review 76：Fantastic food and attentive, polite staff. I also liked the choice of Molton Brown products for the bathroom.

Review 77：Unfortunately at the moment there is building work which started very early. Thought we'd booked a double but on closer inspection, a double for single occupancy. Check the offer. Hotel very good about it.

Review 78：The staff here were great, everyone very friendly.

Review 79：bland furniture and poor design of rooms - characterless. The breakfast was poor - ordered a full "yorkshire" but asked for no baked beans - the plate arrived with beans so I asked for this to be rectified - plate came back with the beans removed but the juices had run everywhere making it inedible . The waitrerss didnt seem to get the point . Not good enough for a "QUALITY HOTEL".

Review 80：friendly welcome and energetic staff. The bar was relaxed and friendly. gh for a "top quality" hotel .

Review 81：Not a big problem but the duvet was winter weight on a hot night.

Review 82：Hotel well located for the Dales & the coast,really welcoming staff and a great breakfast.

Review 83：Nothing

Review 84：The hotel is positioned right in the centre of Hemsley where just a short walk will take you to all the attractions that Hemsley has to offer, it is also central to all the wonderful places to visit in the north Yorkshire moors yet the hotel remains surprisingly tranquil when you need to rest.

Review 85：Not a major problem and while undeniably excellent quality, the a la carte menu we chose for a group dinner in the Gallery restaurant was not aligned with our guests expectations!

Review 86：Everything was good. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. Facilities were well equipped, well kept and clean.

Review 87：Loved the sumptuous and very comfortable surroundings of this hotel. Staff were the most pleasant I have encountered in a very long time. Loved the Artworks, An excellent experience I am hoping to repeat in the not- too- distant future.

Review 88：Our room was a long way from reEception, but there was a back door to the car park. Not really a problem.

Review 89：A bit old fashioned but v. comfortable. Room was excellent, plumbing a bit antiquated but everything in working order with plenty of hot water. Food was good.

Review 90：The welcoming staff, quirkiness of the very old building, quality of the food and general "good feel" about the place all contribute to a most pleasant experience...and one worth repeating.

Review 91：The room was very pretty with a lovely view of the garden. Staff very friendly and the bag of goodies for journey home was a nice touch. I didnt know before we arrived that guests at the Black Swan can get access to the spa at Faversham Arms for £25 for 3 hours, would consider this next time.

Review 92：We felt a little bit forgotten at breakfast.

Review 93：The bed was so comfortable and the room a lovely size. Dinner was excellent as was the breakfast. The dinner bed and breakfast package made for very good value.

Review 94：It is fairly expensive which may be seen as a reasonable reflection of quality but certain basics e.g. a bottle of water at dinner, are very pricey.

Review 95：Rooms Staff Breakfast Food There was overall a general air of quality . We liked the location but bear in mind it is a small town, not a country property. It is in a nice area from which to explore Yorkshire.

Review 96：Window in poor condition . Difficult to open and condensation in the morning. Pillows very poor. Bathroom in need of upgrade, no extracta fan.heavy curtains rather dusty.

Review 97：Location, good food, great towels and loads of hot water.

Review 98：Our Superior room was well furnished but on ground floor with the only room window facing onto entrance of rear car park - not private or quiet & certainly not worth the extra cost. Female Bar Manager lacked charm & friendliness - an attitude not present anywhere else in the hotel.

Review 99：Location & walks using Black Swan as a base. The hotel walled garden is a Spring delight. Restaurant food is excellent & of a high standard with breakfasts a pure pleasure.

Review 100：No lift and quite a few stairs to get to our room

Review 101：Great location, food was wonderful, staff attentive room spacious and clean, bathroom modern walk in shower.

Review 102：I ate in the bar , the food was very good , but only a very limited menu (4 main items !) and only served between 5.00 to 7.00pm .

Review 103：Beautiful hotel & gardens providing efficient understated luxury.

Review 104：Everything was spot on!

Review 105：The food was some of the best we have ever had with a fabulous cheese selection. The staff were attentive, well organised and knowledgeable. We had a feature room which was lovely and liked the fact that the rooms were checked and restocked in the evening.

Review 106：WiFi did not work in our room - not acceptable nowadays. Temperature of shower could not be adjusted and was too hot or too cold - terrible plumbing in Room 41. There was no shaving mirror. Lighting in the restaurant (at least where we were seated) was too dark.

Review 107：The location of this hotel in the centre of Helmsley is good. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Food was very good (though wine was overpriced, e.g. Cloudy Bay - 64 pounds a bottle.)

Review 108：not being told at the time of booking that we would be dining in an overflow dining room instead of the fabled Gallery restaurant. Quirky pricing ( different versions of the menu dishes seem to be provided dependant on which room package is booked particularly breakfast) Limited menu ( ok for a two or 3 night stay ) Dangerously hot water at the taps and erratic shower temperature

Review 109：location, staff friendliness , tearoom lunch

Review 110：Although the room had been recently upgraded, the bathroom was disappointing with intermittent hot water.

Review 111：Friendly attentive staff. A hotel with lots of character and history in an ideal location for exploring the Yorkshire countryside. Breakfast was excellent in attractive surroundings

Review 112：Room when we arrived overlooked building site, shower door broke sowater all over bathroom floor and a plastic toilet seat, moved roomsbeautiful room but the bed was uncomfortable and the pillows were likebricks, restaurant was ok and the food mediocre for the reviews. Reallyexpensive for the reviews and rather disappointing. We wont berevisiting again unfortunately.

Review 113：The staff were brilliant, room was lovely, location great.

Review 114：Whilst the girl in the bar had every right to ask for proof of our room number, she asked in a loud voice and in an accusing manner. Another guest commented on the brusque manner also.

Review 115：Going home

Review 116：The friendly staff. The bar area,the selection of Gin's The excellent level of service. The accommodation. Room service ( Breakfast )

Review 117：The dining room was dark and decor looked tired and in need of a facelift. The tables we were offered were too close to the kitchen entrance and the locations felt cold. The guests need a separate relaxation lounge set apart from the casual public visitors.

Review 118：The friendliness and efficiciency of ALL the staff, they were polite and excellent in every respect. The bedroom and bathroom was peaceful and an execellent standard. Limited choice of menu for evening dinner but food ordered was well presented and excellent quality

Review 119：I wouldn't go so far as to call it a bad experience, but we found our shower rather difficult to operate (Room 17). It was hard to avoid getting a cold shower while regulating the temperature of the water!

Review 120：We enjoyed the cosy atmosphere of the hotel and the warmth and friendliness of the staff. The cuisine was very good and the menu provided us with plenty of choice for both our tastes.

Review 121：Corridor carpets dirty. Large virtually empty breakfast room, but got seated next to another couple when we should have had a table on our own

Review 122：Good room. Good breakfast. Lovely building

Review 123：I would expect a few nibbles to be provided with my pre dinner drinks in a hotel of this quality. Having to ask for the table to be wiped in the lounge when we were having pre dinner drinks.

Review 124：The warm relaxed atmosphere in the hotel. Allowing dogs in the public rooms all very relaxing. An excellent dinner wonderful restaurant staff again very relaxed and enjoyable. Breakfast was good.Reception staff good.

Review 125：The hotel room could have been better, bathroom definitely need rippin out and a new one fitted. The next night we stayed in a Premier Inn and this was much better.

Review 126：The position of hotel right in town square. The evening meal was excellent. The waiters friendly and really helpful.

Review 127：We had booked a meal for 9pm and were asked to sit in the bar as our table wasn't ready....head waiter said he'd come through with menus but he obviously forgot...at 9.20pm we had to ask again. Eventually sat down at 10pm!

Review 128：Friendly professional staff in all areas of the hotel. Good food, nice surroundings, very comfy bed.

Review 129：The hotel hair dryer flashed when turned on, fused the plug circuit in the room and burnt the sleeve of my bathrobe. It was fortunate I was not holding it close to my hair when I turned it on. I was surprised that No enquiry as to my health or recompose was offered after the incident. We were on a celebratory weekend and didn't want to make too much fuss but even so an apology would have helped esp as serious injury could have resulted.

Review 130：Long walk with steep staircase to bedroom, also room right next to boiler, which started up very early morning, just trying to get back to sleep when delivery lorry turned up to offload not happy with that

Review 131：Lovely location, pleasant staff

Review 132：Being charged £9 odd for coffee after a meal which was not very good anyway

Review 133：Food excellent and staff were very friendly. Loved clean towels twice a day

Review 134：I was in room 4 in the original part of the hotel which I liked, but be prepared for noise from the square as the windows are not double glazed

Review 135：I thought the restaurant food was very good as was the service. Some people may think the service a bit old-fashioned with chef de rangs and commis waiters but I love it, Grant was my CDR for the evening and he was very good.

Review 136：Bed was too uncomfortable for anyone with a hip problem so I had very little sleep. Lots of noise from occupants of room opposite entering and leaving their room due to heavy door outside and on second night from room above due to creaky floorboards. We could even hear their conversation. A little disturbing.

Review 137：The location in lovely Helmsley. The excellent staff. The food though excellent was rather rich for people with dietary problems so might I suggest that a couple of plainer dishes might be added to the menu as they are on cruise ships.

Review 138：There was a bit of noise outside our rooms early in the morning from the deliveries., however, overall the rooms were incredibly quiet.

Review 139：We booked into the newer part of the hotel and enjoyed the additional space, especially important with a baby! The tasteful decor was a good blend of modern/traditional and the room offered a comfortable and large king size bed, flat screen tv and free Wi-fi. We loved the option of being able to have breakfast in our rooms as well as in the restaurant. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Overall an excellent experience (but you do pay for it!)