Guest Reviews & Comments
The Old Deanery near Thirsk: Thirsk Hotels
21 Mature couple - 08/02/06	88%
Good Points: Central location
Further Comments: Very nice central location, easy to find. Staff very friendly and helpful, food superb.
22 Mature couple - 30/11/05	86%
Good Points: Well appointed room, excellent staff
Further Comments: This is an excellent little hotel, the staff from the moment we arrived to the moment we left were extremely helpful and friendly. Although we didn't use the restaurant for our evening meal the breakfast was extremely good, and having taken a quick look at the main restaurant menu, we do intend going back just to try the food. One thing I do like is the fact that hotel bar prices don't make yours eyes water when you buy a round of drinks. The down side of this hotel is the noise, this can all be put down to the age of the building, creaking floorboards,lack of sound proofing etc, which is not that surpising considering the main part of the house was build in the middle 1600's and of course because its just a stones throw away from Ripon Cathedral, you do get the pleasure of the cathedral clock and bells. To help overcome this problem just ask for a room on the garden side of the house.
23 Young couple - 15/11/05	100%
Good Points: clean, beautifully-furnished room with plenty of atmosphere. Bathroom was especially lovely, with dimmer-switches and a claw-foot bath.
Bad Points: One small slip from the evening bar staff: we had to struggle upstairs with the coffee tray we'd decided to take back to the room while they chatted with friends.
Further Comments: Elegant, minimally decorated room with plenty of style and atmosphere: four poster bed and fabulous bathroom. Meal was excellent, notably the quality of the fish courses, although the soft pork-belly starter wasn't to my taste. Staff were helpful and friendly at all times, largely going out of their way to make the experience just right.
24 Mature couple - 15/11/05	50%
25 Business Trip - 11/11/05	82%
Good Points: I booked a double room in which I had a large comfortable four poster bed, huge desk to work at, and a separate area to watch tv. This was all newly decorated and equipped with habitat furniture, good taste and very comfortable.
Bad Points: The building was renovated in 2003 and I would say that with it being a major task they have cut some corners. Attention to detail has been missed particularly with wall papering. There was a burn mark on the bedroom floor also, done by the iron.
Further Comments: Overall the hotel is a great stay. Handy for most parts of North Yorkshire, and just far enough away from the busier Harrogate. The hotel has good quality and clean rooms for reasonably low prices. The food is excellent, and its reassuring to see local people (non-residents) having special meals there.
26 Mature couple - 15/10/05	92%
Good Points: Good quality traditional yet modern. Attention to detail with quality of small items such as biscuits and soap. Very comfortable bed with good quality linen.
Bad Points: Room seemed a little empty. It was good to have a large room but as the ceilings are so high perhaps a few large pictures would help or the addition of curtains rather than just wooden shutters.
Further Comments: An enjoyable stay in a good location close to the cathedral and the centre of town. We had dinner in the restaurant where the food was very good and the surrondings excellent.
27 Young couple - 21/09/05	100%
Further Comments: A wonderful little hotel in a charming town. the staff were superb & very helpful. the restaurant was out of this world.
28 Business Trip - 26/08/05	90%
29 Young couple - 09/08/05	86%
Good Points: everything was first class, from the food & menus right upto the rooms & facilities available.
30 Mature couple - 08/07/05	82%
Further Comments: Quiet and tasteful Hotel with excellent food
31 Mature couple - 30/05/05	88%
Good Points: Nice clean rooms very spacious
Further Comments: The hotel was a lovley rooms very good room 4 had a nice deep bath that we both used after a long day. Staff very friendly and helpfull. Food was out of this world and and very well presented. No one rushed you and it has a nice cosy bar looking out to the garden. We will be staying again.
32 Business Trip - 09/05/05	80%
Good Points: A comfortable hotel in a pleasant quiet setting
Bad Points: Telephone lines not suitable for pc data transmission (common problem)
Further Comments: A comfortable hotel with attentive staff, good quality cuisine albeit with a fairly limited choice of main courses.
33 Young couple - 16/03/05	98%
Good Points: Lovely view, comfy bed, clean bathroom, helpful staff, fantastic restaurant.
Bad Points: No complaints
Further Comments: More photos on the website would be more useful as they don't do it justice. The hotel is intimate and cosy. The room was clean, bright and comfortable. The restaurant is of a very high standard and every effort was made to accomodate us even tough the restaurant was fully booked. It was a surprise to be so close to the cathedral but the bells on Sunday morning were not load enough to be disturbing.
34 Mature couple - 16/03/05	98%
Good Points: Excellent central, yet quiet location, good parking,lovely rooms, excellent chef, helpful, friendly, interested staff.
Further Comments: We would have booked a first floor room but obviously did not ask the right questions before booking. Fortunately we can manage two flights of stairs but I don't think there was any indication that the accommodation extended into the second floor. We were very comfortable and loved the hotel, the food and the staff who are so very friendly and helpful. Ripon is a beautiful and fascinating small city ideally placed in lovely countryside.
35 Mature couple - 16/03/05	88%
Good Points: although very busy the staff all were very courteous and attentive
Bad Points: the bath/shower arrangement in room 4 is awkward
Further Comments: nice clean room, comfortable bed, excellent food good wine pleasant staff. well worth a visit.
36 Young couple - 16/03/05	70%
37 Mature couple - 31/01/05	88%
Good Points: Lovely room and excellent food
Bad Points: Room was cold and radiators were only lukewarm
38 Mature couple - 26/01/05	100%
Good Points: Fabulous rooms and excellent staff who went the 'extra mile'. Fantastic location.
Bad Points: None
Further Comments: Modern rooms in a very old building with lots of character. Ours had a leather bed and a fantastic bathroom, chrome and white with a dimmer switch which made it so relaxing. Crisp white cotton sheets and fluffy white towels. Everywhere was immaculately clean and the staff could not do enough for you. The head waiter has remembered that my partner drank bitter from an earlier converstaion and offered this as a first drink with our meal. The food in the restaurant was fabulous. The location is perfect, with ample parking and in the centre of Ripon, which was a lovely place to 'wander round' and its right beside the beautiful cathedral. I can't wait to go back but this time stay for a little longer to soak up the atmosphere.
39 Other - 05/01/05	80%
Good Points: Lovely atmosphere. Friendly helpful staff. Excellent food.
Bad Points: Lack of attention to detail in room facilities and maintenance.
Further Comments: The hotel is an old building in beautiful surroundings with plenty of parking. The town centre is a very short walk away. Room and ensuite facilities were furnished in a comfortable modern style but in keeping with the age of the property. Downstairs an open fires accompanies the bar and comfortable lounge. The New Years Eve Gala Dinner was excellent.
40 Young couple - 02/01/05	100%
Good Points: I love the Old Deanery and this was the second time we have stayed there. We are going to stay again in the summer s the rooms are lovely, the food is excellent and the service is very welcoming.
Bad Points: We didn't get any bathrobes which we did expect to receive. This would have made the night perfect.
Further Comments: The stay surpassed many 4 star hotels which we have stayed in. Small touches like the grapes received in the room on your arrival as well as the traditional biscuits etc make you feel extra special. I believe they don't mention enough about the high standard of food which you can receive in the restaurant, this is definatley one of the reasons me and my partner keep returning.
If you are unable to book a room at The Old Deanery then the nearest UK hotels around the Ripon area are: Best Western Ripon Spa Hotel Review, : Swinton Park Review, : Balmoral Hotel Harrogate Review,