Well, this is a shake-up for the North Yorkshire coast hotel scene – typically jolly seaside affairs, and homely pubs and B&Bs. Tucked off the coastal road, down a long drive in a wooded ravine, is a self-declared ‘wellness sanctuary’ with spa, gardens, terraces, lake-cum-wild-swimming-pool, woodland walks, and numerous eating options. Some of the exteriors are a little less inspiring, with much of the original Saltmoore House being enclosed in modern, rather clinical-looking wings. But, wait… the surrounds are beautiful and the interiors are svelte, smooth and supremely calming.
From the cool colours, voluptuous hanging-heather arrangement and creamy corridors to the sisal rugs on bedroom floors, subtly textured bathroom tiles and carefully placed pots of herbs, it’s clear a meticulous designer hand has been at work. But nothing is overdone; the 72 bedrooms (split between the two buildings) are refreshingly uncluttered. Beach House, aimed at families, has an airy, seaside-y feel, pizza joint and (eventually) a family-friendly pool. Saltmoore House – with three dining options and a spa overlooking the gardens – is more grown-up. Wander the grounds, relax in the spa and pool, have a cocktail on the terrace – preferably after a blast on the beach.
Highs
- Calm, uncluttered bedrooms with unusual but striking colours and supremely comfortable beds
- Beautiful gardens, woodland and lake that mean you don’t have to leave the grounds for a stroll
- Spa with a well-edited treatment list, quality Wildsmith products, plus sauna, steam room and whirlpool
- Choice of eating options (eventually) from fine dining to pizzas
- The light-flooded Orangerie is a delightful room, especially for breakfast; the adjoining terrace a great space for coffee and drinks
Lows
- No twin beds
- Although it’s technically on the coast, the beach is still a 15-minute walk from the main hotel, 10 minutes from Beach House, and across a busy road
- Spa, pool and gym are open to non-residents who can book spa days or have gym membership
- Restaurant service can be patchy
- While most rooms have garden or woodland views, some overlook the car park or courtyard
Best time to go
Even though it’s North Yorkshire, summers can be surprisingly warm and settled, although the North Sea will always be bracing. Late July through to September is also when the North York Moors’ heather puts on a dazzlingly purple show. To avoid the coastal holiday crowds, try spring or autumn while winter is good for bracing moorland walks. Whitby has numerous festivals of which the most famous are its Goth Weekends, usually April and October.
Our top tips
Bring swimmers and walking boots, even if you end up only venturing into the indoor pool or for gentle beach walks; you may regret it, otherwise. Break a beach-walk to Sandsend with brunch or cake at the well-named Sandside Café, and if near Beck Hole, on the moors, pop into Birch Hall Inn (cash only), a tiny two-room, real ale pub. Like kippers? Call in at Fortune’s, a traditional smokery (family-run for over 150 years) in Whitby.
- Boutique Spa Hotel
- 72 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Indoor Pool
- Spa
- Walk to beach
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
- Electric car charger
Rooms
All rooms share the same low-key, uncluttered but svelte look with sisal rugs on dark-wood floors, upholstered or cane headboards and strong but fresh colours: sky-blue, moss-green, gorse-yellow and heathery-pink. Furniture is elegantly neat – natural wood or glass – with sliding-door wardrobes and the occasional vintage piece; perhaps a rush-seat chair or oak table. Decoration is restrained; no artwork or towers of cushions. The result is subtle but effective; my shoulders immediately relaxed. Bathrooms (around half, shower-only) are generous, well-lit, with glowing, soft-coloured tiles.
But, with 8 categories across the 72 rooms, choice can be overwhelming. And – Suites and Master categories aside which spoil with space and roll-top baths – higher price doesn’t always indicate ‘better’. I loved Saltmoore House’s entry-level Snug rooms; generous spaces on the top floor with breezy-blue coastal colours, and velux windows for star-gazing. Beach House rooms are even bigger and airier (and cheaper); some with a vast outdoor bath. My Classic room had sage-coloured painted panelled walls around the super-kingsize bed and an excellent walk-in rainforest shower. Eight of the rooms are pet-friendly cottage style rooms – so there's something for everyone.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Eating options are classic and effortlessly elegant. There's The Brasserie – casually smart with flickering candles and marble-topped tables – which offers a Modern British menu that reflects the Yorkshire farming roots of consultant chef (and Michelin-star-awarded) Tommy Banks. Dishes are largely meat-driven (there is a vegan menu) with intriguing combinations: venison with pear, celeriac and king oyster mushrooms; duck breast with soft-baked kohlrabi. Even sides, though fashionably small, are a cut above: crushed swede with heather honey, smoked butter mash.
Calluna, the fine dining restaurant, is coming soon, and there's also the Wellness Cafe, which serves up light dishes and gluten-free baking.
By contrast, breakfast dishes are generous, from eggs Florentine to the full English with hash browns and black pudding (vegan alternative). My scrambled eggs were tip-top and on sourdough that hadn’t been toasted to teeth-cracking impossibility. Opt to eat in the light-filled Orangerie.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Take a dip in the hotel’s indoor pool (eventually, in the outdoor lake)
- Take in a treatment in the spa (the exclusive Wildsmith products are a mix of botanicals and scientifically-proven ingredients)
- Enjoy a walk along the pancake-flat sands that run 5 kilometres from Whitby to Sandsend, the latter good for sandcastle-building, and damming little streams
- Explore the historic fishing port of Whitby with Captain Cook Museum (the explorer served his apprenticeship here), medieval clifftop abbey, ‘cabinet of curiosities’ Whitby Museum, Goth shops (Bram Stoker set Dracula in the town), and fish and chip shops
- Head north or south to explore charming coastal villages – Robin Hood’s Bay, Runswick Bay, Staithes – built spectacularly into steep cliffs
- Or head inland to hike on the North York Moors; there are dozens of walks such as Grosmont to Beck Hole or around the Hole of Horcum; check the North York Moors National Park for information
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Gym
- Historical sites
- Sauna
- Spa treatments
Kids
It’s a very family-friendly hotel and rooms in the Beach House are best suited to families with younger children. Children’s menus change daily, and families have specific swim-times in the indoor pool; further children-specific activities are planned together with a family pool.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
For a couple + baby: a cot can be added in every category of room.
For a couple + 1 child: all rooms in the Beach House offer either a sofabed or rollaway bed. Extra beds can also be added to larger rooms at Saltmoore House.
For a couple + 1 child + 1 baby: Beck View and Water's Edge cottages each have a sofabed in the living area and space for a cot.
For a couple + 2 (or more) children: the Classic Friends Suite has two double bedrooms and space for 1-2 rollaway beds. Alternatively, request two Divine rooms in Saltmoore House, or two Coastal Classic rooms in the Beach House, and ask for connecting rooms (these can sleep up to 6).
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Children's meals:
Kids menu in the Brasserie and pizzas in the Beach House. Picnics can be made up for families on request for beach and countryside outings.Kids Activities on site:
Kids Activities nearby:
Families Should Know:
Although there are no twin beds, two sets of bedding can be provided on request; children’s splash times in the Spa pool are 7-9am and 5-6pm dailyDistances:
- Airport: 1 hour
- Hospital: 5 minutes
- Shops: 5 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Three kilometres north of Whitby, Saltmoore borders the North York Moors National Park on one side, with the beach opposite the hotel entrance on the other.
By Car:
A car is required for exploring the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and coast. It's 5hrs 15mins from London, 4 hours from Edinburgh and to Manchester 2 hours 40 minutes. Click on this link to see our car rental recommendations. There is complimentary parking at the hotel.
By Train:
Whitby station connects to the east coast line (usually with 2 changes) between London Kings Cross (5 hours) and Edinburgh (4 hours 30 minutes). Connections at Newcastle and York offer services to, for example, Birmingham and Bristol.
By Air:
Nearest airports are Teesside International and Leeds Bradford.
Detailed directions will be sent once your booking is confirmed.
Airports:
- Teesside International Airport 62.0 km MME
- Leeds Bradford Airport 130.0 km LBA
Other:
- Beach 0.8 km
- Shops 2.4 km
- Restaurant 1.9 km
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