Cedar Court Hotel

With conference facilities and an on-site restaurant, it caters to both leisure visitors and business travellers looking for a convenient base near the town’s main attractions.

It is built on the site of Harrogate’s first hotel, originally built in 1687 to accommodate early visitors seeking the town’s mineral waters. This connection gives it a unique place in Harrogate’s spa heritage. The current building, dating largely from the 18th and 19th centuries, reflects the Georgian and Victorian expansion of the town when Harrogate developed into one of England’s most fashionable resorts. The hotel has undergone multiple refurbishments, most recently in the 21st century, which updated its interiors while preserving its period character. Historical details, such as the building’s façade and sash windows, remain in keeping with its origins as a spa-era hotel.

The Cedar Court Hotel has around 100 rooms arranged over three floors, including several suites and family rooms. The décor blends classic and contemporary styles, with neutral tones, traditional furniture and soft lighting. While some people may find the decor a little dated, the rooms are clean, comfortable and well maintained.

Each room includes standard amenities such as a flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi, a work desk and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. Many of the bathrooms have a shower over a bath, rather than a proper walk-in shower, and this may be a deal breaker for some. The beds are generally firm and comfortable, though rooms overlooking the road can experience occasional traffic noise. Premium rooms and suites add more space and upgraded furnishings, but the overall standard across the hotel is consistent and reliable.

Public areas at the Cedar Court Hotel include a restaurant, lounge bar and meeting facilities.

The main restaurant, Amber’s, serves modern British cuisine with an emphasis on locally-sourced Yorkshire produce. Steaks and grilled meats are a house speciality, and the menu also includes vegetarian and lighter options. The atmosphere is relaxed, with contemporary décor and soft lighting creating a casual dining experience suitable for both guests and non-residents. Service is generally efficient, though at peak times breakfast and dinner can become busy.

Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant and is available as part of some room rates or as an additional charge, typically around £16 per person (slightly cheaper if you pre-book). The breakfast includes a buffet selection of hot and cold items, with full English options alongside cereals, fruit, pastries and yoghurt. Coffee and tea are served at the table.

The bar and lounge area provides informal seating for drinks and light snacks throughout the day. The hotel also has extensive meeting and event facilities, with several function rooms suitable for weddings, conferences and private events.

The Cedar Court Hotel is on Park Parade, about a 12-minute walk southeast of Harrogate’s town centre. It overlooks the Stray, a large stretch of open parkland that forms a green border around the southern edge of the town. The surrounding area is mainly residential, with quiet streets and period buildings. The hotel’s position provides a sense of space compared to more central properties, yet it still remains within walking distance to the town centre. However, there is not much of interest within the immediate vicinity around the hotel.

Harrogate railway station is about a 12-minute walk with direct trains to Leeds and York and the bus station is just north of the railway station, with frequent services to Knaresborough, Ripon and Leeds.