The Clifton Hotel Scarborough

We booked a weekend stay at the clifton hotel for my mother inlaws 70th birthday. When we set off up the stairs to our rooms we were shocked to find that what lurks above the inviting reception and lounge area are nothing short of a doss house. The rooms were dirty and smelt of sewage, our room had a hole in the bathroom ceiling that had ben filled with toilet paper. The rest of the room was in need of painting and decorating, the carpet was thread bare and the miss match of furnature had seen better days. My mother inlaws shower did not work and despite informing reception no one came to fix it! In the end she had to use the shower in our room.

I can say we will NEVER STAY THERE AGAIN.

I think previous reviews have been a little mean about the poor old Clifton. What people forget is that this is a little 2 star Victorian (I think) Hotel that doesn't pretend to be anything else. Yes, it's a little worn around the edges - but so would you be if you were as old as her!

What the Clifton does provide is good service, reasonable prices, clean and comfortable rooms and some of the most spectacular sea views I've ever seen!

I stay in Scarborough on a regular basis and have stayed at The Clifton a couple of times. It is in easy reach of the town centre and only 60 seconds walk from the quite North Bay beach. The rooms are nice and if you're on a budget then this could be the place for you! No, it's not perfect but it is value for money. Try the Royal Hotel in the town centre or the crown (v. expensive!) if you're looking something a bit more up market!

My wife and I have just returned from a two night stop at the clifton. all in all it is a very nice hotel our room was very nice.clean and tidy the en-suite shower room was small but adaquate ( one little moan the stopper in the hand basin was broken )

the evening meal was very good we really enjoyed both meals the service by the waiters was attentive and they tried there best. breakfast on the other hand. Although the food was tasty and the staff on the resturant floor were very good the brakfast it's self was just thrown on to the plate any old how and ended up in a untidy un-appatising pile mixed up in the middle of the plate both days it fact it looked like it had been put onto the plate via a catapult.

The only other grumble is the lift. It must be antique and sometimes had a mind of it's own as we waited to go to breakfast on the second day we pushed the button to call the lift and it sailed past our floor upwards empty then a few seconds later it sailed passed again downwards still empty. and it depended on the last passenger out on closing the inner door or the lift was stuck at that floor.

I would stay there again but i would ask for a sea view next time as we were stuck with a side view of the car park. all in all ( 8/10 )

Well, it was a cheap weekend break. Good points, The room we booked was a double, got a family suite, double room and single seperate room, brill for storage of all that shopping and coats. Room was also large and comfy. View of drainpipes was a slight disappointment considering the excellent vantage point of the hotel, but what would i expect from a cheap deal! The bar stayed open late and was useful for a 'quick' one before bed!

Bad points. Parking ....massive hotel spaces for about a dozen or so cars. And any cars that did manage to get in were always blocked in. Food, buffet style hot breakfast, and although only there for two nights never had a 'tasty' breakfast once.

I would definatley not pay full price for this hotel, but if you get a sea view i would imagine it to be the best in scarborough.

We went here on a last minute new year break for three nights. It's by no means the best hotel we've ever stayed in, but it certainly isn't the worst. The rooms are desperate for redecorating, but ours was warm, clean and spacious. Bedlinen and towels were changed daily.

The staff could not do enough to help. There were a lot of young people working there, but they were great. As we checked out, we mentioned in passing that we had overslept and missed breakfast. The staff brought us tea and toast to the lounge at no extra charge, which we thought was a really lovely gesture.

The food was superb. There was an excellent choice every evening and we did not have a bad meal there, although the wine list was a little limited.

All in all, it's a nice hotel and although a bit tatty, we would have no hesitation in staying there again.

We chose this hotel after having seen advertisements in a national newspaper and stayed for a long weekend.

We found the room shabby and whole hotel had an unpleasant smell of unwashed people. The food was cheap and served in a too brightly lit restaurant that allowed you to see what you were eating.

The staff generally appeared to be untrained (or perhaps students working in their spare time?) and showed little understanding when we complained.

Our stay was not helped by a big old time dance function being held at the hotel which meant that th public rooms were overcrowded.

We would not recommend this hotel

Stayed at the Clifton for two nights over the weekend (Fri & Sat). Large hotel calling out for a refurbishment but clean and warm. The staff were very friendly at all times.



Do not rely on the 24 hr room service, we called twice in the early hours of Saturday morning at 03.00 and 04.00 but got no answer.



The hotel was built in Victorian times so is styled to suit that era. Our room had an excellent sea view, was comfortable and clean. One problem that was noted was the lack of double glazed windows in our room. Due to the room having a sea view and it being out of season (Feb 05), we had high winds when we stayed. This rattled the whole window frame and was quite cold and noisy. When the wind was not so bad it didn't cause a problem but may for the older traveller. We did not see this as such a big problem, so did not ask for another room.



The whole hotel would benefit from re-decoration. But what the hotel lacked the staff made up for with their pleasant manner.



Dinner was in the Alexandra suite and was served very quickly and politely. We heard two of the other visitors complaining at dinner time because apple pie was not listed on the menu, even though their were at least five deserts to chose from every day. The selection of meals to chose from was varied and changed nightly, again with at least five choices. Tea, coffee, cheese and biscuits were on the menu for dinner but came with a extra charge.



We found out whilst we were staying at the hotel that we were able to use the sister hotels facilities, swimming pool, sauna etc. We did not know this before our visit so did not make use of this due to not taking swim suits etc.



All in all we enjoyed our stay, we would return but it would be good to see the hotel decorated throughout and double glazed windows.

My husband and I stayed at the Clifton. The hotel staff were pleasant, unfortunately though first impressions were definitely not good as the staff were not very tidy and the reception and foyer had quite an unpleasant smell. There is a very old lift in the hotel, we were told that it was out of order for approximately 2 weeks, we were on the 4th floor! however being younger than most of the guests this was not a problem. I saw many elderly people struggle slowly up the flights of stairs. (A word of warning - phone to make sure the lift is working because it is a hike up to the top!)

The bedrooms were ok, and thankfully the unpleasant smell did not reach beyond the ground floor. The shower was a dribble, it seemed that there was a problem with the water pressure in the building. The breakfast was ok but there was no order and waiters very inexperienced, tables were not cleared etc. Extremely overpriced accommodation. Lasting memory, having to give receptionist 10 pence to cover the parking! come on when you are charging over £100 per night wouldn't you think the hotel could absorb the charge. Most embarrassing for the staff to have to ask for 10 pence! Definitely would not stay again.

The hotel is located in a lovely quiet end of Scarhorough with free car parking. The rooms were very small and the bathroom even smaller. The hotel also has a very small almost antique lift. The meals were OK, but certainly nothing special. I thought it very mean that they did not supply tea or coffeee after the evening meal.