The West Park Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

On the southern side of the town centre, on the main road from Leeds, it's a busy setting, but opposite the wide space of The Stray area of open grassland, crisscrossed by paths. Neighbours are upmarket shops while the main shopping areas and the railway station are a ten minute walk; the Convention Centre is five minutes further. The Stray, Harrogate's famed open parkland, is on the doorstep, the Royal Pump Room Museum five minutes, while Weetons smart deli and café is a couple of doors away.

By car: Harrogate is 45 mins from Leeds, 1 hour 45 mins from Manchester and 4 hours 30 mins from London. Free on-site parking.

By train: London Kings Cross to Harrogate (via York) takes around 3 hours. The hotel is a five minute walk from the station. Book trains to Harrogate.

The whitewashed former Georgian coaching inn, with a pretty ironwork balcony, has been given a funky makeover with an open-plan bar restaurant of dove grey walls, wood-effect floor, teal banquettes and a bit of a shimmery thing going on in gold chairs, zinc-topped bar, mirrored walls and a silvered ceiling. It feels more like a bar and restaurant with rooms attached than a hotel.

There's no guest lounge but the bar and dining area are large enough to find a corner to relax over a newspaper or laptop. There are extensive outside seating areas at the front and in the rear courtyard - with an outside bar - for when the weather is warmer. Staff mix a Yorkshire friendliness with a professional approach, and know when to leave you alone or offer help.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Pet friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are spacious with a sleek, modern design - fitted furniture, neat armchairs - in neutral shades with turquoise, peach and aubergine accents in oversized velvet headboards, and jazzily patterned cushions and curtains. All have baths and showers in sharply contemporary, underfloor-heated bathrooms.

Room types: Deluxe Super King, Harrogate Superior, Harrogate Stray Suite, Provenance Penthouse

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

The classic brasserie-style menu offers punchy starters such as grilled mackerel and chorizo, and a good choice of filling main dishes such as slow-cooked pork belly with rhubarb and black pudding, as well as steaks and their signature fish pie. Cooking is confident and the flavours well-balanced; the sesame-crusted cod is spot on.

West Park Bar and Brasserie: seasonal dishes made with locally sourced produce, dishes include fresh tuna steak and slow cooked pork belly. Open Sun-Thu 8am-10.30pm, Fri & Sat 8am-11.30pm. Mains from £14.