A pleasant welcome at Reception. Our room was clean and spacious and we found the bed to be exceptionally comfortable. Navigation to our room proved rather confusing at first and we felt direction signage, and indeed the room numbering system itself, could be much improved. Breakfast was very good and served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. Parking was easy and free. We had only one evening meal at the Black Swan but enjoyed our food on all three courses and the bottle of wine. There appeared to be a significant number of dogs in the Restaurant area on the night we dined and, whilst we understand the rural nature of this area, it did impact somewhat on our relaxed evening.

Breakfast was of an excellent quality and selection though portions for the cooked breakfast could have been a little bigger. On the few occasions we had an evening meal, the service and the quality of the food was equally good. Staff in the restaurant and bar were attentive and obliging, as were housekeeping. The reception staff, especially Lori, were exceptional.

Ventilation to the room; it looked as if the windows had been painted over to prevent them being opened, but after a few days housekeeping arranged for them to be opened. A large, noisy,but effective room fan was already provided. First night the TV wouldn't show any station below channel 11. When reported to reception the following morning the problem with the local transmitter was explained and the set re-tuned that day. No further problems. Parking was 'hit and miss'. We could not use the 'official' hotel car park on 3 out of 6 nights.

Room was fine and comfortable. Top of the hotel and at the end of a corridor so quiet. The hotel is in an excellent location to visit Helmsley and the surrounding Moors.

We travelled with a dog so the room was not well placed for easy access in or out with the dog and felt as if it was as far from the door as possible. The hotel was dog tolerant rather than dog friendly. We were restricted to where we could sit and eat while there and as above the room location was not great. Food was only OK. One of the 2 dishes we ordered was poor and could not be finished (a vegetable risotto was just rice with chopped vegetables added).

We have visited the Black Swan several times before and have always loved the location of the hotel. The rooms are clean and spacious.. though it can be quite a walk to your room! There wasn’t a hairdryer in our room, but this was quickly resolved by a member of staff. The staff are polite and friendly.

There appeared to be less staff on duty.. no one to greet us at reception on arriving, although someone did attend to us to book us in, after we fetched a staff member ourselves. There was a lot of noise outside our room in the first night, and then at around 3am woken by the fire alarm.. no explanation as to what happened. But these are minor instances, and didn’t spoil our stay.

Interesting building great position lovely quiet room

We were lucky with parking The car park was always full but we managed to park adjacent to property but could’ve caused us a problem Staff shortages in the evening resulting in long waits to get served No clear information regarding ordering food when a table had been booked for evening meal We assumed table service but had to go to bar which we were not told about and no info on the table When food did arrive although it was fine it was barely warm meaning we had to bolt it down before it got too cold There were lots of staff at breakfast so maybe rotors need amending

Excellent position right at the heart of the town. This hotel is quite a lot larger than it looks and there's lots of space inside with a nice garden area to the rear. We stayed one night with a group and enjoyed food in the garden for a late lunch and a hearty breakfast. all well cooked. Outside you are surrounded by the lively town/village square with lots to see and do including the castle and the gardens and all within easy walking distance. A great place to spend a day or two and easy access to much of the Yorkshire dales and moors.

Nothing much in honesty. Parking can be a little difficult if you use the hotel car park but there's usually plenty of spaces in the square opposite. The rooms we had were adequate and clean but nothing really special but that's being a bit picky. It's a good hotel with friendly staff and a great place to stay.

What a well run operation this was. An old fashioned-style pub with a homely, relaxing atmosphere. The hotel itself is a warren of corridors with charming pictures and displays. We had a family room and our 4 year-old kids loved the bunk beds (with safety bar) and the main bed was really big - fantastic. All the usual amenities. The food is good. Free parking is round the back.

Two small gripes: bad first impression as reception staff barked the 20-minute parking limit out front with the force of a camp guard. Second, the toast was either underdone or overdone, with instructions not to change the settings. As you can see, small things. Great place. Would love to come back.

Great staff, lovely room, good breakfast, excellent evening meals, good range of drinks, Helmsly is a lovely small market town with plenty of shops cafés, and even it's own micro brewery selling a range of excellent beers, there is also Helmsley castle and walled gardens, and you can even walk through woodland to Rievaulx Abbey.

Went to Duncom Park, nothing to write home about, a vast parkland, paid to visit the none existant gardens, it was just an extension of the parkland, no formal gardens, just lawns and woodland, not worth the visit, the money would have been better spent visiting the birds of prey centre in the grounds.

Great location in the centre of the town, parking was tight, but we did manage to get a space in the car park. Our room was on the ground floor, backing on to the garden, however the window in the room was patterned glass and high up on the wall, so did feel a little oppressive, but had everything we needed, and the bed was really comfortable, our bathroom was huge with no window, so the fan was a little noisy, but ok. The weather was good while we were there and we enjoyed drinks in the lovely garden. Breakfast was very good, help yourself to tea/coffee, cereals and toast and the cooked breakfast was excellent.

Lovely room, 19 - great friendly service from staff members as usual. Regular visitors to the 'Swan', love Helmsley as a get away place...will return soon. Have booked to take my Wife and Mother in December for Christams special. Many wonderful memories of the Hotel, that's why we return.

Not a complaint - just a point to be made. Bathroom wall radiator on all the time, unaware how to turn it off, made room too warm. Discussed with Staff and were very attentive to explain switch off point. Switch was outside the bathroom with no instructions. Would suggest having simple 'prompt' message as to where to turn off. Thinking in logic terms regarding energy costs. Radiator full blast, then having to put on fan all night to compensate for heat. Also second window would not open, hinge stuck on left side. Beyond that wonderful stay, hence booked again.