Scarborough

Crown Spa Hotel

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Reservations opening times

Monday to Friday: 8.00am-8.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am-5.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am-4.00pm

Crown Spa Hotel Overview

The Crown Spa is the premier hotel in Scarborough and the only 4 star hotel on the Yorkshire Coast. The Crown Spa Hotel occupies one of the finest cliff top locations and takes in the exhilarating views of the South Bay, castle headland and harbour.

WiFi internet access is available throughout the hotel. All bedrooms are spacious with high levels of comfort and individually designed with a subtle blend of traditional and contemporary features. Rooms at the front of the hotel offer stunning sea views and a number of suites feature balconies, fireplaces and Plasma screen TV's.

The 'Taste' Restaurant and Cafe Bar at the Crown Spa Hotel in Scarborough offers fine dining and quality cuisine, with the décor and ambience to match. Enjoy a blend of European and tasty traditional Yorkshire foods sourced from the finest local and seasonal produce. Its modern contemporary style and unique arrangement caters to both those looking for something casual and light and to those looking for something more intimate or formal.

The superb Crown Spa Health Club & Spa includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, an Aqua Suite with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, saunas, steam room and Retreat Suite. All hotel guests have complimentary use of the Health Club facilities during their stay. The Spa offers 7 treatment rooms, a Baleno Bath Experience Room and the new and exclusive Elemental Rejuvenation Suite including heat experience rooms and relaxation area.

Scarborough is best known as being Britain's first seaside holiday resort. Today the town continues to offer a multitude of attractions and can be reached by the old iron bridge just a short walk away. The historic Yorkshire Moors and Coastline is just a short drive away. The Crown Spa Hotel is the place to stay whether to explore the Yorkshire Coast and Moors or to relax and unwind.

The Crown Spa has five conference rooms that can accommodate up to 250 delegates.

Bedroom Accommodation

All 124 en-suite rooms have TV, tea/coffee making facilities, direct dial telephone, hairdryer, heating control, Wifi internet access, in-room safe, electric shaver point, 24 hour room service, smoke alarms, radio, trouser press.

Check-in from 3.00pm
Check-out at 11.00am

Single Rooms - Spacious single rooms
Standard Double and Twin Rooms - Spacious rooms without sea view.
Sea View Rooms - Spacious rooms at the front of the hotel with sea views overlooking the South Bay, castle headland and harbour. All Sea View Rooms have spotting scopes to make the most of the fabulous views.
Balcony Rooms - Spacious, rooms at the front of the hotel with sea views overlooking the South Bay, castle headland and harbour.
Feature Rooms - Spacious feature rooms are situated on the first floor. All have stunning sea views over the South Bay and full length French windows leading out on to a balcony area. All feature flatscreen TV's and some have fireplaces.
Victoria Suite - The Victoria Suite is the size of two spacious feature rooms and includes one large bedroom, a dining and lounge area and two bathrooms, one with a power shower and the other with a Jacuzzi bath.
Family Rooms - Wide range of accommodation types for families from 1 to 3 children including sofa beds. Some have sea views.
The fourth floor houses the Penthouse bedrooms

Weddings

Packages

Extras

Hotel Heritage & History

A Scarborough Architect John Gibson, designed and laid the foundations of an 'hotel' and passed the construction of this hotel to the newly formed South Cliff Building Company. In the early 1840's the South Cliff had little more than the sea and bay views and its close proximity to the Spa Saloon to attract the "well to do" visitor. There was scarcely another house on the South side of Scarborough.

When John Fairgray Sharpin came to visit Scarborough in 1845 he was charmed at first sight, not only with the town, but also with a building, which had just been completed and was ready to let. It was the Crown Hotel.

The Crown Hotel on its terrace is shown to stand remote from the rest of the town in the early painted pictures, which can be viewed at the local Rotunda Museum in Scarborough.

The following advert was placed on 1 June 1845 in The Times announcing the opening of this new hotel. "CROWN HOTEL, ESPLANADE"
"J.F SHARPIN respectfully informs the Nobility and Gentry that he has entered upon the above new Establishment, which he is having fitted up in a superior manner..... ready for the reception of Visitors on the 10th of June next. The Stabling is adapted for 60 horses, the lock-up houses for 40 carriages, and the minor accommodations of the court-yard are in equal ratio".

In 1845, the same year that Sharpin signed the lease for his hotel, the York and Scarborough railway opened offering new and more affordable transport. Then gradually as the railways extended their services some visitors to the Crown were also choosing to travel by train. It seems a strange anomaly that while there was stabling for horses and housing for carriages at the rear of the hotel, an omnibus was driven sedately to the railway station when trains were due, to collect guests and their luggage.

A ballroom was opened in 1847 and was subsequently used by visitors for their private dances. When the lease of the Crown expired in 1857, John Sharpin was obliged to sell its entire contents, which must have been a sad and nostalgic experience.

In 1857 a local body of businessmen, Scarborough Crown Hotel (Limited) took over ownership of the hotel through the issue and purchase of shares. It was leased out again at a higher rent for several years.

In 1898, The Crown was bought by Hudson Hotels at a cost of £725,000. They completely redecorated and furnished the Crown. The hotel was treated on 'Pompeian' lines with bronzed columns and fountains, which gave the soft and murmur sound of falling water. The dining room had a stenciled ceiling, painted tapestry and oak paneling while lighting was from four magificent 'electrollens' with pendant lights falling like stars from a rocket.

In about 1901 the proprietor and manager of The Crown Hotel was Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Gordon - late of the Gordon Hotels, both of whom were very well experienced in hotel organisation and administration. To add to the comfort of visitors, a handsomely appointed passenger lift had been fitted for the conveyance of guests from the lower to the upper floors. The hotel went through a modernisation process in its sanitary systems, ventilation, electrics and public rooms.

Throughout the day's activities, Crown guests would be smartly and suitably turned out, but dressing for the evening dinner was the high spot of the day. The ladies would bare their shoulders and display their figures in the most beautiful and stylish gowns, and the gentlemen would complement the ladies in frock or dress uniform. During the season, there would be ballroom dancing almost every night of the week and a suitable orchestra would provide the music.

In his book 'Pavilions by the Sea' Tom Laughton describes Scarborough at the turn of the century as a very class-conscious town where 'The best people' lived on the South Cliff. Charles Laughton the actor used to tell the story how on one of these occasions as a child, he noticed a particularly well dressed and attractive young woman. Pulling his mother's hand he excitedly pointed to her saying "Look mother, look at the pretty lady." His mother gave one quick glance and whispered "Hush Charlie, look the other way, she's not a lady, she's an actress."

On December 16th 1914, German warships battered Scarborough and caused widespread damage in the town. The Crown Hotel was left intact and somehow persevered over the senseless war years.

In 1925 Hudson Hotels became the new owners of the Crown and Esplanade. The new management structure was a family affair - Mrs Dixon to take charge of the hotel. Miss Georgina controlled the restaurant and catering and Miss Nellie supervised the general administration. The two sisters who had been trained by their mother, herself a hotel manager, were to remain for 30 years until their retirement in 1955.

Clients who patronised the Crown in the last few peaceful years before the Second World War would enjoy the pursuit of their favourite sports and leisure activities.

For the duration of the Second World War the Crown was requisitioned by the War Office for the billeting of men of the Royal Air Force. Hundreds of hob-nailed boots stamping the bare boards; the carpets had been removed. There were several pairs of bunk-beds in each room where the men slept, and meals were cooked in the kitchen, and served at strict times in a communal dining room.

With the retirement of the Dixon family in 1955, it could be said that that was the end of an era. Everything was changing and that included the people who were now staying at the Crown. The aristocracy had long since chosen to visit foreign parts.

After 1955, Swiss born Emil Walser became manager and had been in the hotel business for 20 years. He was a firm believer in Continental cooking, although the meals served at the Crown were typically British.

In 1964 the Crown advertisement pointed out several new facilities: "Private lock-up garages" were now considered important as more and more visitors arrived in their own cars. "Credit Card Facilities" was a new way to pay bills, but the biggest change of all read - "With its attractive suites of rooms the Crown Hotel is the first choice for many delegates to annual conferences and meetings held in Scarborough". Towards the end of the decade the hotel was sold to Trust House Forte.

In 1970 the Crown was having financial problems and in the end in 1971 the hotel was sold for the knock-down price of £100,000 only to be sold within the year to another local businessman. New owner, Malcolm Stephenson, took over the Crown in 1972 at a cost of £105,000, he decided to renovate and modernise the hotel. The decision to invest a lot of money could not have been an easy one to make. It was at this time that many of the other hotels in the town were considering closure.

The Crown adapted itself to cater for the smaller business or union conventions within the building and in 1973 was advertising Conference seating up to 300 and banqueting for 208 in this 3 star hotel. In that year inclusive terms were from £4.50 per day plus V.A.T.

The Crown persevered and its 1976 advertisement announces the en-suite rooms with telephone and radio.

In 1978, D.P. Hotels bought the Crown Hotel for £400,000 and decided to spend more money on refurbishment. When the hotel re-opened 11 weeks later, full central heating had been installed, it was beautifully re-decorated and was rewarded with a 4 star rating from the AA and RAC.

It was bought by 'Prince of Wales Hotels', not to be confused with the local one of that name. Within a year the Crown was sold to Heritage Hotels, who then sold it to Kennedy Brookes in 1987. Kennedy Brookes were taken over by the company Trust House Forte, who found themselves owning the hotel for the second time in twenty years.

In the mid 1990's the Crown was sold to Corus Hotels. The Crown later lost its 4 star status; then put up for sale in 1999.

On 14th February 2000, the Crown was purchased for just under £2,000,000 by a company owned by a local family with a long heritage in Scarborough -the Frank family. On 10th June 2003 the name of the Crown Hotel was changed to the Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough. The intention was to reflect the new amenities in the hotel.

In 2004 the Crown gained recognition as an Investors In People employer. In 2007 a new restaurant was opened called Taste with a investment of £0.5M. On the 8th May 2008 the Crown once again became a 4 star hotel, the only 4 star hotel along the Yorkshire Coast. This involved an investment of £4,000,000 over the preceding 4 years.

In October 2007 and again in 2008, the Crown Spa Hotel won the Hotel of the Year award for Yorkshire, Moors and Coast. In August 2009 The Hotel became the only hotel in North Yorkshire to win the Gold Award for the Green Tourism Business

Map & Directions

Crown Spa Hotel

The Esplanade,
South Cliff,
Scarborough YO11 2AG
North Yorkshire

Tel: +44 (0)1483 776344Fax: +44 (0)1483 730202

How to find us

By Road

Directions from York/A1/M1 - Follow A64 signposted Scarborough. On approaching Scarborough, follow Town Centre signs along Seamer Road then turn right into Falsgrave Road. At 2nd set of lights (railway station on your right), turn right keeping in the middle lane. At the next set of lights, continue over Valley Bridge and take your 1st left then immediate right into Belmont Road. Continue 400 metres along following the road to the right. The Crown Spa Hotel is on your right.

Directions from Teesside/A171 - Follow A171 signposted Scarborough. On approaching Scarborough, follow Town Centre signs along Scalby Road. At 1st roundabout go straight over, at 2nd roundabout turn left into Falsgrave Road, keeping in the left-hand lane for the first two sets of lights. At the 3rd set of traffic lights (railway station on your right), turn right keeping in the middle lane. At the next set of lights, continue over Valley Bridge and take your 1st left then immediate right into Belmont Road. Continue 400 metres along following the road to the right. The Crown Spa Hotel is on your right.

From Hull/A165 - Follow A165 signposted Scarborough. On approaching Scarborough follow Town Centre signs along Filey Road, take a right turn signposted Spa Complex then immediate right into Belmont Road. Continue 400 metres along following the road to the right. The Crown Spa Hotel is on your right.

There are 25 car parking spaces in the private car park at the rear of the hotel, alternatively permits are available from reception free of charge allowing street parking outside the front of the hotel.

By Rail and Air

Rail: Scarborough Station (0.3 miles)
Seamer Station (2.9 miles)
Air: Leeds/Bradford (70 miles).

Nearest Cities/Towns

Scarborough (0.00 miles) (0 km)
Yorkshire (0.00 miles) (0 km)
Bridlington (17.00 miles) (27 km)
Whitby (21.00 miles) (34 km)
York (41.00 miles) (66 km)
Hull (47.00 miles) (76 km)
Wetherby (61.00 miles) (98 km)
Wakefield (77.00 miles) (124 km)

Amenities

Special offers & breaks:

Winter Retreats 2011 PLUS Triple ClassicClub Reward Points

Save an extra 20% on our Best Available Rates when you enjoy dinner each night in the Restaurant PLUS triple ClassicClub Reward Points

Save 20% Per room per night

Extended Bank Holiday Escape

Save 20% on our Best Available Rate when you take an off-peak Bank Holiday break

Save 20% Per room per night

Four-night Christmas Package

Includes festive fruits and chocolates on arrival, all meals including Traditional Christmas Lunch, afternoon teas, festive entertainment and much more...

From £214.50 Per room per night

Three-night New Year Break

Includes traditional Yorkshire High Tea on arrival, all meals including Champagne Gala Dinner on New Year's Eve, afternoon teas, festive entertainment and much more

From £246.00 Per room per night

Three-night Christmas Package

Includes festive fruits and chocolates on arrival, all meals including Traditional Christmas Lunch, afternoon teas, festive entertainment and much more

From £261.33 Per room per night

At-a-glance