When looking for the perfect place to stay, there’s a handful of things we look for: location, decor and food offering making up the all-important trifecta. Three things the newly renovated The Wainstones Hotel has got down.
Operating for decades already, The Wainstones Hotel has lived numerous lives in its 30-odd years as a place to stay – housed within an 18th-century dairy farm dwelling that made its impact on Great Broughton way before hikers and weary-eyed travellers began checking into its 24 rooms. And now, the village hotel has undergone its most recent metamorphosis.
There’s a lot to enjoy with the Wainstones Hotel’s new iteration – from the luxury charm and striking interior choices throughout the building for visitors to enjoy, to the lively community feel of the cafe for locals to soak up. It’s a place for everyone, something we felt upon entering the venue via The Stones Cafe.
Post-hike on a hot day, desperate for an ice-cold refreshment and the reward of carbohydrates, we began our retreat at the cafe, where we were greeted with bright, tropical interiors, a lively atmosphere and a welcoming team.
We were taken aback at how buzzy this place was on a random Tuesday, with friends gathered to catch up over coffee and couples enjoying lunch together. It was clear within minutes that this was the place to be in the village, and so we settled into our velvet booth, pooch in tow, ready to see what the fuss was about.
The menu offered a blend of classic and contemporary breakfast and brunch dishes – a vibrant mix of old-meets-new, from Scotch eggs and the full English, to smoothies and French toast. If there’s one must order here, however, it’s the patisserie-style desserts. Beautifully crafted with artful details and perfect bakes – from fine cakes to a sweet twist on the Yorkshire pudding. We may have been full after our Scotch egg (served on the heftiest piece of sourdough we’ve ever seen) and full English, but after casting my eyes on the cake counter, there was no way I wasn’t making room. After all, we all have a separate stomach for sweet stuff, don’t we?
Pleasantly full and ready to kick back for a while, it was time to check into our room for the evening. Our room was named Rio – a colourful room boasting playful, stylish decor with all the creature comforts we needed to relax after conquering the Wainstones earlier. The most exciting creature comfort of them all? The huge freestanding tub, which was immediately filled up as soon as we walked through the door to soothe those aching muscles.
The beautiful decor continues right through the communal spaces, too, from the cherry blossom-adorned private dining room to the modern dining space and gorgeous terrace where you can drink cocktails by the ambient fire pit – our favourite place in the entire hotel.
In the restaurant, guests can expect classic pub grub with a twist – from huge portions of fish and chips and classic steak, to deep-fried lasagne and double smash burgers – as well as proper Sunday lunches, all served within their vibrant restaurant. Similar to The Stones Cafe earlier that day, this place was busy even on a Tuesday, with families gathered to celebrate, friends catching up, and even couples on date night, setting a warm atmosphere to enjoy dinner over.
Is The Wainstones Hotel on our recommendation list? If it’s easy access to some of the best North York Moors walks, lovely rooms and great restaurant vibes you’re after, The Wainstones Hotel’s new lease of life most certainly delivers.
The Wainstones Hotel, 31 High St, Great Broughton, Middlesbrough, TS9 7EW. Find out more and book here.
Read more: 9 Idyllic North York Moors Villages To Visit This Winter
