Royal Parade Apartments

Rooms

Each apartment has a different look and feel: we rather liked second-floor Rajasthan. All are spacious and homely, with an eclectic mix of recycled, antique and second-hand furniture. The three largest have sofabeds in the living room (so they will sleep 2 couples or a family), modern, compact shower rooms (with underfloor heating), and good kitchens. You'll also get TV/DVD/iPod docking stations for rainy days and family nights in.

Step into Royale, with its calming grey and lime-green palette and skilful blend of antique and contemporary furniture, and you could be in Paris. High ceilings, ornate cornices, and antique French doors, gilt mirrors and chandeliers all contribute to the French mood. We loved the Jim Thompson silk cushions on the fabulous four-poster in the bedroom, and in the living room the iron coffee table made from a recycled ship’s hull! There’s a homely gas-effect fire too.

For ‘exotic’ head upstairs to Rajasthan, inspired by Janet’s daughter’s travels in India. With its warm grey palette, Oriental lanterns and antique wooden doors, this second-floor apartment feels calming and a touch exotic. At the top is Brooklyn (inspiration: Manhattan and Shoreditch), an open-plan loft-style apartment furnished with a confident mix of vintage, retro and flea-market finds. As ever, Janet marries original features such as a Yorkshire stone wall and original fireplace (fitted with a gas-effect fire) with retro lighting, decadent leather sofas and stainless steel kitchen.

We've yet to see the latest addition, Print, a chic mezzanine studio apartment with a kitchenette, ensuite shower room, and space for a fold-out bed and baby cot.

Features include:

• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots Available
• Dishwasher
• DVD player
• Extra beds
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hairdryer
• Hob or stove
• Ipod dock
• Oven
• Toaster
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

For a sense of luxury, wake up to your pre-ordered breakfast hamper prepared by local Cordon Bleu-trained cook Susie (additional charge). Choose between continental, including croissants and rolls (which you can heat up in your oven), homemade preserves and fruit; or a more luxurious meal of eggs and smoked salmon. Each apartment has a stylish kitchen for self-catering - oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, sink, kettle, toaster, tea, coffee - so guests planning longer stays or visiting with children can easily whip up some simple snacks and suppers. Harrogate has several supermarkets for stocking up on ingredients, Weeton's on West Park is a particularly good for picking up tasty local produces, cheeses and wines.

When eating out, you’re spoiled for choice. For a light bite, grab a rye-bread open sandwich at Baltzersens. Ingredients are the best of Yorkshire, but the inspiration is owner Paul Rawlinson’s Norwegian grandmother and her cooking. The must-visit afternoon tea destination is Bettys, famous for its ‘Fat Rascals’ (a cross between a rock cake and a scone). If you prefer a contemporary London-style vibe, head down Parliament Street to the tiny Hoxton North café, whose freshly ground coffee and brunches are amazing.

For dinner, fans of Thai cuisine will be thrilled to know that the highly acclaimed Orchid Restaurant is just a couple of minutes' walk away. For a more informal dinner head to Sasso, a bustling Italian in a basement on Prince’s Square, which serves traditional Italian classics with a modern twist.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Coffee / tea making
• Dishwasher
• Drinks on arrival (on request)
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Meal delivery service
• Oven
• Toaster

Activities

• Dip into the waters, and Harrogate’s history, at the beautifully tiled Turkish Baths - a wonderful cross between Victorian and mock Moorish, offering a range of watery delights
  
• Pop across the road to the Pump Room Museum, built in 1842 over what claims to be the strongest sulphur well in Europe. At its peak, the Pump Room attracted 15,000 visitors each summer. Find out the names of illustrious visitors who might have stayed in Royal Parade
  
• Explore the cobbled alleyways of the Montpellier quarter and its antique shops, arts and crafts shops and pavement cafés
  
• Walk out of your door to the fabulous Valley Gardens, which cover 17 verdant acres; then walk on, or hop on a bus, to the 58-acre Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens, run by the Royal Horticultural Society
  
• Come in spring or autumn for Harrogate’s renowned flower shows, in the Great Yorkshire Showground, a short bus ride away
  
• Don your walking boots and explore Nidderdale, one of the loveliest dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At the end of the day, treat yourself to dinner (book in advance) at the Michelin-starred Yorke Arms in Ramsgill
  
• Explore Yorkshire’s many historic houses, castles and abbeys, including the stunningly evocative 12-century ruins of Fountains Abbey, due north, or Harewood House and its Capability Brown gardens, to the south

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming

Kids

Harrogate is a charming child-friendly town, and Royal Parade Apartments' well-equipped kitchens make staying with kids a doddle!

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Each apartment has a double bedroom and a double sofabed, apart from studio apartment Print which can take a fold-out bed and baby cot

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The apartments are in the heart of Harrogate, a pretty spa town near Leeds, in Yorkshire, northern England.

By Air:
Leeds-Bradford International (20km) is the closest airport, but you could also fly into Doncaster Robin Hood (82km) as both have links to Europe and beyond. For a list of airlines serving them, click on the links below.

From the Airport
You can hire a car (see below) or, from Leeds airport, catch an indirect train to Harrogate.

By Train:
Taking the train from London to Harrogate takes approximately 3 hours - see Seat 61 for more details. It's an easy 5-minute walk from the station to Royal Parade Apartments.

By Car:
If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.com

More on getting to the UK and getting around