Claiming you have the best hotel beer garden view in North Yorkshire is a pretty bold statement. However, this one doesn’t need explanation or justification. When you cast your eye across the spectacular scene in front of you at Hotel Victoria, in the historic fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay, you get the point.

The old part of the village and the bay sit below you – think traditional fishing boats, red-roofed cottages, winding cobbled streets and dramatic cliffs dropping into the mighty North Sea as the moors roll away from you.

Robin Hood’s Bay, near the ever popular town of Whitby some six miles north, is one of the most photographed villages in the country and a draw for visitors all year round.

Following a significant takeover deal, businessman Andrew Long has bought Hotel Victoria and added it to his expanding Loxley Collection hotel portfolio, which also includes Polurrian on the Lizard in Cornwall.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?

When Andrew took over the hotel, built in 1897, in November 2023, it had 16 rooms. After a six-month refurbishment programme, it re-opened in summer 2024 along with a pair of former bed and breakfast properties he bought next door. These have been renovated to provide 23 bedrooms in total, with seven more being completed at the end of the year.

Most offer sea views, others look out to swathes of open countryside. We were lucky enough to stay for a weekend break where from one window we enjoyed uninterrupted views for miles to Ravenscar, another quirky and historic village along this rugged coastline. From the other, a huge bay window, we watched village life go by and gazed across the stunning North York Moors while enjoying a morning coffee, roasted by a local family firm just a couple of miles up the road.

No room is exactly the same and the revamp of the hotel has thankfully swerved a repetitive and ultra-modern overhaul of what is a charming building, retaining many period features, and rooms have a selection of window seats, slipper baths, vintage furnishings and chaise longue sofas, for example.

BEST SEA VIEW?

On a summer’s day, the beer garden or newly added terrace is the place to be. There are few finer places to enjoy a glass of something cold and refreshing, looking out to sea and a never ending skyline.

This is also the way the sun rises in the morning and the main restaurant at Hotel Victoria faces it to make the most of the view.

That said, this hotel is also a perfect port in a storm, as for when it’s winter here and the weather is wetter and wilder, it is wonderful to watch the rain roll in, and roll back out again, from the cosiness of inside.

WHAT’S THE FOOD LIKE?

Osborne’s Restaurant serves an à la carte menu with a tempting mix of dishes influenced by the bracing North Sea, the more summer vibes of the Mediterranean and the local countryside.

We opted for the likes of avocado and lovage panna cotta featuring Whitby crab, champagne sorbet and caviar and Yorkshire venison served with a 70 per cent chocolate and chilli sauce.

Other menu options include prawn and smoked salmon cocktail with herring caviar and seaweed salted butter and marinated tomato, roast pepper and winter herb paella.

Both the restaurant and The Loxley Bar are open to non-residents. In The Loxley, there is a real feel of a village pub as hotel guests, locals and dog-walkers alike all pile in for a pint and some proper pub food by the fire.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Overnight stays start from £109 per night on a bed and breakfast basis.

HOW DO I BOOK?

Directly via Hotel Victoria’s website – victoriarhb.com –or call 01947 880205.