The Fairfax Arms

We booked here for our Anniversary back in November for 2 of us, I then called & asked if we could book another 2 people a few weeks ago I was told yes that’s fine but when we arrived we were given a small table in the bar which tbh wasn’t big enough, we were disappointed that we were given this table in the bar & not the restaurant area having booked a while back. 2 of us ordered starters & all ordered mains which took about 40 mins to arrive after the starters, it was busy but if you can’t provide the service don’t take the bookings for me that’s down to greed. The sunday lunch was nice but the cauliflower cheese & roast potatoes weren’t the best, we then asked for more gravy as we were given 2 tiny gravy pots between 4 only to be prompted with “more gravy” by the waitress! I also asked to see the dessert menu before our food arrived but when we had finished our mains none of the waitresses came back to take our dessert order so we paid & left but we all had drinks and the bill came to nearly £200. We eat out a lot & have had Sunday lunches in lots of different restaurants so when you’re paying premium you expect premium food & service.

Went to the restaurant and it started well. Nice place and quickly shown to our seats. However when food came it was distinctly average. The chips were really soggy and the fish batter was heavy. However the service became terrible. No one came to ask if we enjoyed our meal; no one came to offer us more drinks; no one asked if we wanted a pudding option; no one collected the plates and no one even came to ask if we wanted to pay the bill! I had to go through the building to the bar to then find four staff members huddled together having a chat. I asked could I pay the bill and only then was I asked if I had enjoyed the food. Overall a poor experience for an expensive restaurant.

Really lovely pub. Room was very comfortable but there was an aircon unit or something like that right outside the window which was noisy all night. We were at the front. I think it was to do with the beer cellar. Curtains also really thin so let all the light in. The food was very nice and there were some different things on the menu than your average pub. For example I had fish tacos. The bar was lively in a Thursday night with locals and they were friendly lads but tbh if I was the landlady I would have asked them to mind their effing and jeffing. I think they have to decide if it’s a local or a gastro pub. I can curse with the best but I wouldn’t be shouting about it at the bar. Breakfast was really good and served in the conservatory area. Full English was lovely.

Friendly helpful staff looked after our large group very well. Great attention to detail in all the rooms. Dogs made very welcome too. Great food, especially breakfasts! Great location, close to the lovely Helmsley and good walks from the hotel.

This establishment is situated in a pretty N Yorks village and as we were approaching we were blown away by the facade of the building lit up at night. We received a very warm welcome by Laura who was very attentive and helpful. We had a standard double as this was the only one available but we were very impressed by the decor and comfort of the bed and pillows. We overlooked the front of the property and when we drew back the curtains next morning we had a lovely view of the stream. Dinner was excellent and we were given a table in a cosy little room just off the bar area. I am a pescatarian and I was very pleased with amount of choice available to me. Our starters were beautifully presented, my husband had the devilled pigeon breast and I had the burrata with pear. Our mains were excellent too and eventually we opted for venison haunch and lentil moussaka accompanied by sides of chunky chips and sweet potato fries. Service was unhurried and all the staff were very friendly, again Laura stood out. I have never stayed in such a quiet pub overnight. You could have heard a pin drop which is quite unusual as it is in the centre of the village. Breakfast again was very very good. The usual fruit yoghurts etc plus some absolutely enormous croissants and Danish pastries etc. We both opted for cooked breakfasts and again we couldn’t fault the food. All in all it is one of the best stays we have ever had in a pub with rooms and amazing value for money. This really is a beautiful country pub with great staff and excellent food. We are so glad we have discovered it and can’t wait to go back. The staff are so friendly and make the stay a memorable one.

We stayed here for one night in the summer. This was literally the only hotel for miles around so there was not much choice we wanted to see the night sky - which was a success. Parking is on the street. Rooms are very nice and comfortable. Breakfast is quite fancy and delicious.