Best Western Forest & Vale Hotel

Our executive room had a fantastic sized bed. Our room faced the road but secondary glazing did a great job, very minimal noise which didn't affect our sleep in any way. Lovely big bathroom. Excellent breakfast, quality sausage & bacon. Staff very friendly, always smiling. Ideal location for what we wanted to do, great parking. Would definitely stay again if visiting the area.

The hotel was well placed for the visits we wished to make. The rooms were clean large and airy. The catering was excellent as were the prices. The staff we especially pleasant and helpful. I'm sure they sprayed them with some secret pleasantness formula!

A lovely hotel in a lovely location. Very pretty little town. The hotel has maintained all it's features and although we weren't able to sit outside due to the weather, the grounds looked very nice too. Only thing I would change is the bathroom. Felt quite stark and could be made more luxurious and in keeping with the rest of the hotel for minimal cost. Parking very good. Evening meal was lovely and the staff were lovely and very welcoming. Would definitely recommend.

We stayed here for 2 nights in February,excellent location just near the town centre,we had breakfast and an evening meal and the food was excellent,all staff were very friendly and helpful, we would highly recommend

Staff could not be more helpful and friendly, big range of items on the breakfast menu evening meal was tasty, and a good range of drinks at the bar. Hotel situated just right, easy walk into town. Room was clean and as expected.

This was our first time staying at this hotel. It's in a very good central location in the town and has loads of off road parking. All of the staff were very pleasant and very helpful. We had a ground floor room, which was warm and very comfortable, with good facilities There was a very good breakfast menu with lots if options. We had the full English, which was nicely cooked and very tasty. Overall we had a very pleasant stay and would definately visit again!

The staff were excellent and really looked after us, the quality of the food was very good and the room clean and spacious, overall we were very pleased with our stay and would recommend to anyone who wants to stay in the area.

Stayed 2 nights at the Forest and Vale. Conveniently located in the heart of Pickering. Standard of food at breakfast and dinner excellent. Rooms comfortable and clean. Staff very attentive and accommodating.

Delightful, traditional hotel in very convenient position - 2 minute walk into town and very central for travelling around Yorkshire. There is a large free carpark adjacent to the hotel also. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Rooms very comfortable with good amenities. Breakfast is made to order, with a good choice and of good quality. We also had dinner one night and thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The bar area is nice for a quiet drink and chat.

We stayed for 2 nights, it is a beautiful hotel in a lovely village. The staff were absolutely excellent, very welcoming and helpful. The restaurant was excellent, food was delicious both dinner and breakfast, with excellent service. We were even upgraded to a lovely room. All in all It was a lovely stay and we will be back soon.

As locals in the town, we call in here once a week for a couple of drinks. The staff are always friendly, helpful and cater to your every need. I wouldn't normally write reviews, but I just think it should go on record as to how lucky this place is to have the good staff they have. They are a credit to the hotel. It's a shame alt if places don't have the staff that this place has. Keep up the good work.

A lovely hotel right in the centre of Pickering with a large free car park. It's only a 3 star but there was nothing lacking. All the staff always had smiles on their faces and so welcoming. We had breakfast which was locally supplied produce so very tasty. Will certainly be paying another visit .

Lovely hotel, warm friendly attentive staff, nothing too much trouble. We were in room 2 a large spacious room overlooking the garden. Slept like a log and even though hotel was quite busy we didn't experience any noise. Good bar and restaurant areas with choices for most tastes. Breakfast in morning, my favourite meal of the day --brilliant, lots of choice and served up hot again by the attentive cheery staff. Definitely recommend and worth a stay for any occasion

I stayed here for four nights to attend the Ryedale Festival and could not have been more comfortable. I loved my elegant, spacious room with its crisp bedlinen, easy chairs for relaxing during the day, plentiful power sockets, a hook on the back of the door for my wet jacket, wardrobe lobby and bath as well as a shower. There was a good selection of instant drinks and biscuits - hot chocolate was especially welcome in such unseasonal weather. Everything was incredibly clean and the staff were both professional and friendly. Bar snacks were excellent and the freshly prepared breakfasts delicious. The only thing that could have been improved was the strength of the tea and coffee at breakfast. It was also great to have such a spacious car park just off the main road into town.

This is the second time we have stayed at the Forest & Vale. The stay was excellent on both occasions. The hotel is clean, comfortable and cosy, the staff are very welcoming and helpful, the restaurant menu is varied and good value for money. A good base for visiting the North Yorkshire moors and coast

Stayed for 3 nights, staff are very friendly, would probably stay again, however, would request a brighter room as ours was quite dark. Room was clean with big bathroom. Didn't eat in the hotel but bar was well stocked and reasonably priced.

Recommended as a function venue and did not disappoint. I recently held a family & friends event here and from initial viewing of space available, buffet choices and the day itself, all staff were quietly efficient, caring and supportive. The food was excellent and generous . Without doubt, the staff here greatly contibuted to making my mother's Life Celebration a successful and happy experience. Thank you

Great friendly place to stay, clean and local to everything what we needed. would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a clean, comfortable, relaxed place. Food lovely and all staff make sure you have everything they need.

Great three nights staying here as part of Tesco Clubcard deals. Staff were very attentive. First time I've ever had my bag carried to my room! Comfy beds. Lots of hot water for a bath each night. Had two evening meals which were very tasty. Lounge area comfy too.

There for a weekend and an organised dinner. The hotel provided us with an excellent three days with an efficient, smiling and helpful staff. The bar was well stocked with extremely comfortable chairs and trhe food at breakfast was well cooked and presented, and tasty!

An excellent 4 night break from the minute we arrived until we left, could not fault anything Harry, Alan, James & Tom were all very helpful nothing was any trouble to them. Food was very good quality see you again

Wonderfully comfortable with a kind, caring staff with a smile and a 'can do ' attitude. Good food well cooked and presented. Excellent lounge bar with comfortable seating in a calm and peaceful environment.

We have stayed at the Forest & Vale Pickering on a number of occasions. It's a lovely charming hotel and all the staff are very welcoming and helpful. The rooms are well appointed with comfortable beds and pillows. Breakfasts are good but you do have to continually ask for another juice, toast or pot of tea!

Friendly staff , could not do enough for us , giving information for places to go . comfortable clean cosy rooms . excellent food and service , right in middle of Pickering but plenty parking available , plenty of nice places to visit near by

Excellent friendly service from all the staff,great food,clean rooms,and ideal to explore from. There is a beer garden at the rear,ideal for sitting out and enjoying a drink from the bar,large car park.Already booked again for next year.

We love coming from Leeds to our favourite hotel for lunch. Sadly since lockdown, lunches have not been available. However there is a Christmas lunch menu until 21st December, so having turned up for afternoon tea today, we'll be coming back in a fortnight for our Christmas lunch. It is a beautiful, graceful building with gardens and a car park with a handy mounting block. Spotlessly clean and tastefully furnished, the fabulous staff are its best feature and resource. We adore Alan and all the staff.

The hotel was beautifully presented and had an interesting history. The staff were brilliant, friendly and attentive always. Food was excellent, breakfasts and evening meals. Great position on the edge of the town (Pickering) and well placed to explore a beautiful part ofYorkshire. We visited Castle Howard's Winter Wonderland.

This is the second time I've stayed here and again I've thoroughly enjoyed myself. When I booed I the hotel contacted me and asked if I had a preference f a ground floor and one with 'steep stairs' (I think). I opted for ground floor. I arrived at 2.30pm and the room was ready. The gentleman opened the door for me, checked me in and showed me to my room. I stayed in room 16 which is in the garden wing with its own entrance which is handy for the car park. The outside door does bang but that is dependent upon who is using the door. I had dinner on the first night and although there was an event on the service was still good. Food was delicious. Breakfast was busy since the hotel was full but again service and quality were excellent. I will return.

Stayed in a superior room which was very spacious & clean, lovely view of the garden and was very quiet. The hotel in general is quite a stunning building with a county feel, very quiet with no traffic noise, plenty of free parking onsite, breakfast was delicious with plenty of choice. Staff very friendly & helpful.

A great hotel in pleasant surroundings staffed by friendly people with a 'nothing is too much trouble attitude'. The food is excellent with a large choice at every meal, well prepared and presented. Comfortable surroundings made this a very relaxing stay. I defy anyone not to be able to 'recharge their batteries' staying here.

Booked for a 2 night stay to go on the NYMR, arrived and were offered the choice of 2 rooms, opted for the one in the garden wing, nice spacious clean room, friendly helpful staff, will definitely be staying there again in the future when over that way.

Convenient parking - Road from Thirsk blocked by a Landslide at Sutton Edge - approach via Malton . Staff helpful - some stairs to negotiate. Service at Restaurant both for Breakfast and Dinner very good as was Meal .

Very good place to stop if you're looking for a hotel in Pickering good all round hotel with friendly and helpful staff good parking and so close to all the amenities with just a short walk into the centre

Once again a most enjoyable stay for 4 nights. Good food and relaxing atmosphere in lounge/bar with staff who make your stay worthwhile. Lovely that staff remember you from your previous stay. Hopefully back next year.

A lovely hotel, nice and clean, Breakfast very good, service very good, room was clean and spacious, big TV, wi/fi good and tea and hot chocolate in room very nice. And enough plug sockets at side of bed. Would stay there again.

A lovely position to see this part of Yorkshire. We stayed here with friends to go to the N.Y.M.Railway and Eden camp museum. (Both well worth seeing) Reception was efficient and extremely friendly and our superior rooms were as expected, with both overlooking the garden. We enjoyed dinner and had breakfast on both days, breakfast being cooked to order and delicious. We will definitely stay here again if the chance arises.

Excellent stay in superior room with 16 electric sockets! Newly decorated, spotlessly clean hotel with excellent staff, service and food. Large car park and excellent location will definitely stay here again.

We had an overall lovely experience at the Forest Vale hotel. You couldn't fault the warm friendly and engaging staff there . The chef cooked beautiful food at breakfast all locally sourced food. The location is excellent - right on the edge of the national park and in the centre of town.

Superb hotel with a great location. The hotel is brimming with character, the rooms have beautiful high ceilings and there is a lovely rear garden. Breakfast was outstanding with a wide selection on the menu cooked fresh to order in a spacious dining room over-looking the garden.

Pickering is a good place for easy access to the moors and the coast of Yorkshire. The Forest and Vale is an excellent place to stay. The staff are very friendly ,the food is first class and the town just round the corner. One of the best places we have stayed in.

Two night break booked at shortish notice to relax after busy couple of weeks. Deluxe double room was spacious and comfortable, all covid precautions appeared to be taken. Welcoming, friendly staff, good food and bar drinks reasonably priced. Also pleasant garden for when the weather is favourable. Did what it said on the tin!

Stayed here earlier in the year and then visited again this week just for two nights in order to go on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The hotel is in the lovely town of Pickering. On arrival, we were given a warm and friendly greeting at reception and a member of staff was available to help with bags to our room. We were also told that once we had settled in, we were welcome to visit the bar for complimentary tea and biscuits. The room was clean, light and airy. Beds were very comfortable. We had breakfast twice and evening meals twice in the hotel restaurant. Both were high-quality food which we very much enjoyed. Every member of staff was friendly and professional, and they make you feel like they are not only pleased to have you there, but want to ensure that you enjoy your stay. It was also nice that the staff remembered us from when we stayed there several months previously. When the weather is nice, there is a lovely garden area to sit out and enjoy a drink - which we did. The hotel makes a nice home base for visiting York, Whitby, Scarborough, Castle Howard etc. Because the hotel is near a main road, there is some traffic noise which might affect you if you are a very light sleeper, but we didn't find this to be an issue. We will definitely be visiting again and I would recommend this hotel to friends who are wanting to stay in the area.

Room was large, modern, and clean. Bed was super comfortable. Staff were friendly, professional, helpful, and fun. Food was great with a good selection of gluten-free options. Perfect location for visiting family, access to the town, and for trips to surrounding areas

Stayed here with family- Ate in the restaurant on the first night but was out at a wedding on the 2nd. Breakfast on both mornings was just fantastic- the staff were super friendly- couldn't do enough for you and the food was superb- came out so hot and fresh. The choices were great too- couldn't have asked for more. The rooms were spacious and just what you needed. There is a real family atmosphere at this hotel and you can tell the staff really do love their jobs and are well looked after by management. Strongly recommend this hotel!!

Our first stay at this hotel, but definitely not our last. Well located in the heart of Pickering, the Forest and Vale combines comfort and elegance to a perfect degree. We stayed in one of the superior rooms, which was spacious and airy, with a four-poster bed, comfortable settee and super bathroom. The hotel owner has certainly put an individual stamp on this hotel, and has a real sense of style. There are interesting, one-off pieces of furniture dotted around, each adding to the charm of the place. The food was very good, with a great choice of drinks at the bar and in the restaurant. What makes the hotel really specia though is the service, which can't be faulted. Every member of staff we met was friendly, helpful, efficient - but never intrusive. You could tell they enjoyed working here too. The gardens to the rear of the hotel are beautiful, perfect for a relaxing afternoon/evening drink. Huge car park too. We really couldn't have chosen a better place to stay and there's lots in Pickering to enjoy. Can't wait to go back!

Lovely hotel with helpful friendly staff and excellent food. Gardens at the rear where you can sit out and enjoy a drink. Strongly recommend. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff who went out of their way to be helpful.

A country hotel with excellent surroundings, friendly and smiling staff with a 'can do' attitude, brilliant food and wonderful, comfortable beds. I have stayed here before and have already booked to stay again. This is the 'go to' hotel for the Pickering area.

I was visiting my family who had just moved to the Pickering area and was looking for something to suit a solo lady. The hotel has a feeling of calm and relaxation and the staff cannot be more helpful and friendly. I arrived at 230pm and checkin was easy with a gentleman on hand to take my 'heavy' case upstairs. I ate in the hotel on the first night after visiting family and the food was well presented which I thoroughly enjoyed. The car park is free and easy to get to reception. Pickering centre is on the door step making this an ideal place to stay and explore the area

Relaxing stay for two nights in Pickering, Convenient for local shops and attractions. Room was fine and bed comfortable. Very good service from the staff. Breakfast and Restaurant met with our expectations.

Having not read a follow on email I was put in a room over the kitchen fans - It sounded like a plane taking off. I was charged the full room rate, with no apology from the management. It was apparently 'my fault' for not reading the second email. I was not called ahead of my visit and I wasn't 'reminded' that I may have a noisy room at check in.

We have stayed here several times over the years and have always had a great time; this time was no exception. We came to surprise my mum who was staying at the hotel for her birthday. the staff did a great job of keeping the secret and went out of their way to make sure we were all booked in for dinner together, got breakfast together etc. We were lucky to get a room upgrade, which was lovely! Spotlessly clean and very comfortable. It faced out to the garden, which was really nice. Everything about our weekend was good - the room, the food, the ambiance and particularly the staff, who without exception were friendly, helpful and kind. I have no doubt that we'll be back again soon...!

Great food, friendly staff, central location in Pickering and a comfortable , clean room. The only negatives were the hotel is right on a busy roundabout so it was a little noisy plus you could not open the windows for ventilation. Not a problem for us as it was snowing. However, if we came again we'd ask for a garden facing room with an opening window or air conditioning.

Enjoyed our stay at the Forest and Vale Hotel. Conveniently located with plenty of free parking adjacent to the hotel. Staff were friendly and helpful. Room was clean and roomy. Breakfast freshly cooked and enjoyable. Would recommend a stay if in the area.

This is a lovely hotel, perfect for visiting the North York Moor and beyond. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, the staff couldn't do enough for you and they were all so polite and helpful, the food and the accommodation was excellent, we will definitely return.

We had a most relaxing one night weekend break in Pickering at this beautiful traditional hotel. We were given such a warm welcome by the Receptionist which set the tone for the rest of our all too brief stay. The Superior room on first floor was bright, clean, spacious and airy with lovely view over the garden at the back. It was a comfortable temperature & the bed was massive so we had a blissfully quiet & sound night's sleep. The food was excellent. We had drinks & pot of tea in the afternoon in the brasserie bar served by a lovely friendly, helpful man who was also our server at dinner later. There was a good choice on the menu. The green vegetable red curry was amazing & the Irish coffees rounded off the meal perfectly. Breakfast which was included was good value with choice of Continental or cooked. Full Yorkshire was spot on. The breakfast waitress was also so helpful & friendly. Overall, a lovely hotel. Good value and the staff really make it special. We'd go back.

I stayed at Forest and Vale hotel in Pickering with my Husband, Brother and Sister in law for 3 nights over the New year .From the moment we entered the Hotel the staff were friendly,curious and helpful.Harry from the Bar was great,nothing too much trouble even when we were very late leaving the bar each night.Staff from restaurant were very helpful and nothing was a bother,they were cheerful and curious.Lisa ensured new year went well joining in with dancing and singing and ensuring we all had a great time.food was lovely and the 3 course new years meal was delicious in a beautifully decorated room .Reception staff were helpful and curious and always smiling and chatty with guests. A great 3 day break over the new year and I can understand why so many people who checked out on sunday immediatley booked for next new year.Thank you to all the staff at Forest and Vale for a memorable new year

Had my works Xmas party here , stayed in honeymoon suite, very nice it was too , clean and tidy and spacious, only thing lacking was a mini bar , would definitely recommend this room . We will hopefully be back later in 2022

Excellent place to be snowed in ! - the staff are all so attentive/helpful/accomodating.Room was warm and well appointed.Bar/restaurant very flexible regarding menus etc Free parking on site Central location Large interesting and well maintained garden.

I stayed here recently for a few days. I chose Pickering as it was ideal for exploring around the Moors and NE Coast. The hotel is easy to find at the top of the High street and next to the roundabout which peels off to all the major towns around Pickering. York, Whitby and Scarborough are all about 20 mins from the hotel. The staff here were all so helpful and friendly, the hotel also had a large car park right outside the rear of the hotel. My room was cosy and quiet, and I could easily nip in/out via the back door access of the hotel through the gardens. It was so useful. The best thing about the hotel was the food, breakfasts were a decent choice of hot foods served to order. The evening meals were also really good standard and not very expensive. I enjoyed my break and staying here, I'd certainly stop here again if I am in the area.

Of the many best Western Hotels in which we have stayed over the years, this one has to come out on top. From the moment we walked into the Reception, the staff made us feel welcome. The ambience of the hotel was excellent. The room clean and tidy and although looking out over a busy road junction, the double glazing kept traffic noise to a minimum. Menu choice good and food excellent, especially the breakfasts.. Covid procedures efficient, not obtrusive. Hotel well sited for a number of local attractions. .

Very good hotel, staff were attentive, polite and friendly and always willing to accommodate your requirements. Nice cosy hotel the only downside was that the wifi signal wasn't that brilliant in the garden rooms. Restaurant food was of very good standard. Ideal place to stay for Whitby, Scarborough etc

The staff at the Forest and Vale are second to none - couldn't ask for more. We had a funeral gathering and the team here did everything we could ask of them - thank you all for making our day so fabulously memorable. Would not hesitate to stay again. Thank you team F&V.

We thoroughly enjoyed our short stay at this truly lovely hotel. The car park is adjacent to the hotel and is spacious. The reception staff were friendly and helpful. Our room was well appointed, clean, warm and comfortable with all you expect from a three star hotel, plus more. The bar staff were really freindly and the service first class. We dined in the restaurant on our first night and found the experience very enjoyable. The food was excellent and the service impeccable. We will be returning to this lovely hotel as soon as we can and will be recommending it to our family and freinds. Thanks to all your staff for a most enjoyable stay.

Very good food, breakfast and dinner super. Efficient and very friendly reception staff. Jackie managed to get us a room last minute, which was great. Tom in the lounge/bar very friendly and chatty. Drinks quite reasonable for such a nice hotel. Enjoyed our stay and wish it could have been for longer. We will certainly stay at the hotel again in the near future. Best Western have a great team here!!!!!!!!!!

There's a lot to like about this hotel - excellent location, good WiFii, nice bathroom and comfortable bed, but two issues ruined my stay. As I'm one of those who still wears a mask to protect others, I had mine on when heading into the annex where my room was located. Unfortunately that meant I didn't spot the unsigned step down immediately through the door, and was lucky to remain upright. The biggest issue though was the soundproofing. Every step of the guests in the rooms above seemed very loud, although the weren't doing more than getting ready to go out. However when they returned those footsteps and other “nighttime activities” that followed went on for a seriously long while, leaving no chance for sleep until 2am,

Hotel was great for us, although we did not eat there. We stayed 2 nights and really enjoyed the benefit of the central location and the ease of parking and travelling about. Good advice about the locale area and a room relocation without asking.

Would highly recommend this hotel. Our superior room was very spacious with a comfortable bed and two comfortable chairs. Spotlessly clean and Covid safe. Good hospitality tray . All staff very friendly and helpful and wore masks at all times. Excellent choice of breakfast dishes served to the table and well cooked. We were on a dinner bed and breakfast offer and dinner was superb. Very good choices all beautifully served. Guests were made to feel special. Adequate car parking and hotel situated in easy walking of centre of town.

We recently enjoyed an overnight stay at Forest and Vale in Pickering to celebrate a special birthday. The staff were courteous and kind and made us feel both welcome and special - to reflect the occasion. Lisa was a particularly attentive and helpful member of the team. Our room was fabulous and breakfast in the dining room was a great treat! I have already recommended this hotel to work colleagues. A real find.

this is how it should be done, other operators should stay here and make a few notes, 5 stars and excellent frankly is not enough, rooms are lovely, quirky, but spotless, all the mod cons worked as they should, the whole hotel is immaculate , but the icing in the cake is the whole team of staff, just 15 we were told, they worked so hard looking after our party it was a joy to make friends with them the food, dinner and breakast's were amazing, served with a smile and panache a number of us are already taking about a return visit, thank you guys for a brilliant weekend

Good sized room, clean, warm, a good shower, and good sized towels. Fast wifi. Pleasant friendly staff, good breakfasts. Excellent location in Pickering - central, close to shops, railway, and other amenities.

This is our second visit to this lovely hotel and the lovely town of Pickering. The hotel is located a very short walk from the centre of town. It is a great base from which to visit the seaside towns of Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. The hotel itself is very comfortable and full of character. The staff are extremely pleasant and nothing is too much trouble. The breakfast is served at your table from a very extensive menu and is always prepared to perfection. The dinner menu is extensive and varies every day, so you can find one of your favourite dishes most of the time. The chef is excellent and thus the food is always excellent too. The wine list is comprehensive with some outstanding wines not usually found in a small hotel. The dining room looks out on an attractive walled garden. There is a large car park attached to the hotel and access is through the garden. The room we occupied was on the ground floor overlooking the garden. The room was well decorated with all the usual features. The only complaint we had was that the hotel heating was not on and as the old sash windows are not double glazed the room was cold at night. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel and shall be returning in the Spring.

What a lovey clean small hotel, staff were excellent and went out of there way to make sure your stay was good, breakfast freshly cooked to order was fabulous and a very good choice. For anyone in the area well worth a visit, well done to Tom, Harry and Alan in the bar

We had a great night's stay at the Forest & Vale hotel in Pickering. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the room was comfortable and clean. There was tea-making facilities with a couple of complimentary biscuits on the side. The breakfast was very good and had a good selection of dishes including smoked salmon and scrambled egg, smoked haddock and poached eggs, full Yorkshire breakfast and more which sets you up for the day. The hotel is situated a stone's throw from the picturesque town centre of Pickering with several restaurants to choose from if you chose not to eat at the hotel. Would highly recommend this hotel.

A joy to behold Fabulous hotel in lovely setting staffed by lovely people Ideal for the North York Moors & Yorkshire coast. Highly recommend Good food & reasonably priced - some good pubs in the village

I booked this hotel with my 3 y/o as it was between two nearby attractions I wanted to visit. Its a lovely 230 year old manor house and has always been used for hospitality. The hotel is clean if but a bit dated but I feel that's part of the appeal. Perfectly situated, good (but pricey) food and the staff were amazing. They were always friendly and happy to help. The room were very spacious with high ceiling and in good working order. The bathroom was clean with a powerful shower. All of this and additional garden area for playing in. The 300 year old tree was pretty impressive. I'll be returning when going up that way again.

This hotel is central in Pickering which allows you to walk into the centre to visit the attractions The car park is next to the hotel so no issues with parking. The decor of the hotel is in keeping with the outside of the hotel. The bedroom we stayed in overlooked a beautiful walled garden with tables and chairs and was tastefully decorated in fact it could have been classed as a suite. The bar was spacious and we were served by attentive friendly staff. The dinning room was large and tables well positioned for regulations. The important thing was there was a lovely choice of meals and specials which were cooked and served to perfection. Breakfast was the same. Well done to everything and everyone who work at the Forest and Dale. We will definitely be back it was just a shame we could only stay for one night. Thank you.

A rambling collection of buildings on the southerly edge off Pickering centre with comfortable rooms, eacellent service and good food. Well served by public transport to Scarborogh, Malton, Whitby and along Ryedale with plenty of attractions within easy reach allowing car fee holidays.

The staff at this hotel cannot do enough for you. We had a wonderful week staying here with our daughters. The service was brilliant, food lovely and the rooms spotlessly clean. Probably the only very slight negative is that the decor in some bedrooms is dated, but this does not detracted from the wonderful staff and lovely atmosphere.

Excellent hotel, with very good service and friendly and helpful staff, nothing is too much trouble to ensure that your stay is enjoyable. The hotel is well positioned to explore the plethora of places to visit in North Yorkshire, highly recommended.

Just returned from a delightful three night break at the Best Western Forest and Vale. For starters it's in such a great location for visiting the Yorkshire Moors and just getting out and exploring this fantastic location. It's a standard hotel with all the usual amenities you would expect, no grumbles with anything. We paid a slight supplement for an executive room (room 9) and it was such a good choice. Absolutely no distance from anything and so so quiet ( great nights sleep all round). What sets the hotel apart though is the staff! Such a great welcome from every member of the team and nothing was too much trouble for any of them. It's such a simple thing to get right yet so many places fail. Top marks though to all the staff at Forest and Vale. Can't recall all the names but hopefully have remembered Lisa, Tom and Alun correctly. Thank you!

Stayed at this hotel for a 2 day break with friends. From the minute we walked in to leaving the service was excellent. Staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. Really enjoyed our stay and would definitely go back

In late May we booked our first trip away from home this year, 4 nights at the Forest & Vale, from Wednesday to Sunday. We had not stayed here before, but many years ago enjoyed an evening meal there whilst staying elsewhere in Pickering. Arriving at 4pm we were given the keys to Room 7, which was upstairs (no lift) and overlooking the busy main road and roundabout. However, double glazing eliminated most traffic noise. Our room was quite large, with a bathroom (with bath and shower) up 3 more stairs. We enjoyed a meal in the restaurant on our first night. Good choices, excellent service and a nice bottle of wine to accompany the food. Breakfasts were excellent, also served to your table in the restaurant, with hot food cooked to order. All the tables and chairs were well cleaned between customer use. There was good social distancing in the restaurant and bar areas. Also a nice large garden area with seating, ideal for wedding venues etc. All of the staff we met during our stay were lovely, hard-working and courteous. Multi-tasking too, looking after reception, serving at tables, cleaning rooms etc - always with a smile ! We should especially make mention of Lisa and Gabi. In all, a very enjoyable stay, and we look forward to returning in the future.

Had a wonderful relaxing break from work at this hotel. Excellent base for walking or day trips to York. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, food was excellent (breakfast and evening meal) The bedroom (2) was beautiful overlooking the garden. The only slight negative would be the strength of the shower not the most powerful, but didn't dampen our trip.

Hotel is very clean. I had a double room but was on my own. I think it wouldn't have been big enough and no bath. The room rate based on that was expensive imo. As stated the room was immaculately clean and the hotel well presented and kept. Why? THE STAFF. Superb all though this hotel. Polite, respectful friendly. However two fellas Harry and in particular Alan truly represent what this hotel is about. I regular stay in hotels. These fellas are the best hosts you will ever find. Alan especially. The hotel is extremely lucky to have him. He needs a pay rise. At dinner yesterday he immaculately looked after our party and was funny attentive and also polite. What a man. We never went with our beer glasses empty and was a true representative of the hospitality industry. If you have employee of the year, give it to him now. Very very impressed with the hotel. Can't say I'll be back, but the staff have made an impression. You should be proud of them.

Hotel in great position for exploring Yorkshire coast and Moors. Food was good and staff and service good. However bed in our room was poor and Wi-Fi did not work in bedroom fine in main building. Felt that furniture in bedroom was in need of updating as old fashioned dark brown is dated. Unfortunately weather was not kind otherwise gardens were lovely, and would have been nice to dine outside.

We stayed for 2 nights in what has got to be one of the best UK hotels we have ever stayed in. Reception staff were very efficient and helpful. The room itself was exceptional, quality decor and furnishings,pristine throughout. The food in the restaurant for both dinner and breakfast was well prepared and very tasty. We have re-booked for another stay in September. We highly recommend the hotel

We stayed for 3 nights in June with friends and very much enjoyed our time there. The rooms were comfortable and the staff very friendly and helpful. The garden was lovely and we had afternoon tea every day and chose to eat at the hotel also as the meals and service were good. The location was perfect for walking into Pickering and parking at the hotel was very convenient. We will be happy to stay again some time.

I can highly recommend this hotel. The staff were very friendly and welcoming . We felt very safe and the covid precautions were being followed carefully. Pickering is an excellent location for touring North yorkshire and the town is safe, welcoming and friendly.

Stayed three nights here and had a very positive experience. Welcoming staff, always ready for a chat, clean rooms and general areas. We ate here one night which was excellent. The garden area is great with a variety of outdoor seating, an ideal area to relax after a good days walking.

This is a very well run hotel with a happy, friendly and efficient team of staff. Nothing was too much trouble and COVID precautions were exemplary. The food was not exceptional but was adequate and served quickly and piping hot. We very much enjoyed our stay here and would love to return one day.

The hotel is very easy to find and is in a great location, there is a large car park right next to the hotel where guests can park for free. The hotel is located in the centre of Pickering and is in walking distance to several shops, restaurants and pubs (highly recommend Figaro's Italian) On arrival we were greeted by a very friendly staff member who started by explaining the covid procedures etc and then directed us to our room. She was very friendly and helpful and couldn't be faulted. We were then directed to our room (#15 which was located on the ground floor). Unfortunately, I deducted a point because I think the rooms could do with some improvements. On a positive note, they were well maintained, clean and there was a nice selection of complimentary tea/coffee as well as ample toiletries and towels. Onto the negative, the bed and pillows were quite uncomfortable. It's quite clear they haven't been replaced in many years. Furthermore the Furniture is very dated and is in need of repair/replacement. The television is also extremely old and is located in a position not easily viewable from the bed. I accept that this wouldn't usually be an issue because the weather was unusually hot but the room was extremely warm and sleeping was uncomfortable. There was a very small, cheap fan which didn't help at all and no real way to ventilate the room. There was a lovely garden area at the rear of the hotel with seating that guests could use. I can't comment on the food as we didn't sample it! All in all it was a positive experience and I think 4/5 is a fair score.

Just returned from this hotel having stayed 2 nights, excellent service, hotel was very clean, bedrooms spotless, all tea, coffee sugars etc put into sanitised bags. A special thanks to the Lisa and Alun who were so helpful, great hotel to use a base for visiting Whitby

My wife and I had a 3 night stay and we had nothing but praise for the whole experience. The staff are polite, helpful, efficient and very friendly. They deserve recognition from both their own management and that of Best Western. Keep it up.

Stayed at this Hotel for two nights whilst touring Yorkshire. The hotel is small with only about 20 rooms and is located on a roundabout close to the centre of Pickering, with a private large size lawned garden at the rear. The staff could not be faulted and were very friendly and accommodating. The food good, although we found the portions at dinner to be too large and was served at the table in a safe covid environment. On the downside the hotel is tired and requires modernisation with small bedrooms, old furniture and no air conditioning meaning that it was too hot to sleep comfortably. In addition some of the downstairs rooms could only be accessed internally by walking through the dinning room which is not ideal.

Had 2 nights away B&B in a superior room with a lovely view of the garden, coffee, sugars,tea &biscuits were all put in sanitised packs and the room was very clean. Staff are very attentive in the dining & bar areas & at breakfast, our evening meal of scampi & fish were lovely & good portion sizes too. Very happy with our stay good parking facilities and it was local to the Steam railway & its lovely town centre all within 5/10mins of the doorstep too.

A pleasant stay in this newly refurbished hotel , getting back on it's feet after COVID-19. The room was scrupulously clean and all Covid rules are adhered to. Breakfast was good and service was very friendly. Only wish we could have stayed longer.

Spent 2 nights in a superior room and no complaints. Room was spotless and covid conditions applied throughout the hotel. The staff are really helpful and we would return. Breakfast was lovely and didn't try the evening meals as we ate out. Plenty of parking and we used the hotel as a base for spend time at Pickering, Whitby and Scarboro. Great beak and we both feel better for it. Would return anytime.

My wife and I stayed at the hotel for our fortieth wedding anniversary, we had an upgraded room that was fabulous, this must be the best hotel in Pickering, staff were really great , we ate in the restaurant one night and found it to be excellent, over all we couldn't fault the hotel , not the cheapest place but they say “you only get what you pay for “ would certainly recommend , excellent.

This is our 4th year at the Forest & Vale and as previous years the 5 nights stay were as always excellant. Staff followed COVID-19 regulations and we felt extremely safe.Breakfast and evening meals were of good quality. Staff very friendly and helpful and it was lovely to see familiar faces. Hopefully will be another visit 2021.

Only booked 3 days in advance, room was good and considering all the excellent Covid 19 precautions service was excellent . Ate in the hotel restaurant both breakfast and evening meal . Excellent meals

Friendly helpful staff and enjoyable stay despite Covid restrictions. Dinner menu didn't change much but good food and always piping hot. Excellent breakfast. Missed having room cleaned and bed made due to restrictions. Lovely garden and would recommend garden superior room as comfortable and quiet.

The hotel were serious about COVID precautions and we had to submit a health questionnaire before arrival. Room was cold but well appointed, unable to call reception due to disconnected phone and broken socket. Reception arranged to have the heating turned on - we passed on the phone repair as the COVID rules said no staff in occupied rooms. Restaurant has great food, both for dinner and breakfast, with reasonable prices (£16 main course) and superb service. Staff everywhere were friendly and took trouble to make everything perfect. Location is right in the middle of Pickering and good for exploring the moors or east coast.

My wife and I have recently returned from a 7 day stay in Best Western Forest and Vale. We were impressed by their Covid safety procedures. Breakfasts and evening meals were of a good standard.The gardens were also maintained to a high standard. A pleasure to have a stroll after breakfast. A good location for afternoon tea. We have visited the hotel many times before. The location is ideal for many attractions in North Yorkshire Moors including the NYMR steam railway.

managing social distancing and corvid rules very well , lovely hotel have stayed many times over the years and is our go to hotel in the area hopefully it won`t be long before we can return ,lots to do in the area with the hotel being a perfect place to stay

We visited the forest and vale hotel Pickering. 2 days bed and breakfast. Lovely and clean. The first evening we also ate in the restaurant. Excellent service from the minute we booked in would highly recommend. The staff were brilliant couldn't do enough in these difficult times. Will certainly go back.

stayed for 2 nights. hotel was very clean, staff very friendly. didnt eat in the restaurant so can't comment. have to mention wifi was slow switched it off and used my data, no room safe, no mini fridge

We booked for dinner and we both had the roat beef. The beef was precooked and when cold sliced then warmed up. The beef was grey in colour and didnt taste like fresh roast beef. The veg looked and tasted like frozen veg and the roast potatoes didnt taste fresh out of the oven. A small hotel like this should be able to do fresh meals not precooked meals.The meal cost was over £16 each, not worth half that. Service very good.

We stayed in a superior room very comfortable bed, large tv shower and bath nice comfy chairs to sit in my grandson is 6 weeks old loved the bed so much he slept all the time. Breakfast and evening meal delicious catering team to be proud of waiter service excellent very friendly and welcoming. Reception team friendly and helpful anything we needed they got for us and put outside of room. Plenty of parking. I have family living in this town so visit almost every year lovely little town not far from Scarborough, Whitby York, lots to do and plenty to visit light water valley nearby and highly recommend the Eden camp. Definitely use this hotel again.

This is just a short note to express our complete satisfaction with our recent stay, Special mention to Jane & Lisa on reception whose cheery faces were a pleasure to see, the precautions they have taken gave us a feeling of wellbeing and in this difficult time is to their credit.. Our room was excellent with a very comfortable bed, and the food both at Dinner & Breakfast was superb, and served in a way that did not detract from our overall experience..

Five of us spent three nights at the hotel. Rooms had everything you could possibly need and the beds were so comfortable. Two lights were not working but on mentioning this to reception they were replaced straight away. Recommend eating in the restaurant. The staff were such a friendly welcoming bunch that it lit up my day.

Two couples and a single on a trip to historic churches in the area, we stayed three nights in this lovely hotel. The rooms were comfortable, water hot, bar and restaurant very good with breakfast cooked to order. Excellent location and big car park. The staff couldn't have been more helpful. Highly recommended.

We have been visiting the Forest and Vale at least once a year since 1996 sometimes 2/3 times a year, through 3 different owners. And the one thing you get is consistency. It is an exceptionally clean hotel, with housekeeping of the highest order. The food is excellent both in quality and quantity, All the staff and polite effecient and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. I can really recommend this hotel and I look forward to our next visit,

1st class receptionist Lovely room good out look from the room very pleasant bar just a lovely place to stay with lots to do in and around Pickering the Hotel is warm and welcoming with old fashioned values

Spent two nights here, the staff are all excellent as was the food , only complaint was the noise at 6.00am when the central heating cut in. Apart from that no problems. The hotel is in an ideal position in the town to be able to use a very good bus service.

Excellent from arrival to departure - only stayed 1 night but will definately return. This is a lovely hotel and very central for touring the local area. North Yorks Moors railway a definate must and only 5 minutes walk through the town.

This is a really comfortable hotel in a good location. I'd have been happy to stay a lot longer than just the one night and will stay there again. There was a lot of extra details in the room which really added to it and it was the comfiest bed.

We stayed for 2 days here this week so that we could visit Castle Howard and the area. The hotel gave us all we could have wanted in terms of a warm welcome, a delightful executive room and continuing care and attention to detail throughout. All the staff were friendly and efficient, the food was very tasty with choices that suited our palate well. We hope to be back in the area next year, when we will definitely stay here again.

Very comfortable superior double room in the garden wing. Very comfortable bed, comfortable seating area and large bathroom with excellent shower and bath. Lovely views from the upstairs room of the hotel gardens. Good to be able to access the room from a separate entrance from the car park without having to use the main entrance each time. Very friendly welcome at reception and friendly, helpful staff throughout my short stay. Breakfast was freshly cooked to order and was very good in a lovely dining room overlooking the garden. My first stay here which was just for 3 nights, but I certainly will be back next year for a longer stay in spring or early summer, when its less busy and not school holidays. Pickering was a very interesting town to wander around with lots of nice independent shops. I had one good day on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and another day visiting Robins Hood Bay and Staithes.

My wife and I tried to book a place in Whitby for the Goth weekend but all were full. Thank goodness they were because this hotel was better than anything we could have found in Whitby. The location, the hotel, the staff were all perfect. The hotel is a lovely old building within walking distance of the town centre. It has a large garden to the rear which can be seen while having breakfast. The breakfast was excellent with lots of choice on offer. The room was large and clean with a comfy bed. A bottle of water was a nice touch along with the normal tea/coffee tray. The hotel as a bar and also a restaurant. The staff were polite and friendly and always helpful. I have already rebooked for next May.

On a day trip to "1940's" Pickering/ Every where was ram jam full and my brother suggested we left the main area and found this hotel, What an oasis a quiet frindly place. Elwegant rooms and the service was excellent! We were all very pleased with our bar snacks , everyone was pleasant and polite. Lovely experience

This was my 5th visit to the Forest & Vale Hotel and it didn't disappoint. The staff are invariably the same each time and they are a pleasure to deal with - always a smile and a greeting. The food is fab. That goes for both breakfast (loads of choice but cooked to order) and dinner. And most importantly the beds are exceedingly comfortable. This is the only place I stop where I don't wake up with backache. I'll be back!

We stayed a week as part of a large group of walkers. Our room was bright and spacious and very clean. The hotel had made up our extremely comfortable beds with sheets and blankets as we had requested. The food was great, generous portions and when on the menu, the Yorkshire puds were enormous! But most of all, the staff were so friendly and helpful and provided an almost family atmosphere. They really went out of their way to cater for all the needs of such a large group. We would definitely go back and recommend it to our friends.

Our local walking club booked a week in the moors based out of Pickering. We were all very pleased with our hotel choice. The rooms were comfortable, spacious and clean. The staff were friendly and efficient. We can't praise the chef and his team highly enough, preparing a delicious selection of food for 50 plus people every night of the week. The waiting staff were exceptional, cheerful and efficient. Breakfasts were a buffet or a la carte, after a few days most of us opted out of the full Yorkshire and chose something lighter. Great value for money.

A large group of us stayed at this hotel for a Wedding being held close by. In preparation for our stay the staff were very courteous and most helpful, especially in dealing with guests with dietary requirements for the evening dinner party, and any other requests - like the storing of the wedding flowers overnight as the florists was closed as the Wedding was on a Sunday. The Hotel staff were very pleasant, and helpful throughout our stay with no complaints from anyone within our large group. For us, it was the most pleasant stay in a Hotel we had had in many a year, and full credit goes to the staff who work very well together, and seemed very happy and proud in what they do. If you are organising a Wedding here I believe you'll have the most amazing time as the Wedding Planner, Suzanne, pays a lot of attention to the finer details to ensure the day goes without a hitch. A full credit to her and her team for our most enjoyable stay.

I booked this hotel with some trepidation as I've had somewhat average stays at Best Western hotel in the past. However, I certainly needn't have worried. An excellent welcome with a porter turning up without being requested to see my bag to my room. Thus no one need be put off by the absence of a lift. The bedroom, and indeed all the hotel areas, was spotless, comfortable and with all the expected facilities. I was particularly impressed by the shower. The bar is well appointed with a nice range of drinks. The evening meal on both evenings was excellent - service was impeccable, the food tasty, ample and well presented. The cooked to order breakfast was equally good. I must particularly mention ALL the staff who were VERY professional but who also went out of their way to be friendly and to look after you and do everything they could to make your stay a memorable one. I will certainly stay again when in the area.

I have had my eye on this hotel for some years now and was in the area so popped in for some lunch. Harri looked after me very well. Cool glass of cider and a plate of mushroom and cashew nuts stew with rice. The stew was runny but not in a good way. No matter, I should be thankful for some lunch. Cheers

We have visited this hotel the last three years and it is central for the countryside plus the coast. Rooms are spotless and comfy.There is a good choice of breakfast which is of good quality plus freshly cooked.Two out of five nights of our stay we had excellent meals in the restaurant. Staff are friendly and helpful and go that extra mile plus it is nice that they remember you from your previous stay.Will certainly be visiting again next year.

I've been to the Forest for so many party nights and various occasions but never stayed over before. I stayed here for my sister's wedding and was given what I believe to be the old bridal suite (before the extension and new one built). The room was amazing and gave the bride and bridesmaids a marvellous place to get ready for the wedding. Four poster bed, lots of room and large bathroom. The water pressure /air in pipes needs looking at though as washing hands in the sink after going to the loo resulted in hot water being spat out of the taps at me...... The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating for all our needs and catering for the needs of the wedding preparations. The breakfast options were great - the full English went down a real treat the day after the wedding! As for the wedding evening party - the team did not fail to deliver; as always it was a great night. Thanks to all the team for putting up with us on the day as well as delivering a fantastic meal on the night before. I would definitely recommend staying at the Forest to others as well as considering it a fabulous wedding venue.

I stayed for 2 nights in this superb and friendly hotel whilst I visited the famous NYMR railway. It has about two dozen rooms which are spacious, have really comfy beds as well as a bath and a shower - the water came piping hot too. Breakfast was included in my stay which consisted of a small buffet of cereal, juices, yoghurts and fruit. There is also hot menu to choose from - scrambled eggs, full English breakfast etc. Evening meals were in the cosy little bar room with a fine menu to choose from. I found the staff very friendly and always helpful. This hotel also has its own free car park with plenty of room - so no fighting for spaces. I would certainly return if I was ever in that area again.

We were delighted at the room allocated to us on the ground floor garden wing with dual aspect windows overlooking the well tended gardens. The decor and facilities were very good and the staff went out of their way to make it a home from home. Dined in the hotel on four nights out of five and the pulled pork with dauphinoise and seasonal veg was amazing. Two special starters, mains and deserts changed every two days. It was very nice to sit on the terrace with a drink overlooking the garden after a long day on the North York Moors Railway. Breakfasts offered a varied selection of quality ingredients

This is our second stay at this hotel, and this visit was as good as the previous one. Room, staff & service still excellent and the food is of a high standard. As an added bonus it's only five minutes walk from the NYMR.

We stayed for 2 nights with friends whilst visiting the area, the staff were so friendly and polite. Gabby at breakfast deserves a special mention for her fantastic friendly service, you don't get service like that very often. Our room was out in the cottage garden and it was lovely, everything you needed along with being very clean. Would definitely stay here again. Well done to the Forest and Vale.

My self and wife to be, ( hopefully) stayed here purely because of Lisa the very helpful and friendly lady on reception who informed us during our last minute journey that she had only one room left and much to our surprise very kindly offered to hold until we got there, this nowadays is a rare approach on arriving we were chuffed to bits with the room ended up having dinner in the restaurant, this we also really enjoyed. One thing I just have to mention and apparently this is not the policy of the hotel owners but the policy of being part of best western group, the hotel and its excellent staff are far better than name badges of which I have never been a fan, why don't you take a stand and refuse to wear them. Just a thought set a precedence and lead the field.

Our second stay and very enjoyable it was. Stayed in the four poster room, so spacious and grand ! The food was good both in the evening and at breakfast. What really makes this hotel is the staff, really friendly and welcoming.

We stayed at the Forest & Vale, ideally situated in the centre of Pickering and just a 2-3 minute stroll from the lovely St.Peter & Paul church, for a wedding and the hotel couldn't have been more obliging. Really nice and comfortable rooms, excellent breakfasts and the meals for the wedding and the evening buffet were superb. A lovely garden for the photographs and on a gloriously hot and sunny afternoon and evening, an ideal place to relax in while enjoying the happy couples very special day. All the hotel staff were tremendous, courteous and polite, nothing was too much trouble and they worked their socks off to ensure everybody had a fantastic time. A tremendous advert for the Best Western brand, the Forest & Vale is an outstanding venue.

Not sure how many times we have stayed at the Forest and Vale in the last 6 years, 4 at least. Each stay has been a real pleasure and the standard of accommodation and service over that time has always been excellent, and consistent. It has become our home from home when we come from the States to visit family in the area, and we are made to feel most welcome by the friendly and helpful staff. It has a nicely stocked bar too. Needless to say when we visit Pickering next we will be staying at the Forest and Vale.

My wife & i stayed for 2 nights, intending to eat in one evening, and eat out the second. We were however so impressed the first evening with the standard that we ate in both nights. Comfortable room, good breakfast. The only think I would have liked, bearing in mind the damp weather was a thermostatically controlled electrically heatedly towel rail. A common complaint - works of the heating system and in summer they are off, wherever the weather.

Had a very pleasent long weekend at this little gem of a hotel .all the staff were very pleasent and could not do enough for you .we ate in the restaurant as a party of six the food was very well presented and very tasty especially the lamb shank. The room was small but very pleasent with views over the garden and the bed was very comfortable

Used to live in Pickering and have eaten here before, but never stayed over. Quality of accommodation is a good recommendation for Best Western and having had breakfasts and 2 evening meals here I am very impressed. Good allergy knowledge too and plenty of choice for me as a Coeliac.

Just back from a two night stay here. Couldn't fault a thing. Superior room was spacious with view overlooking beautiful gardens. Meal in restaurant on first night was delicious! Breakfasts on both days was very good. Staff all very accommodating and helpful. Will definitely return.

We booked this hotel on the day for an overnight stay in February whilst on a day trip to Scarborough. (The cost was less than a Premier Inn etc in Scarborough.) We had stayed there once before so knew what to expect. The hotel is in a good location in Pickering and only a half hour drive from the coast. Staff were friendly and helpful. Room was fine, typical of the type of hotel. We had evening meal in the hotel - the lamb hotpot was a little disappointing but breakfast and service good. It was February and cold so a bit quiet but we would be happy to stay there again when in the area.

Nice clean hotel staff friendly and helpful, good food. This hotel is ideally situated to enjoy the town and all places of interest in the area. Would definitely stay again when back to explore the area further.

Staff are very helpful friendly, giving a very warm welcome, rooms very lovely, hotel clean and warm, good location in town centre. Good plentyful breakfast provided. Good place for pub food and beers

Recently stayed at this hotel with relatives & I cannot fault the hotel at all. The staff were very friendly & helpful, rooms were lovely & clean & the food both breakfast & evening meals were freshly cooked & tasted delicious

Excellent have stayed here several times and the food and service are brilliant. The staff remember us and are like an extended family. We always look forward to our stay at The Forest and Vale hotel and would certainly recommend this hotel. Plenty of on site parking.

Super 3-course Sunday lunch for Mother's Day in pleasant surroundings. Plenty of choices for starter, main and sweet. Gluten free bread roll with a generous prawn cocktail for me, with being coeliac, a gluten free Yorkshire Pudding and tasty gluten free gravy with the beef and for dessert a classic pavlova with berries. Will definitely visit again. Had the coffee been included in the 3-course Mother's Day special menu the I would've given 5 stars.

We booked here for our anniversary. We stayed in a superior room overlooking the garden (room 2) which was very spacious and had a 4 poster bed which was a nice surprise. The hotel was very relaxing and the staff were friendly and helpful. We didn't have our evening meal here as we had already booked a table at a local restaurant but the breakfast was very well cooked and tasted delicious.

My friends and I meet regularly for lunch here and we love it. We are welcomed like old friends, with good food and lovely facilities. Well worth a visit if you're in the area. The toilets are spotless and the gardens delightful in summer.

Our first visit back in August prompted us to book for the Christmas Party night, based largely on the location, friendly staff, excellent food and good sized well appointed rooms. The party night was wonderful and despite catering for a 100 people the service was excellent, the food delicious and the event well organised. We were upgraded to a superior room (no.3) which was very comfortable and spacious. The hotel sits on the edge of Pickering and provides a good location from which to explore the town and North Yorkshire. Richard and Elizabeth

My name is DJ Lynne and run my own DJ business AvA Entertainment along with my husband Terry. The hotel asked me if I would consider DJ'ing for their Christmas Party nights. From Day 1 communication was first class. All the staff were friendly & made us feel very welcome and at home. The parties went exceptionally well and we hope everyone had a fabulous time.

Stopped here for a night while away for work, the staff were very friendly and we were greeted through the front door, shown to our rooms which were very clean and tidy, quick service at the bar and the chap behind the bar made pleasant conversation, followed up by a well cooked breakfast in the morning with more food than I knew what to do with! 10/10 stay!

After friends visit twice in 4 months, this hotel was recommended to us. We had 3 nights DB&B and were not disappointed. Old world charm with warm welcoming bedroom. Staff very efficient, friendly and we were made to feel very welcome. Food at Breakfast and Dinner was good with the exception that Porridge at Breakfast on one morning was not cooked enough and a dessert on one evening was barely warm!!!!! Possibly a bought in sweet and warmed in microwave oven. Cost £6 as part of 3 course meal disappointing and showed a lack of attention by Chef.However this did not detract from our enjoyment of the hotel or our break and it will not stop us from a return. For this reason I give 4 stars as above Midge 77

We spent 4 relaxing days at the Forest and Vale in Picketing. The staff were friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Our room was beautiful overlooking the garden. Dinners were fabulous with a fantastic choice. Breakfasts were served in the room overlooking the garden. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and enjoyed being pampered. We will return very soon.

Lovely room, but we did make a point of booking a "superior" twin room. This was a room with a view. Valued the friendliness and helpfulness of all staff members. Especially appreciative of all delicious meals to order - for example, nothing festering away on a "hot breakfast bar". Very convenient location for 'buses into York and other prime venues for rail links. Very clean, warm and comfortable with nice touches such as complimentary toiletries and hospitality tray (bearing quality biscuits!) close to hand in bedroom.

Just spent a couple of days away with friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The hotel was warm, comfortable and exceptionally clean. All the staff were extremely friendly and obliging. The food was delicious, probably the best breakfast we have ever had. We cannot fault the hotel and the friendly atmosphere and service.

Very comfortable, cleanliness outstanding ,staff helpful and very friendly. Food very good and wholesome but particularly for myself as a Ceoliac. Great care taken to avoid cross contamination and many choices given which was a joy. An excellent location to explore both East Coast and North York moors. Ten min.walk to take the steam train through to Whitby for the day. Ample free parking,rooms very comfortable with toiletries supplied in bathroom and tea/coffee facilities.Free wifi. Can recommend the DBB three night deal.

Chose the Forest & Vale Hotel as booked on the NYMR steam train from Pickering to Whitby the next day. Extremely welcoming and helpful staff. Our room was large and very well furnished. Evening meal was exceptional - Sunday night so thoroughly enjoyed the roast! And what a lovely town Pickering is ... very interesting with lots of independent shops

We had a loverly nite the staff went out of there way for us the young lady who I booked the room with was absolutely brilliant she went out of her way to help with it being my husband special birthday so I would like to say a big thank you to Liv at the best western call centre

A conference was booked by Cirrus Research PLC on behalf of a Vistage CEO Group meeting. Everything worked beautifully - I wish all hotels were the same! We had sent our requirements ahead and they were met or exceeded. The staff were friendly and although this is an older hotel with perhaps not the same facilities as a mdoern one you look past that at the excellent and efficient service.

Attended a wedding here - had a great time. The staff, food, drinks, surroundings - all amazing. great place for a wedding. Great garden for bride&groom to get photos. Afternoon tea that was served was delighful. Would think about a stay here for a weekend break.

welcoming staff, very comfy bed and a great breakfast, we chose the smoked haddock and poached egg which was well presented and nicely cooked. Quiet room the only fault I found was that the bedside lights were operated by one switch so it was either lights on or off for both of you.

Wonderful hotel, the staff are amazing and nothing is too much trouble for them. We have stayed here a few times now and I'm always impressed with their willingness to help. The food is fantastic too. Plenty of parking and great location.

My wife and I stayed at the hotel for two nights as part of my birthday treat. The hotel is situated very conveniently for access to Pickering town centre, various local attractions such as the castle, the parish church and the North York Moors Railway. There are also some very attractive villages within easy reach and the North Yorkshire coast is only a short drive away. The hotel is housed in lovely 18th century mansion and has direct access to a beautiful garden. The various modern extensions have been built in such a way as to be very sympathetic to the original building and its architecture. Our room was located in one of two former cottages on the site and comprised of an adequately spacious bedroom which was clean and cosy. It was equipped with modern facilities and the shower over the bath had an excellent water pressure. I thought that the busy road outside would present a noise problem but the room was so well insulated that we were never disturbed by the traffic. It all disappears in the evening anyway. We only ate breakfasts at the hotel but everything was beautifully served with fresh linen tablecloths and a lovely view of the garden and the huge sweet chestnut tree which must be centuries old. The staff were very friendly and obliging, they shared local knowledge with us and showed a genuine interest in making our stay both welcoming and enjoyable.

This Hotel is run by dedicated staff who love what they do. All went out of their way to make our stay perfect, the room was lovely, spotless. The food was amazing,breakfast, so much choice and set out beautifully lots of fruit, and a great cooked meal. A special mention to Ben, Allun, Carol.Thanks Ben for the wife's Pimms!

Stayed in room 4 from 22nd to 24th August. Booked using booking.com. Room was huge and beautifully decorated. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. Special mention to restaurant and beef and veg pie. Amazing tasty filling and so nice to have handmade chips. All in all couldn't fault stay.

We stayed Friday 17th to Sunday 19th August. Room 2 was at the back overlooking the garden with an extremely comfortable four poster bed in a huge room . There were plenty of cupboards and drawers for our belongings. There twas a sofa and two comfortable chairs for us to choose from too. Tea, coffee and biscuits were available and replenished each day. The en suite also had plenty of space; there were a few steps down to it but no problems as there was a handrail.There was a shower in the bath with an adjustable shower head to accommodate varying heights. If you are unsteady on your feet a shower mat may be a useful thing to take, we forgot ours but I felt safe enough. What can we say about the all staff at this hotel- the reception staff were very friendly and helpful, as was the man who showed us to our room and offered to help with our luggage. The two staff in the bar and brasserie were both very friendly and served everyone very efficiently even though the room was quite full for some of the time we never felt rushed at all. I was able to pick and choose what I wanted to eat as I am on a low fat diet. The staff at breakfast were also very friendly as were the cleaning staff who we saw round the hotel. All the staff are a credit to the hotel management. We hope to visit again next year, thanks to all for a lovely stay.

This is by far the best hotel that we have ever stayed at, the staff are ultra friendly and very efficient. Our room was very comfy with plenty of space and cupboards to put clothes away. Every request was met with smiles and dealt with efficiently. My first breakfast was scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on toast and it was very nice indeed, my second was a full Yorkshire breakfast and apart from the hash brown being a bit fatty for liking it too was very good. I believe that this is a three star rated hotel but in our opinion the staff made it six stars. Special mention for Alan the barman/porter/comedian and wi-fi setter.

We were in Pickering with a very close friend for a couple of nights. Sadly, we didn't stay at this hotel and having enjoyed a fabulous dinner here wish we had!!! We had an awful meal at the place we were staying the night before and vowed we would not eat there the next night. A lovely lady at the Basil & Tobe In town recommended the Forest & Vale saying she had always had a really good meal there. I rang ahead and booked a table the receptionist Suzanne was delightful and she made me feel that they welcomed our custom and were looking forward to seeing us. On arrival we really felt the welcome. The bar staff were delightful and Ben who took our food order could not have been more friendly, the other young man who brought our drinks was equally charming and nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff. There was a very varied menu which was fantastic, we were allowed to linger over our drinks and even take our time back in the lounge with coffee. All in all it was,a lovely dining experience which I would heartily recommend! The ambience, service and attention to detail was something I have not experienced for a long time and it made a very resfreshing change. If you live in Pickering or are visiting you really need to visit as you will enjoy a truly relaxing place with good food and fabulously friendly, professional service, something that is very hard to find nowadays.

We stayed overnight on Friday 3rd August. The receptionist was friendly enough and showed us to our room but never mentioned small details like times for breakfast. The room was absolutely average. Bathroom could do with refurbishing and a good clean round the washbasin taps and plughole. On a positive note, the shower was powerful and refreshing. Breakfast was lovely, fresh and hot. Overall..overpriced, undercleaned and ordinary. Won't be returning.

Stayed here for 3 nights. Very comfortable hotel.Very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent breakfast. Pleasant gardens and good beer in the bar. Felt very comfortable.Good parking at the hotel.Overall a really good experience.

We have just spent 3 relaxing days at this hotel. From the minute you enter and are met with some very happy and smiling receptionists the whole atmosphere is spread through out the staff. We stayed in an executive room number 9 which was quite large and well appointed bathroom. We found the free WiFi very good and easily accessed. The waiting staff couldn't do enough for you and nothing was to much trouble . We had a full English breakfast which was cooked fresh and dinner again excellent quality and choice. There is plenty of parking and the hotel is very well situated on the edge of a roundabout. This is one place I would recommend to try.

Recently stayed here as we had a concert in Scarborough. This is such a gem of a hotel, great location for explorong Pickering and surrounding areas. Friendly staff, beautiful hotel and gardens. And a great yorkshire breakfast in the morning. Will definatley be back to stay again :)

We stayed here for three nights, and what a pleasure it was. The hotel is situated at the side of a roundabout in Pickering and has its own car park to the side. We had no problems parking throughout our stay. Had a Superior Double room which was a large room on the first floor overlooking the garden so was quite quiet. The room had two armchairs which was a bonus as it meant that that one of us did not have to sit on the bed. We did have a problem with our bed, but this was sorted out straight away with the minimum of fuss. The bar/restaurant, is small and cosy. The area by the bar itself had tables and chairs, and the area farthest from the bar had armchairs and a sofa, which was very comfortable. We ate each night in the hotel and food was delicious. Although there are several places within the town that did food. The staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and approachable, and Tom, Rebecca, Ben and Susanne help make our stay as enjoyable as it was. We will be back and will be recommending this hotel to our friends.

Easy to find with plenty of free parking. Checking in was very friendly and efficient. The room (one of the cottage rooms) was a bit smaller than expected and had no drawer space for clothes but as we were only there for a short stay it was not a problem as such. Breakfast was very good as was the evening meal.

We had a function here for over 70 work colleagues. The whole event was excellent. The service in the bar was good though the prices of the same drink did seem to vary! The meal we had was hot, tasty and plentiful and the staff were very efficent and friendly. Overall a very enjoyable evening for all concerned.

We received a very warm welcome on arrival. Check-in was quick and efficient. Our bags were taken to our room by Tom. He explained very professionally what the various facilities of the hotel were, including how to access the complimentary WiFi. The room facilities were also well explained and dining options were mentioned. We ate dinner on our two nights stay in the hotel's restaurant and meal quality, quantity and taste was of the highest level of excellence. Breakfasts were also excellent. Location of this well run hotel is ideal for taking the heritage steam railway excursion towards Whitby. A very short seven to ten minutes walk away through the lovely town of Pickering. A good sized car park is located next to the hotel. All in all a gem of a hotel in a lovely Yorkshire town with genuine caring staff members....

Beautifully presented hotel, like a manor house, located 5 mins walk from the centre of Pickering. Plentiful free car parking at the rear of the hotel. Staff were eager to please – lovely, friendly and helpful. We paid extra for a superior room – Room 14. It featured modern décor, a king sized bed, spacious modern, well equipped bathroom with bath and shower and overlooked the gorgeous, well- tended gardens. Tea/coffee and biscuits were replenished every day and the housekeeper did a fabulous job keeping the room clean. Breakfast was in a beautiful downstairs dining room with stunning views of the gardens. It was so relaxing watching the birds flying in and out of the various plants outside the window. You could help yourself to juices, cereal, etc and choose your breakfast (such as full English) from the menu. The food was delicious and it was very well organised. We would definately return if we were in the area again.

We had booked a standard room on a room only basis, but we were upgraded to a superior room - a lovely surprise! (Room 3 was at the front of the hotel overlooking the roundabout, but there was no noise disruption; the shower pressure was very poor though, so this could do with fixing - the temperature was lovely though) The hotel location is perfect for exploring the local area, especially the railway. The parking was great and easy to access. Ben in the bar was great, and really helpful with the menu and stuff to do in the area - he really knows his food! We'll definitely be back in the future.

We have been coming to Pickering for many years, and always stayed with family, but on this occasion, which was for a family wedding we stayed here for an extended long week-end. This is very comfortable, and all of the staff are lovely. Superb room, lovely food, relaxing and very stylish. We will look forward to being able to stay here again.

Stayed here for four nights 25 June onwards. Very pleasant hotel set in the centre of Pickering. Well placed for the North York Moors Railway, a must, Pickering Castle and further afield, Castle Howard and the glorious North Yorkshire Moors. Upgraded to a spacious Superior Room overlooking the garden. The staff were excellent as was the food. One real ale in the bar which always adds another star. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would not hesitate to recommend.

Stayed here for convenience as it's close to the North Yorks Railway. Turned out to be an excellent choice. The superior room was lovely, the staff helpful and pleasant and the food in the brasserie was top restaurant quality. I will be looking for an excuse to return.

Great hotel staff friendly nothing too much trouble. Our room was very small on the road a bit of traffic noise at times but spotless a few too many freebies. We ate in the restaurant the three nights we were there very good. Great location for the North York Moors Railway enjoyed it very much although it rained. Would we stay here again and recommend it to others yes.

Stayed in Superior room one for two nights. The room was well appointed with a large bathroom with shower. The view from the room looks over the well established garden with a 300 year old tree as centrepiece. The staff were excellent especially Ben who made us so welcome and made our stay special. The evening meal was reasonably priced with sufficient portions.

I went for a meal here as part of the Rotary Presidents party. The food was excellent(I have had many previous good meals here), and served efficiently. A couple of our party had specific dietary requirements, which had previously been communicated to the hotel. This were all passed on to the serving staff from the kitchen, with no issues. Such a rarity in many places these days. The service from the staff was very good, and efficient, and they could not do enough for you.

Ideally situated for North Yorkshire Moors and the coast. Very pleasant stay with friendly staff. Plenty of creaky floorboards to the corridors. Plenty of parking. Breakfast very good. Booked room automatically changed by hotel to a ground floor following a cancellation which I found admirable.

Ate here last night again on our way back to Whitby. The food was absolutely wonderful. Hot, tasty and plentiful. Staff friendly and attentive. Love the relaxed and quiet surroundings. Would definitely recommend.

The staff were all very friendly and helpful at all times. Our cases were taken to our room for us.Generally the decor of the hotel was very impressive and full of character. We stayed here for one night.Our ensuite room was very spacious and had a pleasant view overlooking the garden. We also enjoyed our evening dinner in the brasserie where there was plenty of ambience. although the hotel is situated on the corner a busy junction, we were not affected by traffic noise. The bathroom was also spacious and had the benefit of a both with a shower over it. Unfortunately the shower head broke before we could use it but as were reported this, no doubt this will be repaired soon. The breakfast was also very good except the scrambled egg was too solid and rubbery for our liking. But generally we greatly enjoyed our stay and would come here again.

The Brasserie has beautiful food with superior technique. Not only that but the staff are incredibly friendly staff. I would definitely recommend this. Just slightly pricey. But overall was a brilliant place.

I booked 4 rooms for my mum's 80th birthday. i contacted the hotel numerous times before my visit and they were always very helpful. we all arrived separately and they greeted us all with the utmost friendliness. our room was the family room, the 4 poster bed was a lovely surprise and the bathroom was a great size. my mum's birthday was on the Sunday and was Rod Stewart themed. we had asked if they could play Rod Stewart on the morning which they did. they (Carol on reception) even managed to play Happy Birthday when she walked into breakfast. She was lovely, we all liked her. Alun and Tom on the mealtimes couldn't do enough for us, they were polite, friendly and professional at all times. Massive thanks to everyone involved in the weekend, in particular the ones mentioned. We all really enjoyed the weekend and would thoroughly recommend this hotel as one of the best ones I've ever stayed in

Stayed for two nights and really enjoyed it. We had requested a room with a walk in shower and we had a phone call prior to our stay to organise this as the only one they had was a twin room. The room was very comfortable with tea/coffee making facilities and toiletries in the shower room. Lovely big white towels. Breakfast was good although only half a slice of black pudding on the second morning!! Our waitress was very pleasant. All the staff we came into contact with were very friendly and welcoming. Great location for the town centre and the NYMR.

We have just had a very enjoyable stay at this hotel. Everything was perfect - room, comfort, food, location and all the staff who ensure the stay at the hotel is most enjoyable and perfect. The hotel is in a brilliant central location in Pickering, allowing access on foot to the castle, railway station, shops and bars. Ground floor bedrooms are available for easy access where required. The hotel is highly recommended and we look to returning very soon

After reading some of the negative comments on here, we were a little apprehensive as we had been moved from another hotel which we booked in October but in April was now over booked due to a wedding party! The Forest and Vale staff were welcoming, very polite and helpful with nothing too much trouble. The room, which was on the ground floor facing the main road, was spotless, was quite, had coffee making facilities with biscuits and free bottles of water. Breakfasts were excellent, filling and hot with plenty of coffee. We did have an evening meal which again was excellent and the barman who served us was very helpful in giving his comments on the choices before we ordered. Altogether an excellent stay and we will be returning and all I can say about the negative comments is a question to those people "Did you really stay at this hotel?"

My wife and I visited here for lunch on Monday 09/04/2018 eating in the bar. We were warmly welcomed by a lady and shown to the area we could eat in. My wife had fish, chips and mushy peas, and I had beef pie, chips and peas. The puff pastry on the top of my pie was rock hard and some of the beef was a little tough. However it was very tasty and quite enjoyable. The batter on the fish was very dark but my wife said it was fine although there were areas were the batter wasn't quite cooked properly and some of the batter was rock hard. The service was good and the bar area very pleasant to eat in. However when we have eaten here previously the food was much better and there was a lot more choice. They did have a large party eating in the hotel whilst we were there but that shouldn't make any difference but I suspect that our food preparation was rushed to get it out of the way before they had to serve the large party.

We had a lovely stay here over Easter weekend. I had emailed to say that we would be arriving in Pickering slightly early, and our room was waiting for us upon arrival. We received a warm welcome, and the staff could not have been more courteous or polite. We were shown to our room by a very helpful young gentleman, who took our luggage, and answered any questions we had. We had requested a quiet room, and we were very pleased with the location. The hotel itself is quite beautiful, with lovely grounds, and is very conveniently situated. The room was spotlessly clean, and very well appointed (though the TV didn't work unfortunately). We are both vegan, and not wishing to cause any further fuss, had made other restaurant bookings already. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the restaurant menu at the hotel, and will try to dine here if we stay here again. Apart from the weather, which was rather grim, we had a lovely stay.

We have been staying at the F & V at least once a year, sometimes twice and a couple of times on 3 occasions since 1996.It is now on its 3rd owner during this time and the once thing you get is a consistently good hotel. I have run out on superlatives for this place. Suffice it to say it is a clean, comfy hotel with efficient and attentive staff, superb food, good choice of wines and beers, nothing is too much trouble for the staff to make your stay more enjoyable. Don't miss it.

If you are thinking of booking a superior room don't bother. We have stayed in other hotels at a more competitive price and got much more value for money. At £170 per night b & b it's simply not worth it. I expected at least bath robes and slippers and a fridge - ermmm no. The room may have a little more floor space but that's all. Complimentary water on your first night, £2 thereafter. This may be the best hotel in Pickering but boy do they milk it. The staff were exemplary. Ate in the restaurant on the first night and it was very good. If you are a smoker (I know, It's bad for you!) there is no sheltered area so you have to stand in the wind, rain, snow to fulfil your habit!

Having been given tickets for dinner on the North Yorkshire Railway as a Christmas gift I felt that it would make for a very nice treat to spend the night in a little luxury of a great hotel. I wish!!! Having researched the web for the best hotel in Pickering, up pops the Forest & Vale. Having been in Best Western hotels in Broadway, Ripley and having had our daughters wedding reception at Whiteley Hall where we booked 16 very nice clean rooms for some members of the family and European friends, I booked a Superior Room. The first room we were offered was unsuitable. The room was mediocre and was not that clean but worst of all there were approx 4 or 5 very steep steps to access the bathroom. On booking we had requested a downstairs garden room. This room was on the first floor. We were then offered a second room which was not only drab and didn't look very clean but had a shower over the bath - which was not worth the £150 we had paid for room only and not conducive to someone with h knee problems. I looked at the room without my husband and when I told the Receptionist I would consult him, I was asked if there was a problem. When I told her I thought the room was substandard, she looked at me in awe and stated that this was the most sort after room. We were then offered the Bridal suite which was ok but again I certainly wouldn't have paid the £190 charged for the room and would have been upset and very disappointed if I spent my wedding night there. We felt that we had no choice at this point. The room had obviously not been cleaned recently - there was a thick layer of dust on the radiator in the bathroom, the floor tiles creaked and moved in both rooms when you walked on them, the room was overpoweringly hot and the bedding so heavy that it was impossible to sleep. Although the rooms are advertised as having little perks, ie toiletries- there wasn't a tissue in site and none of them had been fragranced. When we booked breakfast was supposed to be included but we were told that we were not eligible. We decided against it and went elsewhere. From the other reviews it seems like we made the right decision. Would we go there again or recommend it - definitely not. This is certainly the worst best western hotel we have ever been in- no wonder there was nobody around and it seemed empty with nobody in the lounge or the bar on a Saturday evening and only one other couple eating at lunchtime. The beer pipes also needed cleaning out as the beer was off and the only thing the bar had going for it was that the barman knew what I wanted when I asked for a Kir Royal!!! In all a total waste of money.

My company had its Christmas party at the hotel. The food and service was good, and they even catered for vegetarians, which suited us well. We also stayed the night and had a good ol' English breakfast the next morning. Our room was nice and cosy, and overall it was a very well enjoyed stay.

We have stayed in many hotels in USA, Europe and Sri Lanka, and the Forest and Vale is one of the best that we have stayed in. On arrival we were pleasantly greeted by the receptionist, shown to our room, and invited to have complimentary tea/coffee in the lounge when we had settled in. Our room (no 3) was large with 2 arm chairs to relax and view the TV, single beds, refreshment tray, complimentary water bottle, and a large bathroom with dispensers for soap and body lotion, but there was also a bar of soap and other complimentary toiletry items. The bed was one of the most comfortable in any hotel that I have slept in. We had dinner in the hotel and were impressed with the food and the service. I am unable to eat potatoes and vegetables were provided as an alternative. I had the beef casserole and my hubby had the pork steaks. All the meat was very tender. If you want a dessert the amaretto ice cream is a good choice. Husband wanted cheese board, and at the start of the meal asked if it could be served at room temperature – it wasn't a problem and was served as he requested. Breakfast was another enjoyable experience. Buffet style for cereal, fruit and yoghurt, but orders were taken for hot food. There was plenty of choice on the menu. There is a large car park at the side of the hotel. WIFI is available throughout the hotel I wish all hotels had the same customer service and quality as this hotel. I am unable to find any fault at all, and when we are in Pickering again, we would have no hesitation in booking once again.

Decided to visit new Sunday lunch venues,booked in advance, good reception and service,traditional menu,chose Yorkshire pudding with a rich gravy,followed by chicken. Once again second "oldie"requested a small main portion and was accommodated. Very good start to to new year, full marks for ease of parking, and customer comfort.

Went to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Christmas Event. We were seated with our 6 friends and 2 more couples who were very chatty and friendly. The tables were beautifully set with candles, crackers and masks. The food was served quickly and politely. The food was very nice. After the meal there was a disco which we enjoyed and didn't leave until the end of the evening which is unusual for us. All in all a great night.

We had New Year's Eve dinner here, staff were wonderful and food was so tasty. The dessert was the best. Bar staff were very lovely. Great atmosphere and would definitely go back. Very centrally located as well.

We visited this hotel with family and friends for a New Year treat. We arrived at lunch time on the Saturday and enquired about parking in the hotels car park whilst we walked into Pickering. The reception staff made us feel very welcome and allowed us to access our rooms earlier than the advertised check in time which was appreciated. There was a minor problem with our room that was soon rectified. We had a lovely New Years Eve meal at a very reasonable price and breakfast on the Sunday and Monday morning. The food and service we received was excellant. We assumed that the hotel would have some form of entertainment on for New Years Eve so that was a disapointment . It did feel a bit flat after the meal but it does not stop me from saying we had an excellant time and would return again. We are well travelled and have stayed in Hotels all over the world. The Best Western at Pickering is a charming, traditional country hotel and long may it continue.

Great hotel with a lovely atmosphere. Staff were very welcoming and friendly , lovely food served in restaraunt at a good price. Would definitely recommend this hotel if you get the chance to stay in the lovely town of Pickering.

We called for lunch on way home from night away and were extremely impressed with young man who served our drinks and excellent lunch. He was very friendly and informative a credit to the hotel. The last time we were at this hotel was nearly forty years ago it won't be that long before we return.

We were warmly greeted on arrival at the hotel.Everyone was very friendly and helpful.The room was large and had a very comfortable bed.All toiletries were provided as well as tea and coffee biscuits and water. Food in the restaurant was very well made and tasty. We will highly recommend this hotel and hope to go back in a year or so.

On arrival I was very surprised. With Best Western logo the standard was well above what I expected. Staff were all brilliant and clearly enjoyed their jobs an interacting with people. The dinners & breakfasts were perfect. Better than some expensive hotels that I have stayed. The room was huge offering a sitting room also it faced West and with the English winter fast approaching was perfect. More than ample parking is offered free. Stay here you will not be disappointed.

This hotel offer a very bad service ,the personal is not professional and do not help to the client at all,you must be carefull,the rooms are very small and smell very bad as well I recomend to choose another hotel in the ares because this best wesrtern is the worst

Hotel is about 5 minutes walk from the centre of Pickering with lots of parking in the hotel grounds. Rooms were reasonably small (may have got a little claustrophobic if staying there for more than a couple of nights) but clean and with all the basics covered (lovely warm shower). Receptionists were also very friendly and welcoming.

Booked the Best Western Forest & Vale hotel for three nights for my mum and dad. Spoke to Lisa M. before I booked to confirm some specific requirements for my parents, booked the holiday via the BW website and phoned Lisa back who confirmed the booking as requested. My mum and dad had a great time, the standard ground floor room was more than adequate, it was clean, warm and well furnished, the housekeeping was of a high standard. The breakfast was excellent, a great selection of high quality food and one of the best they have experienced anywhere. My Dad had health issues on the checkout day and was unable to drive, my parents didn't make breakfast either. Lisa M. was very helpful and understanding she arranged for them to keep the room past the checkout time and when they were able to come out of the room she got Tom to get them some tea and toast. Many thanks to Lisa M. and Tom. Me and my brother arrived mid-afternoon after an hour a quarters drive, we all got home ok. Thanks again to Lisa M., Tom and all the team at Best Western, my parents will definitely return to the hotel.

Have just stayed at this hotel for my 70th birthday, staff so friendly, superior room 1st class, could not have asked for a better birthday. Food brilliant, my special birthday cake such a surprise, an extra thank you to Lisa, Tom and Ben. Would definitely stay again.

Loved everything about this Hotel, fantastic and friendly staff, free parking, food was excellent good choices both at breakfast and at the evening meal. Rooms had everything you could want, nice garden which must be wonderful in summer.

My wife and I stayed at this hotel for a weekend as part of a large car club group and comment as follows; The location is right in the centre of Pickering on a roundabout, but we heard very little if any noise. So,.... easy to have a walk around the town. The car park is large with plenty of space. I gather there is CCTV coverage. But many of our old cars had soft tops and were quite vulnerable, but we were quite OK. None of us were unduly concerned. The town appeared to be fairly quiet'ish anyway. Upon walking into the hotel we were met by Jacquie and Jane on Reception who were welcoming and took our bag to storage as we too early to check in. We stayed in a Superior Room (Room 14) that was well appointed. Two armchairs, a nice bathroom and a very comfortable bed. Plenty large enough. My wife who can be quite critical stated that "she felt the room had many nice features". This room overlooks the garden.The room was modern, especially the bathroom. A generalisation about the staff. Really good. Starting with the ladies on Reception as above. The restaurant staff were well organised and the meals came out exactly as they should. The chef really requires a pat on the back. About the food: Superb!! We were spoilt at this hotel. The bar area; a nice part of the hotel as it has a proper bar with Black Sheep ale and adequate lounging area. Plenty of choice for the ladies. There is a nice garden to stroll about in with seating In summary, a really nice country town hotel. Our Club Members thoroughly enjoyed their weekend. If I had to make a slightly adverse comment, and it is a comment not a complaint, it would be that the heating could come on just a little sooner for the time of year. But I never heard a single complaint from some thirty guests.

Just back from our third stay here, as before we had an enjoyable stay, but a few points I think I need to make. We stayed in room 2 which is a large, comfortable room which overlooks the garden, however, the room beginning to look tired and in need of redecorating and the carpet very worn in places. The bedroom was clean and warm but the bathroom badly in need of a good dusting. I ran my finger along the dado rail one morning and it produced quite a roll of dust and fluff. As room 2 is a superior room I feel a bit more attention to detail is needed for the price. Now on to the positives, the staff were attentive, friendly and sorted out two minor problems promptly and efficiently. The breakfasts were good and plenty of choice and we enjoyed our evening meals too. We would stay here again but would hope that the above comments have been taken on board. I realise hotels don't like closing rooms for decorating/maintenance because of loss of revenue but there comes a time when it becomes necessary to maintain standards.

Super welcome when we arrived and so helpful with carrying our suitcase up the stairs to our lovely light and airy room. Bed was so comfy and everywhere was spotlessly clean. Staff were amazing, just so friendly and helpful. Breakfast was delicious and plenty of it. The meals were so tasty in the evening and staff very friendly. We had a super stay here and will go back again. It is so centrel to so many venues, the little town of Pickering was lovely to walk around.

We spent 4 nights at the Best Western Hotel in Pickering, England named the Forest & Vale Hotel. It was a great place to stay with our friends from the UK - well centered and convenient to the town of Pickering and to other places close by including the train to Whitby, England. And I must mention the receptionist Lisa - She was absolutely amazing and a great help for our stay & extremely happy and pleasant. She was completely a true vision of what a receptionist should be. Also to the bartenders/waiters etc.: Alun, Ben and Tom - three outstanding people who worked the bar and also served meals in the bar area, the breakfast area and other places. They were helpful, very friendly, and made our stay very pleasant. A super place to stay with very superb individuals working there. I am sure I have left some names out, but I and my wife would go back to visit Pickering and stay at this Best Western Hotel in a heartbeat.

Mixture of friendly, efficient staff; spacious, comfortable room; good breakfast and dinner; great location for visiting Pickering town or further afield; and convenient parking - what's not to like !

Not sure what the protocol is here, as I've stayed at the Forest and Vale a few times since my last review and thought it might be repetitive to keep saying how good it is. But a recent negative review prompted me to offer my own view, again. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, but that review does seem at odds with the majority of views, and certainly with my own experience. I stayed here last week, for one night on business. The room, as ever, was comfortable, clean and quiet. The staff were, as ever, helpful and friendly. I didn't eat here in the evening but the breakfast was, as ever, very good and the breakfast waiting staff lovely. I have rarely found a hotel staff so helpful, rooms so comfortable or a hotel so well located. I have stayed here on numerous occasions and have been pleased every time. In my opinion, highly recommended.

Booked for a 3night stay for a special occasion. Arrived at 12-30 . As we entered the reception area a very strong smell of stale oil/ fat greeted us. Got checked in a very pleasant young man showed us to our room it was large cold and tired a superior room! Returned to reception to ask when the heating would be on about 2 pm receptionist pleasant and helpful. Unpacked & off to Pickering forest. Back at 5 to a cold room heating on but the radiators needed bleeding barely Luke warm. Down to reception to ask if someone could bleed the radiators the staff very pleasant but no help! They did provide a radiator key so I showed a very pleasant Ben how to do it. Sat down with well earned glass of wine to watch early news,then the noise started extractor fans for the kitchen.We decided not to eat in the hotel due to the smell,hindsight we should have left but had 2 events booked & payed for , out for dinner back to room Sweltering! Tried to open windows one screwed shut sash cord broken and they had just been painted did eventually get them open It would appear the thermostatic radiator valves were not working properly the fans stopped about 10pm. Off to bed disturbed sleep due to road noise fans start again at 6.45am.Down to breakfast great!!! Staff great!!! Out for the day, back at 7pm decided not to eat at the hotel due to a function taking place we wanted a more intimate venue for our special day. So to bed disturbed again road and fans.breakfast again great!!! Out for the day back at 4.30 no heat rang down was told they would check the boiler,the heat came on,we sat on a badly stained uncomfortable sofa, out for dinner again back to a noisy room, got up to make a hot chocalate to find the cups had not been cleaned from the night before,up for a shower stood on pills that did not belong to us! Hoovering?sprang to mind! And so bed disturbed,breakfast great!!!! Staff great!!!! To reception to settle bill the receptionist asked was everything alright with your stay,my wife replied out of 10 maybe 4 I thought that rather high,we gave her a brief preci,she was very appollajetic asked us to wait while she spoke to the owner Jackie as she would be mortifed.Our room rate of £160 a night was adjusted downward.Position of hotel great staff great Best Western again never. ,

Great friendly service, good location and amenities. A must if visiting the area. Breakfast was great and good food on offer for lunchtime and evening dining. Will certainly visit again very soon a gem of a hotel.

We spent 3 comfortable nights at this friendly hotel. The reception staff & waiting staff were all very helpful with local knowledge & information. It is a great base to explore the Yorkshire Moors & Dales. The buffet breakfast was very extensive, plenty of choice for even the fussiest of eaters. There is a well kept garden at the back which we would have explored more if the weather had been warmer. We had room 15 on the ground floor & our friends were in 16 next door.

Stayed here for a week last year, had such a nice time that we re-booked for this week. Had room 1, a superior room overlooking the garden. The only issue was that the window is too stiff to open or close, but the staff performed the action when asked. Other than that, everything was excellent. The large bed is extremely comfortable. I like the bed much cooler than my wife and everything we requested (sheet, blanket & single duvet) was supplied straight-away. The bottled water, tea, coffee & biscuits are replaced each day and the heating is very effective. The room, clothing storage cupboard and bathroom are all large, the room even has two very comfortable armchairs- great for watching TV or enjoying the view of the garden with a cup of coffee & biscuit after a day's walking. The restaurant is very nice, the service excellent & very friendly and the food outstanding - so much so that we decided to eat in for 6 of our 7 nights stay. A good range of breakfast choices is offered, the food quality equalling any we have experienced. We will definitely be back and if you are looking for a relaxing, friendly hotel with excellent service and a restaurant to match, look no further than this three star establishment which performs way above that rating.

Attended a nearby wedding which started at 1:30 - check in time was stated as 2pm but an email quickly enabled us to be able to check in earlier. Many thanks for that Carol! Rooms were very good. Breakfast was great and made even more so by the waitress (Polish? with a red streak in her hair) who was brilliant. Thanks you all, great staff and a nice hotel - recommended.

We stayed here as a group of 7 cyclist whilst cycling across the country. We had a superior room which 3 of us shared and it was very comfy even the sofa bed was comfortable. The room was large enough for the 3 of us and the welcome and service that followed was great. Breakfast was served to order and the full english was just what we needed for the day ahead.

Stayed two nights in this Best Western. Lovely, friendly staff. Room was ok but seems to be in need of the general updating that all Best Western hotels I've stayed at seem to need. Felt very clean though and the internet was fast and free. Great water pressure in the shower. Good location - 5 minutes or less walking to the train station. We thought breakfast was overpriced and went to a nearby cafe (of which there are 3/4). Overall good stay and probably stay again if we were in the area.

This hotel is really nice. Although it on a busy junction we have not been bothered by traffic noise. The staff are really friendly and hard working. The hotel seems to work with minimal staff but everything is run well. The food is excellent and I would recommend booking bed breakfast and evening meal.

In Pickering for a day , decided to have lunch in a quiet restuarant, very limited choice of vegetarian options , opted for a mushroom omelette .. I changed tables because the first one I sat at the top was very sticky the barman wiped it down telling me that it was the type of finish that made it sticky , he suggested I move to another table , it was marginally better, I waited quite a long time for my omelette , what a disappointment ! It smelt of fish and the salad trimming looked limp and old .

We had lunch here during our recent trip to Yorkshire. Food was excellent and staff where very polite. The hotel is very clean and well presented. We were made to feel most welcome even though we were in our scruffy travelling attire.

Stayed here for my wedding, to get ready there and the wedding night. they were amazing brought up breakfast, rang up every time someone came (photographer, mums, hair dresser etc) the bed was so comfy, the room was clean and tidy. Over all a fabulous stay.

We stayed for three nights recently and enjoyed our stay. No problem parking and the room and service just as good as always. The food is good with the best full English breakfast and generous helpings of all courses. Dinner and wine choices were particularly good. Look forward to our next stay there.

We had a wonderful stay and experience at this hotel. Great location to explore the cute little town as well as restaurants and sites. The staff was incredibly attentive and willing to help whenever asked. The gardens were gorgeous, well kept and showed passion from the gardener! The wedding was incredibly well run and service was 5*. Would gladly stay here again :)

Having booked a superior room we were a bit disappointed to be right on the main road. We checked the room first as we were concerned about the noise but with the slow moving traffic it seemed ok. There was a wedding on and we also asked about this but were told the 'disco' would be in the back and well away from us. The hotel was fully booked so not much choice either way. The hotel was in a good location to be close to a lot of nice restaurants and close to go ape where we had spent the day. When we returned from our meal the wedding was well underway and was certainly not far from our room which vibrated with the bass and made sleep very difficult! In the morning the doors and voices from other guests were louder than most hotels I've experienced and the traffic flowing faster now was enough to wake us up. Breakfast was cooked to order and was good but overall for the price I was very disappointed with the hotel. The staff were all very friendly but on reception the lady just agreed that the bass can be an issue with loud music and smiled away the issue. Guests should be warned when booking if weddings are on and the rooms directly affected by noise should be filled by the wedding guests to keep paying guests away from the noise. Wouldn't go back

The Forest and Vale is a total must visit location centres right in the middle of Pickering . There is ample parking , great food and plush surroundings with very attentive staff. We go on a regular basis and sit in a very relaxing environment sipping drinks, nibbling on food, treading the papers and watching the world rush by outside .. The bar staff , Ben in particular was so bad we stayed for several drinks as he looked after us so well. He's a tribute to the hotel.

Attended for a family wedding. The staff were brilliant and went out of their way to ensure that everything ran smoothly. A very enjoyable event in a lovely location. The bar staff were very friendly and the garden setting was perfect.

The hotel is ideally located to explore the North York Moors and coast. The staff were delightful; genuinely friendly and nothing too much trouble. The breakfasts and the evening meals were delicious and well presented. Thoroughly recommend this hotel.

Visiting friends for a wedding anniversary, this hotel provided an excellent base. It is a traditional but well kept hotel which affords comfortable accommodation, the staff are pleasant and helpful and food consumed was of a good quality and well cooked. We were very relaxed here and it was ideal for our purpose.

We wanted to tour the north York moor and found this the ideal hotel to have as a base. The staff were a pleasure to talk too and the atmosphere was very friendly and professional. We had good meals in the hotel, good accommodation and very much enjoyed our stay. I would happily recommend this hotel

A group of us stayed here last weekend, Great little country house Hotel, Great Food Dinner and Breakfast, Large choice, Nice rooms great beds, Friendly helpful staff Especially Jacqui, We will stay again in the future without any doubt. The Hotel Has ample parking and is situated in the heart of the town, Ideal for shops, Bars and restaurant.

This is a Fabulous Hotel, our room was lovely and clean, The breakfast is very good. The staff are very helpful and friendly, we had a lovely stay and would highly recommend the hotel to anybody staying in this beautiful area of North Yorkshire.

Excellent hotel with period features and modern facilities. Staff couldn't have been more helpful yet discrete. Hotel will provide a perfect base for visiting the North York Moors or the East Coast resorts.

Stayed here for a few night while passing through. Lovely 'country hotel' style accommodation with friendly helpful staff. Located on the edge of Pickering town centre in convenient walking distance of shops, NYMR station, castle ruins etc. Would stay here again.

Arrived home today 6th July after staying here for 3 nights on a b & b basis. I would recommend to people thinking of doing this to book half board. The food was superb. I wanted to take the chef home but they wouldn't let me!!! The food and wine list are exceptional and well priced. All of the staff were very pleasant and nothing was too much trouble to any of them. They made you feel important from the minute you arrive till departure. The room was spotless as was the rest of the hotel. Would definitely stay again

Just had three nights stay at this hotel and found it to be excellent in every way. The staff were all so pleasant and helpful and the room was very comfortable with good quality beds and furnishings and excellent facilities. Very generous with refreshments in the room too. We will definitely return .

This is the fourth ot fith time we have stayed at this hotel. The room was clean and everything worked. Staff are helpful and friendly. Bar meals were very good. Cannot fault anything throughly recommended

I had reason to be in North Yorkshire for 2 weeks business during May and stayed at The Forest & Vale. I was given a room in the Garden annex which was large, airy and bright. The double room had good facilities with a desk and plenty of power points for laptops charging phones etc. The bathroom was great with an over bath waterfall shower, and was light with a large wall mirror. Food in the hotel was of a very good standard both at breakfast and during the evenings and staff were very accommodating. As the weather was so good it was very nice to be able to sit in the beautiful gardens after a long day at work! I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a good standard of accommodation in the area.

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights over the late May Bank Holiday. After being stuck in traffic for hours we arrived exhausted and just wanted a nice meal and an early night. The location of this hotel is right on a busy junction and very noisy. Luckily the room we were shown to by Tom, who is very helpful and polite was at the back overlooking the lovely garden so we were hopeful that it would be quiet. The room itself was very clean with a nice big bed and good toiletries. Negatives were the tiny TV, dated décor and the tea provided is horrible. There is a Co-Op just up the road! We were happy enough overall with the room. Upon looking out of the window we quickly realised that there was a wedding reception being held in the hotel. There was no mention of this on the website and having experienced this before would definitely have not stayed if we had known. I had booked a table for dinner in advance (again no mention of the wedding) and were looking forward to celebrating our wedding anniversary with a nice meal. When we went down for dinner we were told that dining was "bar/bistro" rather than in the restaurant. The bar was packed with wedding guests and was really noisy, not the experience we had signed up for. The food wasn't great. The chicken and leek pie was just a bowel of tarragon flavoured cream with no leek and after a bit of search 2 tiny pieces of chicken with a bit of pastry on top. The chips and peas were under cooked and basically I just left it. My husbands meal looked horrible but he said that the fish was OK. It came with 3 new potatoes so he ate my undercooked chips. We ordered desert but I abandoned mine due to the noisy surroundings and by now a band was playing. Rather than being able to enjoying a nice evening we ended up shut in our room with the window closed (it was boiling hot) waiting for the band to finish at midnight so we could get some sleep. Not the evening we hoped for at all. We did complain when we checked out and, to be fair they compensated us for the inconvenience but it spoiled our weekend. We were told that there would have been something on the website regarding the wedding which there most definitely wasn't and that dining was always in the bar and there was no restaurant. Website clearly states that there is an other reviews have spoken about dining in the restaurant. Overall it was not what we hoped for and is not special enough for special occasions. The location is good for exploring the area though so my advice to anyone who is considering it I suggest that you call them to check if there are any events being held and make sure you get a room at the back. Don't rely on the information online

What a lovely hotel. Such a shame that when I made an enquiry about booking an accessible room, the only one there is is on the second floor with no lift. What's the point? Surely a hotel chain of this size should consider people more who have mobility issues. Maybe the next time they refurb they should consult a disability expert for advice.

Just had a lovely 3 day break in Yorkshire staying at the Forest & Vale Hotel. Hotel proved to be excellent with good food, Sunday roast especially good, with lovely friendly staff. Our room was very clean with a very comfortable bed. Highly recommended.

Although we didn't stay at the Forest and Vale on this, our most recent visit to Pickering (we have in the past and it was great) we did eat there every evening. The meals were all wonderful - full of taste and beautifully cooked. I particularly like the vegetarian dishes. The chicken pie was delicious, too. Many thanks to Ben for finding a table for us each evening (even when they were busy and we hadn't booked) and for looking after us! We always feel very welcome at The Forest and Vale.The staff are so helpful.

When we arrived we received a warm welcome from the manager, we were shown to our room which was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. Sunday lunch in the restaurant was very nice, the selection for breakfast was very good and we would recommend the Yorkshire breakfast. All of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful especially Tom who was always on hand to help and nothing was too much trouble. This a lovely hotel to stay at while visiting North Yorkshire.

Just had a wonderful 2 day break in God's own country, we have stayed at the Forest and Vale many times and it remains our favourite hotel. The food is delicious, the accommodation excellent and the staff helpful and friendly. Do yourselves a favour, give them a visit, but not when we want to go as we don't want the hotel to be unable to set us up with a room.

This hotel is the best Hotel of small town of Pickering. Staff very courteous, friendly and helpful. food was good....you do not expect much for a vegetarian in UK. We had a amazing stay in Pickering....thanks to RAF and Best Western Forest & Vale Hotel. Hope, will come back again in near future.

Recently popped into the bar at this hotel when the Tour de Yorkshire passed by, from first entering the hotel we were greeted by very friendly staff. The bar staff were also very chatty and friendly. A big plus for the bar was the cost of a pint, very reasonable with a good selection of beers and the crisps were really good too. I can't comment on the hotel itself but from the first impressions this place looks very good.

Spent four nights at this hotel, the hotel was in a great position in pickering very clean and comfortable. The food was fantastic from breakfast through till dinner, plenty of parking but most of all the staff were amazing there's nothing they wouldn't do for you during our stay. With a special thanks to Ben, Allan and Jackie. Would recommend staying here if you are visiting the area for a holiday or business. Great hotel, top class staff.

Fab food, fab staff. We were well looked after, especially with a newly waking 1 year old! I had the salmon which was beautifully cooked and my partner had the gammon -which was the size of the plate! Was lovely, thanks guys :)

Stayed here for one night on bank holiday weekend .room in garden wing very nice staff outstanding evening meal excellent two very minor points about breakfast . no rolls or bread alternatives to toast out on buffet and sausages and hash browns disappointing in quality compared to other food offerings .doesn't stop me giving 5stars hoeever

Just got back from a night away at this hotel. It was very clean and tidy. Excellent attentive staff. Lovely bar area and exceptional breakfast. Well worth the money. We stayed in a double executive and it was lovely and spacious overlooking the main road but was really quiet during the night. Would definitely recommend and would not hesitate in staying again when we come back to this area. Well done Best Western.

We stayed for 2 nights B&B we treated ourselves to a superior room which was great value for money. The staff were friendly and helpful the room was beautifully clean. Breakfast was a choice of cereals etc. and cooked breakfast was to order not buffet style. The hotel is in the centre of Pickering and in easy walking distance of shops pubs cafes and restaurants. It is also about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the NYM railway station depending on your walking speed.

We spent 4 days here recently, whilst visiting the North York Moors. The hotel is located in the centre of Pickering, and has plenty of free parking on-site. Our room was spacious and extremely comfortable. An excellent breakfast was served, with a mix of cold food from the buffet and hot dishes cooked to order. We had a drink in the bar a couple of times, and ate dinner in the hotel brasserie on two nights. All the food we ordered was well cooked and delicious. Free Wi-fi with a strong signal is available throughout the hotel, and all the staff were very friendly and efficient. Would definitely recommend this hotel.

We have just had a great weekend at the Best Western Forest & Vale hotel. We were part of a larger group using the hotel for walking. The hotel is well appointed with clean and very well kept rooms, the staff were excellent, looking after us and being very attentive. The food was also good, hot and tasty not an easy task when you have 45 to dinner! Again the service during the meal and also at breakfast was excellent nothing was to much trouble. Well worth checking out this part of the world and particularly this hotel.

Stayed here for one night as we treated Granny and our daughter to a ride on the Royal Scot. This hotel is lovely and it's location perfect. It's cosy, lovely friendly staff and tasty food. It feels like a home from home but with people looking after you. Gardens are beautiful too and our 2 year loved running around them. She was made very welcome. We booked 2 executive rooms next door which were very comfortable, however my only critism and hence 4 star not 5 was that Granny had a much bigger room for her sole use yet my husband, daughter and I had a smaller room when we specifically requested a family sized room. This didn't spoil out stay though and we would definitely stay again.

Our weekend stay at the best western forest and vale hotel was good. From the moment we entered to check in to our departure each and ever staff member we met was so curteous, polite and engaging. The room was good and the food was very good. It it situated very near the shops in Pickering which is quaint. The only dissapointment was we came 1 week too early to ride of the steam train from Pickering!! Well done to all the staff Amanda

Stayed for 1 night. Really friendly welcome at reception (Suzanne and Ben), Comfortable room on ground floor overlooking a really nice garden. Hotel on quite a busy junction but wasn't bothered at all with traffic noise. Hotel had a bit of a strange layout and could have done with a nicer lounge area to relax in, but overall, decor and feel was nice. Had an evening meal in restaurant which was really good and great value. Waiter (Ben) was superb. Breakfast OK. Would definitely stay again.

Stayed here for a couple of nights. The rooms were of an adequate size and the bed was comfortable. The staff throughout the hotel were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was delicious and there was a good range of choices, plus unlimited tea and toast. Didn't eat here apart from breakfast but did had a couple of drinks at the bar, which were quite expensive. Good location for Pickering and exploring North Yorkshire.

My wife and I spent one night at the hotel to attend a wedding in Pickering. Booking in was easy and pleasant and our request for early occupancy of our room had been organised. The meals we had were tasty and well prepared, The bar offered an excellent range of local beers and wine. The Yorkshire breakfast is superb. All the staff were friendly, helpful and efficient. A thoroughly enjoyable stay.

My daughter and I stayed for 3 nights on a brief holiday in the area. We were made to feel very welcome by the staff, every one of whom went out of their way to be helpful. Good food, comfortable and clean rooms and public spaces.Very comfortable bed and terrific shower. I highly recommend it and it will be my choice if I return to North Yorkshire.

Lovely hotel with very attractive décor. Beds so very comfortable as we come to expect from Best Western hotels :) Staff very friendly and helpful. Hotel a short walk to the busy village streets of Pickering. Visit Beck Isle Museum for a great experience showing individual rooms displaying treasures of years gone by. All so beautifully done. Had a great stay but wish we could have stayed longer.

Stayed here 3 nights in a superior room with the summer offer. Loved it. Room was spacious as was the bathroom. Kettle in room and more than ample supply of teabags, coffee, hot chocolate and packets of biscuits. The food was superb. The Yorkshire breakfast was cooked to perfection and the fruit compote was delicious. The evening meals were superb too. We had 3 courses every night. The helpings are generous. They seem to have lots of regulars. The staff are super friendly. Our waiter who is Welsh is a real professional and the barman likewise. They are assets to the business.. Reception and household staff were always smiling. I look forward to coming back

Really friendly welcome after a long day, The Forest & Vale Hotel is an impressive building in the heart of Yorkshire countryside. There was a good selection for dinner, I had beetroot with goats cheese and walnut salad to start, followed by sea bass washed down with some local beer all was fantastic. From a business perspective rooms are spacious, normal facilities and have a desk, wifi is free and throughout the hotel allowing me to catch up with work. I loved my all too short stay but will be sure to visit with my wife.

We had a two night stay in this lovely hotel. The staff were all very courteous and welcoming and the breakfast was excellent. The room we had was one of their cottage rooms which although a little small was spotless and very comfortable. We met several other guests who were repeat users of this hotel in fact one couple had been using the hotel for around 40 years or more which say a lot in itself. We would not hesitate to stop here again.

Stayed in an executive room .....#7 which was far from executive standard. I am a Diamond for Life member of Best Western and have stayed in hundreds of their Hotels. This is by far the worst one I have used. It's well past it's sell by date. Our bathroom had mould on the grouting around the bath........dreadfull.

We stayed in room 4 this time, a superior room, overlooking the road. I do not sleep well and am a light sleeper but wasn't troubled by traffic noise, however, on our previous visit we stayed in room 2 which overlooks the garden and would choose the back of the hotel if available as the rooms overlook the garden. The staff were attentive,friendly and made you feel welcome which is always a bonus. Our room was clean and comfortable but I have to say could do with redecorating, the wallpaper was marked above the radiator and beginning to peel in places, also going into the bathroom something had, obviously, been removed from the wall and the holes had just been left. Breakfast, on the whole, was good, scrambled eggs on a couple of occasions were either overcooked or had been kept warm and orange juice was not what I would expect in a Best Western but I am being very picky here. We ate in the hotel on three evenings and enjoyed our meals although there were slight deviations from the menu when food was served but again nothing major. All in all we enjoyed our stay, pleasant hotel, good service and an ideal spot for visiting lots of places of interest nearby,North York moors railway on the doorstep, Whitby, Eden camp.I also recommend, if you are a history lover, a stroll up to Pickering castle, interesting and there are some great views from there.

Very nice hotel . Our room wasn't very well ventilated. We couldn't leave the window open as it was on to the street so it felt & smelled a bit damp. The room was very clean and clean towels daily. Think if we stayed again I would risk going up the stairs for a bigger airier room. :The breakfast was excellent and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay again and recommend. –

Visited here for one night in Sept as a couple staying in one of the Superior rooms. From the moment we walked in the staff were welcoming and delivered 1st class service. Room very spacious, clean and well maintained. We had breakfast here again with excellent service from the staff, lots of choice, good quality food. Highly recommended.

We have been visiting this splendid hotel for over thirty six years, either as staying guests or calling in for meals during visits to North Yorkshire. This last weekend we were travelling to Whitby to celebrate the 90th birthday of a family member. Although not staying at the hotel on this occasion we still managed to call in for a couple of meals and three very pleasant evenings. Although obviously changes have been made over the years,the hotel is warm, welcoming and dare one use the word "Classy". Much credit must go to the manager Carol who seems to have worked at the Forest and Vale for the same number of years we have been visiting. In the bar, Ben and the team are friendly, efficient and fun. All the bedrooms are very clean, expertly decorated...and quiet. SO...whether it's a stay, or a meal or simply a pleasant evening in delightful surroundings, The Forest and Vale is an hotel I greatly recommend.

We stayed for one night in one of the garden rooms. It was lovely - clean, extremely well equipped, and with a very good shower over the bath. The furniture was polished (it smelled great as we walked in) and not knocked about, as we often find. The staff were extremely helpful and provided a heater straight away for my elderly mother's room when I pointed out that she may be cold in the night (although the hotel wasn't cold). We had an excellent meal in the restaurant which wasn't overpriced. I had the vegetarian option of grape and Wensleydale tart which was absolutely delicious - (at last, a veggie meal which is imaginative and which doesn't contain goat's cheese!!!) It was a 'special' birthday treat for my Mom, and the hotel certainly helped make her weekend.

I have written this review after I returned home. I stayed at this hotel in late August for 7 nights as I wished to explore the area. Well I could not have found a better hotel although the hotel was part of a major chain of hotels it had the air of a family run hotel which was quite refreshing. All staff were pleasant, courteous and helpful at all times and could not be faulted. All guests from regulars to non regulars all received the same courteous treatment. I also ate there every night and the food was excellent one local lady eats her meals their every night and the staff would ensure she got the main courses and deserts she wanted. I had room overlooking the garden it was extremely peaceful and I slept extremely well every night I was their. It was also nice to be able to stroll around the large walled garden after meals as the weather was so lovely and warm when I was their. The only slight problem I had was the breakfast tables being tall I struggled to get my knees under the tables as they were quite low as a result I often knocked fruit juice or tea onto the table each time I tried to sit down. This hotel is good base to explore the North York Moors, Whitby, Scarborough and the North York Moors Railway. I would have no hesitation booking into this hotel again it was so lovely as well as being extremely clean and tidy.

This is a very relaxed but efficiently run family owned hotel. The staff go out of their way to give a good service. The restaurant / bar provides reasonably priced dining and was full every night we were there. The Executive room was a good size and quiet. The hotel is well placed to explore the North York Moors. We enjoyed our stay.

Comfortable, quiet, excellent food,and all the staff were helpful and efficient, plenty of parking. We thoroughly enjoyed our break.Good position for visiting Whitby,Scarborough, Goathland and the NYM railway.

Very good indeed. Stayed in a superior room with a view of the walled garden. Room was very spacious with high ceilings. Our daughter had a sofa bed in the room which she found very comfortable. The shower / bathroom was spacious with a few nice complimentary toiletries. Shower was a little lacking in power but serviceable. The building itself was lovely with loads of character. Plenty of car parking. There were garden rooms too, which looked tempting for next time. Staff very friendly and attentive.

Popped in for lunch with family Very friendly team with tasty food Nothing is too much trouble Very pleasant surroundings too - quiet and comfortable Highly recommended Worth booking In high season as gets very busy

Visited Pickering and stayed at the Forest & Vale Hotel as it is located right in the centre of Pickering with parking. Booking and check in were fine and our room was located through a small court yard in an annex. The room was a bit smaller then we expected and didn't have a view just the small area at the back of the hotel but it was clean and had a good size bathroom. We had a very comfortable stay.We had breakfast which was a little disappointing overall at times. However the staff were all very pleasant and had time for a chat as you were passing. It is an ideal base for exploring so somewhere we would return to in the future.

This hotel had garden rooms extension which were superb. However the rest of the original hotel was very dated, albeit ,very clean and well kept. The reception area needs a little TLC. The lovely receptionist is "tucked away" which is a shame!

We booked a superior room and were amazed when staff Ben took us to our room as it had the wow factor, it had a four poster bed with views overlooking the garden, the room was spotless and well maintained. After we had checked in we decided to have a drink in the bar there we met staff Ben again who couldn't do enough for us, he was interesting, informative, polite and we were made to feel really welcome and that was by all the staff. We also had a meal and the service and the food was amazing The Breakfast was also amazing. I hope many people see this review because the hotel and staff deserve all the recognition they receive.

Took Mum to Pickering for lunch with my sister and decided to try the Forest Vale as it was a lovely day and they have a garden. The lady at reception was very pleasant, explaining that we needed to order in the lounge before going into the garden. A young man came to serve us and was, again, very pleasant explaining that we would need to pay upon ordering if we wanted to eat in the garden. Shame to think that some people have disappeared without paying! The garden is well kept with lots of mature trees and shrubs. There were half a dozen large tables with umbrellas. My only comment here would be that it would have been nice to have seat cushions. We all sampled different things for lunch, I had a very pleasant cheese & home made chutney sandwich with french fries - all tasty and good. My sister had a plain chicken salad and my Mum a plain ham salad - all good. It was very quiet the day we went (Tuesday) and we had no problem getting a table in the garden. It was a very relaxing lunch and we will definitely go again when we want to eat outside.

This is just a small hotel but is hard to fault. It is conveniently located and has a large car park and well kept gardens. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the building is delightful. Some may think it a bit dated, but that is part of it's charm. We have stayed here twice and opted for room 8 on both occasions as it was comfortable with a large bathroom. It faced the main street but noise at night was not a problem. Breakfasts are good and the evening meal was very enjoyable. There was a good choice of dishes on the dinner menu and I was particularly impressed that the staff walked an elderly lady diner home. Apparently she eats in the restaurant regularly and they like to see she gets home safely. How is that for service?!

Very impressed with the hotel overall. Room ticked all the boxes and despite looking out onto the main road was not noisy. Customer service provided was perfect. Staff were attentive and carried out their roles as they should be and often are not. Evening meals were very good in every way. A very enjoyable stay.

we enjoyed a one night stay in this country hotel and everything about it was good. The staff were very friendly, the food good and the rooms comfortable. We would stay here again. The hotel is in a good position with a lovely garden to walk and relax in. The welcombe on arrival was very friendly and the lack of a lift was a slight drawback. The hotel although on a main road position was very quiet when we went to bed. The room was large and comfortable and had a nice view over the garden. We had all the facilities in our room that we needed and a large bathroom with a deep bath and a shower. We had a large tv and a huge comfortable four poster bed, which was very appealing after a longish drive through some glorious countryside to get to our destination. The evening meal was lovely served in a nice lounge. All the food was well served by the staff and the service was quick and efficient. The chef was very good and cooked our meal very well. All the food was fresh and tasty and good value. Both the evening meal and breakfast were large portions the bacon at breakfast was slightly overdone but it was still good and i was full for most of the day. i would definatly stay at this hotel again and if all best westerns hotels are of the same standard I would very happily stay with them again. I would reccomend this hotel highly everthing about it was good no complaints.

This hotel is in a great location, and is a beautiful old building but I think it needs a refresh. I don't have any issue with the facilities but the decor could do with a total upgrade. My stay was great, room spacious, breakfast was tasty and the staff were all very helpful. I would stay here again but not as a preference as the White Swan is much nicer. It would be my second choice in Pickering. Good location and plenty of parking.

We are a family of 5 and stayed here the weekend of 29th July 2016 to attend a wedding The room was absolutely lovely , it was clean tidy and had everything you would need . The staff were very friendly and food was very good. We Would definitely recommend a stay here.

Really nice traditional hotel. All the staff are really friendly and can't do enough for you. We arrived slightly earlier than the check in time and, as the rooms were ready, we were checked straight in there and then. One of the evenings we didn't want a full meal, but it wasn't a problem to pick off the lunch/light bite menu. Good selection for breakfast. We stayed in the superior rooms which were very clean and nicely appointed. Although the rooms overlooked the roundabout at the front of the hotel we didn't have a problem with any road noise during the night. Excellent large walled garden at the rear Overall an excellent hotel with VERY good staff - we will be returning & recommending to friends & family.

this hotel was on a main road roundabout and i thought here we go again no sleep how wrong was i we could not hear any traffic at all when we got there and checked in we were given a free upgrade to a superior room which was fantasic the gardens were big and quiet and well maintained breakfast was lovely staff could not do enough for us we only stayed one nght and it was brill

A group of 12 friends (all 60 plus) stayed at the hotel and were very pleased with what we experienced. The hotel is an older one but with very comfortable rooms. Most of the group dined in the hotel for two of the nights and the food and service was excellent. Breakfasts were very good as well. The hotel is an ideal base for visiting the Yorkshire dales, villages and coast. I think the main asset of this hotel is the excellent staff and their friendly helpful attitude to guests. We noticed a elderly lady who dined in the hotel whilst we were there and when she had finished her meal one of the staff escorted from the hotel to her nearby home, how caring and kind was that. Brilliant well done to all the staff.

The staff here are very pleasant and cant do enough for you. We arrived late afternoon and although they had stopped serving lunches we were able to get a really nice sandwich. Our room was very comfortable, large with a modern four poster, a roll top bath in the room and a very nice shower room, very powerful shower and twin basins. Sleep quality was excellent. The hotel is in a gorgeous setting and the gardens are lovely. Food was also excellent. We were attending a large dinner on the Saturday evening and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly. Breakfast was as usual superb well cooked with lots of choice. This Best Western hotel is in sharp contract to the one we stayed in the week before in Torquay and I highly recommend it.

Good value for money for those wanting something that bit better. We got put in the wing annex which is the less desirable part. Breakfast is expensive and less good than the last time we stayed. Evening meals are to be recommended and are excellent value - don't look anywhere else. Upgrade if you can. In hot weather ask for just a blanket and a sheet as you are supplied with a heavy duvet.

A short break turned into a very pleasurable stay. This hotel is a great base for visiting the town and the surrounding country. Worth booking a room upgrade as the rooms at the back are quieter and have a view of the garden . The hotel is right in the town and overlooks a busy road junction so front rooms may be noisy at peak times. Good value, service, food, beer, room and car parking. Plus Pickering is a small town that retains local character and shops. Easy walk to a choice of restaurants and NYMR. We are very likely to use this hotel again if up north in the future.

Warm welcome received from young lady on reception before being escorted to our room with offers of help with luggage. Very clean comfortable room with equally bright bathroom with luxury toiletries. There was a complimentary refreshment tray with biscuits and bottles water, which were replenished daily. Although our room overlooked a busy daytime road, in the evening it was as silent as a graveyard thus ensuring a good nights sleep. They have a large car park, a computer available for guests use, and situated at the rear of the hotel was a large well maintained garden in which to relax. Breakfast consisted of the usual full English, which was cooked to order.

Booked a a 4 night stay and I can say without doubt that the Forest & Vale is a really good hotel, with clean bright well equipped rooms, very helpful and friendly staff and easy car parking. The food is excellent, with a good varied menu and great value. This was our first stay at the Forest and Vale and we will be returning!

The Forest Vale Hotel is a splendid Georgian mansion that I hope I will return to often. The pleasure began with parking, which could not be easier in their large car park (Tip - the car park is before you reach the hotel travelling north on the A169.) Reception was friendly and welcoming, and I was struck by the elegance of the whole place. I had the good fortune to have a room overlooking the garden, pictures of which are appended. The view from the walled garden shows, on the right, the door to the garden room suite, which is where I stayed, in one of the rooms with their own garden and courtyard access. My corner room has two windows looking over the garden, as you can see from the two photographs. I will certainly book that room again if I get the opportunity. The bar serves real ales and good wine, and the lounge is very comfortable in a country house style. A rather elegant place in a way that only historic buildings manage to wear. Very friendly staff added to the pleasure of my stay. In the evening I had dinner on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which was splendid but meant I did not sample the hotel evening cuisine. Nevertheless, I enjoyed n excellent breakfast with a vast choice of alternatives to the standard Full English, albeit the latter being available. The tariff is not cheap for the area, but far from expensive. I was more than satisfied with the accommodation and the WiFi catered for any urge I felt to touch base with the 21st century. One of Best Western's jewels I'd say.

If you need a hotel in this area, look no further. The Forest & Vale is a terrific hotel, with clean bright rooms, friendly staff, like Ben and Alun in the bar. The food is excellent, and its good value too. If you have not been to this area before its well worth a visit.

An excellent hotel - our second visit - and we shall return in the future. The hotel is close to all the facilities and an excellent base for touring North Yorkshire. Both Pickering Castle and the ancient Church are well worth visiting.

We have just enjoyed a three day break at the Forest and Vale. Large car park. Well maintained gardens. Good location in the centre of Pickering. Ideal for touring North Yorkshire. All staff at the hotel were excellent. We received friendly and helpful attention at all times. Very clean and comfortable room overlooking the gardens. Delicious food. Compliments to the Chef. Free high speed wi-fi.

Spent a lovely weekend here, all the staff were really friendly and helpful. My daughter won a weekend break and kindly gave us the chance to visit the lovely little village of Pickering and enjoy a wonderful weekend stay at the Forest Vale Hotel. Rooms were very clean, bed comfy and excellent food would definitely recommend. Enjoyed our day at Whitby, but disappointed with Scarborough, a place I wouldn't rush back to.

We stayed for 2 nights. Plenty of car parking. We checked in, and a member of staff took us to our room, and just stood there, when all we wanted was to unpack and make a cup of tea. Breakfasts were good, and staff pleasant. Rooms were comfortable, but while in the bath, I could see that the toilet was not clean under the rim. Otherwise it appeared clean.

Stayed here for four nights in mid-June 2016. Really excellent, friendly and always helpful staff, very comfortable and quiet room, first-rate restaurant for evening meals.. not to mention delicious, prompt and hot Yorkshire breakfasts. Our first floor room meant a climb up the grand staircase (we are 'seniors') but there are ground floor rooms overlooking the beautiful gardens. The F+V is very well positioned for the many tourist attractions in North Yorkshire, close to bus stops for the coast and the steam railway.

Fourth visit to this hotel and as always service was excellent, nothing was too much trouble, good value for money, staff were very friendly. Dinner menu was good and reasonably priced. This is true Yorkshire hospitality. A big thank you to the staff and especially the owner, Mrs C you are wonderful!

Lovely staff and very accommodating. Just a short walk from the town centre. Lovely rooms and the bed was amazing - didn't want to get out of it. Not the cheapest place but very comfortable. It also has nice grounds.

A lovely hotel with extremely courteous and attentive staff, the room was splendid. From the moment we arrived to the time of our checkout the service from all staff was exceptional, we felt genuinely welcome, nothing was too much trouble. We would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to all.

Stayed one night here and it was wonderful. Helpful, friendly staff. Lovely room and bathroom with plenty of good quality toiletries. Didn't have an evening meal but did have breakfast which was plentiful and filling. Would stay here again without hesitation.

I have stayed at this hotel several times (more than 10!) in the last 8 months or so and found it to be very good on every occasion. They have rooms with the main building, in a newer wing built to one side and and older part to the rear. This older part may be difficult for some, as the stairs are very steep. The rooms are all good though. I would not hesitate to stay again.

Spacious and comfortable room. Delicious food. Beautiful garden. Lovely, friendly staff. We will definitely return to this hotel. Pickering is an ideal place in which to stay, as there are so many places of interest to visit in the vicinity.

Just spent four days at this hotel and it was very nice the staff was very helpful and nothing was to much trouble for them. Meals was good,rooms very clean, and bottled water laid on in the room, we shall visit again in the near future.

We stayed two nights at this hotel, while visiting the North Yorkshire Railway Museum. The room we had was an executive room, very comfortable and a huge bathroom !! Breakfast was great all served and freshly cooked, couldn't fault anything. Very friendly helpful and friendly staff. If you are travelling by train to get to Pickering you have to get a bus from York station, I would recommend this hotel as its very convenient, right across the road from were the bus stops.

Pickering is a lovely town in a lovely part of Yorkshire, perfectly located for exploring the North Yorks Moors by road or rail. It offers several decent places to eat and enough independent shops to hold your interest. The Forest & Vale hotel stands out as a paragon, even among Best Western hotels - comfortable, clean to a fault, professionally staffed and offering a warm welcome. Highly recommended. Frankly, we wished we'd booked for the whole week here rather than moving on to a second location. When we return to North Yorkshire, we'll be sure to renew our acquaintance with Forest & Vale.

My partner and I stayed in this hotel while visiting family for a few days in Pickering. The location is ideal and there are lots of things to do in the area such as shops, Indian restaurant, pubs, market on certain days and a good local bar in the high street. The hotel room was very clean and well kept and had a massive bathroom! Staff were all very polite and helpful and would recommend this hotel

Stayed at the Forest & Vale for 2 nights as we completed our coast to coast hike. It was a very nice hotel with huge rooms. Very quiet. The front desk staff is efficient and friendly. Breakfast is fairly normal with hot items made to your order. Also ate dinner at the hotel for one night. The dinner was very good but we got the sense that the hotel is cutting back on their dinner services. Generally, it's now only available in the bar area.

Visited with a group of mixed ages for two nights on dinner bed and breakfast. From the moment we arrived, we couldn't have been made to feel more welcome, the entire team were friendly and welcoming. Thanks for a wonderful stay.

Stayed for three nights, Hotel's appearance outside and inside is outstanding. The reception staff and staff in general are very kind and helpful. The room was clean and of a high standard, only comments would be road noise and the bathroom could be more modern. However I would highly recommend this Hotel

My wife and I recently attended a wedding and stayed at the Forest and Vale overnight. The wedding went well and I can't fault the food either at the evening function or the breakfast the previous morning both of which were very good. However, we stayed in a 'superior' room but whilst the room was fine the only thing 'superior' about it was the large bed. The bedroom was fine but nothing special. There were only 2 teabags and the milk was long life and meant we threw the tea away as it was disgusting, so had to ask for extra teabags and a jug of milk. The taps in the bathroom were new fangled ones and, when I did manage to figure it out got wet through! The bar was like a throwback to the 1980s and totally lacked any atmosphere being as dull as the bedrooms. In this day and age it is so easy to install a bar with character and warmth. I wouldn't stay again as it was overpriced (£140 b&b) and you paid a premium for nothing really. Whilst we really enjoyed the wedding this was due to the company and not the venue.

We have stayed at this hotel on several occasions and cannot fault anything. We have had different rooms each time and every one has been clean, comfortable, and generally excellent. The food is always excellent, as are the staff. This is a real homely hotel, where the staff remember you from year to year, and nothing is a bother. I have, and would, recommend this hotel to anyone. The hotel is idealy situated for the steam railway to Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors as well as the historic town of Pickering. It is so good I have already booked our room for next year

Booked this hotel for our family and also some friends for an overnight stay while at Dalby Forest. The hotel itself and each room that we saw had character and were very comfortable and spacious. The true heart of the hotel though are the staff. Who ever is in charge of hiring is doing a wonderful job. Without exception, every member of staff were naturally friendly and could not help enough. I would like to make a special mention to the accommodation of our bikes overnight in a function room. I would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Pickering or Dalby forest.

Stayed for one night in a superior family room which was clean, bright and spacious. Upon arrival the reception staff were warm and friendly and this extended to all the staff during our stay. They were particularly lovely to our children and even remembered their names! We did not eat our evening meal here but did use the bar area which was nice and comfortable with a little courtyard leading off it. Breakfast was delicious and cooked to order. The location is excellent, right in the centre of Pickering. We would recommend this hotel and will definitely be back.

Stayed here quite a few times on business, a very welcoming hotel, with great clean and comformtable rooms Hotel is located very close to town centre just a two minute walk. Lots of good car parking spaces. Breakfast is outstanding If staying in Pickering would definitely recommend.

Went to a wedding party at the hotel. Booked a superior room and was very pleased with the overall standard. The room featured a sofa, coffee table and tv. It was everything we needed and was a very comfy area with views over the gardens. The wifi was really good and was well used. The full English breakfast was very well cooked and overall we enjoyed our stay. I would not hesitate to book this hotel again

Stayed at Forest and Vale for 2 nights mid week before Easter, on bed, breakfast and evening meal in a superior room. The room was spacious, clean, well furnished and had a very comfortable bed. The food was delicious with lots of choice, was well presented and served lovely and hot. The staff are so welcoming, polite, friendly and very helpful, nothing is too much trouble to them, even sent us home with a little present after my husband missed a dessert he was looking forward to. A small friendly hotel which we would highly recommend and would hope to return to.

Excellent hotel/staff. Less than 5 mns walk to centre, shops, pubs, restaurants etc. Less than 10 mins walk to North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Not a steam train buff but enjoyed a return trip to Whitby, a grand day out! We got to hotel on the Sunday & left on the Wednesday. Didn't move the car once when we had got there. Felt so good not to have to drive anywhere.

My wife and I got engaged at this hotel 20 years ago. The hotel has been refurbished to a high standard and the staff were both friendly, welcoming and very helpful. We could not fault the Hotel or the staff in any way. Well Done!

The Best Western Forest & Vale Hotel in Pickering is an ideal place to stay for that home from home experience. We had a lovely garden facing room, comfortable bed and modern bathroom. WiFi worked a treat and the lounge area downstairs is very comfortable. Restaurant food is really good and wholesome just as you would expect in Yorkshire and very delicious! The hotel has a large car park and the establishment is ideally suited for walking into town or to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway where you can spend several days exploring the various villages and moors all the way up to Whitby. I will be returning to both hotel and railway.

Whilst stopping in Pickering with family at New year we were recommended to come here to eat nice building and lovely decor with friendly atmosphere we enjoyed a very good bar meal reasonably priced and descent choice on the menu

We had a lovely stay here over the Easter weekend! The staff were very polite and helpful! The breakfast was lovely and plentiful, they were always willing for more tea or toast! We had dinner here one night too which was also really nice and the staff were great! Our room was nice, but quite average. I'm sure our bed wasn't quite a double bed size but it was very comfortable.

We wanted to visit a town i had only every driven through, so picked on the Forest and Vale. My first contact was by email asking about room styles and they suggested that a superior room would suit our needs. We originally booked for 2 nights B & B but added another night. We had a wonderful room, warm and clean and huge comfy bed. We had Sunday lunch which was superb and the service was fast and efficient. They also serve a very nice pint of Black Sheep, plus wine by the glass. Breakfast was of a high standard you expect from a Best Western Hotel. Plenty of parking and happy and smiling staff made for a wonderful break. Thank you one and all.

Brilliant service Every one went out of their way to fit in round our time commitments We were visiting the preserved railway to see Flying Scotsman.The hotel is only a short walk from the railway and the town church

This really is gem of a hotel.Easy parking.most lovely room over looking the garden.the bed was possibly the most comfortable I have ever slept in.all food 1st class,as are the staff. Our 3 night stay was a very welcome break after ill health.

As in the past the hotel services were excellent, the staff very friendly and helpful. The room was clean and comfortable, selection of hot drinks in room as well as water. Both breakfast and dinner matched our expectations. The staff were attentive and provided a source of information about the area. One of the best hotels I have stayed in.

Walked in off the street and got seated straight away. We had been on the north York moors railway all day so was was quite peckish. Excellent food and service. I thought reasonably priced for what we ate. Think they more geared up for older people eating there. Atmosphere was a little stuffy. But no complaints really. Was very quiet which is what you want really when your eating. Certainty would come back here again for food.

Excellent service throughout. When we booked were offered a free upgrade to a Superior room, which was superior with gas fire and bath within the room as well as separate shower. Excellent breakfast. Needed at last minute to extend our stay and this was accommodated for us with no problems

Ok. If you look at a some of my reviews, I title a lot of them Consistently good, because if to go to a place several times (And this was our 20th year going to the F & V) and have never missed a year, and you get a very clean hotel both in the public areas, bedrooms and bathrooms (Plus huge fluffy white towels), great food, both in quality and quantity and well presented, plus really helpful, efficient and polite staff, all at a fair price. Then by definition it is consistently good, which the Forest and Vale is. Plenty of parking, a lovely garden for sitting out in on hot evening over a glass or two of your favourite tipple.. You cannot go wrong. Go on spoil yourself.

We have just returned from a lovely one night stay at this hotel. We had a large Executive room at the front of the hotel and although it wasn't one of the renovated rooms it was good. Spacious, clean and had everything we could have wanted in it included good quality toiletries and lovely big towels. Despite being at the front of the hotel on the road side we enjoyed a very quiet, comfortable and undisturbed nights sleep. Breakfast in the morning was of good quality, freshly cooked to order and hot toast and freshly made coffee and tea. Ample car parking and situated in the heart of this lovely market town. Staff were first class. Every single member of staff we encountered were friendly, helpful and efficient. We would definitely stay again if in the area.

Well set out, quiet room. Staff could not have been more helpful. Food was first class. We went on a wet Feb weekend but gardens look like they would be pleasant in summer. Plenty of car parking space. Two minutes walk from the delights of the town centre.

Lovely friendly hotel situated right in the heart of Pickering, with ample parking. All the rooms looked different, ours was huge. Slightly dated/tired decor but that didn't spoil it, kind of added to the quirky charm. Food was great. Would definitely got back.

We booked the hotel on a B&B basis as when we stayed a couple of years ago and the meal was awful. The hotel did give us our money back for the meal at the time, we said we would come back on a B&B basis next time we stayed. The bedroom was immaculate, good breakfast with good choice and the staff were friendly. The hotel in general is clean and tidy but some areas of the hotel look jaded and could do with a makeover. We would stay again

Very good hotel in a good location with a good breakfast. However the staff are excellent and really made it a very good quality experience. Extreamly comfortable clean and warm room on a very cold night. We felt like valued customers and we will return.

staff were very helpful the rooms are lovely we had a bed as big as a room the room was huge we had a bedroom with a alcove at the other end of the room with a settee chair lounge bit and tv it was so nice we had a free cup of tea coffee and biscuits provided in the room the bathroom was nice only problem was the fan in the bathroom i avoided putting the light on at night but there was lots of lamps and wall lights to use so i could see very quiet room we had a superior room the room was clean the settee could have done with a bit of attention we had a upgrade free due to visiting on more than a few occasions we went to a 21st birthday do we have friends in the area a few people went to other b&b they charged about the same for a standard room in the forest and vale they were freezing the accommodation they choose was terrible no heating middle of no where down a dirt tract we had a room in the centre of Pickering the only negative thing was the price of sandwiches and the £5 00 room charge we went out for a snack plenty of cafes but most close 230pm we were allowed to take food to our room the breakfast is fantastic im veggie i had a veggie breakfast fresh juice lots of choice me and my husband love going overnight its a bit pricey if you wanted to stay longer fine for us we are looking forward to our next visit you even get a free newspaper in the morning im disabled they have ground and outside ground for easy access it was icy that night we stayed the staff had put plenty of sand salt down to prevent slipping outside hope this review helps

had a very good short stay at the Forest and Vale in Pickering, North Yorkshire. The bedroom was big with plenty of space for clothes, lots of armchairs and a lovely bed. Very comfy and clean. I was in a quiet room overlooking the garden. Nice meal in the bar, which was very informal and cosy. Nice people; happy to look after bags as I arrived early.

We have just completed a perfect 4 night New Year stay here. All staff (bar, restaurant, housekeeping and reception) very friendly nothing is too much trouble for them. Food excellent and both restaurant and bar friendly and relaxing. Accommodation extremely clean and comfortable. Already booked a return visit.

The Party was flawless until a barman called "Ben" became hostile when he asked by a party member for a drink unaware the bar had just closed. Ben replied with, bar closed ten minutes ago and your getting thrown out in ten minutes so i would advise you to warn your party. I mentioned to Ben I've never been thrown out from an establishment to date. Ben said I'm going to remove my tie then throw you out, with this i warned my colleagues and we all left the building and waited outside. This was all said in the presence of another male member of staff

This app needs a 4.5 button. This stay was pretty much perfect for me. I spoke with the hotel twice before booking and the customer service was exceptional. This continued throughout the stay. All the staff are friendly and it seems nothing is too much trouble. The superior room I booked was very nice. Large with a sofa and arm chair. It was nice to have somewhere comfortable to sit. The bed was so comfy. The room was very clean but maybe a little dated. Breakfast was a good quality and had a good choice of cereals, etc The only slight negative was I could here the plumbing when in bed. The main part of the hotel is quite old so expected I guess. I didn't hear any outside noise though. I would stay again. Really enjoyed it.

Every time we visit n Yorks we make a point of visiting this hotel and bar. We don't stay in it per se as we prefer but lower key but no it's the bar that's caught our imagination. The place is well placed for watching the world go by. Sounds bit odd but the Windows face out to the roundabout which is entertaining itself. The staff are efficient and professional but not over the tops. The drinks are good and there's good food on offer to boot. Hate to generalise but like al great westerns they're consistently good quality and not yr run of mill. Everyone's a little quirky no bad thing. Not formulaic. Give it a whirl?

Wonderful welcoming & friendly staff . we were very comfortable & very well looked after . It made the weekend a delight . Great food in lovely surroundings . We'll be sure to come back .The Restaurant & Bar were all we could want to make it a great weekend

A warm and friendly welcome. Lovely room with views onto the gardens and a huge comfy bed with quality linen and furnishings. Dinner in the bar was nicely presented but wasn't to my taste. The accompanying veggies to my roast pork dinner came sprinkled with some kind of crystallised orange zest which was quite unpleasant. Room was a tad pricey at £100+ for a mid-week room only rate for single occupancy, but I would stay here again if in the area.

Had a lovely 2 night stay for my birthday.We stayed in an executive room which was very comfortable and well appointed. We ate in the hotel on one of the nights and it was very good. The thing that makes this hotel so special though is the friendliness and helpfulness of all the staff.Nothing is too much trouble, they even found us an umbrella to use as we were heading out in the rain one evening.

Stayed here 2 nights, my husband and I having a double standard and my parents had a twin superior room. Both were extremely comfortable, clean with lots of toiletries, drinks, a hair dryer and trouser press. Our shower was great, really powerful. The staff were extremely welcoming and ssssoooo friendly, could not fault any one of them. We had a delicious evening meal the first night and breakfast each morning had plenty of choice. Free wifi, although a little hit and miss in our room, strong in the bar/restaurant. High speed router in our room if needed to plug laptop in to. I would not hesitate in staying here again in the future.

Forest & Vale is an elegant traditional hotel well situated for the small town of Pickering. My room was traditionally furnished, clean, with a huge bathroom and lashings of hot water for a long soak in the bath, very welcome after a walk over the Hole of Horcum. Top marks for a full length mirror in the room and plug near a mirror for the hairdryer - so often a problem in places I have stayed in, so well done Forest & Vale. I asked for a quiet room and it was at the back away from the road;however, I found that the extractor fan in the bathroom didn't turn off, but this was quickly and efficiently rectified once I contacted reception. Thank you Alan. The central heating system was really noisy though and kept me awake, and woke me up early this morning. Not sure if this would not have been a problem in other rooms - may be I was near the boiler (room 9). On the whole though a good stay, lovely staff who were helpful - good Wifi in my room. Cannot comment on the food as I did not eat there - and felt that £14 for breakfast was a little over the top.

We had a 2 night stay and stayed in room 3 which overlooked the main road but any traffic noise was minimal, the room was a superior room, and we have never stayed in a hotel room that was as large as this, and the bathroom was so big and the huge bed was very comfy. From the moment we checked in to the time we left we enjoyed every minute of our stay. We ate out the 2 nights we stayed but the food looked lovely as we had drinks in the bar before going out. The choice of breakfast was very good and the food and the staff excellent, we have stayed at Best western hotels many times but this hotel is by far the best and the staff are very helpful and effiecent.

Lovely hotel. Lovely rooms. However, no internet in our room. Breakfast very nice. Plenty of choice. The lounge area is lovely for a meal or drinks. We stopped in October but the gardens would be lovely in the summer. Friendly staff and a very large car park. Convenient for Pickering station and Eden camp isn't far.

Visited pickering and decided to stay at Forest and Vale, excellent hotel with quality staff. Couldn't do enough for us during our stay. Would highly recommend,5*. Room was very clean and very warm, ideal as outside wasn't. Also visited spice4u Indian restaurant recommended by the hotel receptionist which was also very nice. Definitely return but probably in the summer time, weather was the only disappointment.

Originally just booked for the Friday & Saturday for the annual war weekend but enjoyed our stay so much we decided to stay Sunday as well. We had a faultless stay. Perfect location for nipping back & forth whilst in town. Spacious room(6) which is a superior overlooking the gorgeous gardens with a nice little sitting area to add to your comfort. It's at the rear, really quiet with no traffic noise. House keeping was exceptional, keeping us clean, tidy & stocked up on essentials throughout our stay. Food. We had dinner as part of our package on the Friday & Saturday. 3 courses of just the right portion size, cooked to perfection. Breakfast. Plentiful & cooked to order. Some of the tastiest bacon I've had. Bar area. Warm & friendly. I'll finish with a thank you to all of the FANTASTIC staff we encountered. Apologies if I haven't mentioned you all be name. From the BOSS Jacqueline to Carol on reception & restaurant. Ben in the bar(saved our stomachs late on the Friday as nowhere to find a light bite in the town. Sorted us sandwiches & fries, what a star!!) Plus everyone else who we encountered as you all had a smile & few words for us. Thanks again. Dave & Sue

2nd year staying at this hotel in the centre of Pickering for the wartime weekend, it never disappoints, friendly staff, nothing to much trouble, excellent food. Nice to see the same faces as last year, have booked for next year so see you all then, many thanks for a very pleasant weekend

We were on a short break and chose this hotel from TripAdvisor reviews. I'd used a Best Western hotel outside Paris 18 months ago and was very happy with the experience and hope to find the same standard, I couldn't have been more wrong...THIS WAS MUCH BETTER! It started when we checked in. Our Executive Room had been upgraded to Superior. From there is just got better and better. All the staff we came into contact with were helpful, pleasant and seemed to very much enjoy working here. It couldn't be further from 'Fawlty Towers'. The building is a 200 year old listed Georgian Manor House. In keeping with this, it is elegant and very well appointed. Despite the age of the building it is well appointed and lacks for nothing. Indeed I've tried hard but I cannot find anything to grumble about! * We travelled at the end of season, but in summer, there are gardens to enjoy and sit in for coffee or an evening drink. The hotel is well placed for visiting the North Yorkshire Moors and indeed the reception area offers information leaflets about a number of attractions. We stayed for two nights and wished we could have stayed longer. It has spoilt me for the future...unless of course another Best Western hotel can match this, or we come back. * The only point I will say is this booking was made through the Best Western website and I could find nothing there to tell be what the difference between the various room classifications of Standard, Executive, Superior and De-luxe was.

We stayed for one night in an executive room. A large bed, comfortable armchairs, plenty of lights and plug sockets for all the gadgets, free wifi which didn't cut out like some hotels and a large bathroom. Our first visit but not our last I hope. The staff are lovely, young, friendly and make you feel very welcome. We ate in the bar and had a fabulous meal. The breakfast was good and we had a table looking out onto the garden, beautifully maintained, well worth exploring. I can see why it is popular for weddings. The car park is large and free, which means you can take off to York or Whitby on public transport. Even though we had checked out we were allowed to leave the car there for the day.

As per the other reviews, good hotel, friendly staff and amazing Yorkshire breakfast (set me up for the day) need some air con in the rooms, mine had none. Location is the best for Pickering and free car parking for hotel users

Hotel is located in the lovely town of Pickering and just a few minutes walk to all the amenities including the North Yorkshire Moors Railway which runs to Whitby. The hotel is just a couple of minutes away from the local bus services to Whitby, Scarborough. It was great to park the car on arrival and just use public transport to take us to some great walks. The hotel was comfortable and the staff friendly. We felt that our room rate should include breakfast which was £14 each. So we took breakfast at a local café. However, the evening meal we had at the hotel was excellent which we took in the very relaxing lounge bar. .

I stayed one night here a fortnight ago. Good location, good parking, and good food. My room (on the top floor of their annexe, which they call something like "The Apartment") was on the small side, but was nice and quiet and well equipped. The shower was very good. Dinner was good; breakfast very good, with good friendly service.

We had lunch at this hotel with the dog in their beautifully kept garden. Dogs were more than welcome with water provided. The food was wonderful, we all had a fantastic roast and the kids could have a smaller portion. The service was brilliant and so friendly. Highly recommended.

We had booked an executive room which was very nice, spacious and clean. Decor was a little dated and even though the room overlooked the main road there wasn't too much road noise and we kept the window open. We had bed and breakfast , but ate in the town in the evenings. Choices at breakfast were plentiful and staff were very attentive. The only downside was the smell of cooking that was always around reception and on the staircase we had to use which wasn't very pleasant, more a smell of fat rather than food.

The hotel is excellent value and is an ideal location for touring around North Yorkshire. We had travelling in from York having spent the day there and then travelled onto Whitby using the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway from Pickering on the second day and spent a day on the breach at Scarbrough on our last day. Our booking was for for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis, the food was of a very good quality especially the breakfast choices. We only had one evening meal at the hotel on the day of our arrival as we arrived late evening and were tied however, food stops being served fairly early as it does elsewhere in Pickering which may cause problems if you intend to and arrive late and eat .The staff were friendly and very helpful especially with the luggage as we stayed in one of the cottage rooms No 19 and there was a number of steps to negotiate. All in all great location and first class comfort and value.