Majestic by name, majestic by nature

Stepping through the doors of Harrogate's landmark, four-star, Victorian hotel is like entering onto the set of the Great Gatsby, but in a more refined, English sort of a way. This is Harrogate, one of the most quintessentially English of towns, after all.

Situated on a hill overlooking the picturesque spa town, The Majestic (part of The Hotel Collection) harks back to a bygone era of extravagance (there are few light-fittings which aren't chandeliers), yet at the same time, it is modern and equipped with everything you could possibly want for a perfect stay.

A pool and whirl-pool style spa, well-equipped gym, children's play area, eight-acres of landscaped grounds and spa treatments, allow the hotel to cater for any break, be it romantic or a weekend away with the family.

It's not simply the hotel's aesthetics that excel, its restaurant is equally as majestic, not simply in looks, but also in the quality of food it produces. Dining in the hotel's restaurant at 8.30pm on a Wednesday evening, the room's high ceilings, colonnades, and opulent chandeliers, I felt dwarfed.

After being seated waiters soon came to take our drinks order and offered us warm, fresh bread, while we looked at the mouth-watering menu.

The menu changes to reflect the season and available produce, with my visit in October seeing more game on the menu. Crispy shredded duck with salad and a plum sauce was tempting at £5.95, as was the cream of leek and potato soup of the day at £4.95. Instead we opted for the Caesar salad at £5.95 and the chicken liver parfait with toasted brioche and red onion jam at £5.50.

In terms of portion size and quality, the food in the restaurant is reasonably priced, with two courses and half a bottle of wine available at £21, or three courses and half a bottle at £25 from a set menu. However, some of the items we opted for were not on the set menu.

While I was tempted by roasted rump of lamb with pancetta, oyster mushrooms, garlic mash, and red wine jus at £18.95 as a main course (my boyfriend went for this one), I instead opted for the pan seared sea bass fillet, served on a bed of crab-meat linguine at £15.95. The sea bass was cooked to perfection, crisp, yet succulent and flaky all at once. The linguine tasted divine. The lamb was similarly cooked to perfection – pink and tender – while even the mash was delicious.

Our carnivorous main course selection was not indicative of the menu which also catered well for vegetarians, with main courses such as woodland mushroom stroganoff (£10.50) or chargrilled aubergine, courgette, goat's cheese and tomato stack at £13.50 also on offer.

While mouth-watering desserts such as sticky toffee pudding at £5.50 were tempting, my eyes were not going to be bigger than my belly I decided. A decision which was to prove a wise one, with even my pre-breakfast stint in the well-equipped gym not increasing my appetite for the substantial breakfast that was to follow.

The buffet offered everything you might wish for and more. From a full-English, to cereals, fresh fruits and yoghurt, cheeses, hams, breads and pastries, it was the sort of breakfast that sets you up for at least a week. While you helped yourself to seconds and thirds, attentive staff were on hand to keep you hydrated during your endeavours with fresh tea and coffee.

While there is lots to do at the hotel in terms of indoor activities, Harrogate and the surrounding area is geared for an outdoors-based break. Short of the infamous Betty's tearooms (definitely worth a visit on an empty stomach, the scones are divine), the Harrogate Turkish Baths & Health Spa, or a spot of retail therapy in the town's mixture of high-street fashion and up-market boutiques, the area is geared for great weather. However, Harrogate's location in the north of England hinders this somewhat.

Should the Great British weather deign to grace you with some sunshine, or at least not rain, the nearby North York Moors or Yorkshire Dales are within driving distance, perfect for a proper escape to the country, or to channel your inner Cathy a la Wuthering Heights.

Closer to the town are the breathtaking Brimham Rocks, part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The balancing rock formations are up to 30m high, but solid enough to go walking around and clambering over. Beautiful views of rolling Yorkshire countryside can also be enjoyed from atop the rocks.

Closer to Harrogate are numerous beautiful towns, all with as many tearooms as residents. Knaresborough is well worth a visit with the iconic railway viaduct soaring above the River Nidd (on which rowing boats are available for hire), Knaresborough Castle, and Mother Shipton's Cave.

Nearby Ripley Castle and its grounds – home to the Ingleby family for 700 years – are well worth a visit also and at £10.50 for entry to the grounds and an incredibly informative and interesting guided tour, won't break the bank either. The surrounding village of Ripley, capable of gracing any Visit England postcard, is also worth a visit.

If Yorkshire is God's own Country, Harrogate's Majestic Hotel would probably be his choice of resting place on the Sabbath.

Travel facts

Double rooms at The Majestic hotel in Harrogate inclusive of breakfast start at £100 for two adults sharing.

Dinner in the restaurant from a set menu is £21 for two courses and half a bottle of wine, or £25 for three courses and half a bottle of wine.

Ripley Castle is £10.50 for adult entrance or £7 for children.

Harrogate is around three hours and 15 minutes on the train from Wolverhampton, with adult off-peak return tickets priced at £54.20, or a two and a half hour drive.