Bike & Boot - The Boot Fits At Scarborough's New Hotel

You might remember The Mount Hotel In Scarborough. The hotel has now been transformed into the Bike & Boot Hotel, in what it is hoped will be the first of many.

The 65 bedroom hotel is the brainchild of two hotel entrepreneurs. There is a big gap in the market for a classy hotel where you can bring your dog, store your bike, your surf board and even go to the in-house cinema if you choose, after a long walk along the Yorkshire coast.

Bike & Boot ticks all those boxes. The hotel only opened in late July so there are one or two niggles (more of those later) but on the whole things are all suited and booted.

Check-in is via two self-service terminals as is check out. If there is a queue you can always relax with a free coffee and cake in the adjacent Retreat room. Mind you the cake (served only in the afternoon) does not hang around long, when it's gone it's gone.

There is an Honesty Bar too where drinks can be charged to your room.

In a way the Retreat room reminded me of the Executive Lounges you get at 4 and 5 star hotels. The room has comfy seats, board games, a selection of books - and a clock made of brightly coloured bicycle bells and flip flops.

Rooms like boots come in all shapes and sizes ranging from the smallest called the Boot room right up to spacious Suites.

Our medium room with a sea view was bright and indeed the sea view was a delight to wake up to every morning. You definitely know you are in Scarborough with local photographs over the bed, graphic blinds using original railway poster designs of the town and of course the view from outside your window.

All the information on the hotel is accessed via the television, even the Wi Fi code, though no one tells you this. Perhaps it might be a good idea to print it on your receipt which you get when you check in - it was pleasing to see the remote control in a sealed bag so as not to spread any infections.

They have spent some money on the furnishings - soft closing drawers, a fridge with proper milk and complimentary water, an expresso coffee maker, ample storage, a safe that will take a laptop and an iron and ironing board discreetly placed behind a long mirror. The rooms do not have air conditioning but there is a fan should you need it.

The internet download speed was one of the fastest I have experienced at nearly 90mbps.


The bathroom has a very strong power shower with toiletries supplied in large bottles that can be refilled. For some reason there was no power point to plug in an electric shaver, does that mean all male walkers, cyclists and surfers prefer a wet shave?

When you venture down into the basement you will find the small cinema room which has proper cinema seats. Three different films are shown every day.


Further on is the Wadobi, the name means facilitated for walkers, dogs, bikers and surfers. There is plenty of space to house your bike, a maintenance stand with tools to make any adjustments to your bike. For walkers there are special boot washing facilities and lockers to store your boots.

It is the first time I have seen dog washing and grooming kit in a hotel. Two adjustable hydraulic tables are at your disposal to wash and blow dry your dog.

Bareca is the name of the on-site bar and restaurant. They do not operate a reservation system, you just turn up when you feel like it. In theory it sounds a good idea but in practice on a busy weekend you might find yourself having to wait to get a table.

The restaurant is open to all. I observed at least 5 couples who were not staying at the hotel being turned away and 2 or 3 who were staying at the hotel having to wait to get a table as the restaurant was full. Not what you would expect if you were a resident.

The menu concentrates on favourites such as pizzas, salads, steaks, fish and desserts. My meal ranged from a Bread basket where the bread was served cold and not very fresh, followed by a run of the mill Bareca beefburger served with skin on fries. The Fruity ice cream sundae though was brilliantly presented and thoroughly tasty.

Perhaps better to go for one of their pizzas as they looked very appetising and seemed popular. My partner's pork chop was perhaps a better choice than my burger.

Breakfast can be traditional English served buffet style, where you can fill your boots or continental, though there is usually an additional charge for this from the room rate. My partner and I enjoyed the cooked breakfast better than the evening meal.

Bike & Boot is a great concept, after a day’s activities it's a good bolt hole to return to: comfy, homely, modern and stylish. If you don’t mind well behaved dogs being in the restaurant with you when you eat you will be ok.

It is to be expected that there will be a few things that need fixing when the hotel is new: the interior signage to direct you to your bedroom needs to be improved, I saw at least 3 guests checking in looking lost in finding their room.

I got the impression too that a few of the staff were not very customer facing and helpful, a description that other guests I talked to agreed with me. Get these things sorted along with a reservation system implemented at the restaurant for evening meal and the ride will be even more enjoyable.

Bike & Boot, Cliff Bridge Terrace, Scarborough YO11 2HA
https://www.bikeandboot.com/