Travel The World With Crab Manor

Crab Manor Hotel is a venue I have admired greatly whilst working with over the years yet have never visited.

This is something of a surprise as North Yorkshire’s Georgian Manor House Hotel has a glittering reputation for fine food, top quality weddings and deluxe, globe-spanning accommodation. It was therefore with great anticipation that we made the short trip down the A19 for our maiden mid-week visit. Pulling into the expansive car park, we happened to comeacross the hotel’s genial General Manager, Scott Davidson, whom I have known for over 20 years and since I wore a younger man’s clothes!

The Crab Manor site is of course home to the award-winning Crab & Lobster restaurant which is just a tree-lined pathway away from the main hotel. On arrival, we relaxed here with a livener (or two) and sampled a seafood-inspired lunch which more than filled a hole.

In line with the pervading theme, the bar/restaurant is a wonderful blend of nautical-themed décor (checked tablecloths, seashells et al) and old-fashioned bric-a-brac of yesteryear. In keeping with this, music is reflective of a bygone age and further complements a lovely feeling of warmth and relaxation.

Here we lunched regally on the unusual “fish club sandwich” and a platter of crispy fishcakes. An inspired take on that old hotel staple, my sandwich was laden with all of my fruits de la mer favourites including grilled mixed fish, scallops, prawns, smoked salmon and a marie rose sauce. Lisa’s fishcakes meanwhile comprised local codling and haddock & oak roast salmon embellished with smoked bacon and leek cream emulsion.

Following lunch, we soaked up the last of the Summer sunshine on the bar’s sun-trapped terrace before a walk round the hotel’s grounds. The hotel’s surroundings are quite beautiful and feature winding pathways, stunning water features and even a one hole golf course. Unfortunately, I hadn’t packed accordingly but filed a mental note to bring my sand wedge next time!

Accommodation at Crab Manor is quite unique and really underlines its “destination venue” credentials. Each bedroom is inspired by a different luxury hotel & resort from around the world, including the Taj Mahal Palace in India, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai and the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Each is individually furnished and many come complete with private hot tubs and saunas to make your stay even more special. We’d bagged the highly-prized Hermitage suite, a decidedly opulent room inspired by the Tzar’s winter home in St. Petersburg and comprising a gilded bedframe and black-velvet throne. Walls are adorned with deep green leather and mirrored panels, topped with beautiful gold corbels and detailing.

Other features included a separate dressing area, a free-standing bath tub and a walk-in power shower with swish rain forest attachment. We also had access to our private courtyard with hot tub which we made full use of before changing for dinner.

Back in the Crab & Lobster Restaurant, we were allocated a comfortable quiet table and were very impressed by the warm welcome and impeccable service. Of an evening, the restaurant serves a sumptuous a la carte offering featuring everything from locally caught seafood to traditional English dishes.

Kicking off, Lisa chose The Crab’s Prawn Cocktail which featured plump prawns, creamed avocado, bloody mary jelly and Whitby crab spring roll. I meanwhile tucked into the Shetland mussels in a garlic and cream sauce.

Following on, the prime aged fillet of beef was served with peppered spinach, garlic roasted flat mushroom, roast shallots, corned beef fritter, burgundy sauce and hand cut chips whilst Lisa’s roast loin of lamb was also masterfully cooked and served with an array of vegetables. Naturally, all of this was washed down by a most agreeable bottle of Pinot Noir before coffee & truffles.

Totally replete, we collapsed into “the biggest bed we have ever seen” (no hyperbole necessary here) for a deep eight hours sleep before rising early for a freshly prepared “Full Yorkshire” breakfast.

Despite being 20 years in the making, our first visit to Crab Manor did not disappoint. Whilst the wonderful food and unique accommodation were impressive it was the customer service and attention to detail which really stood out. A “hardy annual” in the making? I think so!