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5-star hotels in Scarborough
A shortlist of the 15 five-star hotels and self-catering stays in Scarborough, from sea-facing terraces on the Esplanade to townhouses and apartments a short walk from the sands. It is for couples, families and groups who want the top end of the town's guest accommodation.
Staying in Scarborough
Scarborough is honest about being a resort. Sandside and Foreshore Road are amusement arcades, doughnut stalls and gulls bold enough to take food from your hand, and August mornings are loud from ten. Beside that sit the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where Alan Ayckbourn has premiered most of his plays, the Rotunda geology museum of 1829, and Anne Brontë's grave in St Mary's churchyard on the castle road. Both versions of the town are real, and which bay you sleep on decides which one you get.
These addresses put you in the middle of that choice. The Helaina sits on Blenheim Terrace above the North Bay sands; The Cavendish and The Cordelia are on Esplanade Road, with Mansion House on Esplanade South Cliff, all facing the sea. The Sands Sea Front Apartments are at Peasholm Gap by the North Bay, while Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments, Mayville Lodge and the Ashville Avenue houses lie in the streets behind. Northstead Manor Drive and Snainton sit further out. Couples will take the sea-facing rooms, families and groups the apartments and houses that sleep larger parties.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Helaina
14 Blenheim Terrace, Scarborough, United Kingdom
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 5-star address on Blenheim Terrace with a 4.8 rating from 275 reviews. Rooms come with sea views, and guests can unwind in the bar or on the terrace. Bathrobes, a safe and free wifi add comfort, while beach access nearby and non smoking rooms suit couples and anyone wanting a polished seaside base.
See The HelainaThe Cavendish
53 Esplanade Road, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSet on Esplanade Road, this 5-star hotel earns a 4.8 rating from 95 reviews. Free car parking makes arriving by road simple, and special diets are catered for. Non smoking rooms, a bar and free wifi round out a stay that works well for drivers and guests who prefer quieter, adult-focused surroundings.
See The CavendishMansion House
45 Esplanade South Cliff, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereOn Esplanade South Cliff, this 5-star house offers sea views, a bar and a fireplace, plus free car parking. Family rooms and high chairs welcome children, pets are allowed, and a full kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine gives longer stays real flexibility. A strong pick for families and groups wanting space and self-catering options.
See Mansion HouseThe Sands Sea Front Apartments
Unit 6 Kepwick House Peasholm Gap, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereThese sea front apartments at Peasholm Gap pair free car parking with a fitness centre and beach access nearby. Guests get a kitchen, balcony and free wifi, with lifts, laundry service and luggage storage for convenience. Ideal for active travellers and families who want apartment-style space beside the bowling and mini golf.
See The Sands Sea Front ApartmentsThe Cordelia
Esplanade Road, Scarborough, United Kingdom
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereEsplanade Road location with express check in and housekeeping, plus free wifi throughout. Non smoking rooms, a shower and hairdryer keep things straightforward, and laundry service and luggage storage help on longer trips. A neat, no-fuss 5-star choice for couples or solo guests who value a quick arrival and quiet rooms.
See The CordeliaScarborough Stays Hampton Apartments
53A Hampton Road, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereHampton Road apartments with 24 hour front desk, express check in and free car parking. Families get family rooms and cots, pets are welcome, and a kitchen with oven and microwave supports self catering. Beach access nearby, bowling, golf and mini golf put activities within easy reach for groups and longer stays.
See Scarborough Stays Hampton ApartmentsScarborough Stays Ashville Lodge 5 Bedroomed house Sleeps 9
38 Ashville Avenue, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThis five-bedroom house on Ashville Avenue sleeps 9, making it a natural fit for large families or groups. It has a fireplace, patio and terrace, plus a kitchen with oven, microwave and washing machine. Sea views, beach access nearby, free parking and pets allowed add up to a generous 5-star self-catering base.
See Scarborough Stays Ashville Lodge 5 Bedroomed house Sleeps 9Manor Heath Apartment 1
67 Northstead Manor Drive, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereManor Heath Apartment 1 on Northstead Manor Drive brings sea views, a fireplace and a kitchen with oven, dishwasher and microwave. Cots and high chairs suit families, pets are allowed, and free car parking plus beach access nearby make days out easy. Good for guests wanting apartment space with a golf course close by.
See Manor Heath Apartment 1Manor Heath Apartment 2
67 Northstead Manor Drive, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThe second Manor Heath apartment keeps the same Northstead Manor Drive setting with a fireplace, kitchen and dishwasher. Free car parking and beach access nearby help, and pets are allowed. High chairs and non smoking rooms mean couples and small families can settle in without fuss, with a golf course within reach.
See Manor Heath Apartment 2Manor Heath Apartment 3
67 Northstead Manor Drive, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereManor Heath Apartment 3 offers a fireplace and a kitchen with oven, dishwasher and microwave on Northstead Manor Drive. A cot and high chairs welcome younger guests, pets are allowed, and free car parking plus beach access nearby keep outings simple. Suited to families who want a quiet self-catering 5-star stay.
See Manor Heath Apartment 3Manor Heath Apartment 4
67 Northstead Manor Drive, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThe largest appeal of Manor Heath Apartment 4 is its sea view, paired with a fireplace, kitchen and dishwasher on Northstead Manor Drive. Cots, high chairs and non smoking rooms cover family needs, pets are allowed, and free car parking sits alongside beach access nearby and a golf course.
See Manor Heath Apartment 4Mayville Lodge Scarborough Townhouse
18 Mayville Avenue, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereMayville Lodge on Mayville Avenue combines a fireplace, patio and terrace with a kitchen, washing machine and free car parking. Family rooms and high chairs help, pets are allowed, and a business centre plus express check in suit working travellers. A flexible 5-star townhouse for groups and longer trips.
See Mayville Lodge Scarborough TownhouseScarborough Stays Victorian Townhouse 5 Bedrooms SLEEPS 9
46 Ashville Avenue, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereFive bedrooms sleeping 9 on Ashville Avenue, this Victorian townhouse has a fireplace, patio and terrace plus a full kitchen with washing machine. Beach access nearby, fishing and a golf course give days shape, while family rooms, cots, pets allowed and free parking make it practical for big groups.
See Scarborough Stays Victorian Townhouse 5 Bedrooms SLEEPS 9May Cottage
47 High Street Snainton, Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereMay Cottage on High Street Snainton offers a garden and fireplace alongside a kitchen with oven, microwave and toaster. Free car parking, cots and non smoking rooms keep things easy, and pets are allowed. A calm 5-star cottage for couples or families wanting a quieter base away from the seafront.
See May CottageThe Manor House
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThe Manor House pairs a garden and jacuzzi with a fireplace, kitchen and dishwasher, plus a washing machine and high chairs. Beach access nearby and a golf course provide things to do, cots suit families and pets are allowed. A spacious 5-star option for groups seeking privacy and room to spread out.
See The Manor House
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Helaina | ★★★★★ | – | – |
| The Cavendish | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Mansion House | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| The Sands Sea Front Apartments | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| The Cordelia | ★★★★★ | – | – |
| Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Scarborough Stays Ashville Lodge 5 Bedroomed house Sleeps 9 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Manor Heath Apartment 1 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Manor Heath Apartment 2 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Manor Heath Apartment 3 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Manor Heath Apartment 4 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Mayville Lodge Scarborough Townhouse | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Scarborough Stays Victorian Townhouse 5 Bedrooms SLEEPS 9 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| May Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| The Manor House | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For sea views
Sea is listed among the facilities at The Helaina on Blenheim Terrace, at Mansion House on Esplanade South Cliff, and at three of the four Manor Heath Apartments on Northstead Manor Drive. Mansion House also has a fireplace and kitchen, so a sea-facing stay there works for a longer break rather than a single night.
The Helaina · Mansion House · Manor Heath Apartment 1 · Manor Heath Apartment 2 · Manor Heath Apartment 3 · Manor Heath Apartment 4
For families
Family rooms and high chairs appear at Mansion House, The Sands Sea Front Apartments and Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments. The larger houses — Ashville Lodge sleeping 9, the Victorian Townhouse sleeping 9 and Mayville Lodge — give families space, kitchens and washing machines, with parking at all of them.
Mansion House · The Sands Sea Front Apartments · Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments · Scarborough Stays Ashville Lodge 5 Bedroomed house Sleeps 9 · Mayville Lodge Scarborough Townhouse · Scarborough Stays Victorian Townhouse 5 Bedrooms SLEEPS 9
For pets
Pets are allowed at Mansion House, Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments, both Ashville Avenue houses, all four Manor Heath Apartments, Mayville Lodge, May Cottage at Snainton and The Manor House. Most of these also have a garden, patio or terrace, and May Cottage and The Manor House pair pets with a garden.
Mansion House · Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments · Scarborough Stays Ashville Lodge 5 Bedroomed house Sleeps 9 · Manor Heath Apartment 1 · Manor Heath Apartment 2 · Manor Heath Apartment 3
For parking
Free car parking is listed at The Cavendish, Mansion House, The Sands Sea Front Apartments, Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments, both Ashville Avenue houses, all four Manor Heath Apartments, Mayville Lodge, May Cottage and The Manor House. That covers most of the larger properties, which matters if you are driving in with a group.
The Cavendish · Mansion House · The Sands Sea Front Apartments · Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments · Scarborough Stays Ashville Lodge 5 Bedroomed house Sleeps 9 · Manor Heath Apartment 1
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Scarborough station on Westborough is the terminus of the York line — about 50 minutes from York, where you connect to LNER services for London in a further two hours, roughly hourly. TransPennine also runs direct from Leeds and Manchester, around 2h50 from Manchester Piccadilly. Manchester Airport is about 3h15 by train, Leeds Bradford 1h50 by car. In town, the seafront is a 5-minute walk downhill from the station and the cliff lifts save the climb back. The X93 and X4 buses run north to Whitby in about an hour and south to Filey in 25 minutes, roughly hourly.
When to go
August is the loudest month: Sandside and Foreshore Road fill from ten in the morning, and the boating lake's naval warfare display with model ships runs on selected summer afternoons, a tradition since 1927. Outside summer the lake is free and the town is calmer, with the brass band playing on Sundays. For a quieter stay on the same coastline, aim for the months either side of the school holidays, when the arcades thin out and the cliff-top addresses are at their best.
Things to do near Scarborough
- A Weekend on the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast: Filey, Scarborough and Where to Stay
- Beyond Whitby and Scarborough: Haunted Stays on the North Yorkshire Coast
- Ghost Walks in Scarborough: Evening Plans and Where to Sleep
- North Yorkshire Coastal Adventure Bases: Whitby, Filey and Scarborough
- Scarborough in Autumn: What Stays Open and Where to Sleep
- Scarborough or Whitby in Autumn: Which Haunted Town to Choose?
- Scarborough's Spooky Side: Coastal Stays and Ghost Stories
- Scarborough Spa: Gig-Goers' Guide to Live Music and Seafront Hotels in North Yorkshire
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels are closest to the town centre?
The Cavendish, The Cordelia, Mansion House and The Helaina all sit on or just off the Esplanade, the sea-facing side within a short downhill walk of the front. The seafront itself is a 5-minute walk downhill from Scarborough station, and the cliff lifts save the climb back up.
Do any of them have free parking?
Free car parking is listed at The Cavendish, Mansion House, The Sands Sea Front Apartments, Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments, both Ashville Avenue houses, all four Manor Heath Apartments, Mayville Lodge, May Cottage and The Manor House. The Helaina, The Cordelia and The Manor House's town listing do not list parking.
Which hotels allow pets?
Pets are allowed at Mansion House, Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments, Ashville Lodge, the Victorian Townhouse, all four Manor Heath Apartments, Mayville Lodge, May Cottage and The Manor House. Several of these also list a garden, patio or terrace alongside the pet policy.
Which is the top-rated pick?
The Helaina and The Cavendish share the highest guest rating, both 4.8 out of 5. The Helaina has 275 reviews and sits on Blenheim Terrace with sea listed among its facilities; The Cavendish has 95 reviews, is on Esplanade Road, and lists free car parking.
Which are best for families?
Family rooms appear at Mansion House, The Sands Sea Front Apartments and Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments. For larger groups, Ashville Lodge sleeps 9 and the Scarborough Stays Victorian Townhouse has 5 bedrooms and sleeps 9, both with kitchens, washing machines and free parking.
Do any have a pool, spa or hot tub?
None of these 5-star properties list a pool, spa or hot tub. The closest thing in the data is the Jacuzzi listed at The Manor House. For fitness facilities, The Sands Sea Front Apartments lists a fitness center.
Can I get to Whitby from Scarborough?
Yes. The X93 bus runs along the coast to Whitby in about an hour, roughly hourly through the day, calling at Robin Hood's Bay. There is no direct railway between the two — the line closed in 1965 and is now the Cinder Track cycle route, which is 34 km of former trackbed.
Are the apartments and houses self-catering?
Yes. The Sands Sea Front Apartments, Scarborough Stays Hampton Apartments, both Ashville Avenue houses, all four Manor Heath Apartments, Mayville Lodge, May Cottage and The Manor House list kitchens, and most add a microwave, oven, refrigerator and washing machine.