This is my first review; I've often used trip advisor, and thought I should do my bit in return, but i've never been that inspired, everywhere's just been ok. However, after our Saturday night in Hotel Helaina, i want to compliment the owners for providing what we (my wife and I) and surely most people have always wanted in accommodation - somewhere, which is clean, comfortable, reasonably priced and makes you want to go back.

This place (despite it's name - was that inherited? Sorry, Helainas around the world) was really nice; it was definitely NOT one of those tired and worn traditional seaside B&Bs that make you wish you could afford a decent hotel (which, from our limited experience, don't always live up to expectations anyway!).

Jill and Tom, the young (and very friendly) owners have apparently only had the place for a couple of years and we saw from their website that they've already won a best B&B award - we could understand why.

During our stay, we just felt very comfortable and relaxed because the hotel is warm, cosy and spotlessly clean. The decor and furnishings are very tasteful - contemporary (but not in a 'trying to hard to be contemporary' or 'pretentious' way). The breakie was excellent, a full English, without the grease, and in a room we felt at ease to be in, not one of those - with doily clad Formica tables - where the tinkling of the teacups makes you cringe, let alone the uncomfortable coughs and clearing of throats!

When we complimented Tom and Jill on how nice the Hotel was, they told is it's an ongoing process getting it how they want it - which makes us think it's going to carry on being a nice place to stay!

We've spent time in Scarborough in the past, and we don't know if it has cleaned up it's image or it was just the positive feeling we were left with after staying at the Hotel Helaina. Either way, if we go back again, we definitely have somewhere to stay which is not much more expensive than some of the 'traditional' Scarborough B&Bs and is on a level par, if not better than the more expensive hotels, with regards to comfort and the general feel good factor!!

Keep up the good work Hotel Helaina!!