The Penny Bun

The Penny Bun, located in the charming village of Askwith near Otley in the United Kingdom, is a Michelin Key Selected property lauded for its unique blend of elegant design, exceptional dining, and warm hospitality. This "old country inn turned into an elegant but down-to-earth boutique hotel" offers a serene escape on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, consistently earning high praise from guests.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Penny Bun is overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a superb guest experience. It boasts an impressive 9.1/10 "Superb" rating from 75 reviews on Booking.com, a 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor from 113 reviews, and an 8.8 overall rating on Agoda.com, with a perfect 10.0 for value and facilities. The Telegraph also gave it a commendable 8/10 score. Guests frequently describe it as "charming," "welcoming," "stylish," "zen-like," and offering a "calm relaxing vibe" and "exceptional" quality.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

• Service & Hospitality: The staff are frequently highlighted as "exceptional," "friendly," "thoughtful," "attentive," and "very professional," contributing significantly to a welcoming environment.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's decor is described as "stunning," "stylish," and "beautifully decorated," blending contemporary classic elements with a cozy, "zen-like" atmosphere. The interior is curated to induce a calm and relaxing vibe, often featuring earthy tones.
• Dining Experience: The food and drink offerings are a major draw, with a strong emphasis on gourmet, locally sourced, and seasonal produce.
• Location: Its quiet, picturesque setting in Askwith, nestled between Ilkley and Otley, offers beautiful countryside views and direct access to walking trails, making it ideal for a relaxing getaway.

Room Quality

The Penny Bun features five guest rooms, which are described as "spotless and wonderfully furnished," "comfortable," and offering a "calm and low-lit" atmosphere. Designed for resting and free of distractions, rooms intentionally lack screens. They are furnished with sustainably built items and offer a "contemporary feel and considered quality." Amenities include private bathrooms with walk-in showers, bathrobes, parquet floors, tea and coffee makers, and complimentary toiletries. Beds are noted as "super comfortable." However, some guests have noted that rooms can be "dark" or "dimly lit," which can make tasks like applying makeup challenging. Room 3, for instance, has been praised for its good size, great shower, and effective floor heating.

Dining Experience

The Penny Bun's dining is a central focus, earning it a 1-Rosette by the AA for its "Field to fork cooking in the country." The restaurant offers a "delightful dining experience" with an inviting atmosphere and stylish yet cozy decor. There is a strong commitment to using locally sourced, seasonal, and responsibly grown produce, with ambitions to grow more directly from the Denton Reserve.

• Food Quality: Guests consistently praise the "incredible food," highlighting "amazing pies," "gorgeous Sunday Roast" with tender beef, and highly recommended scotch eggs. The menu often features British classics with a modern twist.
• Breakfast: A continental breakfast is typically offered, including fresh bread, pastries, Yorkshire butter, seasonal fruit compote, and locally roasted ham, alongside cooked options such as a full English or smashed broad beans on toast. Some rates include breakfast, while others may incur a charge of £20. Some guests have even received breakfast hampers delivered to their rooms.
• Bar: The on-site bar provides a relaxing atmosphere, offering a well-curated selection of fine wines and local beers, including White Rat beer, supporting local breweries.
• Availability: The restaurant and pub are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with no food served from Sunday 4:30 PM until Wednesday noon.

Service & Staff

The service at The Penny Bun receives almost universal acclaim. Staff members are repeatedly described as "exceptional," "friendly," "thoughtful," "attentive," "engaging," "helpful," and "very professional." Many guests have commented on staff being "genuinely lovely people" who are "keen to give you the best experience" and offer "just the right amount of attention."

Location & Accessibility

The Penny Bun is situated in Askwith, a small village midway between Ilkley and Otley, both approximately 10 minutes away by car. It offers a "beautiful location with great views" and is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, within the Nidderdale National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Local Attractions: The area is ideal for walking trails. It's close to Ilkley Moor and Otley Chevin. The Royal Hall Theatre and Harrogate International Centre are about 21 km away.
• Transport: Leeds Bradford International Airport is the most convenient airport, roughly 20 minutes (8 miles) away by car. Ben Rhydding is the nearest train station, about a 6-minute taxi ride, with connections to Leeds. While public transport options exist, a car is generally recommended for exploring the surrounding area, and free private parking is available on-site.

Value & Pricing

Guests frequently rate The Penny Bun highly for its value, scoring an 8.6 for value for money on Booking.com and a perfect 10.0 on Agoda.com. Average room prices range from $251 to $300, which is considered competitive for the area. Rooms for two are available from £220. While some reviews note it as a "boutique hotel price for what is a pub with rooms," the overall sentiment is that the quality and experience justify the cost.

Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few minor recurring issues have been noted by some guests:

• Room Lighting: Several reviews mention that the rooms can be "dark" or "dimly lit," making it difficult for tasks like applying makeup or reading without additional light.
• Limited Amenities in Rooms: Suggestions for additional in-room amenities like shower caps, toothpaste, and water top-ups have been made.
• Service Inconsistencies: While generally excellent, a few minor "teething issues" with service have been reported, such as difficulties splitting bills, incorrect drink orders, slow service, and missed dessert orders.
• Restaurant/Breakfast Availability: The restaurant and pub are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, meaning no breakfast is served on these days, which some guests found inconvenient.
• No TVs in Rooms: The intentional absence of televisions in rooms, designed to promote a distraction-free environment, might not appeal to all guests.

Sources

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4. trip.com
5. agoda.com
6. thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
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11. ilkleygazette.co.uk
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13. pennybunilkley.co.uk
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