The Talbot Malton

The Talbot Malton, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property in the heart of Malton, United Kingdom, consistently earns high praise for its blend of historic charm and contemporary comfort, establishing itself as a premier destination in "Yorkshire's Food Capital."

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with many describing The Talbot as an "exceptional" and "charming" country inn. It is frequently lauded for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and has garnered strong ratings across various platforms, reflecting high satisfaction in service, cleanliness, comfort, and location. The Michelin Key selection further underscores its standing as a hotel offering a remarkable stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

• Exceptional Service & Staff: The friendly, helpful, and professional staff are a recurring theme in positive reviews, creating a welcoming and attentive experience.
• Outstanding Dining: The hotel's commitment to local, high-quality produce results in a highly acclaimed dining experience, from breakfast to dinner.
• Dog-Friendly: The Talbot is widely praised for being exceptionally welcoming to dogs, offering treats, comfortable beds, and even pet-friendly dining areas.
• Charming Design & Atmosphere: The interiors, a blend of bold colors, tactile fabrics, and vintage furniture, maintain the building's historic soul while feeling fresh and inviting, often complemented by roaring fires in common areas.
• Prime Location: Its central position in Malton, with views over fields and the River Derwent, provides easy access to the town's renowned food scene and the wider North Yorkshire attractions.
• Gardens & Outdoor Spaces: The property boasts lovely gardens with lawns and a lavender-lined terrace, offering peaceful relaxation spots.

3. Room Quality

The 26 individually furnished rooms and suites at The Talbot Malton are designed for comfort and style, with a tasteful blend of contemporary and traditional elements.

• Comfort & Design: Guests frequently praise the large, comfortable beds and "snuggly sheets," often noting the spaciousness. The refurbishment, masterminded by Sam and Georgie Pearman, incorporates bold colors and pleasingly tactile fabrics, with much of the furniture sourced from antique shops and vintage fairs.
• Amenities: Rooms come equipped with modern comforts such as flatscreen TVs, Roberts radios, Nespresso coffee machines, tea and kettles, and 100 Acres bath products.
• Room Types: "Big Rooms" offer super-king-size beds, while "Excellent Rooms" provide bucolic views and roll-top bathtubs. Some rooms offer views over the countryside or gardens.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Talbot is a major draw, contributing significantly to its reputation in "Yorkshire's Food Capital."

• Restaurant & Cuisine: The restaurant emphasizes local, seasonal produce from Yorkshire fields, Whitby Bay fish, and nearby farms, cooked with simplicity to let the quality shine. Dishes are described as "superb," "substantial," and "delicious," with a focus on modern British cuisine.
• Breakfast: The cooked breakfast is consistently highlighted as "excellent" and "exceptional quality."
• Dining Atmosphere: Guests can choose between a more formal dining room with large windows or a relaxed bar area, where dogs are welcome. The Talbot Yard Food Court, adjacent to the hotel, further extends the local foodie offerings.
• Local Sourcing: The hotel prides itself on sourcing ingredients locally, including bread from Bluebird Bakery, ice cream from Groovy Moo, and drinks from local breweries and distilleries like Rare Bird Gin.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Talbot Malton receive near-universal acclaim. Guests describe them as "super helpful and friendly," "most welcoming," "attentive," and "highly professional." Many reviews mention staff going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, contributing significantly to the hotel's warm and inviting atmosphere.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Talbot is ideally situated in Malton, a vibrant market town known as "Yorkshire's Food Capital."

• Neighborhood: The hotel overlooks fields and meadows, with the River Derwent running past the garden, while being centrally located for exploring Malton's shops, bars, and artisan food scene.
• Attractions: It serves as an excellent base for exploring the North York Moors National Park (approximately 16.1 km away), Castle Howard, and the Yorkshire Wolds.
• Transport: Malton is served by TransPennine Express trains, with the station about a seven-minute walk from the hotel. Leeds-Bradford airport is roughly an hour's drive away. The hotel offers free private parking on site.
• Accessibility Note: It's important to note that the hotel does not have ramps or a lift, which may make it unsuitable for wheelchair users.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally consider The Talbot to be good value for money, especially given the quality of the accommodation, food, and service. Prices for a one-night stay for two adults can start from approximately £109.00, though this can vary. It's worth noting that breakfast is typically not included in the room rate.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:

• Room Condition: A few guests have mentioned that certain rooms appeared "tired" or "scruffy" and could benefit from a revamp, with specific mentions of black mould around shower cubicles.
• Mattress Softness: Some guests found the mattresses to be too soft.
• Lack of Seating in Rooms: A recurring comment suggests the need for a second chair in some rooms.
• Lighting: One guest noted that slightly higher wattage light bulbs in the bedroom would make reading easier.
• Occasional Slow Service: One review mentioned slow and disjointed service on a particular night, though it was described as well-meaning.
• No Fridge: One guest wished for a small fridge in the room.

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