So why 4 out of five?
Nothing to do with the staff, the food the location, the rooms the cleanliness or officiancy what-so-ever.

4 out of 5 goes to the fact that there only 4 channels on the TV, and that the internet only worked in the bar, minor problems that could be solved at little cost.

Okay, that aside, you'd be hard pushed to find a more friendly staff.

Food:
The food was impeccable, an extensive menu both in the bar and in the restaurant. Speedy service with a smile and pleasantries, nothing fake, nothing forced, all genuine, from professional and tentative staff.

Rooms:
Spotless, large bed, desk, chairs, ample dresser space, large bathroom - ours had no shower, just a snake from the taps of an ornate cast iron bath. Bright and modern bathroom, and a large spacious bedroom, some people have said 60s style i'm not sure about that, but its themed that way. Its not decor that's actually been there since the 60s.....you know that....... right?
Room 25, 26 and 27 open out onto a lovely garden area that, in summer would be a great place to relax. If you want Internet, I suggest room 27 and its right beside the bar, in 26 we had nothing.

Restaurant and Bar:
Large restaurant and and breakfast area, and a snug yet spacious bar area, with a really old world country feel to it country feel to it, leather seating, open fireplace, appealing to all ages but like it or hate it, impressive none the less.

Food:
We never sampled the restaurant menu, but guests there that weekend had no complaints.
Over the weekend stay -
In the bar we sampled: Stake and Ale pie, Gammon and egg with rice and seasonal vegetables and smoked haddock with spinach in a prawn butter sauce.
Breakfast: Triangles of toast with haddock and poached eggs, full English breakfast, scrambled eggs. 10/10 on all food and service.

Overall, 9/10

I'd recommend to anyone looking for a great relaxing break in a stress free well catered for setting.. just limited internet and and TV.

I'm writing this whilst still at the hotel sat in the bar, fire on. We are now the only guests at the hotel but coming out of season, being quiet can be expected.
We have a lovely room in what I believe to be the new part of the hotel, overlooking a small garden with a sea view (just). Very comfortable, clean & well maintained.
Most staff excellent all apart from 1 who annoyed me a couple of times over trivial matters (female restaurant manager I believe).
Overall a lovely hotel with very pleasant attentive staff in a lovely setting about 2/3 miles outside Whitby near sandsend. You can't walk anywhere so will need the car but if u don't mind that & want a lovely relaxing setting, it's for you. We paid very little with a KGB deal & were very happy with what we got.
Give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

We have just returned from a two night stay, and had a wonderful time. The country house is beautiful, the staff are very well trained and obviously love working at this hotel. My husband compared the food to michelin star quality that we have sampled, The chef has done a fantastic job with the menu. Dunsley Hall is a country house hotel therefore it is perfect for a relaxing break If you want a busy bar go to a pub, as this place is tranquil and we hope that it stays this way.We are already planning our next visit.

Dunsley Hall? a delightful traditional country hotel reached by single track roads, a few miles outside Whitby. Friendly and competent reception staff. Lots of oak panelling, furnishings of obvious quality, and exceptionally high levels of cleanliness...... but visiting out of season? no, I don't recommend it.
Because there were so few guests it certainly had the air of an upmarket nursing home. Sandwiches taken in the room, were expensive at over £7.00 a round plus a £5.00 tray charge and were not filled with top quality ingredients. An exploratory visit to the bar, to discover just one lone drinker made me turn and leave, only to hear disparaging remarks about me, between the lone drinker and the barmaid as the door closed slowly behind me.....not impressed! As lone diners in the breakfast room and by definition a kitchen with chef/cook hardly over worked, we would have expected simple dishes to have been correct. Imagine our disappointment when poached eggs were served reeking of vinegar and patently overcooked....if a kitchen can't get the simplest things right, what hope is there?