We have been to this hotel before and had no reluctance in returning .We are glad we did as we had an excellent stay which was down primarily to manager Ken Hardy and all his staff providing a high level of friendly and efficient service.Clearly much effort went in to ensure guests felt comfortable and happy during their stay. Food quality was extremely good and is served in pleasant dining surroundings.Although they are a little more expensive we prefer the larger rooms on the far side of the hotel.In short a comfortable well managed hotel.

We have stayed at this hotel several times over New Year and have always been extremely satisfied with the overall ambience, the food and the excellent service from the management and the whole of the staff.
From the first welcome as we entered the hotel, to the final goodbye as we left, our time with Ken Hardy and his team was excellent. Along with the friends, who made up our party, we were made to feel totally at home at the Dower House.
"Feeling at home" is what sets the Dower House above other New Year breaks we have experienced in other hotels.

This is the fourth time that my wife and I, who are one of nine couples who have been spending New Year together for over thirty years in various hotels up and down the country, have stayed at the Dower House.
As a rule we don't book the same venue in consecutive years but the manager, Ken Hardy, and his staff made our stay so enjoyable last year that we booked immediately for this year (2011/12)
Under his professional, high profile direction the whole operation seems to run extremely smoothly.The staff are all very pleasant, helpful and attentive without being overbearing.
Attention to details like mulled wine and biscuits on arrival, Afternoon tea on New Years Eve and a Champagne Reception in the evening are what makes this hotel stand out from the competition.
The meals are all cooked to a very high standard and offer a comprehensive choice.
The New Years Eve celebration was well organised although the music the disco played seemed sometimes a little out of step with the mainly middle-aged crowd.
Our one reservation was that our bedroom/shower room was rather small but this seemed a price worth paying for an excellent three days.

Myself my partner and our toddler stayed here on boxing day, we come to knaresborough and Harrogate alot but we were looking fir health spa facilities to make a relaxing break away and be able to take our little girl swimming.
The hotel is beautiful from the outside with ample on site parking, we were greeted by the hotel manager who got a member of staff to carry our bags to our room. The room was spacious with giant bed and cot provided. we headed straight for the pool and was greeted by a very helpful member of staff who handed us towels and showed us round. We enjoyed the pool,jaquizzi, footspa and adventure shower. We werebooked in for the jazz evening with 4 course meal in which we were again greeted by the manager who explained we'd get our free drinks and allbe seated together. Our daughter was the only child at the meal infact I think in the whole hotel but she was embraced and very much looked after and made a fuss of. She was given an option of having whatever she wanted cooked, and a huge bowl of ice cream, balloons and the staff especially the manager made sure she was happy through out..she loved the jazz singer too and danced all night. The food was gorgeous and the staff were excellent.
Due to the over indulgence of icecteam our daughter was sick on a duvet in the bedroom we told the staff and they reassured us it was ok and not to worry.
Breakfast was delicious lots of choice and great service.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and I'm trying to persude my other half to book our wedding here!!!!
Well definately be back