ISMA

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what caught me off guard about ISMA? I honestly wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up on Wetherby Road – it’s this quiet stretch heading toward Knaresborough that most people just drive through without a second thought. But there’s something refreshingly different about this place that hits you the moment you step inside. It doesn’t try to fit into any particular box, which I guess explains why they don’t bother with the whole star rating thing. The owners clearly decided to do their own thing, and honestly, it works.

The building itself has this understated elegance that feels more like staying at a well-traveled friend’s place than a typical hotel. I mean, the rooms have character – actual character, not that manufactured boutique hotel vibe you get everywhere else. The attention to detail is what gets me though. Little touches like the way they’ve arranged the lighting, or how the bathroom amenities actually smell good instead of that generic hotel soap scent. Parking’s straightforward too, which anyone who’s driven around North Yorkshire will appreciate. What really sold me was how quiet it gets at night – you’re close enough to Knaresborough’s center (maybe a ten-minute walk to the castle area) but far enough from the main road noise that you actually sleep well.

The staff genuinely seem to know their stuff about the area, and not in that rehearsed concierge way. They’ll tell you the best time to hit Knaresborough Castle before the crowds show up, or which way to walk along the Nidd that most tourists miss. The breakfast situation is solid – they source locally, which you can actually taste in the difference. Look, it’s not perfect – the building’s got some quirks, and if you’re expecting a massive spa or 24-hour room service, you’ll be disappointed. But that 8.7 rating makes sense when you realize what they’re actually trying to be. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to extend your stay in North Yorkshire an extra night, just because it feels more authentic than the chain hotels cluttering up Harrogate. If you’re planning to explore the Dales or just want a proper base for wandering around this part of Yorkshire, ISMA gets it right in ways that matter more than fancy amenities.