La Rosa Hotel

Described as ‘more boudoir than boutique’, La Rosa puts Victorian seaside fun centre stage in eight lovingly furnished rooms occupying an elegant Georgian townhouse that was once a favourite of Lewis Carroll. If you add to this that facing the hotel and across the picturesque harbour are the ruins of Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, this place makes for one cool literary stay – and a romantic one too.

La Rosa is certainly unique, but it's also elegant and comfortable, with eight guest rooms that are each individually decorated according to a specific theme. Quirky retro furniture, found objects and fabulously sourced bric-a-brac evoke various dreams and themes, from swan-themed 'La Rosa' and French-themed ’Sacre-Coeur' (with harbour views and free-standing baths), to cosy 'Little Red' with its four-poster bed and shower. One room evokes Lewis Carroll's study, another – 'Stoker' – looks across to the ruins of Whitby Abbey, while the top-floor ‘Crow’s Nest’ suite or apartment has its own living space and can comfortably accommodate six people in three bedrooms.

Four of the rooms have sea views but even those that don’t are more than adequate and adorned with luxury features, from the huge bed in 'Arabesque' to the massive bath in 'Saloon'. What's more, half the rooms and the apartment are dog-friendly. There are no TVs – the hotel provides quite enough entertainment without that! – but there is good WiFi and a great selection of books and vinyl in the hotel's cosy Cocktail Library, which not only serves cocktails but also the perfect complement to the hotel's Victorian Tearoom, where homemade cakes and other goodies are available throughout the day. Breakfast is delivered to your room each morning in a picnic hamper and is a delicious mix of eggs, yoghurt, fruit and pastries.

Finally the location is perfect if you want to explore Whitby. La Rosa couldn't be more central and handy for just about everywhere you might want to see, from the Abbey to the beach to the town's legendary Magpie chippy. La Rosa is also a terrific base for the the rest of the North Yorkshire Coast, including Staithes to the north and Scarborough to the south, not to mention the natural glories of North York Moors National Park, which surrounds the town to the west. Just ask owners Rob and Helen, who have plenty of ideas on how you should spend your day!