Why haven't I noticed Moyles Hotel before?  Probably because until relatively recently, it didn't exist.  Or not in its present form anyway.

For a town as popular with tourists as Hebden Bridge undoubtedly is, there's always been a distinct lack of quality accommodation to cater to them.  Come to think of it, there's always been a lack of accommodation. Period.

Thankfully things are slowly improving, and Moyles is part of that improvement.

Seeing a gap in the market, owner, Simon Moyle, took a chance on buying a very run-down former guest house, and gutting it. The building was then completely rebuilt and transformed into one man's vision of what a quality hotel should be like.

A veteran of the textile industry, Simon has stayed in many hotels around the world, and as a result, developed a clear idea of what does, and what doesn't, make a good hotel.

Do his ideas meet the needs of today's guest?  We check in to find out.

First impressions are very encouraging, and the ground floor bar and restaurant are friendly and welcoming.  Lots of wood and natural materials, the two seating areas give an outdoors-indoors feel with flag flooring surrounded by a pebble border, and in one, cane chairs with comfortable cushions.

Reception is an informal affair, just a desk at the side of the bar.  Fortunately, the room keys aren't as large or heavy as those hanging on the wall, and I'm handed a much daintier one with an attractive glass key-fob.

I later learned that both the key board and the key fobs have been made by Simon, as have many of the wooden and glass items which adorn the rooms.

Upstairs, the twelve elegant bedrooms are all individually designed, all unique.  Spread over two floors, with six on each level, there are five 'signature' rooms; the other seven are 'premiere' rooms.

Mine was the "Oriental" room, a 'signature' room on the top floor.  Large and spacious, it had a king-size bed clad in pure cotton, black wood furniture, an armchair and sofa, and a flat-screen TV on the wall above the desk.

The spotless bathroom was great to look at, and great to look out of, as it overlooks the Rochdale Canal and the woods above the town.  A large slipper bath on a pedestal was big enough for two, and I loved the chunky, square sink.  Two velvety monogrammed bathrobes hung on the wall behind the door, to complement the pair of monogrammed slippers by the bed.

Aesthetically pleasing, the room had obviously had a good deal of thought put into it style-wise, but in terms of practicality, there were a few areas which don't quite hit the mark yet.  

In the bathroom for instance, everything is in its allotted place, which means there's absolutely nowhere to put anything else. 

Without a mirror behind the desk/dressing table, it's difficult to put make-up on unless you stand in the bathroom and put your toiletry bag in the sink.

To these minor niggles I must add the bed: while some may like their beds very firm, it was far too hard for my liking with about as much give as a butcher's block.

Beds would certainly benefit from pillow-top mattress covers to provide a little more padding for the bones.

All in all though, the rooms are very comfortable and well equipped, and despite fronting onto a busy road, extremely quiet and well soundproofed.

Downstairs is where the action is, and the bar is obviously popular with the locals.  A group of girls were celebrating someone's 21st with a variety of cocktails, and later in the evening I met a chap enthusing about the range of real ales served at Moyles.

Recommended in the "Good Pub Guide" and by CAMRA members, there are at least four ales on at any one time (they change regularly), and a helpful 'tasting notes' sheet available to help the undecided.

Light and contemporary would be an apt description of both the restaurant's decor and the menu.  Almost everything is made on the premises, and with an open kitchen, diners can keep an eye on the preparations.

Headed by Chef, Magnus Mumby, and ably assisted by Sous Chef, Daniel Derrington, cuisine is a mixture of great presentation and wonderful flavours, and it's good for you, as Mumby believes in serving healthy food.

For my starter, I chose the char-grilled asparagus with Parma ham, parmesan and rocket, and a grilled rib-eye steak with mustard and black pepper crust to follow.  Both were tasty, and the chef certainly knows how to cook a steak; mine arrived very rare, just as I wanted it.

I didn't fancy any of the desserts on the menu, but did want two of the ingredients - raspberries from one dish, and ice-cream from another.

This was met with a 'no problem' from the staff, and I was presented with the attractive dish pictured.  Chef even whipped up a couple of brandy-snap baskets to put the ice-cream in.  That shows initiative.

The restaurant is gaining a good reputation and clearly the locals like the fact that Hebden Bridge has a decent restaurant at last, and on the evening I visited, quite a few had braved the most torrential downpour to dine there.

There's a very great deal that Moyles Hotel has got just right, and although a few minor tweaks are required, one has only to take a look at the guest book to see there are a great many happy guests who can't wait to come back.

I'd agree.

Practicalities:

Excellent value for money, with a great deal currently available (until December 2007) on Friday nights - £99 per room, dinner, bed and breakfast for two (£150 in a signature room).  Bargain!

Early bird or pre-theatre two-course set menu available until 7pm.

Rooms have either bath or shower, be sure to state your preference when booking.  There are two twin rooms, one on the 2nd floor, and Room 6 on the first floor (pictured), which has an outdoor terrace - a good choice for smokers, as smoking is not allowed in any of the rooms.

Post July 1st 2007, smoking will be permitted only on the outdoor decking area at the front of the hotel.

Moyles Hotel
New Road
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 8AD

Telephone:  01422 845 272

Book your stay at Moyles Hotel 

For more information and up-to-date prices, and directions, visit www.moyles.com.

See our feature for more on Hebden Bridge itself.

Published 23/06/2007