As a treat my boyfriend wanted to take me away for a weekend; anywhere I liked. The only criteria was that we had to combine lovely countryside walks with some rest and relaxation. The latter is particularly important to my partner since he runs his own successful but demanding business and he usually works incredibly long hours during the week.
After literally two hours spent scouring the internet for ideal places, I booked The White Swan. The internet description sounded very appealing with its '... wonderfully comfortable rooms' and a restaurant '...which is known for its fantastic food...'
When I booked the hotel over the telephone I was satisfied in the knowledge that our room was not a contemporary one but that it had been recently refurbished and that most of the rooms had flat screen plasmas...
When we were shown to our room upon arrival, the first thing that hit us was the unbearable heat. The second was how tiny and cramped the room was (a lot smaller than my bedroom at home). The tv was a colour portable and the DVD player did not work. Admittedly the bathroom was nice but the rest of the decor was below average (we later found out that we were misinformed and that the room is still due to be refurbished).
Upon booking, the lady on reception had told me that the hotel's restaurant was considered one of the best places to eat in Pickering. However, my boyfriend's starter appeared slightly undercooked and my main course was luke warm. I did bring it to the attention of the waitress who took it back to warm it up. Second time round the meal was no better, but by this time my boyfriend had finished his meal and I didn't want to complain again. The one highlight of the dining experience was the sticky toffee pudding.
We had a very restless night (with the window wide open and the radiator turned off) due to the room being like furnace and what with the incessant coughing from the guest next door, I felt far from refreshed and relaxed upon waking on Sunday morning.
Breakfast was very average. There was no tomato ketchup (essential for a traditional cooked breakfast!!), only a spicy salsa, and the large pot of tea for two was dismal (there was only one tea bag).
We regularly stay at some lovely hotels and have even paid less at The Lowry (one of Manchester's best hotels) for a far superior room. This room wasn't even up to the standard of some budget hotels that we have stayed at in the past.
Don't be fooled by the hotel's boast - 'if you are not delighted with your stay or your food and you let us know at the time we will offer you a no quibble, no catches full refund.' We were offered the room at half the price and had a reduction on our restaurant bill, but that doesn't make up for cold food and a sleepless night, particularly when our weekends are so precious.

My wife booked a three night break at the White Swan while we were having some work done at home. After we had booked we saw one very poor review here on TripAdviser which concerned us.

We had one of the superior contemporay rooms at the rear of the hotel and it was superb. A very good sized room, excellent bed, fantastic bathroom and beautifully decorated.

The staff were very well trained, helpful & attentive without being at all intrusive. We ate in the hotel on the first night and we enjoyed our food but we ate elsewhere on the other two nights. Breakfast was wonderful. We enjoyed the residents lounge/clubroom with TV's, pool table, honesty bar, complimentary coffee.

We liked Pickering and the general area and we would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to anyone.

PS Don't be afraid to ask for a deal, we were initially quoted the full rate (which is quite expensive). The next day I noticed some deals on the internet and they were happy to match the cost which was a considerable saving.

I recently stayed at the White Horse with my Husband, our two young children (4 and 8 months) and my very fussy mother visiting from Australia. We had two interconnecting rooms in the new building towards the rear of the hotel. The rooms are fabulous and spacious with very comfortable large beds and lovely linen. I had the best shower ever (in the UK) and my Mum loved the bath (with candles). The interior design is modern and comfortable. Wide screen wall mounted TVs with an extensive DVD library adding to the luxury. The rooms were spotless.

Staff were friendly and helpful including taking, heating and returning baby food on our arrival. Plenty of space in rooms for cot and ready bed. They also have a lovely lounge area for guests separate from the main building which had been recently decorated with sofas, two wide screen TV's, pool table , papers and mags, on tap coffee (from an impressive machine) tea, a courtesy bar and a loo. A great place for me to hang out with the kids between sight seeing in the village.

Pickering itself is an interesting town with lots of character and interesting shops. The castle (walking distance from the White Swan) is worth a visit as is the sight of Steam Engine starting up and moving off at the train station.

On the food front all was delicious. We enjoyed an excellent dinner of pizza and gelato (home made) in the pizza place next door. Breakfast was excellent and extensive and well worth taking the complementary paper to read to prolong the experience. Lunch of fish, real chips and real mushy peas was lovely. We also enjoyed an afternoon coffee in the snug.

Children were welcome and out two seems to enjoy the stay (slept well and were well behaved).

My mother could find nothing to complain about (which is unusual) and we all thoroughly enjoyed our short stay and would definitely return for a few days next time.

Small rooms in need of refurbishment in the main building or better rooms outside next to the car park, but getting soaked on the precarious walk to the main building for breakfast; all rooms at a high price but towels, toiletries and contents of the hospitality tray never replaced; poor breakfasts in a crowded dining room with too few staff; top restaurant prices for average dinners served on cheap tables without tablecloths whilst sitting on hard kitchen type wooden chairs; indifferent staff; noisy street keeping you awake; a proprietor who is apparently never in the hotel to hear customer complaints; etc etc. If that is what you want, stay here. If not, don't go within a mile of the place.