We booked a 2 night stay at the Hotel for a wedding. We booked a twin room 6 months in advance at the cost of £120 per room per night B& B.
On arrival we checked in and struggled with our lugguge in a tiny lift to top floor. Upon entering the room we discovered that the room had a double bed and bed side cabinets and a wardrobe and no space what so ever. You couldn't walk around the bed without brushing against the bed. We took one look and called reception. She said that they were fully booked but may be able to change us for the second night but later rang back to say that wasn't possible. She apologised for the double bed and said there was a double booking. Not much help when 2 large men have to share a small double! To add to it, the bathroom was kitted out with towels for one which implied the room was usually used for singles.
To sum up for a UK 3* the hotel was very tatty around the edges, particularly the public areas (although the restaraunt was quite nice and so was the breakfast). I have stayed in lots of UK hotels and I'm surprised this is a 3*.
The Hotel was full (or so we were told) but had no atmosphere at all, the place seemed deserted. We did see a coach load of tourists on the last morning and wondered whether the coach parties take preferenc to independant travellers, but not sure.

We obtained a very reasonable B&B rate through Hotels.com for a 2 night B&B stay at the Ripon Spa.
The room was very pleasant with a good view over the very well tended grounds - the bathroom had obviously recently had a makeover. Although we did not eat in the hotel in the evening, the bar meals seemed reasonable and popular. We can recommend trying Lockwoods on North Street for an excellent evening meal
Staff were very friendly and were all English - something rarely seen in hotels these days - all gave good ' old fashioned' service. Breakfast was excellent in the verypleasant surroundings of the dining room.
We would certainly be happy to visit again.

When we had to go to Ripon we were a little disappointed that there were no four or five star hotels in the town, but we need not have worried. Although only a three star hotel the Ripon Spa Hotel is perfectly adequate. It is clean, tidy with very attentive staff and although a little tired and old fashioned proved to be an excellent venue for our stay. We did not eat in the restaurant in the evening, due to another committment, but our breakfast in the morning was of the highest quality. It is always nice when a hotel exceeds your expectations.

I stayed at the Ripon Spa for one night to attend a wedding reception nearby. All the staff were very friendly and accommodating. The receptionist (with her negotiation skills) persuaded the housekeepers for us to check in nearly three hours early! The room was very nice, if a little hot. There are water coolers on every corridor so you can get a glass of mineral water or fill your bottle up. The croquet lawns are picturesque as is the whole area of Ripon. I would defo recommend thsi hotel and would love to come back for a short holiday. Although at £110 a night, the hotel was a bit pricey, but good value for money.
Breakfast was little dissapointing, only beacause i like beans and hash browns with my English breakfast - and im a veggie so mushrooms and really runny scrambled egg didnt really do it for me. My boyfriend said the bacon and sausages were very tasty though! Again, the service staff were excellent. I would love to go back soon. Book early though, the Ripon Spa is a conference hotel as well as the venue for the croquet championships and there is always lots going on!