Yorkshire B&B is ranked best in world for second year running
THE OWNERS of a Yorkshire bed and breakfast that has been named the best in the world for the second year in succession say retaining the coveted title has been “absolutely unbelievable”.
Toulson Court in Scarborough has been named the best-rated B&B for the second consecutive year in the 2022 Tripadvisor Awards.
Owners Angela and James Rusden told The Yorkshire Post that they are surprised and delighted to have retained the accolade – but have no plans to put up their prices despite their continued success.
The couple’s B&B, which is located close to the seaside town’s Peasholm Park and a short walk from Scarborough beach,“is not the Ritz or Savoy”, said Mr Rusden, who took over the B&B with his wife in 2016.
The B&B is a modest Victorian house but has a higher ranking from its guests than the Ritz and Savoy in London on the Booking. com website.
“We never thought we’d get to number one in Scarborough or top 10 in Yorkshire, let alone in the world,” said Mr Rusden.
“It’s absolutely amazing and we thought we’d be put on a pedestal last year.”
The hotel has clocked up 1,765 positive reviews on Tripadvisor, a 4.9 out of five rating on Google and a 9.8 out of 10 on Booking. com.
Mr Rusden said that he and his wife never expected to be number one for two years running.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable. We’re just an everyday Victorian house, it’s a lovely clean place.
“We are value for money and we won’t be putting up prices as a result of winning.
“We’re a home away from home and we make an effort to get to know all of our guests.”
The couple, originally from
Ackworth, near Wakefield, decided to move to the seaside resort for a stress-free life.
Initially the couple were going to foster in Scarborough and then decided to set up the B&B.
Mr Rusden began singing while cooking breakfasts, leading to guests writing glowing reviews about ‘The Singing Chef ’.
“Singing makes me happy. It started as humming and now I sing all the time,” said Mr Rusden, who talks openly about struggling with his mental health after having been diagnosed with two brain aneurysms, one inoperable, and experiencing a mild stroke when he was made redundant from his corporate career.
The couple made the hard decision to leave their three children and nine grandchildren behind in Ackworth to set up what is now the world’s number one B&B.
Yorkshire is home to four of the UK’s top 25 B&Bs including Toulson Court, Franklin Mount Boutique Guesthouse in Harrogate, Stow House in Aysgarth and Mill
Croft Bed and Breakfast in Goathland, who rank tenth, 12th and 17th in the UK respectively.
Another notable Yorkshire winner of the Tripadvisor awards is Yorebridge House in Bainbridge which placed 24th in the UK’s Most Romantic hotels list and 25th in the Luxury category.
Not only is the UK home to the world number one B&B this year, the nation also boasts five of the world’s top 25, tying with the US (also boasting five winners) to claim bragging rights that it is the country with more winners than any other in the world. In the Europe list, the UK celebrates eight winners in total, five of which make up Europe’s top five.
We’re just an everyday Victorian house, it’s a lovely clean place. James Rusden, of Toulson Court B&B in Scarborough.