MRS Margaret Stewart from Spalding, Lincs relives her time at The Russell Hotel, Scarborough

WHERE: The Russell Hotel, Scarborough

THEN: In 1947, after the Second World War, my parents decided that we should go to Scarborough for our Christmas break. We went to The Russell Hotel and the happiness, warmth and fantastic food will be in my memory for ever.

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I was 10 years old, it was my first proper holiday and the first time I had been to a hotel. I thought it was wonderful. We played games, listened to music, we danced, and on Christmas Day we went for a walk on the beach.

At the time, Scarborough was still recovering after the war. It was quite austere and not as commercialised as now but charming in an olde-worlde way.

NOW: The Russell is still fabulous. I arrived early and was treated to a full English breakfast and a very warm welcome. It had totally changed since I went there first but it was definitely the same hotel and I recognised the central staircase (I always used to imagine myself sweeping down it in a ball gown).

The shared bathrooms have gone, replaced by en-suites in every room and there are large bay windows and modern televisions. My comfortable room overlooked the adjacent park with its beautiful trees, while the coast is just a minute's drive away.

The Russell is in a really lovely setting at the quiet, north end of the bay and it feels very much like you are staying out in the countryside.

I ate dinner in the same dining room as all those years ago and the food was delicious. It was simple fare, beautifully cooked. If you want a quiet, mature, away-from-the-crowd break, The Russell is for you.

It's run exactly how I would want to run a hotel, the way I look to entertain in my own home.

INFORMATION: The Russell Hotel (01723 365 453/russellhotel.co.uk) offers doubles from £60 per night (two sharing), B&B.
Mrs Margaret Stewart, Spalding, Lincs