SD › York Best Hotels
Updated: February 18, 2023
By Santorini Dave
York – Best Places To Stay
- York’s Most Historic Hotels: Grays Court, Middlethorpe Hall and Spa, Bar Convent
- York’s Best New Hotel: Indigo
- York Hotels with Pools: Mount Royale (outdoor pool and jacuzzi, plus sauna and steam room), Principal (small but quiet), Middlethorpe Hall and Spa (a warm indoor pool with a jacuzzi and spa attached), The Grand, York Marriott, Moxy (budget hotel with a pool), Novotel York Centre, Best Western Kilima
- York Hotels with Kitchens: Lawrance Luxury Aparthotel, Minster’s Reach Apartments, Dennington Luxury Apartments, Staycity Aparthotels Street
- Best Views: Principal (views over the town and of the Minster), Grays Court (some rooms have up-close views of the Minster), Hilton (great views of the city walls), Queens Hotel (views overlooking the River Ouse)
- Best York Hotels for Foodies: Most of these hotels are within a 15-minute walk of the historic center, where you can explore York’s thriving food scene. However, No 1 by GuestHouse has an Ivy Brasserie on-site, Judge’s Lodging is just behind the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms, and Dean Court is within a 3-minute walk of York’s best restaurants.
- Best Neighborhood Hotel in York: In the leafy area of The Mount, St George’s is about one and a half miles from York’s city center. St George’s is very close to the York Racecourse and is in an area with lots of pleasant parks and relaxed pubs, and good food is never too far away.
- Best York Hotel with Free Parking: Mount Royale
- Best Cheap Hotel in York: Elmbank
- Transport: York Train Station is just across the Ouse River from the city center, and most hotels are no more than a 10-minute walk. However, if you have lots of luggage, York has a comprehensive bus system that’ll help you get around the old city. The closest airports are Leeds-Bradford International (31 miles away) and Doncaster-Sheffield Airport (nearly 50 miles away).
The 8 Best Hotels in York
1. Mount Royale
Hotel phone: 01904 628856
York’s outstanding example of proper Yorkshire hospitality. This charming, family-run hotel is just south of the city center, about 10 minutes’ walk from York train station. All rooms and suites are equipped with necessary mod cons, plus a few pleasant surprises (look out for the complimentary macarons), and the beds are extremely comfortable. Bathrooms are comparatively large, with big baths. Breakfast includes a continental selection, as well as a hearty Full English. The garden and outdoor swimming pool are a pleasant respite from the bustling town center.
2. Grays Court
Hotel phone: 01904 612613
Arguably the best-located place in town, this small, boutique hotel backs right onto York’s city walls, which can be entered from the hotel grounds. Its 12 rooms and suites are beautifully decorated in a traditional style, many of them featuring four-poster beds. Some rooms have uninterrupted views of York Minster. The Bow Room restaurant is very highly recommended – especially the bespoke tasting menu – while the Jacobean Long Gallery is an atmospheric place to enjoy a drink.
3. Middlethorpe Hall and Spa
Hotel phone: 01904 641241
The ideal place for a country retreat (that’s only 2 miles from York), Middlethorpe Hall is a gorgeous mansion, built in 1699. Set in expansive grounds that include a kitchen-garden and beehive area, each of the hotel’s spacious rooms has been lovingly restored to resemble Middlethorpe’s glory days. Dine in the double AA rosette restaurant, or unwind in one of the house’s many salons. The warm indoor swimming pool is a real highlight on rainy days, and the spa offers a comprehensive range of pampering treatments.
4. Principal
Hotel phone: 01904 653681
The biggest hotel on this list at 155 rooms, The Principal has a range of rooms and suites to suit different budgets. Every room has a TV, wifi, tea, and coffee, plus ‘tuck box’ with some complimentary snacks, such as Kitkats. The hotel is decked out in Art Deco style, but look out for the original Victorian tiling in the area by the gym – which, incidentally, features a small swimming pool. The numerous bars in the hotel boast different vibes and menu offerings. With an entrance leading from the forecourt at York train station, plus fully accessible rooms, it’s great for those who require accessibility.
5. No 1 by GuestHouse
Hotel phone: 01904 644744
A historic hotel, previously known as The Grange Hotel, covered with ivy – which is appropriate, considering a branch of The Ivy Brasserie is tucked away in the hotel’s basement. The bar, meanwhile, has a real log-burning fire that makes for a cozy atmosphere in winter. The rooms are light and airy for a period building, with Hypnos mattresses to ensure a very comfortable night’s sleep. Helpfully, the rooms are equipped with fridges and small bottles of milk, and rollaways are available for children up to 12. The area is just north of York Minster, but is incredibly quiet – not as frequented by the tourist crowds.
6. Churchill
Hotel phone: 01904 644456
A quirky hotel just a few meters away from No 1 by GuestHouse, stepping inside The Churchill is like stepping back to the 1940s. Rooms are World War 2 themed, showcasing the hotel’s unique sense of humor. In the luxury rooms, you’ll find roll-top baths and four-poster beds. The restaurant is small, but perfectly formed, with a pleasant outdoor sitting area. Look out for the smoking area – or Churchill’s cigar bunker, as they call it.
7. Middletons
Hotel phone: 01904 611570
Close to the River Ouse, Middleton’s is housed in six historic buildings set around a paved courtyard. This is a good option for those on a budget, as it has a few touches of luxury – all rooms come with Lavazza coffee machines and pillow menus. Choose the cottage rooms if you’re traveling with kids, as they feature bunk beds and living areas. The Conservatory restaurant – which uses a lot of Yorkshire produce in its dishes – serves generous portions at reasonable prices. There’s also a small fitness center available to all guests.
8. Indigo
Hotel phone: 01904 231333
As one of the newest hotels in town, every room in this boutique hotel has air conditioning, rainfall showers, and HD televisions at your disposal. The rooms have a variety of different themes, including ‘Shabby Chic’, ‘Chocolate’, and ‘Yorkshire’ – but the one thing that unites them all is the spa-inspired bathrooms. There’s a small gym on the ground floor. Be sure to spend some time in the bar, as they make a point of serving local spirits and ales.
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