5 Best places to stay in York

It might be a cliche, but Grays Court genuinely is a hidden gem; wander down the cobbled lanes behind York Minster and it’s easy to miss this elegant 11th century building. It’s only when you turn into a gated courtyard that the hotel shows itself.  

Once inside it’s a tasteful oasis of calm, with antique furniture sitting beneath contemporary black and white pictures, taken by local photojournalist David O’Neill. 

There’s a feeling of a country hotel that just happens to be in the middle of the city, heightened by a large garden that snuggles under the city walls, which you can access privately. Even the head chef’s background is from time spent at a pub near the North York Moors. 

Location, location, location – the only way you could be closer to York Minster would be to camp out on the altar. As it is, this trio of elegantly-converted 19th century townhouses are just a few yards away, and slap bang in the centre of town. If you want to wake up with a direct view of northern Europe’s finest cathedral, go for a deluxe category room as most point that way, (as does the Langley Suite).

There is a restaurant, but with so many cafes and restaurants outside the door, it’s unlike you’ll use it for anything other than breakfast.  

It’s a great choice for history lovers – Guy Fawkes was born a few doors down and the Roman streets of  High Petergate and Stonegate are just outside the door.

If a TV crew wanted to film a drama set in 18th-century York, they could do a lot worse than choose this 300-year-old hotel with its winding, dimly-lit corridors and cosy snugs. (They’d have to hide the flatscreen TVs first, though). 

It’s situated just a few minutes’ walk from York Minster, the city’s art gallery, and Theatre Royal, and right next to Bootham Bar, one of the medieval gateways to the city. History buffs should choose bedroom number 11 if they want to look straight out onto it.  

The Fat Badger has atmosphere aplenty and the building, from 1758, blends in seamlessly with the city’s historic core. A quiet garden at the back, bounded by the city walls, is a welcome bonus in the summer months. 

The Edwardian building that houses this hotel lives up to the name; formerly the headquarters of the North-Eastern Railway Company, it’s certainly imposing, rising up in a swathe of terracotta brickwork and double-height bay windows, a few streets from the River Ouse. 

The Grand delivers the full package; a basement pool and small spa for a restorative hour or two after sightseeing, an elegant cocktail bar, 1906, and a bustling, urban-feeling restaurant, Rise, with an open-kitchen fronting onto the dining area. If watching the chefs at work gives you an appetite for cooking, the hotel has its own cookery school.

An upscale stay that’s ideal for those looking for more than just a place to sleep.

York’s station hotel has had a sumptuous makeover, and it’s imposing facade – those Victorians certainly knew about commanding buildings – now houses a plush, calming oasis from the busy city.   

Bedrooms are crisp and chic, furnished in a muted stone-and-cream palette and come with a tuck-box of goodies, including Kitkats (5 million are produced each year at the nearby Nestle factory). 

The Garden Room – with sweeping views across to the minster, is made for settling in with an indulgent afternoon tea, and the buzzy Refectory restaurant means you don’t have to stir outside the door for an excellent dinner.  

Linked to York station by covered walkway, this is an excellent choice for those planning a car-free break.