The Queens Hotel

If you’ve ever spent time in Leeds, you’ll know the Queens Hotel. Quite literally on top of (part of) the Yorkshire city’s train station, it’s an art deco concrete titan and inarguably the city’s most famous hotel. Dating back to the 1930s, the Queens was the first British hotel to have air con and ensuite bathrooms in every room, and over the years it’s welcomed the likes of Cary Grant and Nelson Mandela.

While the Queens could easily rest on its historical prestige, in recent years it’s attempted to keep with the times and undergone a vast refurb. A whopping £16 million has been pumped into bringing the place back up to snuff, glamming it up with communal areas, a huge new dining venue and more rooms.

How does all that sprucing up actually feel? In short, pretty damn good. The moment you step into the Queens’ lobby, with its endearingly gauche décor and genially raucous ambiance, you get a proper sense of occasion that feels appropriate for somewhere so stacked with history. The Queens might have been hauled into the 21st century, but it embraces its historical glamour – and the refurb certainly hasn’t sucked out any of its soul.

The Queens is entirely decked out in stuff that harks back to the art deco 1930s – and what isn’t from the Queens’ original period (or directly linked to it, like the hallways’ historic photographs) is tastefully matched. The Queens balances modern polish and historical character in a caring, detailed sort of way, ensuring all additions – everything from lamps and coffee tables to patterns on rugs and pillowcases – fit.

But the Queens’ charms aren’t all in its swish refurb. Everything else is excellent, too. The rooms aren’t just stylish but spacious and uncluttered. The beds are massive and comfy (with plush pillows and duvets), the bathrooms are sleek and kitted out with delightful soaps, and rooms are insulated and quiet (even with the hotel’s city-centre location). The staff are wonderful, too, which they say is down to Yorkshire hospitality – but it seems like that and then some.

Sure, the odd fitting might be a little worn – but that only adds to the Queens’ character. This a stylish, historic elder statesman in the heart of Leeds, and it’s pretty reasonably priced, too.

Neighbourhood

It doesn’t get much more central. A few steps from Leeds train station, the Queens is exceptionally close to the shops and arcades of Briggate and the bars of Call Lane.

If you’re in Leeds for an event, the Queens is also a short-ish walk to the First Direct Arena, and a short taxi from Elland Road and Headingley Stadium.

Nearby

1. Bundobust, the Indian street food restaurant Londoners are begging to pop up down south. Order the Bundo Chaat, Vada Pav, one of the resto’s own craft beers and whatever else takes your fancy.
2. Leeds Corn Exchange. Leeds has a frankly silly number of shopping centres, but this one is full of independent shops and occupies the city’s Grade I-listed Victorian corn exchange.
3. The Ship Inn, one of Leeds’ oldest pubs. Hidden down an alley off Briggate’s shopping free-for-all, the 300-year-old-plus Ship Inn is a blissful retreat with dark wood panelling, rustic brass fittings and local cask ales.

Time Out tip Ask for a room with a view. It doesn’t matter which view (overlooking either City Square or the station), just try and get a pad somewhere from the fourth floor up.

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