The best hotels in York

What used to be the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway Company is now a five-star hotel. This magnificent Edwardian building has a total of 107 rooms, each an en-suite bathroom, and some with views of York Minster. You’ll also find a gym, pool and spa in the basement vaults and as far as sustenance goes, its cocktail bar, whisky lounge and restaurant are a hit with guests and locals alike.

Located close to York Racecourse – so just a couple of miles out of the centre – this charming boutique spa and hotel gives you the chance to combine sightseeing and restaurant-ing with some very me-centred relaxing. The Hall is now owned by the National Trust and there’s something delightfully old school about its cute-and-cosy interiors filled with genuine vintage knickknacks, rather than the Millennial appropriation found in most places. Book yourself some spa sessions – and time for tea and scones – but absolutely do not forget to spend a generous amount of time exploring those gorgeous gardens all year round.

Another upscale York hotel, this time one that conjures Britain’s golden age of steam-train travel. This 155-room railway hotel is, as you’d probably imagine, just by York station. Seek out a room towards the top if you’d like views of the city. Downstairs, meanwhile, you’ll find a gym, pool and a business centre, plus The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace, which serves locally sourced produce, and the Chapter House Bar, which is great for a pre-dinner cocktail. Our recommendation? Afternoon tea in the Garden Room, it’s divine.

You can (very rarely) go wrong with a stay in a Malmaison hotel and their York base is no exception. It’s right in the centre of town, which makes it a good choice if you’re looking to spend evenings out, and boasts two on-site restaurants, one contemporary British and the other Japanese. The interiors are all perpendicular lines and pops of funky colours – a little bit Scandi here and there, a little bit De Stijl in others. Two things we love: the views from the rooftop bar area (cocktail-in-hand = non-negotiable) and the hotel’s own spa. Yes, you deserve it all.

In a town full of historical buildings, this is still a particularly old one indeed. An eleven-room house that dates back to 1080 and is completely soaked in history (it was given to the Duke of Somerset by Edward VI in the sixteenth century). It makes for a commanding presence beside York Minster and the city walls, and the stone fireplaces, ancient timber and leaded windows make it feel truly unique. In summer be sure to eat in the garden, which, at night, features a resident owl.

One of York’s smaller and more personal hotels, Clementine’s is in a twin-set of Victorian villas sitting side-by-side. Each of the rooms has been individually decorated. There are plenty of nods to Victoriana – deep purple walls, a surplus of velvet and a wiliness to embrace florals – along with some really bold and brilliant wallpapering, and other quirky touches. Enjoy a late-night drink in the speakeasy-style bar or breakfast in the green dining room.

Seeking out a more modern hotel in York? Try the 101-room boutique Hotel Indigo in Walmgate, York’s most up-and-coming area. You’ll be excellently positioned for many of the town’s top attractions, such as The National Railway Museum and The Shambles, one of the city’s most picturesque streets. Rooms are modern and come with complimentary snacks in the minibars, though if you’re hungry, pop in for a pizza or a snack in the bar.

Britain’s wartime Prime Minister might not seem like the immediately obvious source of inspiration for interior decoration. But this boutique hotel in a Georgian mansion has used the great orator as the basis for a style that fuses modern elegance with Blenheim-approved historicism. The rooms range from storm-at-sea blues and greys to pretty-in-pink girliness. It’s also worth spending time in the brasserie or out on the terrace with a beer.

Okay, this one’s just a little out of the ordinary: it’s a working convent, and on top of that, the oldest one in the UK. The hotel is housed in a building that dates to the seventeenth century, near the train station and city walls. Given its Grade I-listed status, it’s little wonder that rooms can be on the small side (some have private bathrooms, some have shared bathrooms). But there’s free wi-fi throughout, and its terrifically good value. The resident nuns are happy to answer any touristy questions you might have, and you also have access to the on-site chapel. Plus, a shout-out has to go the award-winning breakfasts that are included.