We were meeting our friends from Scotland for our once yearly rendez-vous after an abortive trip to Mallorca in May when they were stranded due to the ash cloud; so we decided to meet half way between Edinburgh (where they live) and Surrey (where we live). York seemed a good choice and because no flights were involved there was no chance of an ash cloud spoiling our plans!
Our room was cosy, comfortable, sunny and with lots of character. We had plenty of hanging space (with decent coat-hangers – a very pleasant change from the usual coat hangers one gets in hotels!); a large wide screen TV; double bed; ample drawer space; and a bright sunny shower room with natural light (again a pleasant change from the majority of hotels nowadays). There is a suite which can be booked at a higher rate, which I think we might investigate on another occasion.
I slept well, but my husband found the bed a bit soft and narrow. He suffers with a bad back and prefers a harder bed. Our friends chose a twin room and they slept very well indeed. Another time I would go for that option, or better still, for a suite.
Breakfast was delicious! There was unlimited tea or coffee; fruit juices, cereals, toast, and a choice of Full English, Vegetarian Full English, or Continental, plus smaller options if preferred e.g. scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. I tried a different option on the three mornings that we were there – all were delicious. We didn’t have dinner in the hotel, but we had several drinks in the very welcoming bar.
We loved the building which was in a 19th century house in a very leafy part of York, 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of town, and close to where Guy Fawkes went to school. It is family run and so has more character than many hotels. The staff were all friendly and helpful, and it was an ideal place to meet up with our friends. We would definitely go there again.
There is SO much to see and do in York and our three days there did not do it justice. We managed to fit in an open topped bus tour; boat trip; guided tour round the Minster; ghost tour; coffee and cake in Betty’s tea rooms; a visit to the art gallery; National Rail Museum; shopping, and visits to different pubs and restaurants; and still I feel we have hardly scratched the surface…
