chloedickensonLast Updated on 18th October 2023
This post about the best hotels in York city centre contains affiliate links.
Are you planning to spend a weekend in York but you’re not sure where to stay? This ultimate guide of the best hotels in York city centre has got you covered!
I’ve made it no secret that York is one of my favourite cities in the world, and while I might be somewhat biased due to the fact that it’s been my hometown for over 15 years now, it’s still a city that I’d recommend to everyone.
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in York city centre, then you’ve come to the right place as I’ve put together an extensive guide of the best hostels in York, plus the most luxurious hotels and affordable boutique places to stay in York too!
P.S. Please bear in mind that prices of the below hotels and hostels will fluctuate depending on numerous factors, at the time of writing, I found the following to be the best cheap, mid-range and luxury hotels in York!
Affordable places to stay in York on a budget
When it comes to the best budget hotels in York, there are so many options to choose from if you’re visiting the city on a budget. From quirky hostels to boutique guesthouses, York’s budget accommodation scene is teeming with choices.
1. Safestay Hostel – best places to stay in York
When you think of hostels, your immediate thought is probably of dirty accommodation, 20 people stuffed into bunk-bed dorms and questionable hygiene…
I can safely (pun intended!) say that the Safestay York hostel is far from any of the above. Last summer, when the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions first eased in the UK, Matt and I had a little staycation in our beloved city and we spent the night at Safestay York.
It’s a fab hostel, complete with its own on-site bar and restaurant, huge common area and it’s decked out in the most fabulous pink decor. There’s also an awesome choice of accommodation options available, including 12-bed dorms, 8-bed dorms and even private rooms if you’re travelling as a couple or just want your own private space.
2. Vikings Accommodation
This adorable Victorian guest house is situated less than a very convenient 10-minutes’ walk from the city centre of York. The decor of the rooms at Vikings Accommodation is arguably my favourite thing about it. The plush, crushed grey velvet and creamy tones make it feel ridiculously homely; almost as if it’s your very own bedroom!
Each room also comes with its own en-suite, so while it is a guest house (which can sometimes feel a little too close to other guests), it also offers ample privacy to each and every guest.
3. The Fat Badger (previously Lamb & Lion Inn)
The Fat Badger York is one of my favourite pubs in the city, so the fact that they also boast their own accommodation options just makes this place even more incredible and one of the best affordable places to stay in York.
During your stay at the The Fat Badger, ensure that you stay long enough for a spot of lunch; the beer battered haddock and chips is quintessential British pub food and the bottles of wines here make for the perfect pairing to enjoy in the Inn’s beer garden, complete with awesome views of the highly coveted York Minster.
4. ibis York Centre – best hotels in York city centre
Of course, the ibis hotel brand isn’t exclusively to York, but this branch is a great place to stay in York and undoubtedly one of the most affordable!
It’s arguably more suited to business-orientated hotel stays in the city, but if you’re looking for a cheap place to stay in York, the ibis York Centre hotel makes for the perfect candidate.
Mid-range places to stay in York
5. Clementine’s Town House Hotel
The Victorian roll top bath and en-suite bathroom, complete with its very own barrel sauna is what makes Clementine’s Town House Hotel feel like a high-end, luxury hotel, with a relatively affordable price tag.
The King Suite oozes luxurious living without breaking the bank and it epitomises comfort, style and elegance, all the while offering a homely vibe too.
This hotel is actually located pretty much next door to Clementine’s Town House and it’s less than a 15-minute walk to the city’s top attractions such as the York Minster, City Walls and the Shambles.
6. Elmbank Hotel – best hotels in York city centre
Overlooking the beautiful grounds of the York Racecourse and the Knavesmire, Elmbank Hotel isn’t quite as conveniently centrally located as some of the other hotels in York on this list, but if you’re looking for a place that’s a little more out of the action of the city centre, this hotel is the perfect choice for you.
Elmbank Hotel also has its own on-site restaurant, Leetham’s, and its very own bar known as Peacock Bar and Botanical Garden. Serving up dishes such as lamb leg steak (something that cannot be missed!) at Leetham’s and classic cocktails such as a Cosmopolitan (my absolute favourite!), Old Fashioned and Mojito at Peacock’s, you might just be persuaded to not leave the hotel at all!
7. Roomzzz York City
The Roomzzz Aparthotel brand is popular in many UK cities, including Manchester , Leeds , Newcastle and Nottingham, but it’s the Roomzzz York City branch that we’re focusing on today.
This boutique hotel in the centre of York offers spectacular riverside apartments, with an affordable price tag. All the room variations are remarkably generous in size, but it’s the loft suite that’s my own personal favourite, complete with its very own outdoor balcony and adorable lounge area.
8. Hotel Du Vin – best hotels in York city centre
Undoubtedly one of the best boutique hotels in York, Hotel Du Vin York is set upon a stunning Grade II-listed mansion house that simply oozes 19th century elegance and charm.
The rooms are fitted with roll top beds, roll top bathtubs and intense power showers; perfect for washing away the day’s activities after you’ve spent hours stomping around the city. While Hotel Du Vin York is the perfect hotel choice in York for any time of the year, it’s arguably best enjoyed during autumn and winter as it’s positively teeming with cosy and homely vibes.
9. Hotel Indigo York
I actually used to work in the building next to Hotel Indigo York and when I went for my interview at the job, I ended up getting lost and absolutely soaked to the bone in the pouring rain and the wonderful staff at the hotel let me borrow a phone charger in order to contact the hirers and get changed in the lobby bathrooms and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for (especially as I still got the job despite my mishaps!) so I’ll always have a soft spot for Hotel Indigo York!
Aside from their staff being actual lifesavers, the hotel itself is also a wonderful place to base yourself during a weekend in York. Each room is uniquely decorated in an eclectic mix of wood, open-brick and splendid cocoa colours.
10. Guy Fawkes Inn – best hotels in York city centre
Guy Fawkes Inn is another one of my favourite pubs in the city and it also just so happens to be one of the best places to stay in York if you’re looking for somewhere with an abundance of history and charm. Renowned for being the birthplace of the infamous Guy Fawkes himself, the Inn is nestled just a stone’s throw from the Minster.
The Guy Fawkes Inn also boasts its own restaurant and bar area, serving traditional pub grub such as sausage and mash (a personal favourite of mine) and slow-cooked pork belly (also another award-winning dish).
In terms of the rooms at Guy Fawkes Inn, you’ll find four-poster beds in some and metal-framed furnishings in others, but one thing remains the same throughout and that’s the fact that it’s a truly beguiling place to stay in the centre of York.
Luxury places to stay in York
11. The Grand York
The Grand York is renowned for being one of the best luxury hotels in York and while I’ve never stayed there before (although I am desperate to!), I have been to a few events inside the hotel and I know just how beautiful it is.
This hotel is situated just a 2-minute walk from York Train Station and the historic city walls, as well as the National Railway Museum, so it’s the perfect place to base yourself during your stay in York. Couples seeking a romantic weekend in York will love The Grand York, with its secluded spa, state of the art bedrooms, complete with marble-topped baths and king-sized beds.
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in York, there’s really nowhere better that epitomises the idea of elegance than The Grand York.
12. The Principal York – best hotels in York city centre
The Principal York is another one of the city’s best luxury hotels and it too is located almost right next to the train station.
It’s renowned in York for its spectacular events and is incredibly popular for weddings, huge parties and set-ups such as Thor’s Tipi. The rooms at the hotel are also ridiculously plush and the dining areas and food options are second to none. Don’t leave without ordering something from the grill; the flat-iron steak with peppercorn sauce and fries is divine!
13. The Dean Court Hotel
Just a two-minute walk from the York Minster, you’d be hard pressed to find a luxury hotel like this in a better location. Dean Court Hotel exudes simple opulence with a warm and welcoming ambience. If you want to get a true taste of York life and soak up every bit of local magic, make sure you request a room with views of the Minster; it’s quite spectacular!
Each room at the Dean Court Hotel is individually decorated, so no two stays are ever the same. Combining an unrivalled city centre location, ornately embellished bedrooms and excellent staff service, Dean Court Hotel is unquestionably one of the best hotels in York.
14. Middletons
Set across five listed buildings, just on the outskirts of the city centre of York, Middletons Hotel is a wondrous place to visit for a romantic, luxury stay.
While it’s certainly not a cheap place to stay in York, Middletons is the perfect place for an indulgent visit to the city; ideal for honeymooners, or just as a romantic treat. The cottage rooms are simply adorable, kitted out with wooden and brick furnishings and a cosy sitting room, perfect for the whole family.
Alternatively, the executive suites are equipped with standalone roll top baths, snug armchairs and huge beds, perfect for snuggling up in after a busy day exploring York.
15. Jorvik House – best hotels in York city centre
Jorvik House is actually situated just around the corner from where we lived in our studio apartment in York before we went travelling and I used to walk past it almost every single day.
Sitting directly opposite the Marygate entrance to the Museum Gardens, you couldn’t really ask for a better boutique stay in York that comes with both privacy and convenience.
In the rooms at Jorvik House, you’ll find bathrooms boasting mosaic tiles and power showers, faux-fur blankets donning the crisp-white sheets of the beds and huge windows that let in plenty of light during the day, while heavy-set, thick curtains keep the room nice and dark in the night.
16. No 1 By Guesthouse (formerly The Grange Hotel) – best hotels in York city centre
Resembling something of an ancient manor house, No1 By Guesthouse has its own on-site bar and restaurant located within the cellar of the establishment, offering traditional afternoon tea and delectable dishes such as hearty burgers and decadent sandwiches.
The rooms at this hotel have a slightly more old-fashioned feel to them, so while they’re not as up-and-coming as the likes of The Principal Hotel for example, you’ll still find state-of-the-art facilities such as four-poster beds, textured decor and comfortable seating areas.
17. Judges Court Hotel
I’m literally obsessed with the rooms at Judges Court Hotel, the standalone bath in the bedroom in the Luxury King Suite provides an intimate feel, so while you might not get much privacy from your partner during your stay, if you’re there on a romantic weekend break in York, that might not necessarily be such a bad thing… 😉
Fans of indulgent skincare products will also relish in the fact that every room comes with Molton Brown products and if you fancy a late-night snack after a busy day exploring the city, you’ll find a well-stocked minibar.
Best hotels in York city centre – conclusion
I think it’s clear to see that York is positively teeming with incredible accommodation options and when it comes to thinking about where to stay in York, it’s evident that you’ll be spoiled for choice! Whether a more budget and boutique hotel in York is more up your street, or you fancy splashing out and opting for somewhere a little more high-end, York has plenty of hotels and hostels to suit every budget!
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- 25+ Best Things To Do In York, England
- Safestay York Hostel – Affordable Accommodation In York
- How To Spend A Weekend In York For First Time Visitors
- The Ultimate Guide Of Places To Eat And Drink In York
- The Most Instagrammable Places In York
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Do you have any recommendations to add to this list of the best places to stay in York? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @imjustagirl_16.
