We spent a weekend in The Grand, York, the northern English city’s beloved landmark hotel

All aboard! Built in 1906 as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway, The Grand in York features original details, including a decorative stone facade and grand staircase, which have been thoughtfully retained within the hotel. Designed by William Bell and Horace Field, this cherished landmark in the heart of Yorkshire was restored to its original splendour in 2010. Today, it’s Yorkshire’s only five-star hotel, welcoming guests like me with the warmth, charm, and character of true Yorkshire hospitality. 

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own

Hotel snapshot

Hotel name: The Grand, York
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Address: Station Rise, York YO1 6GD
Number of rooms and suites: 207 rooms, including 13 suites
Brand: Independent luxury hotel owned by Splendid Hospitality Group
Date opened: May 2010
Design style: Edwardian heritage architecture with contemporary luxury interiors.
Family amenities: Extra beds and cots available on request
Wellness facilities: Spa, pool, fitness centre
Prices from: £235 per night, depending on room and season.

The Grand, York review

A first time in York

Somehow, even after a lifetime in London, the easy-to-reach York had slipped off my itinerary. But now, it’s a gap I’m pleased to have finally closed! I was looking for an escape from the capital and hoped to explore a new city. York was the answer: picturesque with vistas of a period drama, explorable on foot, and steeped in over 2,000 years of history. It has an unhurried charm you rarely get down south, and of all bases available, I was excited to check into the grandest of them all, aptly called The Grand.

Rooms and suites

The rooms in The Grand’s original building carry period charm, with coffered walls, tufted headboards, and writing desks, while those in the newer annex (part of a £15 million overhaul in 2018) are brighter and more contemporary. I had an Executive Room on the new side, which I found quite impressively spacious, with tall ceilings and plenty of cupboard space. The refreshment corner had a Nespresso coffee machine, and naturally, being in Yorkshire, there was a tin with plenty of Yorkshire tea. Complimentary shortbread was provided in case you fancied something sweet to accompany them.

I appreciated the modern tech in our room, which you don’t always find in a heritage hotel. We could charge via USB alone, and the TV allowed for streaming. Wi-Fi was strong and fast, and if we had work to do, there was plenty of space for two to work in tandem along the desk.

Our bathroom featured bright marble decor with generous lighting, and as mentioned, was equally as spacious as the room. There was both a shower and a separate bathtub with a shower-over. Products were from Molton Brown and pumped into eco-friendly refill containers. Hotel-branded white robes and slippers were in the cupboard directly in front of the bathroom. 

Food and drink

For dinner, we had a reservation at The Rise Restaurant, Terrace & Bar, the hotel’s AA Rosette-awarded restaurant serving modern British cuisine that showcases locally sourced Yorkshire produce. We had the Grand Beef Wellington, which, dare I say, gives Gordon Ramsay a run for his money. The beef was cooked with a beautiful tenderness, and the puff pastry was a perfect texture and consistency. Pour over that beef jus, and it was heaven on a plate. The wine here is outstanding, and we were delighted to find glasses and bottles from some of my favourite vineyards of Saint-Émilion.

The Rise is also where breakfast was served. The vibe in the morning is a lot more casual, and guests are given à la carte options plus buffet options. It was a surprise to see congee on the menu, but when in Yorkshire, it’s all about a full English with bacon, sausage and the works. The pastry selection was a little limited for my sweet tooth’s liking, but that being said, what was there was freshly baked, and the croissant I had was a 10/10. 

Other outlets within the hotel include Legacy, the hotel’s intimate fine dining restaurant, famous for its tasting menus. The cheese trolley looked very inviting when one of the team gave me a quick tour. The 1906 Bar is their drinking den with its classic atmosphere and pretty wingback chairs. And finally, if you’re up for it, there’s also The Cookery School at The Grand. 

Wellness

The SubRosa is The Grand’s modern spa tucked underneath in the basement. Access to it is complimentary for guests staying in a Grand Heritage Suite or the Penthouse, while all other hotel guests can add access for around £30 per person per night (gym access is complimentary for everyone). 

It might be worth it if you’re sticking around a few days. We did come for 90 minutes though, taking a quick dip and resting in the relaxation room, which had amazing automatic recline chairs so you might even doze off before the treatment (!).

The list of facilities at the space includes a double hammam, a Tirol hot sauna, a Himalayan salt sauna, a salt and light therapy room, a herbal steam room, a herbal lounge, a large hydrotherapy pool, and foot spas. You do need to book a time slot in advance, and I’d recommend doing this early during high season to avoid disappointment.

Things to do

The must-see attraction is the York Minster, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral that took over 250 years to build. It’s the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, and I loved going inside and seeing the stained glass colour in from the outside light. If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb the central tower for a tall view of the city. 

Another attraction we enjoyed was the National Railway Museum, which was free to enter and has the only Shinkansen train outside of Japan. But the coolest thing I saw inside, in the Station Hall, was a restored 1907 train carriage serving actual afternoon tea. It was so cute, and the menu looked affordable at a glance. But we had to skip it (sob!) as we’d already got our sugar intake from York’s Chocolate Story. Fact: did you know that Kit Kat, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Smarties, and Aero all hail from York? Everything you need to know (and taste) is in this heart of town museum.

I mentioned this was a superb city for walkers, and we loved strolling York’s city walls, the most complete ancient city walls in England, and wandering through the Shambles, a medieval street of leaning, timber-framed buildings that has become one of the city’s most-photographed corners. It’s also said to be the spot that inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Visit York has lots of ideas and itineraries if you’re planning a longer trip than mine, and if you want to save some money, consider the Visit York Pass.

Getting there

York is one of the most accessible cities from London, and I found the train journey super easy. I took an LNER direct from London King’s Cross to York, lasting around two hours each way along the East Coast main line. In standard class, there’s ergonomic seating, free Wi-Fi, and power sockets at every seat. We were travelling on a Saturday, and the train was busy, with some folks having to stand. I was so glad to have reserved our seats in advance. 

There’s also a Café Bar on board to grab some Yorkshire tea and a nice menu of eats. Once you arrive, York Station is a short and very pretty walk from The Grand, York.

Frequently asked questions: The Grand York