Grays Court

Despite being slap-bang in the centre of York - tucked behind the Minster - this place is so discreet, that it avoids the crowds of tourists. Which, together with the fact that it is possibly the oldest lived-in house in the city, dating back to Norman times and built for the Archbishop of York's first Treasurer, makes it arguably the No 1 address in York. It's steeped in history, from its medieval stone-flagged entrance to its Jacobean oak-panelled gallery. Bedrooms differ in shape and size but share the same understated elegance with carefully chosen antiques - often French - mixing with bold feature wallpapers, neutral-coloured carpets and original features of leaded windows and fireplaces. Choose from garden, Minster or courtyard views. Bathrooms are sharply modern - perhaps with a copper bath or glitzy tiles. Dinner is an elegant five-course affair - possibly too hushed and formal for some - though you really must leave room for afternoon tea, which means you must do a quick sprint around the walls first. Luckily, you can climb up onto them straight from the hotel's garden. A rare privilege.

 

Written by Helen Pickles

• Parking
• Limited on site parking is available for a daily fee
• Pet friendly
• Pets are welcomed at a rate of £20 a night
• Library
• Meeting Room
• Fireplace
• Bar

• Four poster beds
• Wifi
• Room service
• Child friendly
• Garden
• Restaurant

• Great walks
• Discover the rugged beauty of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks
• Museums
• Visit the Jorvik museum, an interactive re-creation of Viking-age York
• Hotel boats for hire
• The hotel can organise boat trips on the River Ouse

• Sights nearby
• Visit the majestic and neighbouring York Minster
• Other Activities
• Spend a thrilling day at York races

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Being an independent, family-run hotel means that we see our guests as an extension of the family. We understand the importance of a warm welcome, and our staff are well-trained in delivering a highly professional and friendly service without being too overbearing.

What is there to do in the area? Our fantastically central location – we are less than a minute’s walk to York Minster – means that the city of York is on our doorstep. Guided tours of the Minster, a visit to York Chocolate Story, Clifford’s Tower, the Castle Museum, the Yorkshire Museum and gardens, York Dungeons, Jorvik Viking Centre are all less than fifteen minutes’ walk away from us.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? We offer a full cooked-to-order breakfast as well as a cold buffet selection and complimentary mimosas.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Our recently rebranded restaurant, The Bow Room, is gathering praise from near and far. We offer a fantastic a la carte menu for lunch and dinner, as well as the classic afternoon tea.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? As we only have eleven rooms, we have had the luxury of styling each one as individual spaces. For this reason, we find that each guest has a favourite room, which isn’t always reflective of the biggest or the best view. Of course, Somerset and Mortimer have incredible views over York Minster and the Chapter House, which makes them the best choice for travellers that enjoy a landmark view, whilst Edwards – which is set over two floors - appeals to those who like something a little bit quirky.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? We are child-friendly and can provide a travel cot and/or an extra bed upon arrangement. Our half-acre garden is a fantastic space for children in the summer, and our central location means there is no shortage of activities to keep the little ones busy on rainy days.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Grays Court is a truly unique hotel. Dating back to 1080 in part, and nestled in the heart of the exclusive Minster quarter of historic York, we are able to offer guests the best of both worlds – a country house in the heart of the city.