Our Stay at the Hedley House Hotel in York (Review)

Our trip to York back in February half-term was a bit of a hit and miss, we took the train from London to York to visit the National Rail Museum (and the Mallard as well as the Flying Scotsman, Bobcat’s favourite trains) and we thought, since we’re there, might as well spend the night in York and have a little potter around. Well, after we finished in the museum, it was late afternoon so we made our way to the hotel to check in and soon afterwards we were planning to go and have a little walk around in the old town and check out some pizza restaurant for dinner.

Except my husband managed to book the room for March instead of February. And, being half term, in a city housing the National Rail Museum and some Harry Potter scenes – nearly all hotels were completely booked out, including the Novotel we thought we booked. There was a loooooong minute of panic when we found it out.

After searching for a suitable accommodation for a family of four we found, that York is well prepared for business travellers, but not so many options available when you’re travelling with small children. Another loooooong minute of panic. Lots of shabby B&B type of things or way more expensive hotels to choose from. We settled with the latter and quickly booked the Hedley House Hotel. My husband wasn’t happy, but we had no choice.

I personally found the hotel lovely and I would go back, but my husband thought that £150 for a room for a night is a rip off. Well… as a former hotelier I do find it hard to justify anything beyond the £100 price tag, BUT given the circumstances, it was a good deal. First of all, it was a family room (suite, if you like to put it that way, as it had two separate rooms). It had a double bed and a single bed in one room; and two twin beds in the other one. Very spacious, newly and tastefully decorated as well. Spotlessly clean, you just know when it’s safe to walk around on barefoot on the carpet in a hotel room… It was quiet and located not so far from the old town, probably around 15 minutes walk. We did walk this in the dark to go out for dinner. Secondly, a full breakfast was included in this rate and our children might not eat too much, but others do. The breakfast was a’ la cart, there was plenty of options to choose from, freshly prepared.

We didn’t spend too much time in the hotel, but it looked quite nice, both service and interior-wise. The reception and hall area is not exactly my taste but it looks cute. Reading, that it has dinner menu and bar snacks as well as well as a sitting down area for the guests. They also have a little spa which we didn’t have the time to try. Maybe when we’re back to York another time. Most importantly, the rooms and the breakfast was fantastic – and that’s the main thing for me!