Some hotels are somewhere to sleep, and some are the destination. Recently refurbished, The Met Leeds is a gorgeous, character-filled city hotel that will make you want to ditch the plans, order another cocktail and stay exactly where you are.
My husband James and I checked in to The Met Leeds for one night, planning on having a straightforward date night in the city. Instead, the hotel quickly became the date itself; enjoying cocktails downstairs, a beautiful room upstairs, a sumptuous dinner at the hotel’s own bar and restaurant, Gott’s, all underpinned by the luxury of knowing we didn’t have to head home at the end of the night. This is a big part of this hotel’s appeal.
Whether Leeds is on your doorstep or a city-break destination in its own right, The Met gives you an excuse to make more of the visit. There is no overcomplicated itinerary needed, just a break away in a grand old hotel with a fresh new look, where the whole stay feels like the occasion.
The hotel
Sitting on King Street, just a few minutes’ walk from Leeds Railway Station, The Met has been part of the city since 1899, when it opened as the Hotel Metropole. Its Grade II listed terracotta exterior is one of those buildings you will always notice in Leeds, even if you have passed it countless times before.
Inside, there are 125 bedrooms, nine event spaces, a ballroom and the hotel’s own restaurant, Gott’s Bar & Kitchen. It is a sizeable city-centre hotel, but it certainly does not feel anonymous as there is history and personality running throughout the building at every turn.
The refurbishment
That sense of personality has been given a serious boost by a £16 million refurbishment, completed in late 2025. This transformation doesn’t strip away the past, but lovingly leans into it. Original Victorian architecture, my personal favourite style, has been retained and restored, while the interiors introduce a softer 1930s and 40s influence.
The sweeping staircases are a standout feature, as are the barrel-vaulted ceilings, statement artwork, patterned carpets, rich colours and atmospheric lighting. It is a glamorous hotel that is genuinely a pleasure to explore.
The room
We stayed in a Premium Double and the room was spacious, with a super king bed, warm woods, soft muted tones and patterned wallcoverings. The space has character and lots of thoughtful little details that make all the difference to any stay, such as cosy robes and slippers, a Nespresso machine (this is always going to get bonus points from me), tea and coffee facilities, USB charging points and surprisingly a complimentary minibar and snack selection stocked with drinks, milk, biscuits, chocolate and crisps.
The bathroom was equally well considered, with Olivia Thinks toiletries and a large walk-in shower with rainfall and handheld options.
Gott’s Bar & Kitchen
The biggest surprise of our stay though, was the food. Gott’s Bar & Kitchen is the hotel’s all-day restaurant, with a menu built around seasonal dishes and local produce, and it works just as well for cocktails and picky bits as it does for a full dinner. I genuinely don’t know why Gott’s isn’t on more people’s radar, as the food is fantastic.
Earlier in the day, we ordered cocktails and a few small plates, including beetroot-cured Chalk Stream trout with crème fraîche and caper berries, plus crispy pork belly glazed with soy, anise, whiskey and honey. It was delicious and teased our tastebubs for our upcoming evening meal.
For dinner I chose the Yorkshire-sourced 8oz rump steak with skin-on fries and watercress, adding chilli-butter broccoli on the side. James had The Met Burger, with two beef patties, cheese, pickles, bacon jam and aioli. A bottle of Los Intocables Bourbon Barrel Malbec accompanied the meal perfectly, before we finished with dessert wine and shared the Dakes Brie Basque Cheesecake with raspberry. It was hearty food, done really well, delivered with great service.
Breakfast the next morning was buffet-style with a wide choice and was another reason not to rush off.
The Met really did deliver at each point of our stay, turning a short stay in Leeds into something special. Whether you are travelling in for the weekend or looking for an excuse to make more of a night in the city, The Met makes staying in feel like the whole delightful plan.
Address: The Met Hotel, King Street, Leeds LS1 2HQ
Restaurant: Gott’s Bar & Kitchen serves food daily from midday until 10pm.
Book direct via The Met Hotel Leeds website: https://www.leedsmet-hotel.com/
Review and images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
