York is a magical city to visit. From the famously cobbled Shambles to the city’s impressive Minster, the city walls hold a whole lot of history. Located directly next to York Station, you will find a hotel which holds its own iconic place in York’s timeline: The Milner Hotel.
Its location is the first notable aspect of The Milner Hotel. Located directly next to York Railway Station, this beautiful example of late-Victorian architecture is the first impression many visitors have of York as they leave the station, and it’s façade does not disappoint.
Formally known as The Principal, this is one of York’s most well-known hotels. Initially opened as a hotel in 1878, it went through a glamorous re-brand to The Milner last year, with revamped interiors (designed by award-winning architects Goddard Littlefair), and updates to the restaurant, bar, and all 155 rooms and suites. The exterior is as grand as the reception, which is accessed via elegant black and white tiled hallways dating back to the hotel’s infancy in the 1800s – elegant and enchanting.
Being able to step straight off the train and into the hotel is a real luxury and is a great way to start off any trip: relaxed, with minimal stress, in beautiful surroundings.
Room to Relax
I stayed in a gorgeous Superior Twin Room on the Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Package. The bedroom was a delight and offered much more than just a place to sleep; effortlessly combining contemporary stylings with lovely little nods to the location and the history of the hotel. We were greeted with towels twisted in to the shape of a swan on the bed and a welcome package which included a taster of York Gin and York chocolate (inspired by York’s history as the “chocolate city”) on the pillow. Many of the rooms do come with iconic York views, such as the City Walls or York Minster (not forgetting of course, the Railway Station itself!).
The spacious bathroom is full of calming cream tones and marble fittings. There is a suitably glamorous claw-footed, freestanding bath – a real highlight for a bath lover like myself – and a powerful rainfall shower. Plus the bathroom is stocked with lovely Antipodes Fig and Feijoa toiletries. Relaxing and luxurious, the Milner’s rooms definitely deliver on a classy stay that ticks all the boxes.
Style
The hotel was designed by the same architect who designed York Station: William Peachey. The grandeur of the architecture can’t be disputed and The Milner’s revamped décor fits it perfectly. In the hotel’s common areas it’s all dramatic central iron staircases, button back softas, huge chandeliers, expensive décor and large viewing galleries.
I would recommend you make sure to spend some time enjoying a pot of tea whilst relaxing in The Garden Room. This is the ‘lounge area’ of the hotel and has sweeping views across the lawns. Open daily and serving drinks and an all-day dining menu from 9am – 9pm, it’s also home to their Chocolate Afternoon Tea. This is a beautiful space to relax and is very ‘old money’ luxe – perfectly fitting for a hotel with such a storied history.
Breakfast and Dinner
Breakfast and Dinner is served in Peachey’s Bar & Grill, which is a light-filled dining room with a large, elegant bar and an outdoor terrace. Breakfast is buffet style, with a choice from a hot cooked and cold continental selection. Varied with lots to choose from, everything I tried was delicious and all cooked with locally sourced ingredients – great to know.
Dinner offers a taste of classic York and British cuisine – mainly gourmet pub-style mains, again freshly prepared using ingredients from local York suppliers, and has lots of options to suit all tastes.
Leisure Club
I also had time before breakfast for a relaxing Sunday morning dip in the 13m swimming pool, and to try the jacuzzi, steam and sauna in the hotel’s small leisure club which guests can access. With a 13m pool, hot tub, steam room and well equipped gym, this is free for guests. It’s a shame some of the absolutely outstanding original historic tiles – on view when walking down to the lower level leisure area – weren’t part of the actual pool area (which takes more of a standard modern approach, in contrast to the rest of the hotel). But it’s more than suitable as a nice place to chill out before or after walking the gorgeous York streets. There are also two treatment rooms where you can enjoy beauty treatments like massages, threading and tinting – these do need to be booked via the hotel website in advance however.
Location
As well as the perfection of the whole ‘step-off-the-train-and-into-bed” travel to hotel ratio, the hotel’s convenient position also means you are in an ideal spot to easily explore all York has to offer.
It is only a ten-minute stroll from The Milner Hotel straight into the centre, making this Grade ll, late Victorian hotel the perfect base from which to explore this historic city.
It is glamorously historic, welcoming and ideally located. Just perfect!
Notes:
A Superior Twin Room starts at £116 and includes breakfast.
Address: The Milner York, Station Road, York, YO24 1AA
Find out more and book your room here: www.themilneryork.co
Review and images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
Some image supplied
