Delta Hotels York; the Easy, Comfortable Base for a York Family Break

Travel

Posted on December 21, 2025

If you’re looking for a brilliant base for a York family trip, you need to take a look at Delta Hotels York. It’s the kind of place that’s designed for doing a lot and where you are also able to properly switch off.

Set beside York Racecourse, within five acres of landscaped gardens, it has that reassuring 4-star comfort you want on a family break; spacious rooms, on-site dining, and those little extras that make everything feel easier.

For me and my family, the big wins were simple: an indoor pool and leisure facilities for post-sightseeing downtime, and the Cast Iron Bar & Grill for when everyone’s too tired to head back out into the city for dinner.

York is one of our favourite cities to visit as a family as it genuinely delivers for all ages. My husband and I can enjoy the history, character and great food, and the options for kids are endless…castles, trains and winding streets that feel like a Harry Potter film set…York has it all. The best bit is that you can do it in bite-sized chunks, which is exactly what you need when you’re travelling with kids!

Arrival

What I want from a hotel on a family break is ease. Comfy beds, somewhere good to eat on-site when everyone’s tired and all in a location that lets us dip in and out of the city without feeling trapped. Delta Hotels York ticked those boxes for us.

Our first impressions were great. It was relaxed and welcoming, with parking on-site and a smooth check-in. The hotel sits on Tadcaster Road, which is a really handy spot if you want quick access in and out of York without battling city-centre traffic. The city is close enough to get into easily (especially via the Askham Bar Park & Ride service), but you’re not right in the middle of the hustle when the kids have hit their limit.

The hotel also provided some genuinely thoughtful touches; we were welcomed in the room by a bowl of strawberries and chocolate for dipping them in, Tunnock’s Tea Cakes (iconic), Fentimans Lemonade, and even a little Delta colouring set for the kids.

The room

The room was great. A family room, it was really large with two double beds. There was lots of space to spread out and somewhere to perch while everyone decompressed. The beds were very comfortable and the overall feel was calm and clean, without being sterile. The lighting was warm, the temperature was comfortable and the whole room felt set up for a good night’s sleep (which, let’s face it), can make or break the next day’s adventures.

The leisure facilities

One of the big reasons this works as a family base is the leisure offering. There’s an indoor pool on-site, which is basically a travel cheat code with children: you can do York all day, then let them burn off the last of their energy in the water before bed, so it can become both the reward and the reset. The hotel also has a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and beauty facilities on-site too, perfect for your family break.

Cast Iron Bar & Grill

Cast Iron Bar & Grill (the on-site restaurant) has a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of choice, and a varied menu to suit all the family.

We tried a good mix, and it all felt like the kitchen understood comfort food done well.

The curry arrived in a little enamel pot with rice and naan; rich, warming, and the exact thing you want after a day walking miles around York. The steak and chips was a solid classic: nicely cooked and it felt like a treat without trying too hard. The kids were very happy with their choices (burgers obviously!), with sticky toffee pudding and ice cream to finish.

The next day, breakfast was buffet-style with hot and cold options. I love this as it is the easiest possible setup with kids because everyone can get what they actually want and quickly. Worth noting: breakfast isn’t automatically included, so it’s one to factor into your booking.

Why the location works (especially with children)

York city centre is absolutely walkable once you’re in it, but getting in and out with children (and coats, and snacks, and opinions), is where you want your logistics to behave. Delta Hotels York is a great “base camp” because you can:

head into the centre for your big-ticket plans
come back for a breather (or a swim)
then go out again without it feeling like a full expedition

And if you don’t fancy driving into the centre, York’s Park & Ride is a genuinely handy option for families. Just park, hop on, done. It takes so much pressure off your family break.

A quick York-with-kids hit list:

National Railway Museum: a brilliant shout with children.
The Shambles: the most fun street to wander (and yes, you’ll take 400 photos).
Clifford’s Tower: big views and big history