Overlooking City Square, and the Black Prince statue opposite the railway station, in the heart of the city you will find The Queens Hotel Leeds.
Situated in one of the city’s most iconic landmark buildings, The Queens Hotel Leeds combines authentic art deco glamour with contemporary fittings and furnishings. This newly refurbished city retreat offers an equal blend of style and comfort.
We sent our writer, Rachel McAlley to spend a night in luxury at The Queens Hotel, Leeds.
Following a £16 million refurbishment in 2021, all 232 bedrooms underwent a complete transformation. All the while, still preserving many of the original art deco features that have welcomed guests since the hotel’s inception in 1937.
The Ambiance and Style
The refurbishment transformed the ground floor into a dynamic social hub, boasting new communal areas. They added bedrooms, and revamped spaces like the bar and The Grand Pacific Restaurant. Equally, this homage to the golden age of high society offers a unique blend of the old and new. Presenting sophisticated cocktails and a dining experience that combines flavours from exotic places with English classics.
Once inside The Queens you feel a sense of relaxation, and calmness where the stress of city life is taken away almost instantly. Additionally, you are surrounded by luxury, from the lobby chairs and sofas, to the reception desk and the ornate revolving doors.
The hotel offers style in abundance in each of the bedrooms. From, cosy double rooms to family rooms, classic and superior rooms, to suites and the presidential suite, there’s something for everyone. Moreover, some rooms include a private terrace, others a City Square view. Equally some rooms showcase an amazing bath, whereas many have a walk-in rainfall shower.
I stayed in a Superior King Room overlooking City Square and The Majestic, where the creative offices for Channel 4 are located. My room was extremely large for a city centre hotel room, with spacious 2-seater sofa, work desk, and chaise at the bottom of the bed. Furthermore, it also offered tea and coffee making facilities, Nespresso machine, biscuits in abundance, and of course a large flat screen TV. The bathroom with travel sized Elemis products was perfectly lit with a wonderful powerful shower.
The Queens Hotel Leeds, One Seriously Beautiful Building
Dinner was served in the Grand Pacific restaurant, which is styled in the 1920’s and 1930’s era of gold, glamour, and art deco. Cocktails were being made behind the bar for a table of ladies, food was being served to couples, and business meetings were taking place over dinner. It was a great atmosphere in both the bar and restaurant.
The food was very good, especially the Classic Prawn Cocktail. I mean just look at that photograph, or should I say piece of art!
Back in my room post-dinner I enjoyed people watching from my hotel room window. The hustle and bustle of the streets below were frantic with shoppers, workers, and partygoers, whereas I was in complete calmness. I popped the TV on and watched a movie that lulled me into a deep sleep.
After a morning shower and quick cuppa in my room I headed for something to eat in the Queens Breakfast Room in the basement. Firstly, I ordered smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, which I added some tasty mushrooms from the buffet. Secondly, after drinking plenty of peppermint tea and apple juice, I picked up an almond croissant and went back to my room. Full to the brim with a delicious breakfast and ready to take on the day, I checked out, and set up in the lobby for a couple of hours work before dashing to a meeting.
The Queens Hotel Leeds is not only in the ideal city centre location, but the staff are friendly, the food is excellent, and the rooms are extremely comfortable. All-in-all, my overnight stay was exactly as it should be, perfect in every way.
The Low Down
In addition, the hotel offers a complimentary gym for guests. There is an onsite coffee bar in the lobby serving everything from hot drinks to afternoon tea. Moreover, there are plenty of tables and chairs to work from, plus the WiFi is very fast and complimentary.
Rooms are priced from around £279 per night for a Classic Room. The Superior King Room that I stayed in, including breakfast was priced at £385. Dinner was charged separately. There are a total of 232 rooms within The Queens. Furthermore, all rooms come as standard with, tea and coffee making facilities, bathroom essentials, and very comfy beds. Depending on the room type booked you may have a shower room or a bath with shower, complimentary robes, Nespresso machine and bottled water.
Finally, would I recommend staying at The Queens Hotel if visiting Leeds? Yes, 100% I would recommend staying at The Queens.
Visit The Queens Leeds for more information and to book a room.
The Queens Hotel Leeds, One Seriously Beautiful Building – Words by Rachel McAlley
