DoubleTree By Hilton York

“The Toaster is the HOLY GRAIL!!!!”

The Breakfast Miracle Let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the shiny chrome god sitting in the breakfast room.. Most hotel toasters are basically expensive bread-warmers that require you to sacrifice three sacrificial slices and four "re-runs" just to achieve a shade of tan. But this… more

The Breakfast Miracle Let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the shiny chrome god sitting in the breakfast room.. Most hotel toasters are basically expensive bread-warmers that require you to sacrifice three sacrificial slices and four "re-runs" just to achieve a shade of tan. But this one? It produced perfectly browned toast on the first attempt. I nearly dropped my orange juice in shock. I’ve spent half my life standing in hotel breakfast lines, staring blankly at spinning metal belts, playing a high-stakes game of "Will it be raw dough or a charcoal brick?" For the first time in recorded history, the outcome wasn't a mystery. Eureka! I haven’t felt this much triumph since I figured out how to operate the rainfall showerhead without getting blasted by ice water. Forget the thread count or the lobby decor; this toaster is the real five-star amenity. The Grand Finale The Strategic High Ground Location-wise, this place is basically a medieval fortress with better Wi-Fi. It’s perched right on the city walls, giving me the distinct urge to pace the perimeter and shout challenges at passers-by. You’re a mere five-minute trot from The Shambles, which is ideal because if you’re going to get lost in a labyrinth of leaning buildings, you might as well be close enough to crawl back to your room. It’s the perfect HQ for a city takeover—or, you know, a weekend trip. The Dynamic Duo: Pip & Hazel Check-in was so smooth I’m convinced Pip is a hospitality wizard. Friendly, helpful, and didn't even flinch at my "travel-exhausted" face. Later, we encountered Hazel at the front desk, who was so "super smiley" and helpful that I began to wonder if the hotel pumps pure joy through the vents. Between the two of them, the DoubleTree team has the kind of service that makes you feel like royalty, rather than just another person in socks and sandals. The Room & The "Gold Dust" Parking The room was actually clean, tidy, and—wait for it—spacious. I didn't have to do a sideways shuffle to get past the bed, which is a rare luxury in city-centre hotels. As for the parking? We found a spot! It was £25 a night, which sounds steep until you realize that in York, a parking space is basically worth its weight in saffron. It’s on the hotel grounds, too, so I didn't have to hike three miles uphill with my luggage. The Verdict The breakfast spread was massive enough to fuel a small army (and let's not reopen the emotional saga of that glorious toaster, lest I weep with joy again). Honestly, top marks for the hospitality. You made our York trip memorable for all the right reasons. Thanks for the memories, Team DoubleTree—keep that toaster calibrated. I’ll be back.

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“Falling to bits”

The location of this hotel is why we returns, 5 mins walk to York Minster. We booked a family room, having stayed twice before we expected a single, a double & a sofa bed, this time there was no single & we had booked a single family room? That we must have been upgraded on our 2 previous visits &… more

The location of this hotel is why we returns, 5 mins walk to York Minster. We booked a family room, having stayed twice before we expected a single, a double & a sofa bed, this time there was no single & we had booked a single family room? That we must have been upgraded on our 2 previous visits & that we could purchase an additional single room for £50 each night!!! There were no single beds that could be added to our room. There are no family room photos on either the Hilton or Booking.com that offer a single family room & only photos of family rooms with a double, single & sofa bed. We were given a double with a sofa bed. The sofa bed was not fit for purpose requiring us to ask for 3 additional duvets to disguise the springs, there was no mattress support at the bottom meaning your bum falls through if you sit there. The room is as tired & in dire need of refurbishment, the windows were ineffective noise wise with 2/3 being locked shut & the one that did open had a child safety system which is great but meant we couldn’t get air in. On our first day we had breakfast & headed out putting the room service request on the outside door handle, on return at 16.00 the room had not been serviced & when I called down they said for service the label had to be hanging… exactly where we left it. The room was serviced, I watched the lovely maid rinse our dirty glasses in the sink, she did not wipe any surfaces or hoover, replenish coffee only tea bags. Upon ordering the lift button it did not arrive, we then heard people inside who were stuck do we alerted the front desk… I expect they got out but we didn’t dare use the lift thereafter. From the wrong room, to a sofa bed leaving its user in need of a chiropractor to people getting stuck in the lift it was like faulty towers. Despite the great breakfast, generally lovely staff & wonderful location we will not be returning for a 4th stay.

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“Noisy and dated but in a great location”

The reception and downstairs is good, but then you go upstairs to the rooms and it’s so dark and dated and noisy. Rooms are small and you can hear everything from the neighbours sneezing to anyone walking past. The door key didn’t work twice so had to go back to reception which is quite a walk. Ove… more

The reception and downstairs is good, but then you go upstairs to the rooms and it’s so dark and dated and noisy. Rooms are small and you can hear everything from the neighbours sneezing to anyone walking past. The door key didn’t work twice so had to go back to reception which is quite a walk. Overall very poor but a great location. The staff are very friendly and helpful and get 10/10…the rest is a 6/10.

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