Grays Court

“Special treat”

We spent three wonderful days in this hotel, staying in both the Willoughby and Somerset rooms. Willoughby has a lovely view of the garden and the city wall, with a four poster bed and separate bath and shower, while Somerset has a (shaded by trees) view of the Minster and a lovely sofa and chair p… more

We spent three wonderful days in this hotel, staying in both the Willoughby and Somerset rooms. Willoughby has a lovely view of the garden and the city wall, with a four poster bed and separate bath and shower, while Somerset has a (shaded by trees) view of the Minster and a lovely sofa and chair plus an over bath shower. Each room is unique, and the experience of staying in such a historic building more than made up for not having air conditioning or a mini bar. Despite being centuries old, the hotel was spotlessly clean. Staying here is a special experience. Fans were provided in rooms to cool them during the heatwave, and there are lots of other quiet spaces to relax , including a library. After sightseeing, a relaxing Hugo spritz in the garden with a good book is a real treat. The Bow restaurant is closed early in the week, but there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance and there is a small lunch menu in the hotel. The cafe downstairs in the Treasurers museum next door sells second hand books and novels, with no obligation to do a museum tour to visit the cafe or to buy a book. Breakfast is freshly made to order in the hotel, and staff here are all very welcoming and helpful. We didn’t meet any ghosts, (the ghost tour stops outside the hotel), but if we had, I’m sure they would have been just as pleasant and helpful as the hotel staff were.

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“An ideal place to spend a few nights in York.”

A very comfortable, charming and quiet hotel in the perfect location for a visit to York, very close to the Minster. The staff were friendly and efficient and the food was excellent, although we didn't eat in the Bow Room restaurant as it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The Georgian building in … more

A very comfortable, charming and quiet hotel in the perfect location for a visit to York, very close to the Minster. The staff were friendly and efficient and the food was excellent, although we didn't eat in the Bow Room restaurant as it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The Georgian building in which the hotel is located was once part of 'The Treasurer's House', the fascinating adjacent National Trust property. The hotel gardens are particularly beautiful and very well looked after. My only negative comment is that the decoration in some of the public rooms is rather out of keeping with the Georgian building, and in particular the display of photographs from Africa throughout were completely incongruous and struck a strange note.

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“IDEAL FOR VISITNG YORK, A REAL GEM”

Absolutely ideal for visiting York. Backing on to the Minster its an easy 5 min walk to the shambles and other sights. Dog friendly and rooms are very comfortable and spacious. Loved the double walk-in shower! First class restaurant, but NB closed on Monday & Tuesdays. Spectacular garden accessed f… more

Absolutely ideal for visiting York. Backing on to the Minster its an easy 5 min walk to the shambles and other sights. Dog friendly and rooms are very comfortable and spacious. Loved the double walk-in shower! First class restaurant, but NB closed on Monday & Tuesdays. Spectacular garden accessed from the long gallery and Bar- perfect for recharging the batteries after a long journey or visiting sights. Very friendly and professional staff. Will definitely be back.

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“Norman's Conquested”

Having lived in the city 30 years ago and not even known of the existence of this spectacular property, and then discovering it during a tour of the National Trust Treasurer's House next door and finally seeing it from a walk around the medieval city walls last year, we finally made it here, a tiny… more

Having lived in the city 30 years ago and not even known of the existence of this spectacular property, and then discovering it during a tour of the National Trust Treasurer's House next door and finally seeing it from a walk around the medieval city walls last year, we finally made it here, a tiny ambition fulfilled. It doesn't disappoint. Full of character, as you might expect from a property dating back to the 11th century, beautifully maintained, clean and quiet (even for being within touching distance of the Minster), it is truly like being hugged by your Norman ancestor whilst wearing a frilly period costume. Friendly and attentive staff (seemed like a 2 to 1 ratio at times!), especially the guys tending the bar late on Friday night (Old Tom gin from the York distillery a very welcome recommendation). The only downside was that we didn't get the weather on Saturday that would have made it worthwhile sitting out in their splendid gardens. Next time...

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