THE GRAND, York is the city’s first and, rather remarkably for such a popular destination, only five star hotel. Originally conceived as the headquarters of the immensely powerful and wealthy North Eastern railway, no expense was spared in creating a flagship HQ to rival anything in London.
Edwardian architects created romantic sweeping staircases and enormous stylish rooms using Belgian marble, creamy Yorkshire Huddlestone stone and oak panelling.
The original features were lovingly preserved when the building was transformed into a hotel from 2007-‘10. Due to the building not being a purposebuilt hotel, every room is unique.
Some suites have roll top baths boasting sweeping views of the city, while others have enormous bathrooms with ‘his and hers’ showers. All exude an oldworld elegance and quirky historic features.
The Grand York, executive double room
The hotel has received a host of accolades since its opening, including, York’s Best Restaurant at the Visit York Tourism Awards 2018, Best Luxury Hotel in England in Late Rooms Simply the Guest awards and made Expedia’s 2013 Insider Select List – a global ranking of the world’s best hotels based on more than 1 million guest reviews.
Children are made to feel extra welcome on arrival with their own special check-in with a welcome bag of activities and Grand vouchers to “spend” on smoothies or brownies.
The Grand Spa swimming pool
The hotel has various eateries including Hudson’s for private dining and special occasions, the 1906 bar for light bites, and The Rise – the hotel’s main restaurant which offers fine dining in a relaxed but stylish setting with echoes of the building’s industrial past. The menu focuses on contemporary British cuisine and seasonal, ethically sourced Yorkshire ingredients.
The Grand chef live station in The Rise
The hotel is home to an extensive spa with a large pool – in which children are welcome – and offers an impressive menu of wellbeing and beauty treatments, including a champagne and truffle facial featuring a special anti-ageing truffle formula.
The Rise restaurant at The Grand
Since 2019 the hotel is also offering an opportunity to learn from the masters in a state-of-the-art cookery school which hosts intimate workshops with head Chef Andrew Dixon.
The school also hosts chef’s table evenings for small groups, during which the chef demonstrates the preparation of a three-course meal, which you are then able to enjoy and hopefully remember how to create it at home.
by Nicola Kavanagh
For more information about booking, visit The Grand York