The Hotel Review: Principle Hotel, York, UK
Principle Hotel | Station Road, York | YO24 1AA
Review by Val Jones
This majestic looking hotel is literally a few steps from York train station. Should you travel by car there is a handy car park in the lovely gardened grounds of the hotel. The grand lobby area houses chic Chesterfields in dreamy shades of Cappuccino and Coffee, an utterly ‘Instagrammable’ interiors feast for sure, oozing sophistication and style. We stopped for a coffee in the Garden Room as it seemed a shame not to try to make the most of this historical hotel. We noticed Afternoon Tea was also being served, and the overall atmosphere was quite a hive of activity. I’ve stayed at the hotel previously and the refurb brought in my the newly appointed Principle brand has made an amazing difference to this once tired hotel.
As we arrived, hotel staff were friendly and attentive with a ready smile. As our room wasn’t quite ready we accepted the offer to store our luggage and headed off to explore the quaint but vibrant city of York.
After an afternoon exploring York in the main we do admit to shopping more than site seeing! We picked up our room keys and headed to our Superior Twin room. On entering our room, initial thoughts were lovely, slightly compact but for a city centre hotel but we expected that, we had absolutely everything we needed and it was clear to see that the room had been refurbished as everything was clean and new we had a table and comfy chair in the room along with two bedside cabinets, lamps and pea reading lights.
The room also included a flat screen TV, safe, iron and ironing board, tea and coffee making facilities and handy complementary water sat in the mini fridge with complementary snacks.
The bathroom was decked out in monochrome tiles and featured a large, wonderful rainfall shower. Elemis toiletries and Principal logo bathrobes were provided and we also requested slippers as we wanted to use the spa – these arrived very quickly.
The spa is located on the lower ground floor offering a large heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room a nice treat and relax after our afternoon out and about. There is a gym and treatment menu available.
Evening dinner was served in the Refectory Kitchen & Terrace, where on arrival we were promptly shown to our table and given menus. We had an immediate feeling of being looked after as staff were very attentive from the word go. We had three leisurely courses and can highly recommend the food, following a coffee taken in the bar area (Chapter House) we retired to our room having thoroughly enjoyed our day.
Our sleep was peaceful with beds being comfy and the hotel nice and quiet. The next morning having strolled down the beautiful ornate staircase to breakfast, we again walked through the lobby area, which is definitely deserving of a final mention!
Sunday to Thursday – Mid-week from £149 per room per night Bed & Breakfast
Friday & Saturday – Weekend from £199 per room per night Bed & Breakfast
Saturday evening requires a minimum stay of two nights.
Website: The Principal, York