Famous for its medieval architecture and dramatic cultural landmarks, York has been on my list of places to visit for quite some time. From the historic York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in all of Northern Europe and home to the UK's largest medieval stained glass collection, to the charming Shambles, a beautifully preserved medieval shopping street and the inspiration for Harry potter's Diagon Alley no less, the city is packed to the brim with amazing things to do. And that's not even counting a jaunt around the York City Walls, a trip to Clifford's Tower - or exploring the city's bars, pubs and restaurants.
This includes No. 1 York by GuestHouse, a charmingly whimsical but undoubtedly sophisticated hotel perched daintily on Clifton. It's just a short walk from most major attractions, making it ideal for tourists, and is also home to its own cocktail bar, the Rhubarb Bar, and celebrated restaurant, Pearly Cow, renowned for its grilled steaks and seafood. It seemed like the perfect place for me to rest my head and enjoy a bite to eat (and a cheeky spa treatment, of course), so on a recent trip up to Yorkshire from London, I booked myself in for an overnight stay.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of No. 1 York by GuestHouse
The front of the hotel. Image credit: No. 1 York by GuestHouse.
Need To Know:
- Address: 1 Clifton, York, YO30 6AA
- Area: York city centre
- Hotel Type: boutique, luxury, unique
- Parking Available: yes, £30 per night
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: nestled within a Grade II-listed Regency townhouse with a facade covered in striking red ivy, No. 1 York exuded the historic charm that York itself is known for - think tall, grand ceilings and impressive sash windows. However, it was anything but stuffy, with the GuestHouse brand's whimsical, playful charm clear throughout the decor, from vinyls along the reception's walls (that you can take to your room to play on your own record player) to the regal paintings at every corner, a snack pantry (ideal for midnight chocolate cravings) and, my favourite: the adorable mini train that passes around the cornice of the bar every hour. It was both relaxing and vibrant in equal measure - I felt very welcomed and at home
- Perfect For: romantic getaways, sophisticated nights away, relaxing city breaks, tourists, dog-friendly stays
Service & Price
- Service (Out Of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money (Out Of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Room Price: from £200 for the Bigger Guest Room
- Dinner & Drinks: around £185 for two, including cocktails and a bottle of wine
Room Quality & Comfort
Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All rooms at No. 1 York by GuestHouse are unique, though equally beautifully designed - with a range of sizes and suites to suit all needs. We had the pleasure of staying in the Bigger Guest Room (from £200 a night, sleeps two with either a twin or super king bed) - a luxurious space boasting an impressive four-poster bed, flowing curtains draped across a sizeable sash window that showcased views across York, and a desk area complete with a little dollhouse, where a kettle and espresso machine lived, for those all-important morning caffeine injections. Even better, there was a vinyl player - we of course borrowed a few albums from reception to play as we readied ourselves for dinner. And the bathroom? It was very luxurious, featuring a bath and premium products.
Pictured: Bigger Guest Room. Credit: No. 1 York by Guesthouse.
The Spa at No. 1
Spa & Treatments: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can't recommend the spa treatments at No. 1 York enough. Located on the lower ground floor, the spa was wonderfully atmospheric; repurposing air-raid shelters, the treatment rooms were set in arched, bricked spaces illuminated by warm light, with wonderful aromas flowing throughout.
I opted for the Bespoke Facial (60 minutes from £105, including a neck, face and scalp massage); prior to the appointment, I filled out a form online letting them know my skin concerns and needs, so when I arrived they'd chosen a treatment tailored to my skin. I genuinely don't think I've ever felt so relaxed - from the calming music and wonderful scents to the gentle and kind therapist, it was exactly what I needed.
My friend chose the Relax Regimen for Him (60 minutes from £105, including a massage and facial). He was actually a bit nervous about having the treatment (due to being very ticklish), but in the end he felt so relaxed during it, he even fell asleep for a few moments. It's safe to say that he loved every second of it.
Pictured: one of the spa treatment rooms. Credit: No. 1 York by GuestHouse.
Bar Highlights
Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a day exploring the city, we decided to kick-start our evening at the Rhubarb Bar, found on the ground floor by reception. It felt a bit like a members' club-style living room with Art Deco accents, featuring mauve velvet armchairs, patterned carpets, unique light fixtures and an illuminated central bar - not to mention the little train that goes around the top every half an hour.
- Rosy Margarita (£12) - an excellent spin on the classic, it offered the perfect heat level thanks to the homemade chilli and rosemary syrup and smoked paprika rim, which really made the Vivir Blanco tequila and Cointreau sing
- Cranberry & Cinnamon Amaretto Sour (£11) - deliciously fragrant and herbaceous, I thought it might run the risk of being a tad too sweet or heavy on the cinnamon, but it was actually light, delicate, and unctuously creamy
- Bottle of Bodega La Flor Malbec, Pulenta (£51) - a really excellent bottle of red that paired with our meal perfectly; it was beautifully bold yet went down wonderfully smooth, with flavours of plum and blackberries, and a hint of vanilla
The Rosy Margarita and Cranberry & Ameretto Sour were as fun and classy as the decor at The Rhubarb Bar.
Restaurant Highlights
The hotel's restaurant, Pearly Cow York (which also has restaurants in Margate and Brighton), was the perfect complement to the already-fantastic hotel. Boasting the same elegant Georgian architecture paired with pretty, contemporary decor as the rest of the building, it was absolutely perfect for our relaxed evening dinner. Think rich, earthy tones, like dark wood floors and warm timber tables, matched with elegant cream walls, plush banquette seating and fabric-draped lighting - completed by pops of lush green from the potted plants dotted around and flickering candlelight adding to the atmosphere.
Dinner: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Oysters (£5.50 each) - we ordered an oyster each to kickstart the feast. I opted for the watermelon granita and my dinner date the lemon and mignonette; they were both gorgeous in texture and flavour, a testament to the restaurant's high-quality ingredients
- 225g fillet steak (£42) - found under the 'fire' section of the menu, which explained all their meats are cooked over flame on their Mibrasa grill, this hunk of meat was seared to absolute perfection: a beautiful, tender, moreish rare that made it genuinely melt in the mouth. I chose to accompany it with peppercorn sauce, which was rich and clearly homemade, and added a hint of floral spice
- 280g ribeye (£40) - these guys really know what they're doing when it comes to their steaks. Due to excellent marbling, the ribeye offered a rich, buttery flavour that my dinner date couldn't get enough of - made all the more perfect with a side of tangy chimichurri (although this was a tad heavy on the oil)
- Beef fat chips with Dijonnaise and chives (£9) - the chips that have basically gained iconic status, these were unlike any normal fry - more an indulgent assembly of pressed potato slices that had been fried to perfection in beef fat for a gorgeously greasy (in the best way possible) and crisp bite, that was all too heavenly dipped into the accompanying Dijonnaise
Fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, and a side of carrots and beef fat chips.
Breakfast: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Breakfast is served 7am-10am on weekdays, and 8am-10.30am on weekends. Though set in the same Pearly Cow restaurant we sat at for dinner, the space had transformed from a vibey evening restaurant to a calm, relaxing breakfast spot. The huge windows let in lots of lovely light (much needed after the cocktails and wine combo the previous night), with diners all quietly nibbling away at their breakfast plates and sipping cups of strong coffee.
We started with a couple of small dishes from the 'Kick Things Off Section'. I had the natural yoghurt with fruit compote, raisin and almond granola; he had the fresh fruit salad with watermelon, orange, kiwi and red grapes. As for our breakfast mains, though options of shakshuka, eggs benedict and brown butter waffles all featured, after our heavy dinner, we both decided to go for the 'Create Your Own' option (£13.50), where you can choose up to four items from a list of breakfast. We chose toasted sourdough, poached eggs, avocado, bacon and sausage (we shared the bacon and sausage). Though the eggs were a little overcooked, the breakfast was otherwise tasty and made with clearly premium produce. This was all washed down with a pot of delicious coffee and glasses of freshly squeezed apple or orange juice.
Our Overall Experience At No. 1 York by GuestHouse
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have to say that I had a very memorable time at No. 1 York by GuestHouse. Everything was just perfect from start to finish - the room was gorgeous, the spa treatment absolutely excellent, and the food and drinks? Don't get me started - I'm still thinking about that steak. Top that off with an excellent location close to major cultural landmarks and sights, and plenty of excellent shops, pubs and other things to do nearby, and you have yourself an idyllic getaway. I also loved all the lovely unique little touches at No. 1 York by Guesthouse, from the vinyl players in the rooms to the snack bar (yes, you can grab whatever snacks you like - from fresh pastries and cakes to crisps, fruit and chocolate) and the wonderful decor that touched every corner of the space. I would recommend a visit here to anyone visiting York, whether for a romantic getaway, a sightseeing holiday, or even just a little treat.
