The Principal York Review: Stunning views and a royal history at this four-star city hotel
Views of York Minster and the hotel’s meticulously landscaped gardens give the entrance a palatial feel
Highlights
- Swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room
- Well-connected, central location
- Beautiful architecture
- City views
- Award-winning on-site bar
- Locally-sourced restaurant menu
The Principal York Review
Located just steps away from York railway station on Station Road and with views of the iconic York Minster, The Principal is the perfect spot for visitors looking to explore the historic city. The hotel has a rich history that’s reflected in its grand Victorian architecture with high ceilings, impressive ironwork and magnificent fireplaces throughout.
The Principal York dates back to the great ‘Railway Age’ with the original Station Hotel opening in York in 1853. The original hotel was located inside the iconic York City Walls and was even visited by Queen Victoria in 1854 when she stopped there for lunch on her way to Scotland. After her visit, the hotel was aptly renamed the Royal Station Hotel.
In 1865, the North Eastern Railway Company decided to build a new station outside the city walls with a new hotel. The new Royal Station Hotel, which is now The Principal York, opened in 1878 and included several banqueting rooms and 100 bedrooms which could be booked for 14 shillings a night. The hotel was designed by William Peachey of the North Eastern Railway and was the North Eastern Railway Company’s flagship hotel.
Over the years, new wings and entrances have been added to the building including the “Klondyke” wing which has beautiful carved oak panelling and reading racks in what is now known as The Oak Room. Art Deco lighting and furnishings replaced some of the Victorian features, giving the hotel a timeless and unique quality. While there are plenty of original, characterful features that hark back to times gone by, the hotel could never be classed as old-fashioned.
The hotel underwent a multi-million-pound investment in 2015 which blended the building’s rich history with the modern times. Award-winning interior architect Goddard Littlefair refurbished the hotel to create 155 luxurious rooms and suites that highlight the hotel’s original features with neutral colour palettes and contemporary fixtures. The hotel was then renamed The Principal York in 2016.
On entering the hotel, guests are immediately wowed by the Grade-II listed building’s grandeur and position within the city. Views of York Minster and the hotel’s meticulously landscaped gardens give the entrance a palatial feel. Walking up the carpeted steps, towards the lobby guests are greeted by parquet flooring, Victorian-style cornice moulding and large sash windows. The lobby reflects the interior decor style we encountered in our suite with radiator covers, internally-lit display cabinets and a well-thought-out neutral colour scheme.
There was a short queue to check in but this moved quickly and smoothly and is to be expected at check-in time. The staff at reception were friendly, welcoming and quick to accommodate us when we asked to change our dinner reservation time in the hotel restaurant. Throughout our stay, the staff at reception waved and greeted us as we came and went, creating a really warm atmosphere that continued throughout our stay.
The Rooms
The majority of rooms can be found in the main house with the suites being the most spacious and luxurious with views overlooking the gardens and York Minster. For those with dogs, Principal York offers pooch packages and dog-friendly rooms (with a £30 supplement) which is perfect for anyone looking to explore the city with their canines.
For our stay, we spent a night in The Principal Suite which is a Junior Suite in the hotel’s main building. The suite is located in one of the upper galleries and has stunning double doors that overlook the hotel’s impressive main staircase. Leaving the room, guests will be in awe at the stairwell which provides views of the stunning Garden Room and a beautiful Art Deco-style chandelier.
The room has listed interior details and a spacious, open-plan design with the generous king-size bed and designated lounge area taking centre stage. The bed is sumptuously soft with an assortment of pillows to suit each guest's preference.
The room is impeccably presented and wouldn’t look amiss gracing the glossy pages of an interior design magazine. Glass-fronted cabinets filled with antique books sit on either side of a grand, marble fireplace; a cream Chesterfield-style sofa with a cosy herringbone throw has been placed opposite a large flatscreen so guests can enjoy their favourite TV shows in luxury.
Guests will be in awe at the stairwell which provides views of the stunning Garden Room and a beautiful Art Deco-style chandelier
In the evening, the room is filled with atmospheric, cosy lighting that gives the space a snoozy glow. In the morning, sunlight spills through three sash windows that reveal impressive views of York Minster and the hotel gardens. A wooden table and two chairs have been strategically placed next to the window so guests can enjoy a morning cup of Yorkshire Tea with stunning views.
Room service is available from 11am until 10.30pm, subject to a £5 tray charge, and includes an expansive list of starters, mains, sandwiches and salads, desserts and drinks. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary tuck box which includes Yorkshire Tea bags, CRU Kafe coffee bags, milk, biscuits and refillable filtered water in the mini-fridge.
The bathroom facilities, which included fresh white towels and bathrobes, are the epitome of luxury. Guests can freshen up in a marble waterfall shower or a traditional Villeroy & Boch roll-top bath with Antipodes body wash, shampoo and conditioner. There are two sinks in The Principal Suite which was particularly useful - one in the main bathroom and one in the separate toilet room. Other facilities in the suite included free WiFi, a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, a laptop safe, access to the leisure facilities and a telephone.
The Spa
How does The Principal York compare to other city hotels?
Rating: 4/5
The Leisure Club can be found on the lower floor and is free for overnight guests to use. The club facilities are open 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and 8am to 6pm on Sundays which means guests can enjoy both an early morning gym session or an evening swim.
Towels are conveniently provided at the spa and lockers require a token which are available from the club reception.
The comfortable spa area is centred around an 11-metre heated indoor pool and jacuzzi.
The surrounding pool area has plenty of seating to relax and unwind as well as a steam room and sauna. Guests who really want to kick back and relax can enjoy a massage, facial, beauty or body treatment within the leisure club.
For those who love working up a sweat, the leisure club offers a plethora of fitness classes throughout the week including yoga, circuits, boxercise, body balance and aqua aerobics.
Dining & Drinking
Rating: 3.5/5
The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace is the hotel’s main dining spot offering breakfast from 7am until 10am on weekdays and 7.30am until 11am on weekends and bank holidays. In the evenings, guests can enjoy a sumptuous dining experience from 6pm to 10pm from one of the restaurant’s menus which offers a delicious taste of locally sourced British cuisine.
The restaurant is warm and inviting with comfortable leather seating, sunlight flooding in from the glass roof and quirky glass lighting. The overall feel is quietly industrial with plenty of green, leafy plants.
There are two menus on offer at the restaurant - a set menu and a more comprehensive main menu. The set menu is included for those who have dinner with their room rate and includes a delicious variety of burgers, crispy squid and a sumptuous chocolate orange torte as well as vegan options.
The main menu is filled with British classics including Yorkshire ale battered fish & chips, duck breast and a light and fresh Whitby crab vol-au-vent. The creamy Yorkshire pea veloute with York ham and a crisp quail egg is not to be missed. If you need a side dish to pad out your supper, the crisp sweet potato fries with smoked garlic mayonnaise make for a perfect savoury treat.
However, while the food was impressive, the service was slower than expected, with servers needing a nudge to remove plates between courses.
At breakfast, guests can enjoy both a hot and cold buffet, fresh tea and coffee and an array of fruit and jams in the restaurant. The continental options, which included croissants and pain au chocolat were particularly impressive.
The Refectory adjoins the award-winning Chapter House Bar which has a fantastic selection of wines, spirits, craft ales and cocktails. A York Gin and tonic is the perfect pre-dinner tipple to enjoy in the bar’s warm, cosy atmosphere. During the summer months, a York Gin Garden pop-up bar provides ample opportunity for refreshments on the terrace. Guests can also enjoy drinks and delectable dishes by Yuzu Street Food from Thor’s Tipi tent which pops up on the hotel’s lawns throughout the year.
The Principal York’s Garden Room serves meals and light bites from 9am until late daily and is a lovely spot to enjoy a crisp glass of champagne surrounded by the hotel’s opulent, Victorian architecture and decadent decor.
The relaxed Garden Room also offers sweeping views over the hotel’s manicured lawns and is the ideal location to enjoy afternoon tea which is served from 12pm until 4pm. The afternoon tea offering is inspired by York’s renowned history with chocolate which dates back almost 300 years.
Executive Chef Aaron Craig has created a truly magical and mouth-watering menu that offers something for everyone. The Wensleydale cheese and caramelised onion tartlet, the white chocolate and cranberry scone, served with clotted cream and raspberry jam, and the delicate finger sandwiches are too good to miss.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the classic macaroon filled with nutty chocolate and decorated with walnuts will hit the spot accompanied by a pot of Yorkshire Tea.
Amenities
- Spa
- Swimming Pool
- Free WiFi
- Gym
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Room Service
- Parking
Location
Rating: 5/5
Principal York is ideally located just moments away from York’s main train station and is just a short five-minute walk away from the city centre. While central, guests don’t need to worry about the sounds of the city affecting their sleep. The large, thick drapes and insulation in the room made for a peaceful, comfortable sleep without being disturbed by sirens, cars or even trains.
The city is known for the world-famous York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals of its kind in Northern Europe, which is just 10 minutes away from the hotel. Even on a cool, drizzly day, the cathedral’s sheer size and Gothic architecture were awe-inspiring and clearly worthy of the queues of tourists outside hoping to glimpse inside.
Other than York Minster, the city is famous for The Shambles, a historic narrow street filled with preserved medieval buildings, some dating back as far as the 14th century. Quaint boutique shops, cosy pubs, delectable bakeries and jettied floors overhang the street by several feet.
The Shambles is just 10 minutes from the hotel and was allegedly the inspiration behind JK Rowling’s Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter film series which is why every other shop in The Shambles is filled with magical potions and witchy trinkets.
York is also home to the award-winning York Gin, which has a store in the centre of town where visitors can try samples and receive recommendations on unique flavoured gin combinations and tonics.
Away from the more historic parts of York is the modern hustle and bustle of the city where visitors can enjoy a wide array of bars, eateries, clothing boutiques and gift shops. There are also many historical attractions near the hotel including the JORVIK Viking Centre, York’s Chocolate Story, the National Rail Museum and city cruises on the River Ouse.
Value For Money
Room rates start at £120 per room for Bed and Breakfast. Guests can find rooms and book directly on The Principal York website.
Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at The Principal York with Booking.com or Hotels.com.
Final Verdict
The Principal York’s rich history and unique, Victorian architecture is what sets it apart from other hotels as well as its facilities and dog-friendly rooms.
As well as overnight stays, The Principal York also offers a spa membership for non-residents from £35 a month and £15 day passes which include full access to the spa’s incredible facilities.
The Principal York’s central location right next to the train station is ideal for those travelling on public transport.
The hotel’s large, secure car park also provides the perfect opportunity for guests looking to abandon their cars for the weekend and explore the beautiful city on foot.
The hotel’s food options and focus on locally sourced British cuisine as well as the array of drinks on offer is the perfect accompaniment to a trip to this magical city.
