What’s it like? Housed within a 1960s tower block located on the banks of the city’s River Ouse, the Park Inn York is one of those hotels where the view is a lot better looking out of the property, than for those on the outside looking back at what is a pretty ugly building (certainly by York’s arhitectural standards).

Thankfully once inside many of the rooms overlook the river, and those on higher floors also have views across to the city and York Minster.

Originally opened as the Viking Hotel in 1969, and subsequently operating under the Moat House brand, the management of the hotel was taken over by the Rezidor Hotel group in 2006, and the property has been refurbished throughout.

The Park Inn brand is steadily growing in the UK, with recent openings in Rotherham and Southend-on-Sea, and a 184-room Aberdeen property opening on August 23 (click here for more details).

Where is it? The entrance to the hotel is on North Street, running parallel to the River Ouse and accessed via Micklegate. The city’s main cultural attractions including York Minster and the Yorvik Viking Centre are within easy walking distance on the other side of the river, and the main railway station is around five minutes walk.

There is parking for 90 cars onsite (charged at £12 per night), with a public car park also located nearby.

Room facilities Rooms are split across the main tower and the Garden Court Wing, added in the 1980s. The 160 rooms in the tower have benefited from a full refurbishment, with the familiar Park Inn decor of bold blues and reds, and facilities including a flatscreen TV, wifi internet access (charged at 30 pence per minute or £14 per 24 hours), tea and coffee facilities, a safe, a luggage storage area by the door with hangers and a couple of drawers, a chair and small coffee table by the window, and a free standing lamp in one corner.

Bathrooms are modern, with rectangular basins and walk-in showers instead of bathtubs. Air conditioning has also been added to the hotel since the Park Inn rebranding.

The 40 rooms in the attached building have had a “soft refurbishment”, meaning they have the same facilities as the other rooms, but older decor and furniture. Guests can upgrade to a “business friendly” room, with views of the river / York Minster, free wifi access and movies, daily newspaper, and complimentary buffet breakfast.

Restaurants and bars Park Inn’s signature RBG Bar and Grill is located on the first floor, with views of the river from the bar area. Buffet breakfast is served here from 7am-9.30am Monday to Friday (7.30am-11am Saturday and Sunday), and dinner from 6.30pm-9pm Monday to Thursday (9.30pm on Friday and Saturday) – drinks and snacks are available throughout the day from the bar.

Choices at the restaurant include char-grill dishes such as rump of lamb (£13.50) and hanger steak (£9.95), both served with fat chips and a choice of sauces, along with several burger options and “house favourites” including fish and chips and sausages and mash.

Business and meeting facilities The hotel offers a total of 13 meeting rooms across 893sqm, located on either the first floor of the tower, or the second floor of the attached building. The largest space is the Henley Regatta suite, a combination of two suites and capable of accommodating up to 400 delegates theatre-style, and with an attached bar also available.

Most rooms have natural daylight, with some overlooking the river, and PSAV Presentation Services have an onsite team providing audiovisual and event technology support. There is wifi internet access throughout the hotel, and although there is no business centre as such, a PC is available in the reception area where guests can access the internet at the same cost as detailed above.

Leisure facilities Innaction Health and Fitness Centre is located within the hotel and offers free access to guests, as well as public membership. Gym facilities include treadmills, cross-trainers, bikes, stepping / rowing machines, and a small free weights area. There is also a studio offering classes including Boxercise and Pilates, a sauna, and Adonia Beauty Salon offering a range of treatments.

Verdict  A good location overlooking the river and within walking distance of the city centre, with modern rooms within the main tower, and a range of conference facilities for corporate guests.

 

Fact file

  • How many rooms? 200 – 160 in the tower and 40 in the attached building
  • Price Fully flexible internet rates for a midweek stay in September started from £92.
  • Contact Park Inn York, North Street, York, YO1 6JF; tel +44 (0)1904459988; parkinn.co.uk

Mark Caswell