Where To Stay In York: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide

The city of York, located in northern England, is one of the UK's most visited cities by tourists. That's not a surprise when you consider everything there is to do here. From the magnificent York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, to the National Railway Museum and Jorvik Viking Centre, the historic city center is absolutely packed with tourist attractions. And thanks to its compact size, it's not hard to figure out how to get around York, either. In fact, many of the best attractions in this fascinating city can easily be reached on foot.

But of course, what you get to see is determined in large part by where you stay. While the historic city center can seem like the obvious choice for where to stay in York, there are other options that may suit you better depending on how you want to spend your time in York. While York's city center certainly has a lot to offer, you shouldn't rule out some of the other areas of the city that can offer their own unique vibe and atmosphere while you visit Yorkshire.

No matter where you choose to stay in York, the best hotels in the city can make your stay a memorable one. But don't forget to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in York before you head out to explore the city's fascinating neighborhoods. Whether you're looking for a luxury getaway or cheap hotels, you'll have an easier time of it if you're not carrying more than you need to.

Where to stay in York City Center

No prizes for guessing that the first choice for many people of where to stay in York is the city center. The area of the city within the city walls is home to many of York's most interesting historic attractions. In fact, York city walls are an attraction all by themselves, as you can walk the length of them for great views of the city and a better understanding of some of the most interesting chapters of York's history.

Staying in the city center will keep you close to all the city's top attractions, such as York Dungeon, York Railway Station and its award-winning Railway Museum, The Shambles, and Jorvik Viking Center.

Staying in this area also means you'll be close to some of the best dining options York has to offer. As well as being a great place to find the best brunch in York, offers fine dining, street food, and just about every other food option you could hope to find. It's also one of the best places to enjoy the city's nightlife.

This area is also the location of some of York's best hotels. If you're looking for a grand hotel that oozes old-world charm or a five-star hotel that will look great on your social media pictures, this is the place to find it. For instance, Judges Court Hotel was once the place where 18th-century judges stayed while presiding over trials of local highwaymen. The wood-paneled walls and sweeping staircase make for a dramatic backdrop to your stay, and some of the stylish rooms even offer antique furniture and four-poster beds. Alternatively, at the other end of the scale, the Cumberland Villa offers a basic guesthouse that's short on amenities within easy walking distance of all the cultural sights of this beautiful city.

With so much to recommend this central location, you may be wondering why you would look anywhere else. And if you want your stay in York to keep you centrally located, you'd be right. But staying in the city center is not without its problems. For one, if you're looking for tranquility, forget it. This area is more or less always busy with tourists and locals. Plus, you'll pay more for a hotel in this neighborhood than you will in just about any other area of the city. If location means everything to you when you visit York, this is definitely a neighborhood worth exploring. But if you prefer somewhere a little more tranquil or you're looking to save some money, there are other neighborhoods of the city that may serve you better.

Where to stay in Foss Islands

Located across the river Foss from York City center, this neighborhood combines a great central location close to the relics of the city's history with an up-and-coming atmosphere that makes it home to some of the most unmissable things to do at night in York. The area is anchored by the Foss Islands Retail Park, making it a great place to do some shopping. This neighborhood is also home to a wide range of restaurants offering everything from Italian to Chinese to French cuisine, so you certainly won't go hungry here. In fact, this area makes a great place for exploring York. It's only a few minutes walk across the river to reach top attractions like York Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower, and the area is easily reached from the train station by bus or via a one-mile walk. Additionally, this area is close to the York Barbican, one of the top-performing arts venues in the city. This makes it a popular location for people who are coming to York to see a show, and there are plenty of hotels in this area dedicated to serving those customers.

The Parisi Hotel is one of the best in the area. This breakfast-only hotel is famous for its courtyard garden, and the free parking makes it a good option for those who plan to bring a car to York with them. Located in a prime position opposite charming St Deny's Church, this modern hotel is close to many independent shops and restaurants and is only a short walk from the city center.

Where to stay in Badger Hill

This neighborhood is located a little way out of the city center, and so you'll find few tourists exploring the streets here. But Badger Hill is only a 10-minute drive from the center of York, and is easily reached by public transit. The neighborhood is notable for its proximity to the University of York, which means you'll find plenty of great restaurants in the area to serve the student population, along with vintage shops, art galleries, cafés, bars, and other enticing attractions.

This neighborhood is a good choice for anyone who wants to escape the chaos of downtown but doesn't want to be completely cut off from the action. It's also a great choice for those hoping to indulge in some retail therapy thanks to the presence of the York Designer Outlet nearby.

What you won't find here is a ton of York hotels. However, there are enough places to stay in and around this area that you could easily make it your home base to explore York. The Travelodge York Hull Road offers budget accommodations with free parking that make it a good option if you plan on renting a car and exploring some of the Yorkshire countryside as well as historic York itself.

Where to stay in Acaster Malbis

Those who are really looking to get away from it all should consider a stay in the hidden gem of Acaster Malbis. This quaint village is located outside the city limits of York, and it offers a chance to experience true tranquility in the Yorkshire countryside while still being close to what the city has to offer. Public transport out here is spotty at best, so you may want to think about hiring a vehicle if you plan on staying here. But what you'll find, along with scenic views and all the countryside peace and quiet you can handle, is a charming village with great hiking and ancient pubs along the Riverside that make fantastic places to stay. Enchanting establishments like The Ship Inn and The Woodman offer unfussy guest rooms and surprisingly good food, so if you're looking to stay in a classic country house hotel close to York, you could do a lot worse than Acaster Malbis.

Where to stay in Bootham

Situated just outside the city walls, Bootham is a neighborhood that offers a little bit of everything. If you want to stay within walking distance of York's top attractions without spending a fortune, this is a great option. You'll find hotels a little cheaper here than you will in the city center, and if you don't mind a bit of a walk, it's no harder to reach the historic heart of the city from here than it is from within the walls. It's also a convenient location for the railway station and the National Railway Museum, making a stay in Bootham extremely convenient.

This is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. It's also conveniently close to the Yorkshire Museum, so there are plenty of attractions in the area to keep you occupied.

If you're a fan of yoga, you should definitely check out the Hedley House Hotel and Yoga Studio. This unique 26 room hotel in a Victorian townhouse offers an en suite private bathroom in every room, on-site parking, coffee making facilities, self-catering apartments, and an on-site restaurant. But perhaps most surprising is the luxurious spa and yoga studio where you can take a class and treat yourself to some pampering.

At the other end of the scale, you'll find the YHA York Hostel in this area, which features a 24-hour café and bar and simple rooms at a very affordable price.

Where to stay in The Mount

To the west of the center of York, you'll find the largely residential area of The Mount. While you won't find many historic attractions in this area, you will get a glimpse into how locals in York really live. Plus, you'll be close enough to the city's historic center that you can still get to all the attractions you want to see during your visit to York. This area is a good choice for those who want to stay away from the busyness of central York but still want to be able to easily reach the city to see the top attractions. And with York Racecourse in this area, you can try your luck on the horses, and maybe your stay will pay for itself!

There are also some good hotels in this area, including the Hotel du Vin. Located in a former orphanage, the Hotel du Vin is a four-star hotel offering free wifi and great dining options in the on-site bistro. If your budget stretches far enough, the suite rooms are elegant and luxurious and offer a great place to stay outside of central York. If, on the other hand, you're looking to save a few pounds, try the Astor York hostel. Housed in a Grade II listed building, this hostel offers fast free wifi, an on-site bar, a large dining room, and a £1 breakfast with all proceeds going to charity. It's a great option for budget family travelers that's not too far from the city center.

Conclusion

It's no surprise that some of the best hotels in York are located in the city center. But when you visit York, it can be a good idea to expand your horizons a little. Beyond the obvious central location of the city center, the neighborhoods of York have a variety of different experiences to offer travelers. And while it's nice to be within walking distance of all the attractions within York city walls, there are also plenty of hotels in York that will let you see other sides of the city.

Wherever you choose to stay, you'll have an easier time visiting York if you drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage. No matter where you choose to stay or where you want to explore, Bounce is there to help make your trip easier.