Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa – York

Cedar Court Grand Hotel
Station Rise
York, North Yorkshire YO1 6HT
0845 409 6430
www.cedarcourtgrand.co.uk
 

The welcome at the Grand – the city’s former railway headquarters built in 1906 - is nothing short of its aspirations of becoming York’s first 5 star hotel. Regenerated through £25 million in investment, no expense has been spared in transforming this once office building into a marvel of a hotel and a welcome seclusion from the otherwise tourist haven that is York.

The location is ideal and only a short walk away from both the railway station and York’s city centre - the hotel offers fantastic panoramic views of the Walls and the Minster from almost every direction.

The rooms in the Grand are each architecturally individual in their size and style as a result of having been transformed from former offices. Those on the lower levels are less ornate yet extremely generous in size whilst the suites on the upper levels are nothing short of breathtaking. The old world glamour of being a guest in one of the suites is topped by the quirky yet nostalgic idea of butler service which includes a butler serving you breakfast in bed, laying out clothes and preparing the bath. (Charming, albeit perhaps not a service highly demanded for those favouring personal space over panache!)

The function rooms are even more beautiful than the rooms themselves, having kept all the original fixtures and fittings from the old railway headquarters, making it no surprise that despite only having been opened for 6 weeks, the Boardroom has been booked for 3 weddings this summer already!

Unfortunately due to delays the spa was not yet open at the time of reviewing, however, as the first hotel in the centre of York with a spa I have no doubt that its service and elegance will become synonymous with the luxury that is the Grand.

The only disappointment with the Grand is its overly ambitious restaurant, the HQ. The decor is outstanding, the view of the Minister superb, the service fantastic…but there was a distinct lack in the food department. The restaurant boasts of its locally sourced produce but the tiny portions may leave some diner wishing for a genetically modified American crop. The menu itself sounds delightful but somewhat pretentious and not at all the hearty Northern meal some might be expecting - but given the fantastic location of the Grand, advice would be, if you’re partial to feeling satiated , to dine elsewhere and return to the hotel for its luxurious cocktails once your stomach has been fully lined.

Rooms in the Grand start at £129 a night and encompass a range from standard rooms, suites to the penthouse. A dinner in the HQ is approximately £100 per person for a 3 course meal and a single glass of wine. See the hotel’s website for more information:  www.cedarcourtgrand.co.uk

Jenna Poon, lawyer, Freshfields