The Churchill Hotel

The hotel offers a memorable stay, distinguished by its historic charm and a vibrant outdoor garden area featuring unique dining pods and a popular wood-fired pizza oven. This blend creates a welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic getaway, families exploring the city, and sightseers keen to be close to major attractions. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional staff, the hotel's prime location, and the overall cleanliness and comfort of the accommodations. The hotel's character and inviting ambiance also appeal to business travelers looking for a comfortable and well-located base. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a room on a higher floor to minimize potential noise disturbances, and be mindful of the additional cost for on-site parking, which is a recurring theme in guest feedback.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently praise the hotel's inviting beer garden, which serves as a popular spot for relaxation and socializing, especially with its unique outdoor dining pods and a dedicated pizza oven. While the hotel offers a cozy bar area, some guests noted it can feel a bit small or like a corridor. Most rooms are equipped with essential amenities such as a fan to help with warmth, an iron, a hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries. Coffee makers and tea facilities are also provided, though some guests wished for bottled water or fresh milk. It is important to note that the hotel does not feature air conditioning in its rooms, which can lead to warmer temperatures, particularly during warmer months. There is also no dedicated lounge area for guests to relax in, and some guests mentioned the absence of an elevator.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives consistent praise for its high standards of cleanliness, with many guests describing their rooms as spotless and well-maintained. Most guests found the beds comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, though a few mentioned the mattresses could be too soft or hard for their preference. Room sizes vary, with some guests enjoying spacious rooms and high ceilings, while others found their accommodations to be quite small or even claustrophobic, particularly those in basement or roof rooms. Modern bathrooms are a highlight, often featuring rain showers and, in some cases, luxurious soaking tubs. However, noise levels can be an issue for some, with reports of thin walls allowing sound from neighboring rooms, street noise, train sounds, or even internal hotel operations like drainage and kitchen fans. While a fan is provided, the lack of air conditioning can make rooms feel warm.

Dining & Food Quality
Guest feedback on dining is largely positive, with the breakfast receiving frequent commendation for its quality, variety, and freshness. Options range from a full English to continental selections, though some guests found the cost to be on the higher side. The hotel's restaurant offers excellent food quality, with guests enjoying dishes such as steak, pork belly, and beef cheeks, often highlighting the good value and pleasant atmosphere. A standout feature is the pizza experience, with freshly made wood-fired pizzas served in the outdoor garden or within the unique dining pods, consistently described as delicious and great value. The bar also offers a good selection of drinks and cocktails. While most guests appreciate the convenience of QR code ordering for outdoor dining, some found it less personal or time-consuming.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, placing guests within an easy five to ten-minute walk of major attractions such as York Minster, the historic city walls, and the bustling Shambles. Its proximity to the train station also makes it convenient for arrivals and departures. On-site parking is available and frequently mentioned as a valuable amenity in a city where parking can be challenging. However, this convenience comes with an additional parking fee, which many guests found to be expensive, and some noted the parking area can be tight or difficult to maneuver. Despite some mentions of road noise, the hotel's position just outside the immediate city center allows for a quieter stay while maintaining excellent accessibility to all that York has to offer.

Staff & Service
The hotel's friendly staff consistently receives overwhelming praise, with guests highlighting their helpful and attentive service as a key factor in a positive stay. The quick check-in process is frequently mentioned, with reception staff providing valuable information and local tips. Many reviews commend the staff for going "above and beyond" to accommodate requests, such as arranging taxis, assisting with luggage, or addressing room issues promptly. Their knowledgeable and accommodating approach contributes significantly to the welcoming atmosphere. While the vast majority of interactions are positive, a few guests noted minor inconsistencies in professionalism or engagement from some reception staff, particularly regarding specific booking or payment queries. Overall, the dedication of the team to providing excellent service is a recurring and highly appreciated theme.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain hotel policies and unique features that enhance the stay. The on-site parking fee is a recurring point, with many guests expressing that the charge is high given the hotel stay cost, though the convenience of having parking is appreciated. The hotel's distinctive decor and building history contribute to its charming and quirky ambiance, often described as an elegant old English gentlemen's club. While QR code ordering is utilized for outdoor dining, some guests found the lack of a phone in the room for reception contact inconvenient. The hotel also offers thoughtful touches like complimentary Kit Kat treats in rooms. Some guests noted that certain areas of the hotel appear to be undergoing or are in need of renovation, which may cause minor disturbances or reflect in room condition.