This fun, stylish retreat in quiet Clifton draws on York’s past as a confectionery-making heartland — each of the 27 rooms is named after a different sweet. And just like a packet of Fruit Pastilles, the rooms pop with colour.

You can’t get more central than lovely Galtres Lodge, named after the Norman royal forest that once crept right up to York’s city walls.

In 1570, one Guy Fawkes was born in a room at the back of this popular old inn. Today the hotel and pub make best use of their predecessor’s notoriety and fame but, as the property was once owned by Guy Fawkes’ family, they’re still banned from celebrating Bonfire Night.

Bringing their Regency style from Bath, brothers Tristan, James and Tom launched this Georgian townhouse hotel in 2021. Beyond the colonnaded, candle-lit entrance lie 39 bedrooms in warm tones and furnishings sourced from York’s antique centres.

“Americana à la Victoriana” is how owners Jonathan and Anthony describe their intimate eight-room hotel.

Opposite the Museum Gardens entrance and just a couple of doors down from Tommy Banks’ Michelin-starred Roots restaurant, Jorvik House is in a perfect spot for wining, dining and exploring York’s layered ancient centre.

Take one Victorian red-brick police station, two Italian owners and a lavish transformation budget and the result is York’s most unique, design-conscious hotel.

Accessed via one of the traditional skinny ginnels (alleyways, to non-Yorkshire folk) in the cradle of medieval York, this smart townhouse hotel is named after the high-ranking judiciary figures that used it in the 18th century — the decision to hang notorious highwayman Dick Turpin was made here.

Tucked away in a scenic nook adjoining Bootham Bar, one of York’s original medieval gates, the Fat Badger is a down-to-earth bolt hole for visitors who don’t like fuss.

Roe deer in the parkland, nesting birds around the lake, an arboretum trail and a south-facing lawn terrace set for drinks — Middlethorpe Hall feels every bit the country retreat, yet it’s still only a 30-minute walk or so from central York, so guests get the best of both worlds.

With 103 rooms (and IHG ownership), Hotel Indigo is pushing the limits of a “boutique” definition yet still manages to nail the attention to detail that guests expect from a small hotel.

The York Minster views from this small backstreet guesthouse are just one of its many surprises.

Middletons is housed in a cluster of six eclectic grade II listed buildings surrounding a pretty courtyard, yet still has only 56 rooms — meaning room to spread out.

A very pretty iteration of this small boutique chain, Hotel du Vin York has 44 rooms in a grade II listed mansion in the Mount area, just outside the city walls.

If you’re coming for a flutter at York racecourse, this Georgian townhouse hotel wins as the track is just a short stroll across the Knavesmire, the broad expanse of grassland on its doorstep.

Moving away from its origins as an arty hostel, The Fort has rebranded as a boutique six-room hotel. Its location on lively Little Stonegate in the medieval centre makes it perfect for weekenders looking to bar-hop the cobbles all night (earplugs are also provided).

Grays Court has been standing longer, in one form or another, than the 13th-century fortified walls its garden backs onto. Its wood-panelled Jacobean Long Gallery brings a real sense of occasion to the aperitif hour and the in-house fine dining restaurant, Bow Room, is Michelin-recommended.