Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
BBQ facilities
Lift / Elevator
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Accommodating staff
Comfortable lounge area
Cons:
Poor breakfast quality
Room size issues
Inadequate amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
7.94
Some reviews mention cleanliness, but also note issues like tired paint and cracked marks.
Service
9.41
Guests highlighted the outstanding and accommodating service from the staff.
Location
9.45
The hotel's location was frequently praised for being ideal, especially for New Year celebrations.
Room Quality
7.9
Comments indicate some rooms are small and have issues with lighting and air conditioning.
Amenities
7.43
Facilities like the spa and pool were noted as unavailable, with breakfast options lacking.
Value for Money
7.89
Mixed feelings about prices versus offered services and quality (e.g., breakfast quality).
Food and Beverage
6.94
Breakfast options received poor reviews, especially concerning quality and variety.
Overall Experience
8.61
Overall sentiment is positive, with enjoyment of the stay despite some issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 00:36

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Experience the elegance of the 4-star Principal York, with modern rooms equipped with all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. From flat-screen Smart TVs to rain showers, we have thought of everything to make your stay unforgettable.

Gourmet Dining
Indulge in a culinary journey at The Refectory Kitchen and Terrace, where fresh and seasonal dishes are served with a local twist. Don't miss out on the traditional afternoon tea in the charming Garden Room, and start your day right with a full English buffet breakfast.

Convenient Location
Located next to York Train Station, our hotel offers easy access to transportation for your adventures in York and beyond. Explore the historic city center, visit York Shambles, or enjoy a day at York Racecourse - all just minutes away from our doorstep.

Book your stay at the Principal York now for a truly memorable experience.

Important information:

The breakfast price is for pre-booked breakfasts only. Guests will be charged extra for breakfasts that are not pre-booked.

When booking for 9 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements will apply. Guest will be required to sign an additional form.

Please note that the credit / debit card used at the time of the booking needs to be presented upon check-in.Swimming pool: Closed from Fri, Jan 16, 2026 until Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Swimming pool: Closed from Sun, Mar 1, 2026 until Tue, Mar 31, 2026
Sauna is closed from 2026-02-28 until 2026-01-16
Sauna is closed from 2026-03-31 until 2026-03-01

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LBA

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 6 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs GBP 19 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.2
Based on 8083 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.94
Service: 9.41
Location: 9.45
Room Quality: 7.9
Amenities: 7.43
Value for Money: 7.89
Food and Beverage: 6.94
Overall Experience: 8.61
A
Ann • extended_group • gb
10
A lovely hotel for a stay in York - a very convenient location and a beautiful building !
Pros:

The room and bathroom were very large and tastefully furnished - besutiful hotel

Cons:

The temperature of the room was difficult to control and was rather too warm. Breakfast was very good but the plates were cold.

2026-02-28 • via Nuitee
D
Donna • couple • gb
10
2026-02-28 • via Nuitee
A
Abby • extended_group • gb
10
Happiness in bottle
Pros:

Beautiful hotel with great connections. Staff are beyond friendly and very helpful

2026-02-27 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • couple • gb
7
2026-02-27 • via Nuitee
S
Shell • family_with_children • gb
8
Lovely hotel
Pros:

Lovely rooms with the best blackcurrant shampoo and conditioner. Great shower.
Big beds.
Coffee in rooms

Cons:

Bit steep to park on site

2026-02-27 • via Nuitee
A
Alex • couple • gb
8
2026-02-27 • via Nuitee
R
Rebecca • couple • gb
9
A comfortable stay in a grand hotel in York
Pros:

Looked beautiful when you walked in and it felt very comfortable. The staff were very accommodating especially the receptionist who booked us in. She gave us recommendations of where to visit in York centre and places to visit for our next day of travelling. Our room was upgraded which was lovely, room was spacious, perfect bed, excellent shower and bathroom. Breakfast was nice. Didn’t use the bar or restaurant for any other meals. Location was very good with a short 15 min walk into the centre so we didn’t need to use the car. We had no trouble getting a parking space but high season might be an issue. Would definitely stay again if visiting York.

Cons:

Not much not to like as we had a lovely stay. Parking expense but to be expected in York, we paid at reception so was discounted to the displayed fee. One lift not working but we could use stairs.

2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
N
Nathan • couple • gb
8
2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
E
Elena • couple • gb
4
2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
K
Kosuke • solo_traveller • jp
9
テンションが上がる
Pros:

歴史のある施設に宿泊することができ、とても貴重な経験になりました。非常に綺麗な客室で非常に清潔でした。

Cons:

シャワーのドアからお湯が漏れていました。

2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • couple • gb
6
Convenient, comfortable and decent value. The hotel felt tired like it could do with a make over
Pros:

Great location near the station & short walk into the city
Lovely communal areas downstairs
Lovely friendly and helpful staff

Cons:

Rooms must have been designed by men.
No sockets near mirrors. Dimly lit. No bathrobes. Spa facilities not working. First floor smelt like fish. Downstairs smelt like drains.

2026-02-24 • via Nuitee
J
Jane • family_with_children • gb
10
I can not wait to visit again.
Pros:

We stayed in a suite and it was beautiful.
Right in the centre of everything.
Beautiful hotel

Cons:

Breakfast could of had more choice.

2026-02-24 • via Nuitee
P
PAUL • couple • gb
6
I didn’t get the room I paid for
Pros:

Great location staff great nice and clean

Cons:

Parking was full had to cram into a random spot plus additional costs. Toilet out of order in main area. No football on the tv. Beer was poor

2026-02-24 • via Nuitee
J
john • couple • gb
4
Very disappointed and will not return to this hotel
Pros:

Breakfast was poor, very little left, had to wait a significant time. For the price of this hotel breakfast should have been served, buffet breakfast would be expected if I paid premier inn prices

Cons:

Staff unhelpful

2026-02-24 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • couple • gb
9
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
R
Rachel • couple • gb
6
My stay is disappointing, I booked this hotel because of its location and to celebrate my friend getting married. The fa
Pros:

Location of the hotel is great. The bar area is nice

Cons:

The room was outdated. In the bathroom there was cracked tiles on the floor. The shower nob to change the temperature came off in my hand. The windows didn’t open in the bathroom nor the bedroom and the heating was blasting. The beds were rock hard and not comfortable at all. Really disappointing considering the cost of the rooms. The spa/room facilities were out of action while we were there too which I was never told about until a friend booked a room on the same weekend and told me.

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
J
Janet • family_with_children • gb
8
Loved the hotel, and would stay again the staff were polite and helpful
Pros:

Comfortable beds and plenty of tea and coffee in the room. The bathroom was good with a nice shower and lovely and warm.
The location was perfect a short walk to the centre and the historic sites.

Cons:

The table was too big for the room as I couldn’t pull out or turn the large chairs to sit and watch TV so had to sit on the bed. The windows were quite dirty but as we were on the third floor I understand they aren’t easy to access. The door chain needs to be looked at.
The clatter of glasses and china being transferred at the side of the bar area in the garden room was unacceptable, at times and I couldn’t hear my friends speak.

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
S
Sean • couple • gb
10
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
D
DARREN • couple • gb
4
Pros:

Beautiful looking building in great central location.

Cons:

Our £300 a night suite was very tired with damp patches on the walls, cracks in the ceiling and just generally in poor condition for the price. It also doesn’t mention that the lift only goes to floor 3 and you have to walk the last 2 flights to get to floor 5 where our suite was.

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
D
David • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee