Lil's On The Waterfront

Hotels
7 (1772 reviews)
5 Kings Staith , York , gb

Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
Heating
Express check-in/check-out
Bar
Non-smoking throughout
Daily housekeeping
Kid meals
Wine/champagne
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Good location
Friendly staff
Reasonable prices
Cons:
Hygiene issues
Room conditions vary

Categories

Cleanliness
5.08
Several reviews mentioned issues with cleanliness, including filthy conditions and the need for deep cleaning.
Service
8.05
Positive sentiments noted regarding the staff's helpfulness and friendliness.
Location
8.59
Multiple reviews positively highlighted the great location near amenities and the river.
Room Quality
6.04
Some rooms were described as unfit for stay, but there were also mentions of comfortable rooms.
Amenities
6.57
Amenities received mixed reviews; some were satisfactory, others outdated or broken.
Value for Money
7.03
The pricing was mentioned positively, especially in relation to location and some services.
Food and Beverage
7.58
Breakfast and food options received positive remarks, though there were some logistical concerns.
Overall Experience
7.05
Overall experiences were mixed, but many guests expressed a willingness to return despite some issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 21:18

Property Description

Riverside Views and Urban Convenience

Luxurious Rooms with Scenic River Views: Lil's On The Waterfront offers elegantly furnished rooms with a touch of luxury, some providing breathtaking views of the serene river, creating a tranquil ambiance for guests to unwind.

Central Location with Historic Charm: Nestled in the heart of York, our hotel is just steps away from the iconic Grand Opera House and the historic York City Walls, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the city.

Modern Amenities and Culinary Delights: From well-appointed rooms with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms to a cozy bar and restaurant serving delectable dishes, we ensure a comfortable stay with a delightful culinary experience.

Experience the perfect blend of comfort and sophistication at Lil's On The Waterfront. Book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway.

Important information:

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), check-in is strictly between 15:00 and 20:00 until further notice.

Please note, the property is located in the city center and as a result guests may experience some noise disruption.

The rooms are accessed via 1 or more flights of stairs in a building with no elevator.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

7
Based on 1772 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.08
Service: 8.05
Location: 8.59
Room Quality: 6.04
Amenities: 6.57
Value for Money: 7.03
Food and Beverage: 7.58
Overall Experience: 7.05
K
Kelly couple gb
8
2026-07-24 via Nuitee
P
paul couple gb
8
Nice stay in a beautiful city.
Pros:

Location was excellent.

Cons:

The rooms are up a steep flight of stairs, which was fine for me and my wife but some people might struggle. There was no blind in the bathroom which means it gets extremely hot in the day.

2026-07-23 via Nuitee
S
Sue couple gb
8
Excellent stay staff went out of their way to accommodate us very professional
Pros:

Excellent place to stay centre of York

Cons:

Mattresses very uncomfortable - need chair in room also

2026-07-22 via Nuitee
J
James solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

Very good location, reasonable price, room was good but a little tired. Bed ok and Room was, clean and tidy as well.

Cons:

Bit noisy in the morning with bin collections etc but to be expected so no worries.

2026-07-22 via Nuitee
R
Robert solo_traveller us
5
Pros:

It was safe and quiet, and reasonably close to city center.

Cons:

It was a very basic but typical "renovation" of these old stone buildings, basically a relatively attractive veneer over old walls and plumbing. For the cost it was about what I've come to expect.

2026-07-21 via Nuitee
M
Martin solo_traveller gb
7
2026-07-21 via Nuitee
K
Katie solo_traveller gb
1
2026-07-20 via Nuitee
J
janie solo_traveller gb
8
Friendliest, bestest location
Pros:

Location and view were excellent.
ALL of the STAFF, without exception, were helpful, kind and chatty.
Outside seating was lovely

Cons:

Bathroom. Shower definitely needs a makeover.

2026-07-17 via Nuitee
V
Victoria solo_traveller gb
8
Would stay again
Pros:

Friendly staff, good service. Clean room in an excellent location.

2026-07-17 via Nuitee
W
Warren solo_traveller gb
3
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Pillows we're yellow quilt didn't look clean not cover quilt tv never worked not fixed

2026-07-17 via Nuitee
L
Leslie extended_group gb
10
Great atmosphere facilities were excellent bistro was good in spite of table wobbling on cobbles stones
Pros:

Beside river Ouse very central staff were helpful I had a crutch stairs were very steep but sometime best if you make an effort to walk

2026-07-16 via Nuitee
P
paul couple gb
4
we enjoyed York just the room was a let down
Pros:

the views where good.

Cons:

the toilet seat kept falling off it was broken, staircase to room steep, had to be careful of not to bang you head on a meter box. The wardrobe door knob kept falling off i had to screw it back on, the room looked a bit grubby and very tired (not like the pictures on website)

2026-07-15 via Nuitee
J
Jason couple gb
1
Don’t!! Extreme impolite by not acknowledging a complaint email requesting a partial refund!
Pros:

Absolutely nothing!! The room was nothing like the pictures in the website, dirty, not been cleaned in a long time and overall, the worst accommodation I have ever been in. I do not say this likely as I was in the army for 22 years and I’ve stayed in some rich @@@@holes!!

Cons:

See above, here’s more!!!

Upon arrival, we were shown to a worn, key-coded entrance door that felt insecure, requiring only a firm push to open. We then had to climb a very steep staircase to reach our room. On entering Room 2, it was immediately apparent that the room had not been maintained to an acceptable standard. There was a large gap beneath the door due to the uneven floor, which immediately gave a poor first impression.

The cleanliness of the room was particularly concerning. It appeared that dusting had not been carried out for a considerable period. Thick dust covered the television, skirting boards, bedside tables and the top of the wardrobe. The kettle contained old water and was heavily scaled. The cups were chipped and stained with dried tea marks, and the teaspoon was clearly unclean.

The curtains were torn and stained, the mattress had little support left due to worn springs, and the overall condition of the room was tired, neglected and far below the standard expected of a deluxe room.
Although the bedding appeared clean, we were so uncomfortable with the general cleanliness of the room that neither of us felt able to sleep properly under the covers.

The bathroom was equally disappointing. There was no hot water from the shower, the sink was heavily stained, the toilet had clearly had bleach poured into it but had not actually been cleaned, hairs were present across the bathroom floor, several tiles were cracked, and the extractor fan was thick with accumulated dust.
I raised these concerns with the female supervisor, who was polite and apologetic. She advised that someone would come and clean the room.
Unfortunately, the follow-up fell far short of what was required. The kettle had simply been emptied and there appeared to have been little more than a quick wipe over, leaving the majority of the issues unresolved.

2026-07-15 via Nuitee
E
Ellen solo_traveller gb
6
Pros:

The hotel was in a good location, bathroom was lovely.

Cons:

Most of the towels had makeup stains on or other stains already on them, bedding was also dirty.

2026-07-14 via Nuitee
D
DAVID couple es
9
Very comfortable in a superb location.
Pros:

I left my wallet in the room. It contained my passport, debit card, Spanish residency card, insurance card and driving licence. My partner rang the hotel in the evening and thankfully they found it. The lady on the phone very kindly offered to post it to Rotherham, where I was staying, Instead, a friend of mine drove to York and picked it up for me. It was in the safe. A massive thankyou to the lady on the desk. She was so kind and very professional.

2026-07-13 via Nuitee
L
LISA couple gb
4
Awful never again, no waterside view is worth that, the worst £150 ever spent
Pros:

The view

Cons:

Dirty unimaginable shower, rock hard bed, unusable kettle due to such a build up of scale, useless inadequate fans and a front door that looks like it has been kicked in numerous times.

2026-07-10 via Nuitee
P
Philip solo_traveller gb
7
Good value comfortable stay friendly staff
Pros:

Location excellent
Staff friendly helpful

Cons:

First impression on going up stairs wasn’t good needs decorating

2026-07-09 via Nuitee
S
Susanne Klages solo_traveller de
7
Gemütliches Zimmer im Herzen Yorks
Pros:

Unweit vom Bahnhof, am Flussufer, grosses Zimmer, gemütlich einferichtet, uber nettem Pub

Cons:

Zugang über steile Treppe, etwas muffiger,enger Flur

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
J
Juliet couple gb
6
Ok if you’re desperate!
Pros:

Location convenient

Cons:

Shabby. Electric sockets didn’t all work. Ugly view out of the window

2026-07-06 via Nuitee
K
Kevin solo_traveller gb
8
Comfortable
Pros:

Room was clean and comfortable, bathroom was large with a large walk in shower,

Cons:

Was a slight delay booking in but didn't take anything away from the stay

2026-07-05 via Nuitee