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5-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

Grays Court Hotel and The Bow Room Restaurant

Stay at Grays Court Hotel with antiques-furnished rooms, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly service, and The Bow Room Restaurant. Perfectly located near York Minster and historic Shambles.

Chapter House St, York YO1 7JH, United Kingdom View on map
9.2/10
Exceptional Based on 510 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free breakfast Pet-friendly Room service Restaurant
What recent guests emphasize

Exceptional hospitality and historic charm

Guests highlight the elegant, antiques-filled setting with outstanding views of York Minster, combined with top-tier dining and attentive service. Its quiet location near major attractions makes it a memorable stay for many.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly, warm, and knowledgeable staff who enhance the historic atmosphere
  • Impressive food quality, especially the acclaimed tasting menu at the Bow Room Restaurant
  • Rooms featuring elegant decor with excellent cleanliness, comfort, and Minster views
  • Peaceful location close to York Minster and other historic sites
  • Beautiful social areas blending original features with tasteful furnishings

Worth knowing

  • The restaurant offers exceptional cuisine but at a premium price point
  • No fitness center, pool, or airport shuttle services available on site
  • Pet-friendly policy may appeal to travelers with pets
  • Free breakfast and Wi-Fi included, but other amenities are limited
  • Historic building layout may include some older architectural characteristics

Best for

  • Visitors seeking an authentic and elegant historic hotel experience
  • Diners looking for a gourmet, special-occasion meal in York
  • Travelers wanting close proximity to York Minster, the Shambles, and city heritage
  • Guests valuing peaceful surroundings and attentive, personalized service
  • Cultural tourists interested in exploring York's rich history from a stylish base
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About this property

Welcome to Grays Court Hotel and The Bow Room Restaurant

Set within an 11th-century house, Grays Court Hotel and The Bow Room Restaurant offers elegantly furnished rooms featuring antiques and a distinctive Jacobean oak-panelled gallery. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, pet-friendly accommodations, and a smoke-free environment, alongside room service and an on-site bar and restaurant. Check-in begins at 15:00, with check-out at 11:00.

The property’s location in York’s historic district is ideal for visitors looking to explore nearby attractions such as the Gothic-style York Minster, the National Railway Museum, and the JORVIK Viking Centre. Its proximity to iconic sights and cobbled streets was noted by several guests as a highlight, making it suitable for travelers interested in cultural and historic experiences.

Dining at The Bow Room Restaurant stands out for its sophisticated cuisine and exceptional service, often praised as one of York’s finest dining experiences. While the restaurant offers a la carte options, the tasting menu receives particular acclaim. The hotel’s social areas, including a long bar rich in original features combined with tasteful furnishings, provide an elegant and inviting atmosphere for relaxation and socializing.

Guest feedback consistently emphasizes the welcoming and attentive staff, with many highlighting helpfulness and knowledgeable insights about the building’s history. Rooms with views of York Minster are especially appreciated, adding to the overall charm. This property is well suited for those seeking a quiet yet centrally located stay with a blend of heritage, comfort, and notable dining.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Pet-friendly
Room service
Restaurant
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

JT
Jenny Taylor Mar 28, 2026
10

We stayed one night and it was such a peaceful place — amazing views of the Minster. The staff were kind and helped us find good vegan breakfast spots

AJ
Andrew Jones Mar 22, 2026
10

York’s best restaurant Food and service top class 10 course tasting menu is one of the very best we have eaten from restaurants across the UK Thank you all for making it such a special birthday celebration

HH
Heather Hurst Mar 05, 2026
10

Absolutely amazing hotel! Our room (the Somerset) had an outstanding view of the minster, which made it feel extra special. The food was lovely and the staff were all so friendly and kind, especially Morgan, who gave us an interesting tour and had loads of fun history facts about the building. I would recommend this place to anyone. We loved it!

AF
Aoife Flynn Feb 22, 2026
10

We had an exceptional stay at Gray's. We stayed for 3 nights and came specifically to experience Chef lan Doyle's food in the Bow Room - which was incredible. There are some a la carte options but highly highly recommend the tasting menu for the full experience. The food was incredibly memorable - such a sophisticated use of ingredients and subtle flavours. The hotel itself is extremely charming. Our room was comfortable, quiet, warm and very clean. The social areas in the hotel are lovely - the long bar is especially nice and all of the beautiful original features have been complimented with new soft furnishings to create an elegant environment. A special word for the staff who were all extremely helpful, friendly and genuinely lovely.

JO
Jes Oakley Feb 22, 2026
8.0

Loved it. Very close to the Minster. Surprisingly quiet. Fabulous staff. Quite an old place. Food first-class, but not cheap.

JR
James R Jan 28, 2026
10

Grays Court is the most wonderful hotel we have ever experienced. Nestled behind York Minster, this historic property has all the charm of York, with a staff that is by far the most welcoming and friendly. The rooms are updated while still maintaining that historical feel. We were lucky enough to be able to book “The Mortimer” room, and it was exceptional. It offered some great views of the minster, and was spacious and very charming. The breakfast was very well done, and had a great variety to choose from. Also, this hotel manages to attract the friendly guest, some of which we had the pleasure of conversing with in the beautiful bar area/galley. The hotel is also within the perfect distance to the shambles, and York Minster. Please make this a stay of your if you plan to come to York. It will give you an experience you won’t forget.

GK
Ghassan Karian Jan 16, 2026
10

Grays Court’s Bow Room is probably the best restaurant experience across the whole of York. A wonderful, historic setting, coupled with exquisite service. And the food. Oh the food! Tastes that blow your mind delivered with visual artistry. For a special occasion, this is the place to go. This place should be Michelin starred, it is at that level of perfection - but without the pretentiousness.

DK
Dimitri K Jan 14, 2026
10

Gray’s Court is absolutely exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed, warm, attentive, and incredibly hospitable. You can tell they love what they do, and it shows in every detail. The atmosphere is something special, elegant without being stuffy, and steeped in history while still feeling comfortable and inviting. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger just a little longer. Location-wise, it’s perfect. Tucked right next to York Minster, you’re within walking distance of everything. Whether it’s a stroll along the city walls, a bite at a local pub, or exploring the Shambles, it’s all just steps away. Highly recommend Gray’s Court, it’s the kind of stay that makes a trip memorable.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Grays Court Hotel and The Bow Room Restaurant

York, UK

Historic area with Gothic-style York Minster cathedral, cobbled Shambles street & waterfront pubs.

  • York (YRK) 16 min Walk
  • Gillygate 9 min Walk
  • Peasholme Green 6 min Walk
  • Leeds Bradford Airport 1 hr Car · 1 hr 28 Transit
  • Teesside International Airport 1 hr 11 Car · 1 hr 36 Transit
  • Humberside Airport 1 hr 17 Car · 2 hr 21 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in York. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

York Minster 23,670 reviews

York Minster

Deangate, York YO1 7HH, United Kingdom

4.7 · Cathedral
National Railway Museum York 31,026 reviews

National Railway Museum York

Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ, United Kingdom

4.7 · Rail Museum
JORVIK Viking Centre 13,724 reviews

JORVIK Viking Centre

19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT, United Kingdom

4.6 · History Museum
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