We Find the Perfect Base for a Weekend in York
A smart white-fronted building set back from The Mount just outside Micklegate Bar, Hotel du Vin is in a great location for a weekend in York
However, the hotel itself is a tempting place to spend some time. My room (in an adjacent building to the main hotel) is modern and freshly decorated, with a large and comfy bed, desk and dressing table, plus a spacious bathroom with a bath and rainfall shower. We’ve arrived a little late, so unfortunately we have to head straight out to dinner. The city centre is packed with a pre-Christmas crowd, buzzy and busy as we walk through. Following an enjoyable dinner at a restaurant by the river, it’s something of a relief to escape back to the calm sanctuary of Hotel du Vin.
We find that the bar is a series of cosy spaces opening off one another – small enough to feel comfortable, but big enough for a group to find a decent spot. The knowledgeable barman certainly knows how to do the classics, and there can be few better ways to round off an evening of good food and company than with a well-made negroni.
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We’re given a warm welcome at breakfast in the morning, which takes place in the hotel’s serenely-decorated bistro. There’s a selection of bread, pastries, yoghurt and fruits, as well as hot dishes made to order from the kitchen. My eggs Royale comes with a generous heap of smoked salmon on top of a crisp muffin, topped with creamy hollandaise. It’s the perfect thing to set me up for a day of exploring all that York has to offer.
York’s charms are, famously, many, but after a full day of striding around cobbled streets and medieval alleys, exploring the city’s history, heritage and (of course) shops, it’s rather a relief that we’re not going out for dinner. Instead, we’ve booked a table at Bistro du Vin within the hotel, which is cosy and welcoming, complete with twinkling lights and Christmas trees. A bottle of house red is soon procured, and we enjoy a relaxed dinner of delicate smoked salmon, followed by a comforting and hearty beef bourguignon, rounded off with a decadent chocolate terrine. By the time we’re done, we’re glad we’re mere steps from bed.
The following morning we linger longer over breakfast before taking our leave, loading bags into the car and heading back onto the bustle of The Mount. Hotel du Vin has been the perfect combination of peace and easy access to York’s many attractions, but sadly, it’s time to head back to real life.
Hotel du Vin
The Mount, York YO24 1AX
hotelduvin.com
