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In the shadow of the magnificent Minster, largest medieval gothic cathedral in northern Europe, there’s no denying the Best Western Dean Court Hotel has an enviable position.

 

Close to a host of sights and delights to entertain the visitor, in the heart of the history book of a city that is York, this boutique style hotel is the ideal place to stay for leisure or business.

 

Dating back to 1865, the hotel was originally three separate dwellings which housed the clergy of the Minster.  It is located on the corner of Petergate, once the main Roman road which ran through the city and has a sign of a set of crossed keys on a side wall which represent the keys to heaven given to St Peter.

 

From the outside, the Dean Court looks like a rather grand 19th-century family home with its imposing wine coloured brick facade.  Despite all the history though it is flushed with youth and promise, particularly since a few years ago a major refurbishment transformed the interior.  Now regarded as York’s trendiest boutique-style hotel, it has gathered numerous awards including AA Rosette Awards each year from 1997, an Excellence Through People accreditation and Romantic Hotel of the Year award. All well deserved too, as we discovered when visiting recently.

 

Our room, number 17, a tranquil haven with four poster bed, muted colour scheme and lamps aplenty faces onto the front of the building with excellent views of the Minster.  It has a comfortable squidgy sofa, armchairs made for lounging in, coffee tables, plenty of wardrobe space, flat screen tv, an array of lighting options and generous tea and coffee making facilities.

 

The compact bathroom manages to squeeze in bath with powerful shower attachment and an abundance of towels and bathrobes, swish Molton Brown toiletries, separate magnifying mirror just in case you want to get a really close look at yourself and all the other bits that a guest would need.

 

 

 

 

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‘D.C.H' is the elegant award winning restaurant. Pack your appetite when you come as the food is definitely moreish. Dinner might begin with starters like feta cheese and chive tart with sunblush tomatoes and micro herbs or perhaps pork and black truffle pressing with pickled seasonal vegetables and homemade warm soda bread.  Bold main courses impress and include sturdy dishes like roast studded pork with cherry compote and sage and onion sauce or pan seared halibut and mousseline of plaice with lobster cappuccino. Puddings here are as sweet and fattening as they should be, like the ditch-the-diet typically British hot sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and icecream or a tastebud cleansing classic lemon tart with candied lemons and lemon sorbet. Sourcing is impeccable too; mainly local suppliers are responsible for the food on your plate. Fresh fish is from sustainable sources and most of the game and meat is reared in Yorkshire. 

 

The wine list offers a decent collection by the bottle or glass. There is a cracking selection of beers, liqueurs and spirits too. Plucking out highlights is difficult, but the powerfully intense Claret, Chateau Tour St Bonnet, catches the eye, as does the Laurent-Perrier Brut Rose Reserve champers, though at £76.50 the bottle, it's probably something to quaff on special occasions.

 

The ground floor Court Cafe and Bar is ideal for light snacks or champagne cream teas which are served with cucumber sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, cake and pots of tea. 

 

 Dean Court hotel easily blends elegance and charm with tradition and comfort and is a great base for exploring York and surrounding area.  What's more, although oozing quiet sophistication and quality, it is welcoming without the slightest hint of stuffiness.

 

We travelled to York by train with East Coast (www.eastcoast.co.uk): direct trains serve York from most areas, including Scotland, North East England, the East Midlands and London. Times and fares also on 08457 225225 or from staffed stations and agents. For first class passengers East Coast offer complimentary at-seat meals and drinks.

 

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