Elmbank York

Just stayed at the Elmbank Hotel in York which is just next to the racecourse.

Absolutely perfect for the races and only a ten minute walk into the town.

The staff are friendly, the rooms are in good condition and spacious with plently of toiletries and tea/coffee for your use. The breakfast was also very good with quite a good choice. The hotel itself has a lovely old staircase and some nice features. We spent a pleasant hour before going to the races sat out side on the lawn/patio with a drink from the bar watching the world go by.

The only slight drawback is the lack of parking, so get there early, however this did not mar a lovely visit. We would stay there again, and find it strange that some people have left bad reviews - they must have been at a different hotel!

The Elmbank is an historic hotel, with beautiful murals and decorations by Scottish architect and designer George Walton, and this is worth the visit alone. There is a beautiful sitting area, dining area and bar, all with the original decorations. Unfortunately, we booked online through a discount service and were provided with what must have been originally the maid's room. Our room was shabby and didn't seem especially clean. We went up the back stairs instead of the grand staircase, and I suspect the other rooms were much nicer. Breakfast was very good, and the hotel convenient to the city. This hotel is worth looking into, but ask for a good room!

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, the staff was pretty unpersonal and polite enough in my book. The room we had was large and the bathroom was huge and clean and shower had hot water and good pressure. I could see how parking may have been a problem as the hotel is on a small street but we found a space very easily. Hotel was only about a 15min walk from the centre of York. Skip getting the breakfast for 8 pounds!

Parking is very limited and you need to be prepared to manoevre your car with some care - but at least there is parking available.

Room was grubby, dark and tired. A strange place where the catering for coach parties results in a complete lack of interest in anyone else - the most impersonal service I have encountered.

Location is good but the premier lodge along the road was nearer to the city centre looked cleaner, brighter, the bar was welcoming and the rates appeared considerably cheaper- so that's where we'll stay next time.

I booked and paid a premium rate (£80 per person per night) for 2 double rooms with full breakfast for single occupancy for myself and my friend and requested quiet rooms, non smoking with parking. What we got was one twin room that was acceptable and one tiny, stinking of smoking, room with a single bed, hardly enough room to even get into the room let alone move round the bed and little or no storage, up a number of steep stairs with little natural light. On returning to the desk to complain we were eventually very grudgingly given a small twin room, instead of the small single room, that was overlooked very closely by another part of the building and was very dark, you couldn't see the sky, but it was a non smoking room. On checking out we were asked for an additional £3.50 per person per night i.e. 8 X £3.50 as we had had a cooked breakfast every morning, that is what we had paid for after all. We were told that the requests we made on making the booking were only available as requests if available and were not guaranteed, so how can you get what you pay for? To add insult to injury we were unable to access the car park (this held only 5 cars) and on the third evening our car had to be left in the street and some people threw a bag of flour over it which stuck everywhere. Would I stay there again, absolutely not, I feel it was totally misrepresented on the website and although it has some "character" in the public areas, is in need of a total upgrade inside and out, very shabby and the narrow multiple staircases and corridors were a nightmare to negotiate. Hotel is also 15 minutes walk from centre of York.

The Elmbank is obviously relying on its busloads of tourgroups who stay there.

For 3 star, the room was not what you would expect - the furnishings were dreadful and unmatched - stripey green wallpaper gave us a headache.

Service generally very average - our room wasn't serviced until we asked for it to be done.

The breakfast is plentiful but not exactly fresh ingredients.

I wouldn't stay here again, its not what they say on their website!

Not sure why the other reviewer had negative comments, this is a very nice hotel. Staff friendly and attentive. Rooms excellent size, clean etc. Bar and lounge areas clean, comfortable and warm (open fires). Restaurant and food of a very high standard. Parking was no problem. Location to city is ideal.

Great hotel, full of character, lovely open fires in the bar and lounge area with great decor. Good food, staff friendly and helpful. Had a wonderful room with four poster bed and a view of the racecourse. Would definitely recommend.

Uncaring staff, small, drab rooms, smoky atmosphere, tricky parking, apallingly uncomfortable beds, inedible food, stained tablecloths ...

It is hard to find anything good to say about this terrible hotel. Keep away!

This place is a fabulous museum of late 19th century Arts & Crafs interior design. Just call in for a cup of coffee and look around if you don't want to actually stay there.