Moxy York

Fossgate is close by, so the location is really handy. The rooms are clean and compact, but have enough space and are well equipped. Breakfast is a pleasant buffet with healthy choices as well as the usual cooked options. The main downside is noise: you can hear other guests moving around at all hours, and disturbed sleep is a big problem. The gym works in a pinch, though it’s tiny, with a treadmill, stepper and free weights. Recommended overall.

Breakfast was good value, and the pastries were a nice touch. The hotel’s look is fun and lively, with stunning decor and plenty of games. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and helpful, especially with our old lab. It’s a lovely dog-friendly place. Our room was nice, the lifts were fast, and the location is great, less than a 10-minute walk from most places. There were a few snags. We noticed a drain smell, and the front door seemed broken and didn’t close easily. The light under the bed switches on when the dog moves around at night, or when someone gets up to use the toilet. Not ideal, though stuffing towels around it stopped it coming on. The bed is very soft, so if you’re sharing, you feel the other person move. Thanks again to the staff, you know who you are.

The buses stop right outside, and it’s a short walk to the Minster, Shambles and Viking Centre, so it’s easy to get around. Staff were pleasant from reception to housekeeping, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and friendly. Breakfast was excellent, with almost every option. The rooms were fine, unless you end up below someone heavy-footed who can’t hear well. Kirsty at reception was especially helpful.

The breakfast was amazing, and at £15 for all you can eat, I thought it was great value. There were plenty of choices, including tomato juice and smoothies, and checkout before noon meant we didn’t have to rush. I usually skip hotel breakfasts because they’re a flop, but this one changed my mind. We booked a queen room. It wasn’t huge, but it was a good size, super clean, and had lovely beds and pillows. The lobby was brilliant, with foosball, arcade games, a pool table, comfy sofas and wild, nerdy decor. They even have a dedicated ironing room, so you can use an ironing board there instead of having one in your room. I’ve never felt so relaxed at a hotel. Five stars, and I’ll definitely be back.