THE ELMBANK HOTEL - AN ART DECO HOTEL WITH STYLE

The Elmbank Hotel is a 19^th century mansion house overlooking the Knavesmire Strays that is now part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

A listed building, the hotel has seen many uses in its history from a home to York’s elite to a one time gentlemen’s club and a WW11 Army Officers billet and now it stands proudly as one of York’s best boutique hotels.

Re-designed in 1898 by Mackintosh contemporary, George Walton it underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in 2019 which saw it restored to its former glory without losing any of its beauty and heritage.

Enter Elmbank through its heavy oak doors and it feels like you are entering a private residence. There’s a warm and welcoming atmosphere but nothing can prepare you for the Art-Nouveau treasures that will unfurl in front of your very eyes as you explore the hotel.

Across fireplaces, murals, windows and lighting Art Nouveau style is showcased throughout the hotel including eye catching opulent jewel encrusted wall patterns and ethereal feminine figures.

After checking in we made our way to the magnificent oak panelled lounge with its welcoming and original fireplace that sits beneath the wooden staircase and gallery. This Is the ideal go-to place at any time of day for a refreshing morning coffee, decadent afternoon tea, pre-dinner aperitif or a comforting nightcap. Its also a great place to meet friends or just sit back and immerse yourself in your favourite novel.

There are sinkable leather chesterfields, small arm chairs and every kind of seating along with small tables and long low ones. Art deco works adorn the walls and floods of light come in from the stained glass window up in the gallery.

Ascending the staircase to our room we could be forgiven for the occasional stop to look down at the treasures below.

Our room was a De Luxe Room but rather compact and we did find it rather cold but then it was a real winters day outside. It had a wonderfully comfortable king size bed, plenty of mirrors and lighting and a tasteful array of art-deco pictures and it was wonderfully quiet. However there were a few housekeeping glitches it was missing the robes and slippers meant to be included with the room which never turned up and they had run out of shower caps. A tip also bring your own tissues as this hotel doesn’t supply them in the rooms.

The huge tiled bathroom, with an amazingly large and wonderfully powerful rainwater shower, was a work of art with its Golem handcrafted tiles following the theme of the Peacock in the hotel – that once was a common sight in York. The Peacock theme extends throughout the hotel from carpets to the blue painted hallways.

As well as the rooms in the main house there are rooms in The Elmbank Lodge adjacent to the main house plus Courtyard rooms behind the hotel ideal for groups or families and ideal if you bring Fido!

Before dinner we decided to have a cheeky cocktail in the elegant and intimate Peacock Bar with its marble topped bar and high stools – although we opted, like other guests, for the small tables near the fire.

Leethams Brasserie is a great place to dine with its floor to ceiling windows on one side with stained glass art and its rich purple upholstered chairs that sit beautifully against the dark wooden tables adorned with sparkling glasses and gleaming cutlery.

There are not a lot of menu choices but I found them adequate with something for everyone and a good choice of vegan and vegetarian dishes

I decided on the Heritage Carrol Salad with Quinoa granola, pomegranate, hummus and dried cranberries. I never knew there were so many varieties of carrot! The Cranberries added to the fusion of flavours but a little less dressing would have been appreciated as it somewhat drenched the dish.

My partner was overjoyed with his King Prawn Cocktail with its Bloody Marie Rose Sauce. It was served with pickled celery which added a great flavour to the starter.

For main I chose the Lemon and Oregano Check Schnitzel. I asked for the Schnitzel without the accompanying fried egg and truffle aioli as I am not a fan of either but I did have the handcut chips which were delicious exactly as they should be crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The Schnitzel was tasty and wonderfully cooked and having it without any accompaniments was a testament to its flavour and quality of cooking.

My partner opted for the Shepherd’s Pie and loved it. His favourite dish was just how it should be he said. The slow cooked lamb was tender and the cheddar and parmesan mash gave an added flavour and it came with his favourite vegetables fine beans.

For dessert I opted for the Glazed Pineapple. This was a caramelised pineapple tarte tatin with mango sorbet, chilli and lime syrup and was certainly my heaven on a plate.

My partner chose the British Cheese Selection that came with truffle honey, celery, chutney and biscuits and which we ended up sharing when we retired to the bar.

The Peacock Bar is an intimate and cosy place and it seemed no one seemed to want to leave. I mused it must be great in the warmer weather as it leads out to a large patio with tables ideal for sipping a glass of bubbly as the sun does down.

Next morning we breakfasted on a wonderful Yorkshire cooked breakfast after which my partner went out and moved our car into a now vacant hotel space so we wouldn’t get a ticket.

As we arrived quite late the day before the hotel reception staff told us we could park in the street until 9.00am next day and we did this. By that time one of the few hotel spaces had been vacated so we moved into it whilst we breakfasted and checked out.

Parking can be a problem as hotel spaces are limited but they have an arrangement with a nearby private school whereby you can park for a reasonable fee.

The hotel is around 20 minutes or more walk to the railway station and where the York attractions and historical places begin but if you are planning on going to the Minster or The Castle Museum it’s a lot longer walk allow 35 minutes for the latter

There is a bus stop outside the hotel and a frequent bus service or you can get reception to order you a taxi.

Feeling refreshed and batteries re-charged it was time to say farewell to The Elmbank but now every time I journey to York to review theatre and pass by it I will have some great memories.