Luxury York

Where to stay, where to shop and where to pamper yourself…

If money is no object (for just a few days at least!) then there are plenty of ways to spend it in York. Here’s how to enjoy blowing a fortune in just a couple of days…

A brief History of Luxury York …

The Romans were keen on bathing, but most of the business of bathing was for pleasure and recreation, rather than for keeping clean. To clean off the dirt they went through a hot room in the baths, like a sauna or a Turkish bath, and then rubbed oil on their skin, and scraped off the mucky mixture of oil, sweat, and dirt, using a curved metal scraper called a strigil. Seen as remarkably effective, apparently Roman ladies used to collect the sweaty gloop from athletes and gladiators and use it in a face pack.

From cosmetics to concrete, fast food to frescos and lighthouses to loos, the Romans transformed numerous aspects of British life. The Romans brought with them innovations and inventions during their invasion of Britain.

Roman Baths and Pump Room

The baths were like a club in a sports complex. When you had finished bathing there was a gym, library with a reading room for reading scrolls, a snack bar, restaurants, bars, shops, lounges, taverns even museums and theatres. The bathhouse was used to meet friends for a chat, to exchange gossip, exercise or just a wash. The baths were noisy with men singing, the odd poet reciting poetry in the hope of getting an invitation home to dinners. Criers calling “HOT SAUSAGES” or “CAKES FOR SALE” could be heard. A rich strict roman called Senaca disapproved of the baths saying it was a sign of weakness, and that you should only wash once a week like “the good old days.”

Some of the bathing habits of the richer part of the Roman civilisations were very lavish. Roman men would bathe in wine and the women sometimes in milk. The wife of Emperor Nero had 500 asses to supply the milk for her baths.

The baths were very luxurious. The average bath house would have mirrors covering the walls, ceilings were buried in glass and the pools were lined with rich marble and complicated mosaics covered the floors. A Roman wishing to enter the baths would do so through the front porch whose roof was supported by Roman Baths. He would enter into the main hall were he would pay his fee, from there he would go to the changing rooms called apodyterium and he would leave his clothes with his slave to guard. The bath house had many different rooms each with it's own special use. In the present day the idea of luxury and shopping has changed somewhat!

In Georgian times York became the fashionable alternative to London and quite the place to be seen. Smart Londoners bought themselves town houses in York and came regularly to socialise, to shop and generally to enjoy themselves.

Fairfax House perfectly encapsulates such a lifestyle, built in 1750 when York was at the height of its popularity among the moneyed and leisured classes. The house was occupied by Viscount Fairfax of Emley and his daughter, who moved from London to enjoy fashionable York, bringing their eleven servants with them. Now that is luxury! The house now provides a perfect setting for the superb Noel Terry Collection of English furniture – over 120 pieces dating back to 17th century and including some quite outstanding craftsmanship. Have a visit and imagine yourself to be the proud owner of this sumptuous and beautiful house – and its furniture, and you will soon be in the mood for luxurious York. Private viewings can be arranged. Tel: 01904 655543.

Where to Stay

Unfortunately, you can’t actually move in to Fairfax House for your luxury stay, but there are plenty of pucker places to stay instead, to suit all moods.

Blue Rooms at the Blue Bicycle

Now this is something a bit different and the last word in luxury. The Blue Bicycle is one of York’s best and most expensive restaurants. It is small, intimate and has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere – not posh, just expensive! To give you an idea, on their opening night they opened 108 bottles of Laurent Perrier champagne! Once a brothel, the design of the restaurant capitalises on its “blue” history, and employs some voluptuous nudity in the décor – but all in the best possible taste, of course. Now the Blue Bicycle has opened just two luxurious rooms, complete with Villeroy and Bosch bathrooms, steam showers, luxury kitchens, Bang & Olufsen hi-fi systems, goose-down quilts and pillows. What’s more, breakfast is provided in the rooms by the BB chef. The rooms cost £150 per night. 4 Franklin's Yard, off Fossgate. Public contact – Tel: 01904 677726, website: www.bluebicycle.com Press contact – David Rose. Tel: 01904 677726, email: blue-rooms@thebluebicycle.com

Middlethorpe Hall

With 3 AA Red Stars and an RAC Gold Ribbon award, this distinguished William III house stands in 20 acres of gardens and provides excellent luxury accommodation. Built in 1699 it was the home of the famous diarist Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, whose husband was British Ambassador to Turkey. She visited Constantinople and immersed herself in Turkish culture, writing passionately and prolifically about it to her friends in England – in particular she described the surprisingly liberating effect for women of wearing a veil. The Middlethorpe Spa is available to all residents, with pool, steam rooms, beauty treatments and gymnasium. Room rates start at £109 per room. Middlethorpe Hall, Bishopthorpe Road. Public contact – Tel: 01904 641241, website: www.middlethorpe.com Press contact – Nicola Thresh, Tel: 01904 641 241, email: info@middlethorpe.com

The Royal York Hotel

Set in 3 acres of landscaped gardens in the heart of the city, the Royal York Hotel is a magnificent 4 star Victorian hotel. The refurbished hotel offers contemporary, modern cool interiors. Bedrooms are located in both the main hotel and Royal Garden wings. Facilities include a leisure centre with indoor heated swimming pool. Room start at £56.80 per night. Station Road, York. Public contact – Tel: 01904 623503

The Grange Hotel

An AA 3 Red Star “Premier Collection” hotel, this beautiful, classic Regency townhouse is situated just outside the city walls, a short walk from all York’s major attractions. The hotel has 30 luxurious en-suite bedrooms, 3 superb restaurants including a Seafood Bar and Brasserie, award-winning food and first-class service. 1 Clifton, York. Public contact – Tel: 01904 644744, website: www.grangehotel.co.uk Press contact – Amie Posting, Tel: 01904 644744, email: info@grangehotel.co.uk

Westgate

The exclusive penthouse apartment, housed in the domed structure of this striking, seven storey building, provides luxury self-catering accommodation with stunning views across York. The glazed roof-top terrace was inspired by the high-vaulted ceiling of York’s Victorian Railway station, and a glass-roofed atrium brings light flooding into internal balconies. 414 Westgate, Leeman Road, York. Public contact – Tel: 01904 632660, website: www.homefindersholidays.co.uk Email: agents@homefindersholidays.co.uk

Hazlewood Castle

This is an excellent out-of-town option where you can truly live like kings. As a dwelling it dates back to 1086 (hence the name of its restaurant), and it became a fully-fledged castle in 1290. In the 15th century the War of the Roses was battled out on Towton Moor right in front of the castle. The 1086 Restaurant overlooks beautiful gardens and chef John Benson-Smith also runs cookery schools here. 25 minutes into York city centre. Paradise Lane, Hazlewod, Tadcaster. Public contact – Tel: 01937 535353, webiste: www.hazelwood-castle.co.uk Press contact – Robert Beaumont, Tel: 01423 323139, email: info@hazelwood-castle.co.uk

Where to Shop

Now you’ve unpacked – it’s time to hit the streets for some serious shopping. With more than 2,000 shops, York offers some of most distinctive, specialist and stylish shopping in the UK, along its historic, picturesque and often traffic-free streets.

If it’s clothes you’re after, a stroll along Low Petergate will soon have you flexing your credit card. The line-up of designer names includes Paul Smith and Mannix for the men, and Sarah Coggles for seriously expensive and very beautiful women’s clothes (with table football upstairs to amuse the boys). To complete your new outfit turn off Petergate onto Grape Lane for a dazzling array of shoes in Chinelli, and then continue past the Minster to High Petergate, to visit Monkey Puzzle, for gorgeous designer jewellery.

As you would expect from a city so steeped in history, York is packed with antique shops, where it is all too easy to blow a small fortune – but you can always tell yourself it’s a good investment! On the corner of Duncombe Place, the Red House was constructed around 1700 and possibly designed by William Etty. Today this fine Georgian town house is one of York’s premiere antique centres, with a particularly good selection of art deco and art nouveau pieces. And on Stonegate, York Antiques Centres house over 150 dealers specialising in china, glass, porcelain, gold, silver, jewellery, clocks, watches, fine art, ancient antiquities, furniture, toys, books and collectables. Recently awarded a Five Star rating by the prestigious The Antique Dealer magazine, the centres offer a relaxed atmosphere with friendly and knowledgeable staff always on hand.

Staying on Stonegate, the beautiful, medieval Mulberry Hall is established as one of the world’s leading fine china and crystal specialists and its new dining warehouse stocks the very best designer names for the kitchen from Alessi to Bridgewater pottery.

Refresh Yourself

Time for a break. The Yorkshire sweet tooth is in evidence throughout the city, and it’s no surprise to learn that the home of the famous chocolate firms Terry’s and Rowntree’s is staking a claim to being the afternoon tea capital of Britain. There are those who claim that cinnamon toast and ‘fat rascals’ (a sublime cross between a scone and a biscuit, studded with almonds and cherries) can’t be beaten, and when enjoyed in the refined surroundings of Betty’s Tearoom, or the Tudor magnificence of Mulberry Hall, word has it they taste even better.

For a civilised but relaxed lunch, try the bohemian Café Concertoon High Petergate, or the cultured atmosphere of St William’s Restaurant on College Street, overlooked by the great East window of the Minster in York’s prettiest corner.

And if all the shopping is just getting too exhausting, it’s time for some top treatments. Book yourself in to Alquimia Spa on Stonegate for a proper pampering. Wrap yourself in a luxurious robe, enjoy a samarium spa session, join in with yoga and meditation, have a beauty treatment, even a haircut and here you are even allowed a glass of wine with your lunch! After all that you will surely feel ready to take up those shopping bags again. The Lotus Clinic offers acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, incorporating lifestyle advice, plus holistic treatments for physical and emotional conditions.

Alquimia Spa, Stonegate: 01904 632888, www.alquimiaspa.com Lotus Clinic, Micklegate: 01904 343305, www.Chinese-medicine.co.uk/lotus.htm

The Evening

Yet more decisions… Time to decide where to eat. These are a few suggestions, but there are plenty of places to choose from in York, and you may need to go no further than the restaurant of your hotel to find the perfect place to eat.

J.Bakers Bistro Moderne

7 Fossgate. Tel: 01904 622 688, www.jbakers.co.uk A stylish and expensive jewel of a restaurant, with art deco interior, serving contemporary British and continental cuisine.

Blue Bicycle

34 Fossgate, Tel: 01904 673990, www.thebluebicycle.com Expensive but relaxed with an unparalleled reputation, and, as described earlier, the restaurant takes the blue theme to heart in its décor and design.

Melton’s

Scarcroft Road, Tel: 01904 63434, www.meltonsrestaurant.co.uk Classical music, 1930s murals, and an impressive wine collection, sophisticated without being pretentious. Set in a converted Victorian house, Melton’s is a very distinguished restaurant and the food is excellent.

To get a real feel for York you need to experience the majesty and grandeur of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. And by now you may be ready to blow away a few cobwebs!

A Day in the Country

Explore York’s spectacular surrounding scenery – but do it in style. Explore the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, visit Castle Howard or Harewood House, but get someone else to do the driving so you can sit back and enjoy the views.

Chauffeur Drive Tours

York Executive Guides Don your scarf and goggles and book a chauffeur-driven classic car ride into the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors or the Yorkshire Wolds. Tel: 01904 489636, www.yorkexecguides.co.uk

Discovery Tours York

Chauffeur-driven Land Rover Discovery or Chrysler Voyager, with on-board refrigerated drinks, full and half day tours, pick-up from your hotel (or for day visitors, from the airport or railway station). Tailor-made holidays also available. Tel: 01904 793109

Country Wide Tours/Yorkshire Tours

John Smith provides fully escorted tours of the Yorkshire Dales, Bronte Country, Herriot Country, Castle Howard, the Moors and Whitby. Tel: 01904 636653

Day Trip by Train

The Northern Belle is a reflection of the affluent ‘Belle’ trains of the 1930s. It is the first classic train of the new century, providing the ultimate in stylish and enjoyable day excursions and short breaks throughout Britain from major stations throughout the North of England. Immaculate carriages, superb food and service and scenery that will take your breath away are just some of the delights waiting for you on board the Northern Belle. There are 10-day trip departures from York throughout the Year including, Valentines Day lunch, murder mystery, steam hauled lunches and Christmas lunches. Tel: 020 7805 5060, www.orient-express.com

A Day at the Races

Keen racegoers will want to check the York Races calendar before booking their break in York. From May to October there are races every month, the most splendid being the three-day Ebor Festival every August . For a real day to remember, why not dress up, splash out and go for luxury hospitality in the tented village, an all-inclusive package of champagne, full bar facilities, four-course lunch and afternoon tea. Tel: 01904 620911, www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org