The Dean Court, York

Opposite the magnificent west doors of York Minster - a mere 30 metres away - the hotel has, arguably, the finest location in the city. The medieval walls are less than a five-minute walk while all of the city's central attractions, restaurants and shops are walkable. Of course, the central position means the immediate streets are always busy, though most traffic is restricted. Apart from the Minster and the medieval Walls, also within five minutes is York Art Gallery, with the world's best collection of 20th-century studio pottery, as well as over 600 years of European art.

By car: Dean Court is 45 mins from Leeds, 1 hour 40 mins from Manchester and just over 4 hours from London. The hotel offers paid valet parking.

By train: London Kings Cross to York takes around 2 hours. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the station. Book trains to York.

The row of red-brick townhouses was converted into a hotel early last century, resulting in a warren of corridors and smallish spaces that have been livened up in a low-key contemporary style with dark wood floors, shiny or boldly graphic wallpapers, pale-panelled walls and smart leather chairs. The dining room capitalises on Minster views though, overall, the hotel can feel a little prosaic.

Other than a small bar at the front and a rather plain lounge at the rear, the hotel has no other facilities, apart from the dining room. But it makes up for it with a great staff team who go out of their way to be helpful whether it's suggesting restaurants, booking theatre tickets or recommending family-friendly attractions. Cycle storage and valet parking are also offered.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Family rooms
• Pet-friendly
• Valet parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms are spread over four floors (including the ground) and, though varying in size, share the same uncluttered and classic contemporary style of light or shimmery colours and wallpapers, pale wood furniture and silky throws. Even the smallest rooms have been carefully thought through, as have the bright bathrooms, to maximise space.

Room types: Single, Twin, Double, Family

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, TV, tea and coffee facilities, safe, iron, free Wi-Fi

Dinner is a traditional British menu with, perhaps, chicken terrine or prawn cocktail followed by steak or cod with mussels and lobster bisque, and very reasonably priced. The bar-lounge menu has lighter options from salads sandwiches to burgers and fish and chips, while the afternoon tea has a Yorkshire twist. Breakfast is filling, including omelettes as well as the full grill, and gets you off to a good start.

The restaurant: relaxed, British pub classics, Yorkshire produce. Open daily 7.30am-9pm.