Marmadukes Hotel review
Looking for a unique hotel in York?
It’s been a stressful few weeks, so Tom and I decided to get away from it all and spend a romantic weekend in York. Nothing like running away from your problems, eh? Weekend breaks in the UK are my new fixation while I balance my career with my love of travel, and York has been on my list for a while.
We chose to stay at Marmadukes Hotel, and it exceeded its four star rating. It’s old fashioned without being stuffy – you know how the worst thing you can say about a hotel is that it’s ‘outdated’? Yeah, that’s not an issue at Marmadukes. Wandering through the hotel’s rooms made me feel privileged, like I was going back to grander times when things were of higher quality and sophistication. Marmadukes successfully combines the contemporary with a sense of grandeur from days gone by to create a truly luxurious experience for guests.
Located in two red brick buildings on a quiet, leafy street just five minutes from York’s quaint city center, Marmadukes really is the perfect hotel for a romantic break in the city. Its heritage appealed to me immediately: the Town House once belonged to an aristocratic Victorian gentleman.
The reception staff had a polite but welcoming attitude that fit our plush surroundings, and I felt so fancy as we were led to our room.
Why Marmadukes is special
Onsite car parking is always a huge plus, and a factor we take into account when we set off on a weekend break. We bagged a spot right outside reception, though there were actually plenty of spaces on the street on Sunday, if you don’t want to pay the £7.
The Autumn sun streamed in to two grand sitting rooms, stuffed with antique furniture and Italian fabrics. Intriguing details abound; from the hotel’s ‘Quote of the week’ board to the hefty bookshelves.
The tranquil garden is built upon an ancient Roman burial ground, but I didn’t venture out. Not because I was scared or anything, it was just cold outside!
The bar at Marmadukes
Okay so the bar at Marmadukes had one seriously cool aspect: there was a huge gramophone sitting on the bar top! I almost expected to be overcome by cigar smoke wafting over from the gentleman who used to live there. Would have actually wet myself if I had though.
The room at Marmadukes
My favourite thing about our room at Marmadukes was the four poster bed! Our room was absolutely dripping in elegance and very warm and inviting, which isn’t often said about high ceilings and huge windows!
I’ve always wanted to sleep in a cool bed like this, and at Marmadukes this dream came true. Maybe it was the cocktails, but falling asleep in Egyptian cotton sheets on a handmade bed with actual curtains makes for a really decent night’s sleep.
I woke up feeling like Sara Crewe in A Little Princess. You know when she goes to sleep in the boarding school’s creepy attic and wakes up in the most sumptuous room, filled with ornate golden fabrics and luxurious objects, but it turns out to be all in her imagination? If you don’t know which scene I’m talking about, we probably can’t be friends. That film is the bomb.
Anyway, this wasn’t a dream. Getting ready for a jaunt into town at the ornate dressing table in front of a huge bay window, I felt a little bit like a Princess. I’m not gonna lie.
Modern tastes are satisfied with the 32″ LED TV and complimentary Wi-FI.
There are various rooms available, but I would definitely recommend you ask for this one! I just found out that the four poster we slept in was made by the craftsman who made Madonna’s bed and also Harry Potter’s (I’m guessing that’s his bed in Hogwarts, not the one under the Dursleys’ stairs), so that’s my new claim to fame. Just call me Hermione.
The bathroom at Marmadukes
Isn’t it everyone’s single life goal to spend their evening soaking in a claw-foot bath tub wearing lipstick and maybe smoking a long cigarette? Bathrooms are often the first aspect of a hotel to let it down, but the Victorian theme here was in keeping with the rest of the hotel. H2K toiletries are a nice touch, though I would warn you that you have to hold the shower head – not an issue for me, but if you prefer a ‘real’ shower you may want to ask for a different room.
Breakfast at Marmadukes
Breakfast is served in the sun-filled conservatory, but we chose to eat on one of the tables set up in the lounge. I always struggle to wake up for hotel breakfast (being a lazy cow) but I was determined to try what Marmadukes had to offer, so the wake-up call request option was definitely handy.
An ornate dresser heaves with everything you’d expect from a continental breakfast: glass jars filled with cereals, fresh fruit salad, natural yogurt, jams and pastries.
Tom ordered a York fry-up, and he really enjoyed the fact that he could choose which items he wanted excluded as he’s a bit erm, fussy. I had smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on ciabatta, which was a generous portion. Always the awkward one, I asked if it was possible to get mushrooms too, and the lovely waitress said it wasn’t a problem. My coffee was served in an actual cafetiere, which I thought was a nice touch.
If you’re planning on visiting York, I can wholeheartedly recommend Marmadukes Hotel. It’s the only hotel I’ve stayed in where I’ve been like, yeah, I could happily live here, and I’d definitely check back in for my next visit!
I received a complimentary stay but all opinions expressed are obviously my own. Would I lie to you?
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Lucy says
Awww it looks lush 🙂 I love York too! Also kudos on the A Little Princess reference haha that was a flash from the past x
Dannielle Lily says
Hahah Yes Lucy! It’s my new fave UK city 🙂
Chloe says
What a gorgeous hotel! Simon and I used to meet in York for weekends when we were long distance and we never knew where to stay! Maybe we’ll head back for old times sake and stay here, it’s stunning and I’m definitely a princess!
Chloe X
newgirlintoon.co.uk
Dannielle Lily says
Did you!? Where did you both live then? It’s such a lovely place, I can’t wait to go back. You should definitely do this! xx
North East Family Fun says
Ah this hotel looks beautiful – I’ve never heard of it before. I love York and it’s not too far away from us in the North East x
Rachel Kershaw says
Wow what a gorgeous b&b, love how traditional it is without being stuffy or too chintzy. Very romantic x
Mansoureh says
It seems that you really like the hotel. I should confess that when I saw the photo of the bed, I felt a bit jealous. I always wanted to sleep in a bed like that 😉
Jackie says
I love the gramophone! That’s so cool. I love when a place to stay balances the old with the new. It always looks so classy.
Dave from Daves Travel Pages says
York is a wonderful place to visit for a weekend. You certainly seem to have found the perfect place to stay in as well. The hotel looks amazing!
Himanshu says
Great review. It seems you guys had a refreshinga time here.
Laura says
Sometimes it takes getting away to put the issues in the proper perspective. Marmadukes looks like the perfect place to get away and relax.
Donna says
That hotel looks gorgeous and I have always wanted to visit York – this may be the place for us to stay! x
anna says
That bed looks absolutely lush! What a perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Anne Klien ( MeAnne) says
Looks like a good place for getaway …. oh I love the four poster bed 🙂
Nic from Roaming Renegades says
This is lovely, if you are going to such a beautiful place as York you want to stay in somewhere which reflects that and enhanced the trip!
Meg Jerrard says
I’m a big fan of weekend staycations, they’re the best way to escape and getaway without having to travel to the other side of the world for the same feeling! So glad you enjoyed your time – I love finding hotels which combine a historic elegance with modern facilities – the first time I stayed in accommodation which had a four poster bed it was such a treat!!!
Will definitely be bookmarking your review for when we have the chance to head through York 🙂
Oliwia | The Ollie says
This hotel looks really stylish! I have bathtub like this on the photo, I just love it. Really unique place 🙂