The Churchill Hotel, York

In the smart Bootham district, set back from the main road that leads from Bootham Bar (one of the city's medieval gatehouses) towards leafy Clifton and the A19 north, it feels relatively private. Surrounded by period townhouses and next to playing fields, it sits within its own grounds. The station is around a mile. It's a ten-minute walk to the walls, a few minutes further to the Minster or York City Art Gallery while two of York's famous public schools, Bootham and St Peter's, are near neighbours.

By car: The Churchill is 45 minutes from Leeds, 1 hour 35 mins from Manchester and just over 4 hours from London. There is paid private parking on-site costing £10 per day.

By train: London Kings Cross to York takes around 2 hours. The hotel is a 5-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to York.

The handsome period features - lofty central atrium, sweeping staircase, grand sash windows - have been successfully blended with a contemporary, metropolitan style: a striking monochrome and deep-hued palette, tiled or polished-wood floors, and plenty of velvet and leather. It's clubby and snazzy.

There's a choice of bars, either the central atrium or a darker clubbier affair with bottle green walls, a brass-top counter and leather-topped stools. A book-lined lounge - sometimes used as a dining room - offers another place to relax, or there's a heated patio plus a beer garden, with a fire pit, though subject to traffic noise. In-room tablets allow guests to order room service and check tourist information.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounge
• Beer garden
• Parking
• Free Wi-Fi

As with the rest of the hotel, the rooms (over half in a modern extension) are sharp and modern with a monochrome palette, clean-lined furniture, funky feature walls and deep-hued panels and headboards. Bright pink throws add softness while bathrooms (all but the smallest with bath plus shower) are bright and crisp.

Room types: Small Double, Double & Twin, Superior, Luxury, Prince of Wales Suite

Key amenities: ensuite with shower, free toiletries, TV, tea and coffee tray, free Wi-Fi

It's a simple brasserie menu with all the usual suspects - including twice-baked cheese soufflé, sharing platters, fish pie plus various steaks - with some nice Yorkshire touches, such as Yorkshire beer-battered cod and chips with mushy peas. Breakfast has a meagre cold buffet but reasonable cooked choice.

Dewsnap's Brasserie: classic British and European dishes, Yorkshire produce, bar snacks. Open for breakfast and dinner, snacks served throughout the day. Mains from £12.95.