All aboard for No.1 by GuestHouse, York: a look inside this stunning art-filled hotel
York has seen travellers and traders come and go for thousands of years. From Roman settlers to Viking invaders, the famed York Castle was built by none other than William the Conqueror. It played a key role in the rich tapestry of England’s history, from a medieval trading hub—still visible as you wind your way along the narrow, cobbled streets of The Shambles—to a cornerstone of England’s railway network. But today, the York in which we lay our scene (and our heads), plays a more contemporary tune. Enter, No.1 by Guesthouse, York. We caught up with Martin, of Martin Hulbert Design, the man behind the interiors of York’s hottest ticket in town.
Filled with antiques, local paraphernalia, statement art, and curated gallery walls, Martin explains how the process of sourcing the artwork ended up being quite organic. “We often buy things and don’t know where they’re going to go,” he explains. “Otherwise it can feel contrived. This way it has soul and feels lived in. There’s a spontaneity to it”. The aim was to make it feel like a home and in that, Martin has succeeded. Behind that double-fronted Georgian facade, there’s a warm and welcoming retreat. It feels smaller than its 39 rooms—guests chat over coffee or cocktails.
A yellow-based, neutral backdrop creates a feeling of friendliness, whilst allowing the art to do the talking. Eye-catching geometric works, commissioned by a local artist, are a contemporary take on the Medieval encaustic floor tiles in York Minster. Whilst in the bar, two steam train oil paintings (not to mention a miniature train set, which sets off on a course around the room every half hour) is yet another nod to the past and York’s rich history. If it's all too folksy it can end up feeling a bit pastiche”, Martin explains.
The bedrooms are anything but. Decorated in Martin’s signature paired-back style, there’s something quite dreamlike about those capacious four-posters and white-on-white linens. “When you go away for a long weekend you just want a sanctuary, you don’t want to be challenged. You can have too many things going on in your eyes”, says Martin. “We had great ceiling height, so that makes the rooms feel more dramatic than your average hotel room. The aim was to acknowledge the past whilst looking forwards”, Martin explains.
There are lots of thoughtful touches too. No.1 by Guesthouse, York doesn’t just pay lip service to being child and dog-friendly. They go out of their way to make your children (two-legged or four-legged) very welcome. From in-room tee-pees, a ‘help yourself’ tuck shop to dog beds, bowls, and lots of treats. Not to mention a local guide for dog-walkers. For grown-ups, there's a record player and a library of LPs. The Nespresso machine hidden within a doll's house is one of the most playful examples of ‘shy tech’ we’ve ever seen.
Even the drinks menu pays a subtle nod to York’s vibrant history. From the Utter Shambles (vodka, camomile, lime, vanilla, passionfruit, and egg whites), named after the city’s medieval shopping street to award-winning sparkling wine from the Yorkshire Wolds. Dinner is smart without being overly formal and the menu is filled with lots of comforting dishes like shepherd’s pie and popular Sunday lunch with all the trimmings (and ‘proper’ Yorkshires), all made with produce local to ‘God’s Own Country’.
Not York-bound anytime soon? No.1 by Guesthouse has an equally smart hotel in Bath and will be coming to Brighton in 2023. We’ll see you there.