If you’re planning to visit York this Christmas with your kids, we’ve got an idea that will put you at the top of the Nice List for a lifetime: booking the Santa’s Grotto bedroom at Moxy York, arguably the most fun hotel in the city.

We were invited along with two of our elves (aged 12 and 10) to try it for ourselves, and absolutely loved it. If excitement levels for Christmas weren’t high enough when we checked in, we were practically singing carols by the time we left the next morning. This year, Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with That Christmas on Netflix,  a festive family film from Richard Curtis (Love Actually) – to unwrap new ways to make memories on your family break – and even our short stay delivered memories by the sackful. From delightful decorations to one of the most enjoyable meals we’ve had in a long time, read our review of Moxy York to find out why our stay was so special.

A Bedroom Straight from Santa’s Workshop

Our themed grotto room was a Christmas wonderland with serious wow factor. The room was dressed with decorations galore, from a huge Santa’s Workshop backdrop to fake snowballs, giant helium candy canes, festive blankets, and even a selection of sweet treats from Santa. A twinkling Christmas tree was the icing on the (Christmas) cake, making it feel cosy and magical. We loved the That Christmas activity packs, too, with a trail around the hotel and various things to do, from writing a letter to Santa to spot the difference (always a favourite).

We fell in love with it faster than we’ve ever fallen in love with a hotel room before, and the kids spent a lot of the evening taking photos of the decorations and campaigning for us to buy them for our house. They also enjoyed having a fake snowball fight and sword fighting with the candy canes, but the less said about that, the better. On a practical level, the room and bathroom were really spacious and surprisingly quiet for such a central location. We even managed to sleep well, which is a Christmas miracle in itself when we’re all in one room.

Christmas dinner fondue

It isn’t Christmas without roast potatoes, so we were thrilled that our tea was a veggie Christmas dinner fondue. Yes, you read that right: a complete Christmas dinner, but in fondue form! We’ve never had anything like it before and it was BRILLIANT. Instead of the usual pot of molten cheese, we were given a large pot of veggie gravy and a huge selection of delicious bite-sized Christmas dinner treats to dip in. The little Yorkshire puddings and roasties were incredibly tasty, and even better when they’d been submerged in the gravy. Everything was perfectly cooked, and we’d never have guessed that it was the first time they’d done a completely veggie version. It was thoughtfully done, beautifully presented and tasted divine. It’s not often you find a meal that feels like an experience in itself, but this one did. It was festive, tasty, and completely unique – one of the best and most fun meals we’ve had in a long time (we’ve not stopped talking about it since). The girls loved their mocktails, and the adult gin cocktail went down a treat, too. 

The dining area is brilliant for older kids, too, with loads of things to do. There’s table football, a pool table and tons of games to play (we had a few rounds of Guess Who while we enjoyed the gorgeous pink hot chocolates that finished off our meal – and almost finished us off!). We cuddled the giant pink teddy bear, played some arcade games and took photos in the photo booth so we could have a souvenir of a really lovely evening. In our experience, it’s rare to have such an easy, fun meal out with kids, and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Breakfast the next morning was worth an early start for, too. Buffet style (our favourite), there was something for everyone, from classic breakfast items to unexpected treats like pink donuts (and why not?). It was the perfect start to a busy day exploring York.

An Unbeatable Location

Moxy York strikes the perfect balance between playfulness and relaxation. The hotel is filled with fun touches, from games in the restaurant to a photo booth and table football, which kept the kids entertained for ages. The playful vibe meant we could really enjoy quality time together without needing screens or devices to keep everyone occupied. Whether we were playing games or just lounging in the grotto room, it was a lovely experience that we’ll always remember. Every staff member we met was warm and welcoming. Even the girls mentioned how kind everyone was, which helped them feel at home in a new place.

The verdict

Moxy York’s festive package is a fabulous option for families looking for a magical Christmas break in York. With its playful atmosphere, themed room, and fantastic location, it’s ideal for making memories together. Whether you’re playing games, enjoying delicious food, or simply relaxing in the magical grotto room, this hotel offers something truly special. And for York residents, we’d absolutely recommend it as a place for a lovely family meal with a twist. Yorkshire puds dipped in gravy? Yes please!

Moxy York, Black Horse Lane, York YO1 7NE

Thank you to Moxy York for having us to stay. As always, our review is completely independent and we’ll only recommend something we’ve really enjoyed.