This feature is part of Little Vikings Great Yorkshire Family Escapes, a whole year of inspiration for anyone looking for a family break in Yorkshire. Over the next few months, we’ll introduce you to the best places to stay on the Yorkshire Coast, in the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and the towns and cities in between. You’ll discover why it’s a great place to stay with kids, and some ideas for things to do while you’re there.
In a prime position overlooking York Racecourse, Delta Hotels by Marriott York is a large hotel that’s popular with families. With five acres of gardens, leisure centre with swimming pool, large bedrooms and a great location, it ticks a lot of boxes for anyone travelling to York with kids. We went along with our three children (13, 11 and 8) to try it for ourselves.
Getting there – Situated on Tadcaster Road, one of the major routes into York city centre, the hotel couldn’t be easier to find. It’s slightly set back from the road – so we were never aware of any road noise – and has a large free car park. You just need to remember to put your registration number into the iPad at the reception desk.
What it’s like – First impressions were positive: we were greeted with a warm evening glow from the swimming pool and a warm welcome from the reception team. The hotel has recently been renovated in muted, relaxing tones, which was just what we needed after a busy week. Check-in was swift and easy, cutting short the children’s fun (they were happily entertaining themselves by checking out the snack and drink selection from the grab-and-go fridges and helping themselves to fresh iced water). Although it’s a sizeable hotel, little touches like pictures of local landmarks give it character and personality.
The room – As a family with three children, we often find it tricky to book hotel rooms that work for us. We’ll usually find ourselves spread across two rooms, often with somebody on a very uncomfortable sofa bed or with three of us sharing a bed. By contrast, our rooms at Delta were amazing: spacious (as in HUGE!) and interconnecting: the dream. The first room had a kingsize bed for the adults and a very comfortable double sofa bed for our eldest, while the two girls had a single bed each in the connecting room. Each room had a large, well-stocked bathroom and there was plenty of space for cots or buggies if we’d been travelling with a baby or toddler. Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms had recently been renovated with a subtle but stylish nod to York. The kids devoured the free biscuits (Lotus Biscoff for the win) and we were grateful for the tea and coffee first thing in the morning. Most importantly, we all slept really well: it was dark, quiet and comfy. If you’d like to book an interconnecting room, it’s best to contact the hotel directly as it’s almost impossible to do through the online booking system.
What’s in it for kids – As well as a welcoming and inclusive family atmosphere, Delta Hotels York has one real jewel in its crown: a swimming pool! Swimming pools are a very rare thing for hotels in York, so it’s a real bonus. Our kids love nothing more than a good splash about, so we headed to the leisure club after breakfast and had a lovely time in the pool (and the jacuzzi and sauna for the adults). They also loved exploring the hotel’s vast and pretty gardens and would have loved a game of tennis if the weather hadn’t been against us.
Food & drink – The hotel has its own restaurant, Cast Iron Bar & Grill, a relaxed and inviting space overlooking the gorgeous gardens. It serves a variety of classics from ribs and burgers to sandwiches, salads and fish and chips, so there’s something for everyone. There’s a kids’ menu, too, featuring toasties, macaroni cheese and other child-pleasing options. If you fancy eating out, York’s bursting with amazing places to eat, from award-winning street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. Our kids are obsessed with hotel breakfasts and gave this one a big thumbs-up. The plentiful buffet ticked every box: fresh fruit and yoghurt, muffins and waffles for those who wanted to get their day off to a sweet start, and a generous selection of hot food options for those of us in the mood for savoury. Freshly made scrambled eggs were a particular treat, and so much nicer for being made to order. With friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere, it made a really nice start to the day.
What’s on the doorstep? – What isn’t? The hotel’s location on Tadcaster Road puts it in a prime position for exploring all that York city centre has to offer (leave the car behind – it’s easily accessible by bus) and also for travelling further afield. Take a look at some of our top things to do in York with kids here. If the traffic’s on your side, you’ll be on the A64 in five minutes, taking you directly to the delights of the North York Moors National Park (North York Moors Railway, Castle Howard, Eden Camp, Dalby Forest), the Yorkshire Coast (Scarborough, Whitby, Filey and Bridlington) and much more. In the other direction is Leeds (Stockeld Park, Lotherton and all the attractions of Leeds city centre).
The verdict – Although we were only there overnight, we had a really relaxing and restorative stay at Delta Hotels by Marriott and would absolutely recommend it for families visiting York. Our rooms were lovely and spacious, the gardens and views are gorgeous and the swimming pool is a real bonus. It’s no wonder that it’s already a popular choice with parents.
Delta Hotels by Marriott York, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1QQ – Visit the website
