Been itching to visit Edinburgh for ages, so we finally pulled the trigger and planned a proper road trip from Essex. A 7.5-hour non-stop drive felt a bit mad, so we decided to break the journey with an overnight stop somewhere interesting. Enter York — one of the best-preserved medieval cities in England. And since we needed somewhere central to crash, we booked a 2-night stay at Novotel York Centre. Here’s my honest Novotel York Centre review after actually sleeping in the beds, using the loo, and giving the place a proper once-over.
Charming residential homes along Terry Avenue by the River Ouse.
Perched on its grassy mound, Clifford’s Tower stands as the last great remnant of York Castle—once northern England’s most formidable medieval fortress, founded in 1068 by William the Conqueror.
Why We Picked York as a Road Trip Stop
York has over 2,000 years of history. The Romans founded it in AD 71, the Vikings took over in 866 AD, and somehow the medieval walls and winding lanes are still standing today. It’s the perfect halfway pitstop between London and Edinburgh — full of character, walkable, and packed with proper British charm.
If you’ve not done a UK road trip before, I highly recommend it. The motorways are generally a breeze — light traffic, smooth driving, and plenty of service stations along the way. We stopped roughly every two hours to stretch, grab a coffee, or refuel.
Stopped by Morrisons Cafe for a budget-friendly breakfast—simple, hearty, and good value.
My tip? Hit up any service station with a Morrisons Cafe. Their Poached Eggs on Toast with Smashed Avocado (£5) is simple, hot, and ridiculously satisfying.
For more UK road trip inspiration, check out my earlier post on 11 Places to Visit in England — Day Trips from London.
Novotel York Centre Review: First Impressions
We rolled up to the hotel just before 1pm, hoping for an early check-in. No such luck.
The lobby has a trendy, cosy vibe with ample seating to relax and unwind.
The hotel also has a bar, so you can easily pop by for a drink whenever you like.
There’s also a dedicated play area for the kiddos to enjoy.
So we wandered off for lunch and came back at 3pm sharp. We were given Room 108 on the first floor — technically a river-facing room, except the view was blocked by the roof of the shelter below. A bit of a shame, but at least it was quiet.
Novotel York Centre Review: The Room
We booked the Superior Room with 1 Queen Bed and Sofa Bed, roughly 17 sqm, sleeping up to 3. It cost around S$225 per night on Expedia (for April 2026 dates). On paper, 17 sqm sounded tight. In reality? Not bad at all.
What’s in the Room
- Comfortable sofa with a proper table — plus a separate writing desk, so my partner and I each had our own workspace.
- Huge TV mounted on the wall.
- Decent coffee and tea facilities with biscuits.
- Mini fridge, safe, ironing board, and hairdryer all provided.
- Separate shower and bathtub.
What Could Be Improved
- Awkward room layout. The WC is separate from the bathroom and sits right by the entrance door. Problem? There’s no sink in the toilet, so after doing your business, you have to walk all the way back through the bedroom to the bathroom sink to wash your hands. Hygiene nightmare.
- Toiletries were bare bones. Only handwash and a ginseng-scented shower gel. No shampoo, no conditioner, no toothbrush. Pack your own.
- Dirty grout lines on the bathroom floor tiles.
- Dirty carpet. Not nice to walk on.
- Wardrobe was useless. The hanging rod orientation meant barely any space for clothes, and the ironing board took up what little room there was.
- So much empty wall space, yet no hooks or coat hangers anywhere.
- Wi-Fi was unstable on the first day. Improved on day two.
- Service staff felt lukewarm. Not rude, just… not friendly.
Heads up! The hotel offers a swimming pool and sauna, but you’ll need to book your 30-minute daily slot in advance by contacting them before arrival (subject to availability) — so plan ahead if you’d like to use the facilities.
Parking and Getting Around
The car park is literally right outside the main entrance, which was brilliant after a long drive. Parking costs £19 per night. One heads-up: you’ll need an exit code from the front desk to leave the car park, so grab it before you head out.
A nice alternative route to the city centre: exit the hotel lobby via the back terrace, head towards the blue bridge on the left, cross it, and enjoy a peaceful walk along the river.
Truly stunning. This is the kind of view I’d happily wake up to every morning—the neighbourhood just feels so serene and peaceful.
Location Is the Real Win
This is where Novotel York Centre genuinely shines. From the lobby, there’s a back exit that leads to an outdoor terrace. Turn left, cross the blue bridge, walk along the river, and you’re in York city centre in minutes. Easy.
- Located in a quiet residential neighbourhood — felt safe and peaceful.
- Scenic riverside walk right at your doorstep — locals jog along it daily.
- We walked everywhere for the two days we were there.
Final Verdict: Would I Stay at Novotel York Centre Again?
Honestly? Probably not — unless the price is genuinely unbeatable. The location is excellent and the room is functional, but the niggling issues (dirty carpet, grotty grout, awkward bathroom layout, meh service) add up. For S$225 a night, I’d expect a bit more polish.
That said, if you’re just passing through York for a night or two and want somewhere walkable to the city centre with secure parking, this Novotel York Centre review might still tick enough boxes for you. Just temper your expectations — and pack your own shampoo.