Thanks to a superb restoration job, the former North Eastern Railways HQ is now a stellar addition to the York hotel scene. The handsome Grade II-listed building, a handy stroll from the station or city centre, offers luxurious bedrooms & splendid public areas: the clubby Whisky Lounge, the Grand Bar & Garden Terrace provide an impressive backdrop for sandwiches, English tapas, charcuterie boards, speciality teas & expensive drinking from all round the world. The tranquil Grill Room offers rib-eye steak, slow-braised lamb & salt-crusted sea bass, while HQ – its fine-dining restaurant – has a short menu that might include crispy ham with herb pannacotta or goose liver parfait with onion bread & port jelly, followed by a delicate loin of venison or poached turbot with samphire & rocket. It’s all very grand.