You may have visited the bar or restaurant of Impossible York, but have you ever seen the hotel rooms? Impossible Motel is a truly unique (and amazing!) hotel right in the very centre of York. I was very lucky recently to have a good nosy about the place!
The building used to be the TSB bank and has bedrooms underground in the old bank vaults! In fact, I opened my first bank account there! One of the vault rooms actually extends out (underground) onto Blake Street, while another extends into St Helen’s Square itself.
The building was originally built in 1830 for the York County Savings Bank – I assume (but don’t know) that the vaults were dug at the same time. Bit cheeky to extend out underground into the street and square I think – but fabulous to think you can sleep in a room while people walk across you, oblivious!
There are 13 bedrooms all styled very differently. In one of the vault rooms (named Labyrinth for it’s unusual maze of rooms) there is a bed suspended on chains (I can imagine this room is popular for couples…).
There are also many more romantic rooms with four poster beds, roll top baths and two of the very highest rooms have rooftop terraces and their own private hot tubs!
You will find the Impossible Motel opposite Betty’s on St Helen’s Square, at the bottom of Stonegate. There are few hotels in York more central than this. It’s perfect for if you are coming on the train as it’s a short walk. They don’t have any parking (of course – being so central) but there are lots of car parks nearby.
It’s spooky, sophisticated, quirky and oh so stylish. The only problem I foresee is that with such an amazing place and a restaurant and bar on tap – you won’t want to leave the hotel to explore fabulous York!
We have eaten (and reviewed) Impossible’s bottomless brunch as well as their Sunday dinner. They also do some fabulous events, have a second bar, Pink and a private events room.
