When I went to York in England last month I was contemplating on staying between two hotels, the Royal York Hotel and Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel… but could not make the decision. Both have it’s own old world charm, the former has an elegant ambience, while the latter, an interesting local heritage. Several hours before my flight I made a decision and booked at Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel. I chose this hotel because it is unique on its own—the hotel was once a HOSPITAL. In fact it was the first hospital in York.
My room is the window to the right from the door. This door used to be the main entrance of the hospital. The hotel entrance is located at the adjacent building to the left called, The Central Lounge.
Here are some fast facts:
The Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel is a collection of seven old buildings steeped in local heritage situated in a private English courtyard garden setting. The buildings are:
1) Skeldergate House – I stayed here and this is the main hospital
2) The Organ Factory
3) The Central Lounge
4) Cromwell House
5) Chaplin House
6) No. 56 Skeldergate
7) Sir Joseph Terry Cottages
“Skeldergate House—The hospital was funded by an endowment given by Dame Anne Middleton in 1659, the wife of Peter Middleton, the then Sheriff of York. It is Dame Anne Middleton from whom the hotel has taken its name. It was originally built as a refuge for twenty widows of the Freemen of the City of York. The niche above the front door contains the figure from the 1659 building.
The hospital was later rebuilt and extended in 1829 at the expense of the Corporation of York and then passed to the City Of York Charity Trustees before being rescued from near dereliction by the current owners in late 1972, opening for business just six months later, in June 1973. 19 bedrooms are located here, over two floors.â€
– excerpt from Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel.
Go here to read the hotel’s (hospital) history: Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel History
Lobby or reception of the hospital before, Skeldergate House.
The Central Lounge where the hotel reception, bar and restaurant are located. The wifi can only be used in this area, unfortunately.
My bedroom, a bit out-dated, it was OK though, nothing fancy at all. I was able to sleep soundly. One thing I did not like about the hotel was the odour in the hallways, it smelled like beer. Maybe something to do with the building previously being a hospital.
My room’s view to the other buildings in the secluded English courtyard.
Of course, because this is England they serve English breakfast. I liked that the waitress gave me options for my English breakfast so I only ordered a hash brown, one sunny side up egg, a ham and cooked beans.
The hospital hotel from the street on Skeldergate which is just before the river and is a few minutes walk into York’s core centre.
Travel Period: May 2011
Destination: York (North Yorkshire – England), United Kingdom