Grays Court HotelvsYHA York
Both properties are rated very highly by expert reviewers. Overall, Grays Court Hotel ranks significantly higher than YHA York. Grays Court Hotel ranks #10 in York with positive reviews from 2 reviewers such as The Telegraph, Lonely Planet.
Grays Court Hotel
 Lonely Planet
 The Telegraph
 Fodor's
 Independent
 Independent
 Independent
Chapter House Street, York YO1 7JH
From $264/night
- Bar/Lounge
 - Room Service
 - Free Breakfast
 - Restaurant
 - Meeting Rooms
 - Conferences
 
Top choice
 "This medieval mansion feels more like a country house hotel, set in lovely gardens ringed by the old city walls, with bedrooms that combine antique furniture with modern comfort and design." Full review
9.0
 "Guests are almost entirely repeat bookings and no one seems in a hurry to share this wonderful secret." Full review
 "With an unbeatable location between York Minster and its own half-acre garden, Gray's Court is an oasis of country-house peacefulness in the city center." Full review
 "Located down a quiet, ancient cobbled street adjacent to York Minster and the Treasurer’s House, Gray’s Court really is old York at its luxurious, romantic best" 
 "Grays Court was originally the residence of York Minster’s first treasurer (hence its handy proximity to the soaring cathedral) and, over the last millennia, has played host to lords, knights and kings" 
 "The hotel’s 12 bedrooms blend earthy tones with characterful antique furniture...there are plenty of inviting spots to hunker down with a book in the oak-panelled gallery." 
YHA York
 Lonely Planet
42 Water End, Clifton, York YO30 6LP 
From $0/night
- Bar/Lounge
 - Laundry Service
 - Laundy Room
 - Restaurant
 - Free Parking
 - Kitchenette
 
 "This handsome Victorian house makes a spacious and child-friendly youth hostel, with most of the rooms being four-bed dorms." Full review
 i 
It's about a mile northwest of the city centre; there's a riverside footpath from Lendal Bridge (poorly lit so avoid after dark).