Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel

Centrally located with easy access to attractions, the accommodation impresses guests with its clean, well-equipped rooms and modern amenities, including hairdryers and underfloor heating.

What a truly amazing little hotel this is!! Once you enter through the front door you feel like you’re in a mystical, fantasy world which gets even better once you’re in the room. We stayed in the very atmospheric apothecary room at the top of the building. Not the easiest room to access but once you’re in there… just wow!! The hotels location right in the centre of York just off the shambles makes it convenient for all the fabulous shops and tourist attractions. it’s not the quietest place to stay, Valhalla bar next door and the street cleaners out early morning, but this didn’t spoil our stay in the hotel at all. This was an unforgettable experience, well worth the money we paid for it, and one which we would like to repeat when we visit this wonderful city again.

We’ve stayed at the Hocus Pocus for a night twice now, both Saturdays in the summertime. As other reviews, and my earlier review, testify, it’s in a superb location and, apart from that, its main attraction is the theme of it all - which is carried off really well in the way the rooms are decorated, furnished and arranged. In order to add value for future travellers, I’ll contrast the two rooms we have so far stayed in. Some rooms are better suited to certain people. Our room last year was ground floor and rear facing. That room had good accessibility and also we heard no street noise from the nearby Saturday night revellers in the Shambles. Our upstairs room this year was really quite something to behold visually. There are some photos to give you the jist. But this room comes with a couple of health warnings. For a couple of reasons it won’t be for everyone. It had a double bed and 3 singles dotted around in various locations (the room has 3 levels) so great for small groups and families. The narrow and steep steps up to the room make it unsuitable for any person that has any sort of mobility issue, so bear that in mind. Also, because it was street facing, you do get some noise from the drinkers. Ear plugs are provided on the hospitality tray for that reason. The noise was not to a level that spoiled anything for us, but if you’re a light sleeper, or you do get bothered by such things, another room would be better for you. Because the room I’m reviewing is on three levels and there are steps to navigate even once you’re in the room, I’d also say it’s not suitable for anyone who may go to bed drunk, as a night time trip to the toilet may be a perilous one. Bottom line though it gets 5 stars from me because if you do your research and make sure you’re the room’s type, it’s an awesome experience.