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Hotel · York · North Yorkshire

Lil'S On The Waterfront

A small, characterful hotel on York's King Staith, where the river is the backdrop and the staff set the tone.

  • Riverside location on King Staith
  • In-room coffee machine and river views
  • 10-minute walk to York Minster
7 Very good 1397 reviews Booking.com 7 · 1397 reviews

About

Lil'S On The Waterfront

Lil'S On The Waterfront occupies a compact spot on King Staith, one of York's oldest riverside lanes. With just 8 rooms, it's a personal, low-key base for exploring the city centre and the waterfront. The hotel sits 0.7 km from York Minster, and guests repeatedly highlight the convenience for the town centre, the Christmas market, and the riverside path.

The building has a charming, traditional feel, with carpeted floors and a bar and lounge area. Each room includes a flat-screen TV, an electric kettle, and heating; the deluxe rooms add a coffee machine and river views. The hotel's express check-in and check-out, plus key access, keep things simple, and a welcome drink is offered on arrival.

  • No smoking on site
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • Security
  • Coffee shop
  • Smoke detectors

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Riverside setting — Rooms and public areas look out over the River Ouse, with several guests calling out the view and the lively riverside atmosphere.
  • Walkable to the heart of York — The hotel is 0.7 km from York Minster and close to the town centre, the Christmas market, and the riverside walk, making it easy to explore on foot.
  • Warm, attentive service — Staff come up again and again in reviews for being welcoming, helpful, and competent, and the check-in process is described as friendly.
  • Good value for the class — Guests regularly note the reasonable pricing, with one review citing US$140 for a room and another calling it 'neat, good priced'.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Tight check-in window — Check-in is only available between 15:00 and 19:00, which may be inconvenient for late arrivals.
  • No pets allowed — The hotel does not accept pets, so you'll need to make other arrangements if you're travelling with an animal.
  • Small property, limited rooms — With just 8 rooms, availability is limited and the hotel may feel compact; the building is part of the charm, but it's not a large, amenity-heavy stay.
  • Mixed value perception — While many guests feel the price is right, the overall value score sits at 7.0 and some reviews mention the price for the class being a consideration.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Deluxe Double Room

  • 1 Double bed,1 King-size bed,2 Single beds
  • River view
  • Shower
  • Coffee machine
  • Heating

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

In-room

  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Electric kettle
  • Heating

Food & Drink

  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Children's menu
  • Coffee shop
  • Welcome drink

Services

  • Express check-in/ -out
  • Housekeeping
  • Key access
  • Security

Policies

  • No smoking on site
  • No pets allowed
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

7
Very good 1397 reviews

Guest-rated 7/10 from 1,397 reviews

Booking.com · 7 · 1397 reviews
7Verified guest

“The room was fairly priced for what you get—about US$140. The staff were attentive and welcoming, and the location is fantastic, right by the town centre and the Christmas market.”

7Verified guest

“My room was tidy and good value, with a wardrobe and an extra heater. The service and food were both excellent, and check-in was friendly.”

7Verified guest

“The deluxe room was spotless, with a very clean bathroom and a coffee machine, among other nice touches.”

7Verified guest

“The service here was outstanding.”

7Verified guest

“The room came with a bath.”

7Verified guest

“Good for a one-night stay. The venue is lovely, the food is great, and the location on the waterfront is marvellous. Staff were competent, and the breakfast had plenty of choice. It's close to the river, the centre, and the theatre, and about a 10-minute walk from York Minster.”

04 — Location

Getting around York

The property sits in York.

York Minster: The cathedral is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, with the centre of York and its Christmas market even closer.

Riverside Walk: The hotel sits right on the waterfront, so you can step out for an afternoon stroll along the River Ouse.

Town Centre: Guests describe the location as very close to the town centre and the theatre, making it easy to explore on foot.

5 Kings Staith, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9SN, United Kingdom

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 15:00-19:00
Check-out
By 10:00-11:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
8 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 15:00 to 19:00, and check-out is from 10:00 to 11:00.

Are pets allowed at the hotel?

No, pets are not allowed on the property.

Is there parking available?

The hotel does not list parking as an available amenity, so you'll need to plan for alternative arrangements.

How far is York Minster from the hotel?

York Minster is 0.7 km away, about a 10-minute walk.

Do the rooms have a view of the river?

Yes, the deluxe double rooms come with river views, and several guests mention seeing the river from their rooms.

The bottom line

For a short stay in York, Lil'S On The Waterfront delivers on location and warmth—riverside views, a genuinely friendly welcome, and the Minster within a 10-minute walk. If you can work with the 15:00–19:00 check-in window and don't mind a small property, it's a reliable, honest pick.

7A characterful, riverside base for a focused York visit.

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