Leeds hotels

Standing commandingly in City Square next to the railway station, the Queens Hotel is one of the best hotels in Leeds. Befitting this location, it’s a strikingly luminous art deco building with a starry historic guest list including Princess Grace of Monaco, Cary Grant, and Nelson Mandela.
Recently refurbished, it has a contemporary glamor that combines original features like mirrored panels, parquet flooring with modern art deco designs, such as geometric-patterned carpets. It’s big – 232 bedrooms – but somehow feels like a private club; I loved sitting on a stool in the cocktail bar and watching the bartender mix me a Martini.
Food in the restaurant is a mix of Pan-Asian and British staples that suits the colonial-style décor. Bedrooms are sleek, monochrome affairs with black-and-white art deco-influenced bathrooms. Go for City Square-facing rooms for the best views.

Overlooking the Leeds and Liverpool Canal that runs behind the railway station, and close to the bars and restaurants that have sprung up in this regenerated area, this modern mid-rise hotel is a handy choice for short city breaks. I met up here with a bunch of old school friends for a fun weekend.
A few minutes’ walk from the station, in the area known as Granary Wharf, and within easy reach of bars and shops – plus canal-side strolls – it’s easily one of the best hotels in Leeds. The open-plan ground-floor bar and restaurant are pleasantly relaxed with an all-day casual menu plus heated outdoor terrace.
The top-floor Sky Lounge cocktail bar gives a stunning panorama over the city. Bedrooms are light and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows.