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Impossible Motel

Property class: 3

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Photo gallery for Impossible Motel

A bathroom with two sinks, a mirror, and a tiled floor. - Impossible Motel (York)
A modern hotel room with a large bed, a wardrobe, a small table, and a balcony with a brick wall and plants. - Impossible Motel (York)
Two wicker chairs with cushions, a potted plant, and a brick wall with a window. - Impossible Motel (York)
A dark hallway with a wooden staircase, a decorative wall with a window, and wall-mounted lights. - Impossible Motel (York)
A dimly lit lounge area with a central bar and seating. - Impossible Motel (York)
Near York Minster and Shambles, Impossible Motel provides a coffee shop/cafe, 2 bars, and a restaurant. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

View all photos for Signature Double Room, Hot Tub (Stella Solarium)

A four-poster bed with a canopy, a bedside table, a potted plant, and a wall-mounted shelf.

Signature Double Room, Hot Tub (Stella Solarium)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Design Double Room - 2 Baths (Labyrinth)

A dimly lit room with a bed, a desk with a computer, and a hanging light fixture.

Design Double Room - 2 Baths (Labyrinth)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Basic Double Room (Dungeon)

A room with a bed, a chair, a small table, and a window with a view.

Basic Double Room (Dungeon)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Signature Double Room, Hot Tub (Stella Solarium)

A room with a bunk bed, a chandelier, a plant, and a window with curtains.

Signature Double Room, Hot Tub (Stella Solarium)

  • City view
  • 19 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Design Double Room - 2 Baths (Labyrinth)

A room with a bed, a brick wall, and a hanging light fixture.

Design Double Room - 2 Baths (Labyrinth)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 18 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Basic Double Room (Dungeon)

A narrow room with brick walls, a bed with a brown headboard, and two yellow pillows.

Basic Double Room (Dungeon)

  • 13 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Romantic Room - Bath for 2 (The Red Room)

A hotel room with a large bed, red curtains, and a chandelier.

Romantic Room - Bath for 2 (The Red Room)

  • 9 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Classic Double Room, City View (Sublime)

A four-poster bed with a dark blue bedspread and orange pillows, a green armchair, and a desk with a lamp.

Classic Double Room, City View (Sublime)

  • City view
  • 17 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Room (Superb)

A bedroom with a bed, a bedside table, a window, and a curtain.

Deluxe Room (Superb)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Classic Room, City View (Splendid)

A dark-themed hotel room with a large bed, two pillows, a side table with a lamp, and a window with curtains.

Classic Room, City View (Splendid)

  • City view
  • 13 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Luxury Room, Hot Tub (Sir Joseph Terry)

A bed with floral pillows, a bedside lamp, and a window with a view of a room with a hanging robe.

Luxury Room, Hot Tub (Sir Joseph Terry)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 15 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Economy Double Room, No Windows (The Bank Vault)

A large bed with white bedding, a dark headboard, and a circular mirror on the wall.

Economy Double Room, No Windows (The Bank Vault)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 17 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Elite Room - Bath for 2 (Sensational)

A room with a bed, a table with a vase, and a window with curtains.

Elite Room - Bath for 2 (Sensational)

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 13 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Comfort Room, City View (Spectacular)

A dimly lit room with a bed, curtains, and a bench.

Comfort Room, City View (Spectacular)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Economy Double Room, No Windows (Mail Room)

A room with a bed, a wooden floor, and brick walls.

Economy Double Room, No Windows (Mail Room)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Economy Double Room, No Windows (Experience)

A dimly lit room with a bed, a chair, and a wall with pictures.

Economy Double Room, No Windows (Experience)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 17 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in City Centre, a neighborhood in York, Impossible Motel is near a train station. Notable landmarks in the area include York Minster and Shambles. Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Yorkshire Museum are also worth visiting. Visit our York travel guide
Map
3 St. Helens Square, York, England, YO1 8QN

What's nearby

  • A narrow street with brick buildings, a shop with a glass display, and a sign for a museum.
    Shambles
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A large Gothic cathedral with intricate stonework and pointed arches.
    York Minster
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A market stall with illuminated star decorations and a sign listing prices.
    York Christmas Market
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A historic cityscape with a prominent cathedral, a bridge, and a mix of traditional and modern buildings.
    York City Walls
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • A dimly lit room with a reflective floor, wooden walls, and a person standing near a display case.
    Jorvik Viking Centre
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles

Getting around

  • York Station
    8 min walk
  • Leeds (LBA-Leeds Bradford)
    61 min drive

Restaurants

  • Bettys Café Tea Rooms
    1 min walk
  • House Of The Trembling Madness
    1 min walk
  • Costa Coffee
    2 min walk
  • McDonald's
    1 min walk
  • Northern Monk Refectory // YRK
    2 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Impossible Restaurant
  • Impossible Tea Room
  • Impossible Wonderbar
  • Pink

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Banquet hall
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 40-inch smart TV
  • Pay movies

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Electrical adapters
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Mobile key entry
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Guests will receive an email within 72 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

This property welcomes adults only

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit is payable by bank transfer and is due within 24 hours of booking the reservation.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Is Impossible Motel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Impossible Motel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Impossible Motel?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Impossible Motel located?

Located in City Centre, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of St. Helen's Square, York Minster, and Shambles. York Mansion House and Stonegate are just steps away. York Station is 8 minutes by foot and York (QQY-York Train Station) is 8 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Impossible Motel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

9.0

Cleanliness

8.4

Amenities

9.4

Staff & service

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 107 out of 172 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 26 out of 172 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 172 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 12 out of 172 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 172 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jaimee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was the best place I stayed at on my 10 day UK adventure. The room was gorgeous, the bed was sooooo comfortable, and the staff were so very kind. The only down side was no free breakfast but can’t expect everything to be spectacular.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unique rooms, great amenities and super comfortable bed! Would have liked some brighter lights in the room for make up etc but other than that stay was excellent!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Glenn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were passing through York after staying in Edinburgh and found the Impossible Motel. We only stayed for 1 night but the room was great with a really comfy bed and soft bedding. Great location and close to the shambles Q park for ease of parking which was really secure and easy to find. Staff welcoming, warm and friendly and a great ambience. We look forward to staying again when we're in York.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Dr. Deepthi Roop

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lots of shops and restaurants near by , definitely clean rooms
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Right in the centre of York, plenty of shops etc nearby.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great central location and quiet, very quirky rooms! We stayed in the red room and the large bath was amazing, appreciated the later checkout of 11 as standard. Overall great value for money and would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel very quirky. I had a basement room which was very dark and a little noisy. Room was impeccable in terms of cleanliness and staff simply couldn't have been more helpful. Great proximity to sights and good value for money
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

caroline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Gorgeous room
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Mohantha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is a nice hotel, but not what we were expecting. The room was in the vault. It was atmospheric. But dark. The toilet is next to the head of the bed. And no door….. Even with the lights on it’s not bright. Only one key card per room. Which makes it difficult to go out and get stuff as the lights go off….
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Fco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is on an ideal location. The staff was friendly and very helpful, and the overall design of the hotel and rooms is beautiful!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely room,very helpful staff, great communication before we arrived .will definitely return
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tracy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay, beautiful hotel with very welcoming and helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

dean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location and a quirky vibe, will defo use again.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Damian

Excellent location. Beautiful decor. We stayed in the
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Our 3rd time staying, great customer service and a great place!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cannot fault the service from the staff who wete so friendly and were very knowledgeable about the event i was going to and the places i mentioned hoping to visit.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

CARLA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Rooms were insane, not Thor the faint hearted mind as very dark but really funky it your looking for something different. Perfect t location, Pink venue was stunning too. Would love to come back and check out the hot tub room next
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Bev

Liked: Staff & service
Staff great, room needed attention
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Suzanne

Liked: Staff & service
Great Location situated in center opposite Bettys tea rooms Had to change rooms due to broken toilet seat but staff were helpful and resolved issue No breakfast included but this was a plus as there are so many great places to eat breakfast / brunch only a few minutes walk away
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Becky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect stay!

Amazing stay for my partners birthday - had the option to add surprise balloons and gifts into the room prior arrival- wonderful option! Also upgraded us to the terrace + hot tub room for our second night and it really made the stay special - staff were wonderful, super thoughtful with the smaller touches, and couldn’t do enough for us, would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Joe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were really nice, friendly and helpful and the hotel and rooms were nice and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Joanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Gorgeous quirky hotel just a bit of a maze to navigate. Also we were in basement and a lot of noise above. Chairs scraping on floors etc other than that staff cleanliness location etc all perfect.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Paula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Impossible not to love this hotel

Beautiful, quirky hotel slap bang in the city centre. Couldn’t get a better location. Staff were extremely helpful & polite. Would definitely recommend a stay here.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Quirky & fun

This was a really fun place to stay. Very helpful staff and lovwd the quirkyness of it all.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

MOIRA

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were very helpful especially carrying our bags to and from our room. The room was very clean and the bed was soft and extremely comfortable. The room was in the basement and there are steps but they are broken up not continuous so weren’t too problematic for some one with slight mobility issues. The music and noise from the bar ended at 11pm and we didn’t experience any noise from outside or other guests.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025