York’s hotels saw impressive occupancy rates this festive season, with many hoteliers optimistic about the year ahead
York: The festive season was a hit for hotels in York, with occupancy rates hitting 85% in December. That’s a slight bump from last year’s 84%. Pretty impressive, right?
For the whole of 2024, hotels averaged an occupancy rate of 84.2%, up from 83.2% in 2023. It seems like folks are eager to visit!
However, the average daily room rate dipped a bit from £120.93 to £119.95 in December. But overall, 2024 saw an average of £108.50, which is a tad better than £106.43 in 2023.
These figures come from a survey of 40 hotels with nearly 3,800 rooms. Simon Cotton from HRH Hotels shared that December was a fantastic finish to the year, helping them through the tougher winter months.
He mentioned that the Guy Fawkes Inn had its best December ever, thanks to a new beer garden that really drew in the crowds. Sales were up by 10%, even with some bad weather closing the Christmas market for a weekend.
Plus, a TikTok influencer posting about their steak and ale pies helped boost sales even more. It looks like 2025 is shaping up to be another great year!
Rebecca Layton from Galtres Lodge also reported higher revenues, mainly from food sales. She noted that many guests planned their trips mid-week to avoid the weekend rush.
At the Grand York, hotel manager Chris Cooper said they had a remarkable year, with exciting culinary offerings and numerous accolades. He’s looking forward to continuing that momentum.
Helen Heraty from Greys Court Hotel mentioned they’re seeing a lot of repeat bookings, which is always a good sign. The festive markets and shopping really brought in visitors this year.
Stefan Micevski, the new chairman of Hospitality Association York, confirmed that hotels enjoyed increased occupancy and spending during the festive period. Many offered packages that included meals and local events, making it a complete holiday experience.
Looking ahead, he acknowledged challenges like rising costs but remains optimistic about the demand for international travel and upcoming events in York.
