Impossible Motel

3.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Impossible Motel

Design Double Room - 2 Baths (Labyrinth) | Bathroom | Designer toiletries, hair dryer, towels, soap
Luxury Room, Hot Tub (Sir Joseph Terry) | View from room
Luxury Room, Hot Tub (Sir Joseph Terry) | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Reception
Reception

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a map
3 St. Helens Square, York, England, YO1 8QN
  • Place, Shambles
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, York Minster
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, York Christmas Market
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Leeds (LBA-Leeds Bradford)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Room options

Signature Double Room, Hot Tub (Stella Solarium)

  • City view
  • 207 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Design Double Room - 2 Baths (Labyrinth)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 198 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Basic Double Room (Dungeon)

  • 145 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Romantic Room - Bath for 2 (The Red Room)

  • 100 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Double Room, City View (Sublime)

  • City view
  • 182 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room (Superb)

  • City view
  • 151 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Classic Room, City View (Splendid)

  • City view
  • 142 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Luxury Room, Hot Tub (Sir Joseph Terry)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 158 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Economy Double Room, No Windows (The Bank Vault)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 181 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Elite Room - Bath for 2 (Sensational)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 140 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Comfort Room, City View (Spectacular)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 151 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Economy Double Room, No Windows (Mail Room)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 193 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Economy Double Room, No Windows (Experience)

  • 182 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the neighborhood

York

Located in City Centre, Impossible Motel is within a 5-minute walk of popular attractions such as York Minster and Shambles. This 13-room, 3-star hotel has conveniences like a restaurant, 2 bars/lounges, and free in-room WiFi.

What's nearby

  • Shambles - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • York Minster - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • York Christmas Market - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Jorvik Viking Centre - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • York City Walls - 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
  • ‪Northern Monk Refectory // YRK - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Brew & Brownie - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Caffè Nero - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Impossible Motel

Impossible Motel features free WiFi in public areas and a porter/bellhop. The 24-hour front desk has multilingual staff ready to assist with concierge services and luggage storage. Other amenities at this adults-only hotel include a banquet hall and a water dispenser.
40-inch Smart TVs come with pay movies, and guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Bathrooms offer hair dryers and designer toiletries, and beds sport Egyptian cotton sheets. Phones are also standard. Change of towels is available on request.

Similar properties

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

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Children and extra beds

  • This is an adults-only property

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

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

These are all of the 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
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM—-anytime
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is open 24 hours a day.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • 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.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • No parking is available onsite.
  • This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher.
  • Guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.
  • Noise-free rooms can't be guaranteed.

Property is also known as

Impossible Motel York
Impossible Motel Hotel
Impossible Motel Hotel York

Frequently asked questions

Is a free cancellation option available at Impossible Motel?

Impossible Motel provides free cancellation on some room rates. For more details, take a look at the cancellation policy on Orbitz.

What's there to do around Impossible Motel?

This hotel is situated in City Centre within a 10-minute walk of York Minster and Shambles. You'll also find Stonegate and Yorkshire Museum Gardens less than a mile away.

Is there parking available at Impossible Motel?

No, there isn't parking at this hotel.

Does Impossible Motel include a casino on the premises?

No, Impossible Motel doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at Impossible Motel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

What do couples enjoy most about Impossible Motel?

This adults-only hotel offers many amenities for couples, including Champagne service as well as 2 bars and a restaurant with al fresco dining.

Are there hot tubs at Impossible Motel?

Yes, some guestrooms at this hotel feature private rooftop spa tubs.

Does Impossible Motel have a restaurant that serves breakfast?

Yes, Impossible Motel serves breakfast for a surcharge at Impossible Restaurant.

Does Impossible Motel allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at Impossible Motel.

Are there connecting rooms at Impossible Motel?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this hotel.

Where is the closest airport to Impossible Motel?

The closest major airport to Impossible Motel is Leeds (LBA-Leeds Bradford), which is about 24.2 mi away.

Can I book a room with a balcony at Impossible Motel?

Yes, some guestrooms at this hotel offer a furnished balcony where guests can enjoy city or courtyard views.

Impossible Motel Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 137 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 137 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 17 out of 137 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 137 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 137 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Dorne

Traveled with family
I was expecting great things from the room and sadly it did not deliver. The plastic plant is in need of a good clean The battery operated candles need replacement batteries and again a good clean The room was tired The shower leaked
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

darren

The room was in the basement and was very dark, quite quirky but poor lighting and ventilation. The whole hotel is dark inside which leaves you craving daylight and fresh air
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bradley

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolute amazing stay . ❤️ loved the rooms we stayed 1 night in the vault ( didnt see the ghost !! ) thankgod! And stayed in the top room with roof top tub 2nd night , the pictures dont show how big the room really is its huge ! Loved all of it do much and the tub is 40c great . Location perfect opposite bettys tearooms 10min walk away from train station would love to book again sad we had to leave , all staff so friendly and happy 😊 and the secret doors are a treat, into the bar and basement 😀
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

4/10 Poor

Jessica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
The hotel itself was different, receptionists were both extremely friendly and helpful. The room on appearance is lovely however after spending a few hours in the room, even with the lights on it was very dull, the club above was extremely noisy (even with headphones in) and the constant footsteps on the ceiling stopping us sleeping. whilst the room had aircon it wasn’t very good so the room was stifling all night. The bathroom being behind the bed with no door was very odd too. The shower was good and the slipper provided were helpful as the floor was concrete. The bed was comfy but the duvet was way too thick and between the bad aircon wasn’t used. The lights in the room that wouldn’t turn off were also very distracting and disturbed our sleep. For how much we paid for this room it was not worth it.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Beth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Wired vibe didn’t like not having a window
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Bev

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

8/10 Good

Gillian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The check in staff were fabulous. Friendly and helpful. The room was small but not wholly unexpected. This hotel is great location. The bath was great. The bath candles didn’t have batteries, the shower leaked all over the floor too. The main downside is by far the noise from the bar downstairs which goes on late, so if you are a light sleeper I would avoid it. Overall however, we enjoyed it and the staff made it x
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Damian

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

10/10 Excellent

Fco

Traveled with partner
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

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

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Heather, Washington

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

dean

Traveled with group
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

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful place
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Philippa

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

Quirky hotel

Hotel was really nice and clean and the staff were lovely. The downside for me was the toilet. It was very exposed. I stayed with my husband of 26yrs so I'd say we know each other pretty well. That being said, i still like my visits to the loo slightly more private so to only have a piece of frosted glass to just about cover me if i leaned back, left me feeling over exposed. The other slight downside is for light sleepers in the basement rooms...they are noisy. You can hear the water through the exposed pipes so every shower, toilet flush and tap in adjacent rooms woke me up. My husband though slept like a log.....the beds are so comfy.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Dominic

Liked: Room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

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

8/10 Good

Barry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Isobel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Lilli

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our room was OK. The staff were helpful. Our room lost power at 10pm and ended up being the fan was tripping out the power. We weren’t able to shower because of this as the fan wouldn’t work and it was underground. The bar upstairs was quite loud. Overall pretty dissapointing because of the issue with the room.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Nathaniel

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen

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

Amazing stay at Impossible Motel.

Was amazing. The room was beautiful with the extras and the hot tub topped the weekend off for our 30th wedding anniversary. Going to come every year. Staff was amazing. Highly recommend this hotel it’s an amazing experience. Thank you😍
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Valeri

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location, nice staff and great rooms
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025