Review: Queens Hotel, Leeds, United Kingdom

It was built as a main terminus for Leeds railway station in 1937, and has a Grade II listed Art Deco facade. Queens It has undergone a £16 million transformation that has gently lifted it into the 21st century while maintaining its original lustre. It’s a renovation that sees the original Art Deco flourish combined with modern furniture and local touches that make the hotel feel like a city hotel rather than a corporate renovation. Read on to learn more about our visit.

Welcome

This was my second stay at the hotel, and as last time, we chose to arrive by public transport due to the headache of driving in the city – the hotel’s proximity to Leeds railway station makes this a pleasant choice rather than a compromise. After navigating the lobby’s mix of book-lined nooks and plush seating, the reception team made our arrival go smoothly with a warm, prompt and friendly handover of key cards, before we made our way to the top of the building via the Art Deco lifts (which also have Grade II listed status), with their distinctive red column-box doors and striking brass trim.

The room

We stayed in a Superior Family Room with City Square View, a thoughtful design of 29sqm/312sqft that was both stylish and functional. The bed was king-sized and covered in crisp white linens, and the room had the modern amenities one would expect in abundance: an in-room safe, a hairdryer, an ironing board, an iron, a mini-fridge, a kettle, a Nespresso machine, and a neatly presented welcome tray.

There’s also a separate sofa (which can be converted into a sofa bed, so it has the option of being a family room) and a built-in desk area – handy if you need to work in between exploring. For families or longer stays, the extra square meters are beneficial; For couples who want more space, the Superior City Square rooms are worth the break.

the bathroom

Our bathroom favored black and white patterned wall panels rather than an army of tiles, a modern alternative that gave it a bold, lively look. The rain shower also had a second detachable head, and the toiletries came from Argentum, a luxury British skincare and fragrance brand.

Facilities

The hotel revitalized its restaurants this year with the opening of Cinnamon Kitchen, led by Chef Vivek Singh – a restaurant and bar deliberately inspired by the grandeur of the historic first-class waiting rooms of the Indian Railways, which elegantly mimics the hotel’s railway provenance.

The menu blends regional Indian techniques across twelve states with local British and Yorkshire ingredients. Starters, such as salt-baked beetroot hummus with Wensleydale and spiced chicory, demonstrate this fusion in practice rather than just in name.

Other dishes we enjoyed included the aromatic Lucknowi chicken biryani served with Burhani raita; Masala grilled salmon crowned with dried chillies and crunchy celery salad, house-made black lentils, and last but not least – the visually impressive grilled prawns in a Colombo curry.

Another example of the kitchen’s willingness to play with British and Indian cuisine is the excellent Rogan Josh Shepherd’s Mutton Pie, filled with both minced lamb and large chunks of meat, and packed with flavour.

For dessert, chocolate, coconut and caramel mousse or garam masala cream provide a comforting and satisfying finish.

Cinnamon Kitchen has already received well-deserved praise and was shortlisted for ‘Best New Opening’ at this year’s R200 Awards.

Downstairs breakfast is served buffet style – with a fun local nod in the form of rhubarb juice among the usual continental and cooked options. This little bloom is a wink to the ‘rhubarb triangle’ of West Yorkshire – a unique area famous for growing early rhubarb.

Finally, the hotel also has a ballroom, a renovated space that can host conferences, weddings and the like.

the site

Location, for the Queens, is the most compelling argument. Located on the City Square (see the view from our room below) with private access to Leeds Station, it is the quickest possible rail and room interface – perfect for a short escape from the city.

Leeds itself has transformed itself in the past decade from a hardworking commercial hub into a vibrant cultural and culinary hub: boutique shopping at the Quorn Exchange, galleries such as the Henry Moore Institute and nearby Hepworth, and an increasingly confident restaurant scene, make the city a reliable destination for luxury travelers looking for compact, high-quality experiences.

We saw a show at Leeds City Varieties, a Victorian music hall that seats just under 500 people. It is a very intimate venue that brings performers and audience in close quarters.

Beyond the theater, arcades, galleries, Michelin-guided restaurants and independent retailers throughout the city center are within walking distance.

Other nice touches

There were some small amenities that did not go unnoticed. For example, still water was provided free of charge and the wardrobe included a pair of soft waffle dresses.

The hotel also offers a sustainability option: a small green tree you can hang outside your door to opt out of daily housekeeping – a simple way to reduce your environmental impact while providing fresh towels if needed.

Cost

Double rooms start from around £105 per night out of season, superior rooms from around £145, and suites from £225. The Presidential Suite – with its own terrace – starts at approximately £634.

A little better

Best of all was the sense of occasion that the queens managed to maintain without feeling staged. Located in the central joint of Leeds – a building that looks like an urban drawing room. You are simultaneously in the engine room of the city (the train station is at your feet) and a refuge from its pace (the hotel rooms are quiet and comfortable). This duality – grandiose without grandiose – is its most winning trait.

Final ruling

If you prefer an Art Deco feel, easy access by rail, and a modern restaurant that takes a culinary risk with downtown convenience, the Queens Hotel is a polished choice. The renovation has been treated with respect: original features are celebrated and modern amenities are added in ways that seem taken with consideration rather than an afterthought. Our City Square deluxe room was spacious and luxurious; The new Cinnamon Kitchen adds an unforgettable reason for diners to stay; The location makes almost everything in Leeds easy and enjoyable.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Queens Hotel, Supported by Visit Leeds.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is the editor of the Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He was awarded the Innovations in Travel “Top Travel Influencer” award by WIRED Magazine. In addition to other accolades, the blog has also been voted one of the world’s best travel blogs and ‘Best in Luxury’ by The Telegraph.