Great breakfast for veggies like myself, veggie sausages done in minutes.

The purpose of our weekend was to have a relaxing, family weekend. We chose York because it's pretty and has history and we chose a marriott rather than, say, a premier inn because I wanted a good standard of hotel plus a nice room and pool. I was disappointed from the start as the hotel room was very little difference to a premier inn albeit the reception, bar and restaurant area were a step up. The staff were ambivalent - not unpleasant but not overly welcoming either. The pool, while small, was very accepting of young children plus, despite the hotel being out of town, the bus service was frequent and close by. We made the most of the city and enjoyed our lunch and dinner. We avoided eating in the hotel as, on arrival we had a drink and the prices were laughable. In overall value terms, I could've had an equally if not more comfortable room and sacrificed the pool for half the price and got a hotel more accessible to the town centre.

Start the morning with breakfast in the marriot hotel looking out on to York racecource. Stroll into town and visit the vast number of retail outlets. After lunch for which you are spoiled for choice make your way to the attraction you wish to visit. In the evening perhaps a trip to the theatre.

After making really great time on our rail journey booked through Superbreak we had to wait for our room for over an hour and a half, even although we were told would not be long- afternoon completely wasted hanging around. Hotel nice and clean and pool great however a few issues over breakfast too! waited an inordinate time for poached eggs on toast, however the toast was missing! The hotel was farther out of town than I expected and had to use buses in and out of town. The bus services are excellent, and very reasonable for a daily ticket.

York was great (but cold!). You notice how much colder it is than London (for us southern sorties). Marriot hotel was looking like it needed a bit of a refurb in terms of the rooms. First impressions were good but once you've been there for a few hours, and used the rooms facilities, you notice a few poor issues. Towel rail coming away from wall. Noticed shower holder very dirty when holding shower in hand. Duvet was very thin with no additional blankets supplied. Room heater didn't work (just blew out cool air even when turned temp up to max 24 degrees) bit annoying having the cleaner knock on the door at 0845 when we're due to check out that day but we could've used the 'do not disturb' notice. Slight queue for breakfast but not too long. Staff friendly and let us leave our bags to pack up later when going home.