With a boutique spa and magnificent gardens, Middlethorpe Hall & Spa offers award-winning food and scenic views. The hotel overlooks York Racecourse, and is just 2 miles from the historic city centre. The elegant bedrooms are decorated with antiques, and many have views of the grounds. All rooms feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with fluffy robes and free toiletries. Guests can relax in the indoor swimming pool, spa bath, sauna or steam room. There is also a gym in the Victorian summer house, and the grounds feature leafy terraces and fragrant orchards. The grand restaurant features panelled walls and garden views, and guests can enjoy creative British cuisine by candlelight. The menus feature fresh local produce and ingredients from the kitchen garden. Built in 1699, the historic Middlethorpe Hall is now part of the National Trust and all profits are donated to the charity. The hotel is just a 5-minute drive from York Minster, and offers free on-site parking.