Accommodation - Key Features

• Host welcome on arrival
• Secure video entrance
• Free, secure on-site parking
• River views
• Shared garden
• Lift or stairs from the main entrance to the first-floor apartment level
• Very high-quality fixtures and fittings
• Complimentary high speed Wi-fi
• Blu-tooth sound system
• Smart TVs, with free Freeview and Netflix
• Access to a local resident chef for delicious home made food delivered directly to your door 

• Supremely comfortable living-dining room
• Sumptuous bedroom with a king-sized bed
• Immaculate shower room
• Beautiful toiletries provided for use
• Plush Egyptian Cotton towels & cosy velour robes
• High-quality Egyptian cotton linen
• Designer kitchen with everything to hand
• Located about a 5-minute walk of the Fossgate area of the city
• A wide range of restaurants, shops, delis and cafes within a 5-minute walk
• Luxury interior designer décor throughout the entire apartment

Serenity Inn the City, within the Cocoa Suites (the former Leetham's Mill):

The mill building, which houses Serenity Inn the City, originally known as Leetham's Mill and more recently, Rowntree Wharf.  A once industrial building consists of five stories and a nine-storey water tower. The mill was originally one of the largest flour mills in Europe, it was founded by Henry Leetham in 1860. The building is situated between the River Foss and Wormald’s cut. The mill closed in 1930 and in 1935 it became the Rowntree and Co’s Navigation Warehouse. Cocoa beans were brought to the wharf by boat, along the River Foss by barges) until the 1960s. In 1989 the mill was converted into apartments and offices by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and now houses the newly renovated Cocoa Suites luxury development, which is home to Serenity Inn the City.

Proud Members of Visit York

We are very proud to be accredited members of Visit York, part of an expert tourism team.  Click on the Visit York link above to help you plan your trip to York and stay informed of all the fantastic things going on in the City.

Visit York Self Catering Apartment of the Year, 2020 - Finalist

We are over the moon to have have won runner up in the Visit York Annual Tourism Awards, 2020 - beating a worthy 120 other applicants to reach the top 3 of accommodation providers in York.

Our mission when we set out, was to "be the best" and this accomplishment recognises the achievement of our mission when we first opened in 2017.

"We are beyond proud and grateful to our wider team for all the hard work and dedication that everyone puts into helping run our luxury self-catering property, ensuring we are the best in York".

Jo & Phil - Property Owners.

Serenity Inn the City is delighted to have won this prestigious Award for 2021 for the luxury self catered category.  Quite an achievement during a difficult year for Hospitality by anybody's standards!

Currently celebrating its 28^th anniversary, the World Travel Awards (WTA) was established in 1993 to acknowledge excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. 

Today, the WTA brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

"Our mission remains to be the best in our field - our finalist status confirms we are achieving our mission" 

 Jo and Phil - Property Owners

York Minster:

Standing at 72m tall and 160m long York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring buildings to be seen on the York skyline. It can trace its history back as far as 627AD where a wooden church was initially erected in order to facilitate the baptism of Edwin, King of Northumbria. The building that can be seen today from virtually any place in the city began its life in 1220 and was finished a lengthy 250 years later. Tragically, after standing strong for 512 years, in 1984 this beautiful example of Gothic architecture was consumed by fire and a large proportion of the south roof was lost. Since then the building has been restored to its former glory and is one of the main attractions to tourists from around the world. The 230ft main tower boasts an unparalleled view of York and its surrounding areas and its a must for visitors to Serenity Inn the City. Serenity Inn the City is located a short 5-minute walk from the York Minster.

(Image courtesy of Visit York)

The Shambles:

When enjoying your stay at Serenity Inn the City visiting the Shambles is essential in order to experience one of the most historic streets in Europe.  The Shambles is arguably the best-preserved medieval street in the world. It was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror in 1086. Many of the buildings on the street today date back to around 1350-1475. This is one of York's premier attractions attracting tourists from all corners of the globe to come to and experience the street that was the inspiration behind J.K Rowling's 'Diagon Alley' in the famous children's book series 'Harry Potter'. The street today contains many unique gift shops and the area is surrounded by gorgeous independent cafes and restaurants. Serenity Inn the City is located a mere 3-minute walk from The Shambles providing the perfect opportunity to visit and see it all for yourself with ease. 

(Image courtesy of Visit York)

Fossgate:

A short walk by the River Foss via Strakers Passage (one of hundreds of hidden snickelways in York) will lead you to the heart of Fossgate. Fossgate is packed with artisan coffee shops and eateries that are perfect for brunch, a bite for lunch or an evening meal. This, coupled with fine dining, cocktail bars and craft beer pubs has meant Fossgate has quickly become one of the most popular areas of York for the more refined evening out and lies just a 3-minute walk from Serenity Inn the City. However, although all this lies just on your doorstep, Serenity Inn the City is set back from this elegant thriving area on the banks of the River Foss means our discerning guests will not be disturbed should they prefer a quiet night in to enjoy our luxury apartment.  

(Image courtesy of Visit York)

Clifford's Tower:

Clifford’s Tower is one of the best-loved landmarks in York. It is the largest remaining part of York Castle. The 11th-century timber tower on top of the earth mound was burned down in 1190, after York's Jewish community, some 150 strong, was besieged here by a mob and committed mass suicide, therefore making Clifford's Tower a site of significant historical importance. The present 13th-century stone tower was probably used as a treasury and later as a prison.

Like all the other major tourist attractions, Clifford's Tower is within a 5-minute walk from the beautiful Serenity Inn the City.

(Image courtesy of Visit York)

York Dungeon:

York Dungeon is a 75-minute journey into more than 2000 years of York's darkest history, bringing together iconic characters, immersive sets and thrilling special-effects in a unique and exciting actor led experience that you see, hear, feel and smell. Find out the real story of York!

Again, a mere 5 minute walk from from Serenity Inn the City, this fun and interactive attraction can be easily reached on foot.

(Image courtesy of York Dungeon website)

Jorvick Viking Centre:

Vikings settled all across the country, but the densest population was found in Yorkshire, where the Vikings had their capital city. When the Vikings settled in York, they clearly had trouble saying the Saxon name for the city: Eoforwic (which is thought to mean wild boar settlement), so decided to call it Jorvik (thought to mean wild boar creek).

Evidence of the Viking population can still be seen all around York and don't be surprised to find 'real-life Vikings' walking harmlessly around the streets of York (this makes for a fantastic photo opportunity too!)

(Image courtesy of Visit York)

The City Walls:

The city or ‘bar’ walls of York are the most complete example of medieval city walls still standing in England today. Beneath the medieval stonework lies the remains of earlier walls dating as far back as the Roman period.

The Roman walls survived into the 9th century when, in AD 866, York was invaded by the Danish Vikings. The Vikings buried the existing Roman wall under an earth bank and topped with a palisade – a tall fence of pointed wooden stakes.

The wooden palisade was replaced in the 13th and 14th centuries with the stone wall we see today. Since the mid-nineteenth century, the walls have been restored and maintained for public access, including the planting of spring flowers on the old Viking embankment. Today the walls are a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade 1 listed building.

Guests can join the walk around the walls (about 3 miles in radius in total) very close by Serenity Inn the City and enjoy the sights and sounds from a slightly different perspective - well worth doing.  This activity is not recommended for guests with mobility issues.

(Image courtesy of Visit York) 

Independent Quality Assurance

We are officially rated 10/10 by Booking.com as voted for independently by our guests. 

Read our reviews and see what our guests have to say - a truly independent measure of what we offer our discerning guests.

However, don't pay the hidden booking or "administration"  fees of 3rd party sites, book with us directly via our website and save money and be assured of the best deals available at all times! 

We do not make a charge for you using your credit card either!  We do, however,  ensure that any card transaction is verified and secure via our secure on-line merchant account system.

Relax - you are in our safe hands!