Safestay York (formerly Ace Boutique Hostel) is a very nice hostel in a restored Georgian mansion on Micklegate, not too far from the train station. The building dates from 1752 and features a grand stone-flagged entrance hall, an imposing carved staircase, panelled rooms, a vaulted cellar and a magnificent Rococo ceiling. Although the hostel has recently undergone a £2 million renovation, the historic features of the building have been kept intact (with informative plaques detailing the history of each room). The hostel has an oak-beamed basement games room with table tennis, a TV lounge, sauna (£2 per person), and outside seating area. There is also a bar on the ground floor (although no match for the city’s wonderful pubs) plus a room with internet access (£1 per half hour; free Wi-Fi). The games room, TV lounge, bar and internet room have comfortable leather sofas. There is also a small fully-equipped kitchen and a large dining area where breakfast is served. Accommodation is of a very high standard with quality beds (with lockers under each bunk bed) and en suite bathrooms. Private rooms have flat screen TVs and tea and coffee making facilities plus towels and dressing gowns. The rooms on the top floor were originally servants’ quarters and feature exposed beams and views of the city including the city walls and York Minster.