About us
About Georgian House & Mews
A Funny Business
A memorable experience for all the right reasons...
First-time visitors to the Georgian House can be forgiven for thinking they’ve met owner, Graham Smith, before. It’s very likely that the sense of recognition comes from catching sight of him in a TV advert or possibly on stage, as he is not just a guesthouse owner but also a semi-professional actor and comedian!
Graham’s passion for theatre and comedy has seen him star in a range of TV and radio adverts, and his regular performances as a pantomime dame in York productions are legendary. There’s no doubt that his sense of warm-hearted fun contributes to the friendly, unique personality of his beautiful guesthouse.
“I’ve worked in the hospitality industry for nearly three decades, as has our manager Alan,” he said. “I’m a real people person. I just love the front of house role, and making sure every guest receives a warm welcome. Alan is like my alter ego, he is absolutely committed to making sure everything runs smoothly.”
"A peaceful stay without any intrusion"
Forget the facelessness commonly associated with hotels these days – at Georgian House, every guest is greeted personally on arrival and can look forward to a complimentary mini-bottle of Prosecco in their room. “Many of our guests stay with us time and time again, and it’s a real pleasure to get to know them,” Graham added. “If people want privacy, we respect that too, and ensure they enjoy a peaceful stay without any intrusion.”
Naturally, visitors to York want to be close to all the action, and this Grade II listed guesthouse won’t disappoint – Bootham is located in the heart of the city, less than 5-minute walk from the iconic Minster. Despite being so near to all the unmissable sights and sounds, guests are still guaranteed a quiet place to sleep, eat and relax.
“The main building dates back to 1640, making it the oldest domestic property in Bootham, but it has been fully
refurbished and is as soundproofed as can be,” Graham explained. “Our Mews rooms are especially quiet, you’d never know you were just yards from some of York’s busiest streets.”
A Labour Of Love...
Graham has had quite a journey to reach this point. Originally a plumber born and bred in the city, he always had a passion for development and had successfully refurbished and run three other York guesthouses before setting his sights on Georgian House.
He said: “I’d always loved it for its simple elegance, it’s not pretentious or overly grand. I happened to be in a position to buy it at the point it became available in 2009, and it just felt like it was meant to be. I enjoy the whole process of turning nothing into something truly special and I love people, so this project ticked two important boxes for me.
“Restoring it from being a B&B that only scraped two stars to an extended four-star accommodation where guests are guaranteed a fantastic stay has been quite an emotional process for me.”
The property needed a full refit, and he set about replacing beds, furniture, bathrooms, carpets and décor with new, superior-quality fixtures and fittings. The modern Mews building, at the rear of the main house, was a labour of love as Graham overcame a host of unexpected problems to deliver his vision. “I wanted it all to be the very best it could be, and I’m really pleased with the results. The hard work and sleepless nights were all worth it,” he added.
"our visitors’ enjoyment is our mission."
As locals with an outstanding knowledge of the city, the Georgian House team can answer most questions guests might have, and point them towards things to see and do that fit the kind of visit or occasion they want to experience.
The whole team are approachable, friendly, and committed to meeting guests’ needs. Graham concluded: “My glass is always half full and my team reflect my outlook, going out of their way for our guests. Nothing is too much trouble and our visitors’ enjoyment is our mission.”
