Few cities blend history and hauntings quite like York, and Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel is the perfect place to experience both. My Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel review covers everything from its ghostly past to the enchanting little details that make it unlike anywhere else I’ve stayed.
This summer, I was incredibly lucky enough to win a one-night stay at Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel in York for their annual Witches Coven event.
Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel in York is a magical, witchy-themed boutique stay tucked away near the Shambles – and if you’re looking for somewhere unique (and a little spooky), it’s one of the most enchanting places to stay in the city.
It’s the perfect place to stay in York, which is already rich with magic and haunted history.
This summer, I was lucky enough to win a one-night stay during their annual Witches Coven event – something that genuinely felt like a dream come true. I’d wanted to stay here for years, and had even promised myself I’d book a visit as a celebration once I hit 10k TikTok followers.
Somehow, the universe had other plans – and I ended up winning a stay just before I reached that milestone.
If you’re wondering what it’s actually like to stay at Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel, here’s my full review – including everything you need to know before booking.
I won a complimentary one-night stay at Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel as part of a competition. All opinions are my own.
The History of Hocus Pocus Hotel York
Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel sits within a historic Grade II listed medieval building, which dates back to the 16th century. In the 18th century, it was used as stables and later became a warehouse and shop. After a period of deterioration, it was restored around 1960.
The hotel is at 2 Patrick Pool, on one of York’s oldest streets! Patrick Pool was first recorded around 1200 under the name Patricpol. The site itself sits atop hundreds of buried bodies beneath York’s streets, adding a darker tone to the hotel’s history.
It sits opposite St Sampson’s Church, a medieval parish site that’s seen centuries of York’s history unfold, and just around the corner lies the Shambles, York’s most famous medieval street.
The creators and owners of Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel – Vincent Roberts and Camelia Andrei – have a huge passion for York’s historic buildings, mythology and magic – and you’ll find their mystical marks all over the building!
Though the hotel retains much of its historic charm – from timber beams and quirky angles to creaky floors and steep staircases – it still manages to feel boutique and stylish, with each room carefully themed to create an immersive, magical experience.
It’s a building steeped in history (and more than a few secrets underground) – but what’s it like to stay there today?
My Honest Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel Review
In some ways, the magic of staying at Hocus Pocus Hotel York begins before you even arrive. Browsing the website to book, learn more about the themed rooms or add a little magic to your stay with themed packages is a lovely little experience in itself. The website is intriguing, mystical and really sets the scene.
Finding the hotel is really simple – it’s so easy to get to and there’s a high chance you’ll pass through the charming Shambles to get there. There’s no car parking, but the closest and easiest car park nearby is Q-Park Shambles – only a six-minute walk away.
Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel is situated down a side alley beside the Shambles. It’s next door to the quirky Viking-themed bar Valhalla, but unless you wander off the main Shambles street, you wouldn’t even know it was there.
As I stepped through the narrow doorway and over the threshold, the hustle and bustle of the shambles faded away. I was struck by how eerily quiet it was inside. Crooked pictures lined the walls, stairs creaked, and the dim ambient lighting all gave a sense of being transported to another world. It’s not just the rooms that are themed in this hotel – it’s the whole building! Even the reception room – with its quirky decor and hand-scrawled check-in and check-out times – invites you to feel the magic.
I climbed to the very top of the stairs for my stay in The Apothecary, which felt like a little side quest in itself. Up, up and up I went, passing the other rooms, letting myself into my room and then up some more stairs to the beautiful attic room. Sleeping up to five people, this is the biggest room in the hotel – yet it feels both like a hidden nook and a welcoming suite all at once.
Though it’s large, everything feels contained and cosy in the very best way, with the most unique details dotted all around the room. From the vintage clothing hanging on the back of the wardrobe (which you can try on!) to the potion bottles forever immortalised in a glass floorboard, the colour of a shimmering green.
To enter the room, I slipped through a door at the bottom of the stairs, climb the narrow steps, and pass through a small wooden gate – though it’s a safety measure, it feels more like crossing into your own secret hideaway.
Ancient symbols line some of the walls and, as I made my way to the back of the room to what is arguably the cosiest bed and nook to sleep, I discovered a whole display of witchcraft artefacts and ingredients inside a glass case within the wall.
Every little detail comes together to immerse you in the magic of the room. And yes, it really does feel like you’re in some sort of apothecary – albeit one with beds and a bathroom inside! The bathroom is the most modern part of the room, but it doesn’t take away from the theme at all.
Aside from the main double bed, there’s a smaller single towards the back of the room that feels like a whimsical nod to Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs – snug, secretive, but actually cosy! There are also two single beds accessed by a small ladder, in yet another nook that overlooks the room. There’s a small TV in this area too, but all the main amenities like the main TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and plug sockets surround the main double bed.
The main bed is overlooked by beautiful vintage wooden shutters that open to reveal the historic church-turned-community centre opposite. It’s a stunning view to wake up to in the morning.
It even took me so long to decide which bed to sleep in, as they all offered their own cosy benefits. Eventually, I chose the smaller bed at the back of the room and, apart from my overactive imagination (more on that in a moment!), I had a really lovely night. The bed(s) were so soft and comfortable and the location of the hotel is just perfect. I loved that I could find myself exploring the historic Shambles within seconds of leaving the hotel.
You might think that being in the heart of York’s busiest areas could be a downside at night – but although I heard some noises, it wasn’t enough to bother me.
The noises I heard outside were entirely circumstantial – I was staying on a Saturday night, after York’s biggest coven event AND the York Races, on the hottest day of the year with the window wide open.
So don’t let that deter you!
Finally, I would note that because I attended during the Coven event, my stay was a little different – I got to tour the hotel beforehand, I had a later check-in time, and I was only there for one night. So I can’t comment on all aspects of an everyday stay at the hotel. But from what I did experience? It was totally worth it.
The Haunted Apothecary
I have to admit, I did not get a good night’s sleep – because I was too scared of the ghost that was said to haunt the room!
Before my stay, I booked onto a tour of the hotel with Mad Alice earlier on in the day – so I could learn more about the hotel! This gave me the chance to visit and learn more about every room (each of which has its own magical theme) – but boy did I regret this when we reached my room and I was informed it was the most haunted one of all…
The White Man of Rue Hollow – and his faithful black hound dog – is said to haunt the room. Back in 1871, he owned an apothecary that once sat inside this building. One night, his dog began to bark and whine in a way he had never done before. So much so that it awoke all the neighbours. When morning came, they found the door barred from within and the old man missing.
There was no sign of life, except for the faithful dog, curled up in the apothecary chair and his eyes fixed on a crude symbol etched into the far wall. Beneath the symbol, someone had scrawled in Latin, ‘Quod non possum oblivisci, manet’ – which means ‘That which I cannot forget, remains.’
Sadly, the dog refused to leave and died three days later.
On some nights, the symbol reappears – no matter how many times it has been painted over. Guests report the scent of dried rosemary and coal, the faint clink of a glass and the calming feeling of the dog curled at their feet. Oh, and the shadow of the old man watching over them.
Well, that was enough to keep me awake!
Although I happily visit haunted places very often on The Morbid Tourist, I always have one rule: I will never sleep alone somewhere overnight if it’s haunted. With Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel, I truly didn’t realise just how haunted it was before my stay – I expected something a little spooky, but not quite that haunted!
After spending the evening in the double bed (where the ghost is said to linger!), I eventually retreated to the smaller, cosy bed at the back of the room – safely out of sight of the haunted spot. I then faced the wall and attempted to sleep… without daring to turn over once until morning.
Needless to say, that was entirely down to my imagination rather than anything else – and honestly, it just added to the experience.
Hauntings aside, Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel offers a great stay. As you’d expect from a historic building, there were the occasional creaking floorboards in the night and some distant noise from the pub next door, but nothing that bothered me. It was an enchanting and immersive experience, and I cannot wait to stay again and explore another of their magical rooms.
The Witches Coven Event, York
As I mentioned before, I stayed during the Witches Coven Event, which is hosted by Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel. The free event/festival takes place annually to celebrate the hotel’s anniversary in June
Each year, it grows bigger and bigger and invites hundreds of witches (in witchy/magical attire) to gather in the centre of York to celebrate all things magical. From discounts in quirky shops around York to best-dressed competitions and more, there’s plenty to experience.
This year, we enjoyed intimate tours of the hotel run by Mad Alice, who delved into the building’s history and hauntings, and, later on, tarot readings and performances within the hotel. Mad Alice also ran a free ghost tour of York, and every guest received a free blessing with burned sage and welcome blessings from the team at Mother Shipton’s Cave.
It was a really lovely event – everyone was in high spirits and it was great meeting so many other people who enjoy not just spooky stuff but the whimsical and magical side of life too! And I love that it’s entirely free. If you ever get the chance to go, I would absolutely recommend it.
If you’d like to explore even more of York’s whimsical side, take a look at my guide to the take a look at my guide to the most magical experiences in York here.
Spooky Stay Tips for Visiting
Planning a stay at Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel? Here’s what to know before you go.
Location:
Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel is located in the heart of York, just a short walk from The Shambles and many of the city’s most famous haunted spots. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the historic streets, especially in the evening when the atmosphere feels even more magical.
Getting There:
If you’re travelling by train, York Station is around a 15–20 minute walk from the hotel, or a short taxi ride. If driving, be aware that the hotel is in a central area and has no on-site parking, so you may need to use a nearby public car park.
Accessibility:
As a historic building, the hotel has narrow staircases and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. It’s best to check directly with the hotel if you have specific accessibility requirements.
Pricing:
Prices for Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel can vary depending on the room and time of year, but you can generally expect to pay around £175–£345 per night. As it’s a unique themed stay in a central location, prices may be higher during weekends and peak seasons.
What to Expect:
As a themed and historic stay, expect plenty of character – from quirky décor to a slightly spooky atmosphere that adds to the experience. It’s part of the charm, especially for those visiting York for its haunted history.
Final Thoughts From a Morbid Tourist
Between the Coven event, the ghost stories and the magical details, my stay summed up everything I adore about York. I would absolutely recommend staying here if you’re looking for a unique, atmospheric and slightly spooky experience in York.
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