In the centre of a city lauded for its history and ancient architecture, this is a pleasingly modern penthouse apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walls and look out over the local skyline — being up on the seventh floor means that there's nothing in the way to block this view. Inside, the design is heavy on sleek surfaces, plush furnishings and large pieces of modern artwork on the walls. The bathrooms come complete with stylish alcoves and rain showers, while the pristine white kitchen with an island is a prime example of how to execute minimalism well. During your stay, your host can sort out hairdressers, personal trainers, cakes for special occasions and private tours of the city. If, however, you want to see it on your own terms, many of the landmarks you can spot from the window are easy to reach on foot. York Minster is a thirteen-minute walk and the Castle takes half that time.

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