Hotel Review
The Old Police Station at Montgomery House has just opened its doors in the vibrant suburb of Headingley, a ten minute drive from Leeds city centre. The former police station had been abandoned for almost twenty years and was in a poor state of repair until Alex Ball, his partner and a couple of friends spotted the building and saw its potential as high end, boutique aparthotel accommodation.
Location:
The aparthotel is located just a five minute walk from Headingley’s bustling high street yet is positioned on a quiet leafy lane. Leeds railway station is around a 10 minute drive from the accommodation and with buses passing through Headingley frequently it’s very easy to reach by public transport. For guests planning to drive then there is on-street parking available nearby as well as a pay and display car park around the corner.
Arrival and check-in:
We’d travelled into Leeds by train and were surprised how quick and easy it was to reach the hotel from there using public transport. We had received a WhatsApp message 48 hours prior to our arrival providing us with all the details necessary to access the aparthotel. There isn’t a reception desk but should guests encounter any problems then the owners are just a quick phone call away.
The freshly painted white building stands proudly on a street corner and is surrounded by several inviting independent cafes, bars and restaurants. Check-in is from 3.00 p.m. and as it was around then when we arrived, we simply entered the access code we’d been given onto the keypad to gain entry. The door opened into a stunning Scandi-style double height hallway from where we went upstairs to find our room. We had been booked into Room 3 which is one of the aparthotel’s suites and to open the door all we had to do was re-enter our code and step inside.
The room:
Our spacious suite comprised a large living area with a beautiful Richard Butler grey sofa that could be converted into a bed, making it ideal for families travelling with children. There was also a large wall mounted television, coffee table, Marshall speaker, and a circular dining table with four chairs.
The Siematic kitchen came equipped with a Quooker Hot Tap, dishwasher, fridge, induction hob and a combi-oven. At our disposal also was a Dualit toaster and all the crockery, pans and utensils that one could possibly need.
On opening the fridge we were pleasantly surprised to find complimentary Prosecco and cans of beer from the local Kirkstall brewery. There were also bottles of fresh milk and orange juice whilst on the counter top the hospitality tray contained hot chocolate sachets, a selection of teas, coffee bags and some irresistible shortbread biscuits.
Moving into the bedroom, the super king size bed was so comfortable it felt like sleeping on a cloud and as it was dressed in the finest high thread bed linen and had the softest of pillows, we were asleep in seconds. The room also boasted bespoke wardrobes, a Dyson hairdryer and a Breville clothes steamer.
I absolutely adored the orange woollen bedside throws that had been sourced from the Wild Shepherdess Company and complimented the decor beautifully. Both the living room and sleeping area had large windows overlooking the side of the building with the blinds being automatically controlled. There were also keypads controlling the smart lighting making everything so easy for guests.
The stylish bathroom had doors leading from both the lounge and bedroom. With underfloor heating, a powerful rainfall shower, fragrant Snug Aromatics, sumptuous monogrammed Christy bathrobes and towels, we felt very pampered.
The Facilities:
The Old Police Station comprises five individually styled luxury apartments two of which are located on the ground floor. There’s also a state of the art meeting room that can be booked out in advance and super fast Wi-Fi throughout the building which was easy to connect to. An atrium kitchen is available for guests use featuring works by a local artist and the biggest Nespresso maker that I’ve ever seen.
Out and About:
Start off by having a wander around the local neighbourhood with its quirky shops, independent cafes and bars then hop on a bus into the city centre to see what Leeds has to offer.
Victorian Arcades
Head to the Victoria Quarter for luxury shopping, fashion and small, independent retailers. The quarter consists of several linked arcades than run between Briggate and Vicars Lane. This glamorous shopping precinct was designed by Frank Matcham, an English architect who specialised in the design of theatres.
Victoria Gate
From there, walk across to the Victoria Gate arcade which opened in 2016. With its contemporary styling it’s home to John Lewis and a host of small high street retailers.
Leeds City Market
Continue onto Leeds City Market where you will find the site of Michael Mark’s first stall way back in 1884, the small beginnings from which Marks & Spencer evolved. To celebrate the company’s historical links to Leeds, a heritage stall opened in 2013 near to where the original Penny Bazaar operated from.
Leeds Town Hall
Leeds Town Hall is one of the most famous landmarks in the city. Constructed between 1853-1858 from designs by Cuthbert Broderick, it was officially opened by Queen Victoria. The Grade I listed building now serves as a concert, conference and wedding venue. The building’s impressive clock tower looks especially beautiful at night when illuminated,
Granary Wharf
Head to Granary Wharf just beyond the railway station for a canal side stroll. This urban development blends old mills, modern apartments and leisure facilities showcasing industrial heritage with contemporary design. The former mills are now home to financial services and digital companies and the district has a vibrant feel with its cosy cafes, bars and restaurants overlooking the dock basin.
Overall:
I feel that the owners of the Old Police Station have uncovered a niche in the accommodation market in northern Leeds with the transformation of a run down building into a luxurious aparthotel. Whether it’s a city break with friends or family, tickets to see a Cricket or Rugby match at the nearby Headingley Stadium or business travellers working away from home, this luxurious bolthole fits the bill perfectly.
Details: The Old Police Station, North Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3HG
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
Sunny Bank Mills Museum, Leeds
We were guests of The Old Police Station at Montgomery House and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
Love Travelling Blog 
Leave a comment