York hotel’s new helicopter taxi service whisks guests here in style

Every trip to York can now be a flying visit – if you’ve a few bob to spare…

The Grand Hotel & Spa has launched a helicopter transfer service which will allow guests to be whisked from their homes and back again.

York’s Grand Hotel launched the initiative – the only such service in the UK – in response to requests from guests.

It comes as the hotel prepares to almost double in size with the opening of 100 new guest rooms in March.

Do drop in

Grand Hotel general manager Philip Bolson said: “As a luxury hotel we try to accommodate all of our guests’ unique requests to ensure an unforgettable stay and recently we have been asked about helicopter landing spots and transfers.

“To fulfil this we have teamed up with a local aviation company who can provide transfers in two types of helicopter depending on how many guests will be staying with us.”

The fee depends on the journey. But prices start from £875 +VAT for a one-way pick up from Manchester to York.

For that the helicopter will land in the grounds of your home – or nearby – and fly you to the city “where our chauffeur service will collect them from the drop-off point within the grounds of York Racecourse, a five-minute drive away,” said Philip.

The Grand will be using two helicopters – a four-seat Robinson R44 and a five-seat Bell 206 Jet Ranger – from Hields Aviation based at Sherburn in Elmet Aerodrome.

The Yorkshire Chauffeur Company will provide Range Rover airside transfers to the hotel.

Grand designs

The Grand, Yorkshire’s only AA-rated five-star hotel, goes from strength-to-strength.

As well as another 100 rooms, its £15m expansion also includes a new luxury executive lounge and arrivals lounge, due to open soon.

That followed a purpose-built restaurant, The Rise, which opened last summer whilst its three-AA-rosette fine dining restaurant Hudsons by Craig Atchinson has also been redeveloped.