The Queens Hotel keeps its Art Deco glamour alive on Leeds' City Square

Step out of Leeds station and one of the first buildings you see is The Queens Hotel, its pale facade stretching along City Square. For generations it has been the city's grand front door, and it remains one of the most recognisable buildings in the centre.

The hotel as we know it dates from the 1930s, and it is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in the north. Over the decades its guest list has included some remarkable names. Princess Grace of Monaco, Cary Grant and Nelson Mandela are among those who have stayed beneath its roof.

Like any grand old hotel, The Queens has had to evolve to stay at its best, and its most recent chapter began with a £16 million refurbishment. Work took place over around nine months, with every bedroom renovated and 16 new rooms added, bringing the total to 232.

The design work was led by Upperworth Studios and Iliard Design, and a key aim was to keep the building's Art Deco character intact while bringing the rooms and public spaces up to date. The result is a hotel that feels rooted in its history without feeling stuck in the past.

The biggest change for many visitors is the ground floor. It is now home to the Grand Pacific, a 100-cover restaurant with a private dining room and bar, giving the hotel a destination for food and drink that draws in Leeds locals as well as guests.

Alongside it, Café Pacific is a coffee lounge that also works as a co-working space, making the hotel a social hub at the heart of the city rather than simply a place to sleep. It is the kind of space where a quick coffee can easily turn into a long afternoon.

The transformation was quickly recognised beyond Yorkshire. Following the refurbishment, The Queens was included in The Sunday Times list of the 100 Best Places to Stay, a welcome nod for a hotel that has been part of Leeds life for so long.

For visitors, its location is hard to beat. The station is on the doorstep, the shops of Briggate and the Victoria Quarter are a short walk away, and the city's theatres, galleries and restaurants are all within easy reach on foot.

Whether you are planning a weekend in the city or simply fancy a drink somewhere with a sense of occasion, The Queens Hotel is worth a visit. Rooms and tables at the Grand Pacific can be booked through the hotel directly.