The Milner York is celebrating a triple triumph after scooping three major industry accolades recognising its luxury spa, guest experience, and dedicated workplace culture across two prestigious ceremonies.
The historic city centre landmark struck Gold in the Best Gym, Spa or Wellbeing category at the YorkMix Choice Awards 2026, alongside taking home Silver in the fiercely contested Best Place to Stay category.
Adding to the silverware, the hotel also picked up Hospitality Team of the Year at the York Hospitality Awards, shining a much-deserved spotlight on its two-person People Team, Rachael Tighe and Zoe Gill.
The YorkMix Choice Awards, which champion outstanding businesses across York and North Yorkshire, brought together the local business community at a glittering evening hosted at The Milner York itself on 29th October. The hotel’s double win cemented its reputation at the top of the region’s leisure scene, celebrating both its tranquil wellness facilities and standout accommodation.
Behind the scenes, the Hospitality Team of the Year trophy honoured the extraordinary work of Rachael and Zoe. Looking after 195 colleagues between them, the duo manages the entire staff journey, spanning recruitment, onboarding, wellbeing, and professional training.
Their hands-on efforts have seen internal employee satisfaction climb to an impressive 88% this year. The hotel currently supports 13 apprenticeships, including two chefs in a specialist Chef Academy, while local school partnerships have helped eight former work-experience students transition directly into permanent jobs.
Andy Barnsdale, general manager at The Milner York, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have received three accolades that recognise different but equally important parts of what makes The Milner York special.
“Whether it’s the facilities and experiences we provide for our guests or the culture we create for our colleagues, these awards reflect the dedication of our entire team. The Hospitality Team of the Year recognition is particularly rewarding because Rachael and Zoe work tirelessly behind the scenes to make The Milner a great place to work. They help ensure our colleagues feel supported, respected, appreciated, and able to build their careers with us.
“So, to have that recognised alongside our guest offering is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the hotel.”
The new honours round off a stellar run for The Milner York, which was also crowned RBH Hotel of the Year earlier this year, reinforcing its position as one of York’s premier hospitality destinations.
