Sex And The City: The UK way

The Cosmopolitan drinking, Manolo Blahnik wearing women of Sex and the City will be back in our lives on the big screen from May 28th and it’s pretty much guaranteed that women everywhere will be wearing their little black dresses, skyscraper heels and heading out with their girlfriends to celebrate.

While Carrie and Co.’s New York stomping ground may be the ultimate destination for a weekend away with the girls, the cost of flights may mean that there isn’t too much left in the budget for Fendi bags, Prada dresses and Jimmy Choos. Instead, Best Western Hotels suggest you travel to York and do Sex and the City the UK way.

City Chic

Just two hours by rail from London, Edinburgh and Manchester, York is a compact, riverside city with a colourful history and walled city centre. The stunning York Minster, the Shambles and York Castle are must see attractions. An amazing array of independent boutiques, world famous galleries and a lively café bar and restaurant culture, mean that York has become an uber-fashionable hotspot, one of which Carrie Bradshaw would most definitely approve.

Check In

The Best Western Dean Court Hotel will provide a suitably chic base for your stay in York. Recently refurbished, this contemporary hotel is set in the shadow of York Minster and is without doubt, the finest location of any hotel in the city. Doubles from £95 per night.

Just minutes away from the historic city walls, the Best Western Pavillion Hotel is an elegant, grade II listed, country house. A two-night package for two people is £209 and includes bed, breakfast and dinner on the first night.

Fabulous Fashion

As fans of the programme will know, with the Sex and the City ladies, it’s all about ‘the look’, and those wanting to emulate the style of their favourite character won’t be disappointed by York’s mix of distinctive boutiques and dreamy designer stores.

Start the day at Van Mildert on Blake Street, where the likes of Jimmy Choo, Prada, D&G and Fendi line the rails. Serious fashionistas should try the oh so sophisticated Sarah Coggles on Stonegate which stocks Alexander McQueen, Lulu Guiness, Vivienne Westwood and SATC favourite, Dior. Cruz on Grape Lane sells shoes that are to die for, while those on the hunt for this season’s ‘it’ bag will be spoilt for choice in Mulberry.

For a vintage find, seek out the delightfully quirky Priestley’s. Tucked away in Norman Court, the shop has a multitude of designs from by-gone eras. There’s also Expressions and Vintage @ Fossgate which are over-flowing with kooky, one-off items you simply won’t find anywhere else; not even on Carrie.

Get Carried Away

Book tickets to see the most anticipated film of the year at the City Screen Picturehouse. The cinema is a re-developed press works building, marrying original architectural features with contemporary design. An impressive café-bar overlooks the river while the Sky Lounge offers panoramic views of the city.

Dinner, Dancing and Cosmos

Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha always frequent the best restaurants, so make sure your trip is no different. D.C.H. at the Best Western Dean Court Hotel is renowned for its superb food; Chef Andrew Bingham is a champion of local producers, seafood and vegetarian menus. Most tables boast views of York Minister and those in the know should ask for Table 9.

After dinner, go to the Vudu Lounge, York’s most decadent cocktail bar, where you can sip Cosmopolitans to your heart’s content. Be on the look out for your very own Mr Big; VIP members of the bar are issued with a unique security key offering exclusive access to the top floor.

‘R’ & ‘R’

York is the perfect place to get over the night before. Enjoy a relaxing day at the York Art Gallery, viewing works by artists such as LS Lowry and David Hockney. Then, visit the Lanamiche day spa on Littlestone Gate where you can be pampered and preened before hanging up your Manolos and heading home.

Useful Contacts

The Best Western Dean Court Hotel, bestwestern.co.uk
The Best Western Pavillion Hotel, bestwestern.co.uk
Visit York, visityork.org
Betty’s Tea Rooms, bettys.co.uk
City Screen Picture House, picturehouses.co.uk
York Art Gallery, yorkartgallery.org.uk
Lanamiche, lanamiche.co.uk