THE newest addition to York’s accommodation scene will officially open tonight, with its creator promising comfort and affordability.

Karen Waugh, who owns Kennedy’s Bar and restaurant just off Stonegate, has created boutique hostel The Fort next door, which officially opens tonight, with rooms from £20 a night.

She said bookings were already coming in thick and fast from people wanting to stay somewhere upmarket on the cheap.

The Fort offers five individually crafted rooms for a total of 16 guests, each with en-suite facilities, wi-fi, wide screen TV and other modern features.

The hostel consists of a log cabin dormitory-style room, which sleeps six, and four double bedrooms – an Apple Technology inspired room with UV lights, a water room aimed at relaxation, The Fort room, inspired by the city’s Bar Walls, and The Photographic room, which is wallpapered in sites and scenes from around the city.

Each room was created by up-and-coming designers.

Karen said: “I was flicking through various travel publications trying to plan my next escape when I realised that so many cities offer exciting and unique places to stay; something which is limited in York.

“I felt that as a result of the current financial climate there was a niche in the market for comfortable, funky, and easy on the pocket accommodation.

“I started to brainstorm ideas with friends and family and during this process we decided that it would be quite quirky if each of the rooms had their own identity. In collaboration with Creative Protégé design agency we set up a competition for up and coming designers to put forward their ideas for the rooms and it just progressed from there.”

The six-bed dormitory starts from £20 per person per night, with the double bedrooms from £35 per person per night.

For more information email info@thefortyork.co.uk or phone 01904 639573.