The Vices, a private-house hotel founded by Daniel Curro and Moreno Carbone, has opened in York.

Housed in a Victorian Police Station in Fulford, the property comprises three suites, each designed around the theme of gender and exploration. Design features include handcrafted wooden floors by Listone Giordano, rough cut marble and stone floors by Graniti Fiandre, and light installations by Davide Groppi. Bathrooms boast Aquaelite shower systems, fixtures by Ex.t and crystal pieces – like an amber bath – by Antonio Lupi.

The First Suite is a neutral space with an open-plan design that connects the bedroom and bathroom spaces. Clean white walls are adorned with pops of vibrant orange, while the simplicity of the space can be transformed with lighting  by Italian designer Groppi to complement the time of the day or guests’ mood.

The Second Suite meanwhile is a haven of femininity and soft edges. A curved bed frame enveloped in thick, cosy fabrics stands upon the handcrafted herringbone floor, and deep shades of pink are complemented with bottle-green glass, textured gold and warm brown. The suite also boasts its own walk-in wardrobe and leads to an impressive en-suite, which houses the Ex.t double circular bath, twin sinks and Aquaelite shower.

The Third Suite is the largest of the three, with a private entrance and staircase leading to a bedroom, living space and bathroom. Its design is a hard yet sophisticated with rough edges, while at its centre is the Chaindelier light by Groppi, which hangs over the staircase. In addition, a solid brass Xam bed is set between two moon lights made from Japanese paper, while the bathroom is wrapped in marble enhanced with gold.

The entire hotel was designed by Carbone, who was born in Rome and has travelled the world exploring design concepts and ideas. “We wanted to bring something very unique to York, but even more so, create something unique in the hotel space. We’ve travelled the world to source art and handcrafted furniture. I followed the narrative of gender, but also looked to showcase Italian design and crafts too.” Along with Carbone’s scheme, the property honours its heritage through original brickwork and exposed cast iron pipes.

Alongside the three bedroom suites, The Vices York houses an opulent Wine Library; a dark, intimate space that houses a gold frame adorned with over 200 bottles of Italian wine. The room is a tribute to wine production, and features natural materials that are a nod to the wine making process, including oak and clay.

Guests can also relax for a drink in the cocktail bar or enjoy dinner at Allium, the in-house dining experience offering a tasting menu by Chef Luke Sanderson. Moreno once again considered the customer journey from beginning to the end, with the interior styling of the restaurant complementing the story of Allium.

“Guests who join us at Allium don’t know the menu that they’ll be enjoying,” Moreno explains. “Their trust is in the chef, and the first they see of the menu is when they break the seal on it but even then, we opt for minimalist wording and descriptions. We want the anticipation and excitement for what the dish will bring. So with the restaurant space, I matched this with a dark colour scheme. Guests walk into a dark space, with the main light source being the glow of light coming from a table lamp. It’s just enough to guide them and light their party. They become engrossed in their table and the focus is kept on the dishes and each other.”

It’s not just the interior aesthetic that has been prioritised here though. Co-founder Daniel Curro is a professional chef and sommelier, and has dedicated years of work and research into creating an impressive food and beverage offering and the hotel has become well known within the world of wine. Offering only Italian wine, The Vices York features wines that can be often difficult to source, and are the only stockists of Chiara Condello, Lo Stralisco Riserva 2018, and Guastaferro, Taurasi Primum Riserva 2015 in the UK.

Curro comments: “Wine is a product that can do so much. It tells stories, enhances flavour and captures memories. How often do we turn back to a wine we’ve had previously so we can relive those feelings. The Vices York is about experience and emotion, and I’ve curated a wine collection which complements it.”

Rounding out the offer is an impressive art collection that champions variety and diversity. Spread throughout the hotel, it features works by Nicoletta Ceccoli, Benjamin Lacombe and Henrik Aa. Uldalen.