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A Baby Free Night at The Grand, York

05/06/19 ᛫ 4 Comments

Theo has been home with us for over three months now, and during this time we’ve had plenty of milestones (both on his part and mine). Theo’s milestones have included smiling, grasping objects, putting hands to mouth and rolling from tummy to back. My milestones have been all about gaining confidence as a new Mum, doing things solo and learning to accept help from others around me. We’ve come so far as a family, but its easy to forget that in the madness of day-to-day life with a new baby. So, to celebrate our achievements and to give ourselves a much-needed break, Scott and I checked in to The Grand in York. Without realising, this would mark yet another milestone, our first baby-free night away.

I approached the date of our hotel stay with mixed emotions. Firstly, I felt nervous about leaving Theo overnight. Would he behave for my Mum and Dad? Would he settle in a different house? Secondly, I felt excitement at the thought of a full nights sleep and checking-in for a bit of luxury. I was also looking forward to putting my ‘Travelista’ hat back on, dusting off my camera and remembering ‘what I do’. Our last break was last October on our Babymoon in Dubrovnik, just before Theo decided to make an early arrival.

After briefing my parents on all things baby and giving Theo a big kiss and cuddle goodbye, we were on our way in to York City Centre. At first it truly did feel like I was missing a limb, but as time went by I found myself relaxing into the experience.

The Grand is located in the old North Eastern Railway Headquarters, which is a spectacular period building that dates back to 1601. The original part of the hotel is packed with original features that will make interior-lovers swoon. I loved the black and white marble in the bathrooms and the pea-green tiling on the staircases. Since opening, a modern annexe has been built on to the hotel to create additional rooms. We were staying in a Classic Room in the modern part of the hotel, which is also home to The Grand Cookery School.

We checked in at about 5pm and had a couple of hours to settle in and chill in the room before dinner. We changed into the plush white robes, stepped into the fluffy slippers and put the kettle on. I loved the welcome amenities including a box of luxurious chocolates and a hand-tied bag of rhubarb-flavoured short bread. A nice little sugar hit to tide us over before dinner!

I was amazed at how spacious our classic room was (be sure to watch my Instagram Story highlight for a video tour). A few of my favourite features included the plush king size bed, the luxurious interiors, the statement leather studded headboard (with built in brass reading light) and heated flooring in the spacious marble bathroom. The finer details and little extras really made it feel special. I would have loved there to be a bathtub too.

Being a new Mum, my ‘getting ready’ routine has been pretty non existent since Theo was born. So when it was time to get ready for our evening, I took great pleasure at doing everything at a long and leisurely pace. The long, hot shower felt amazing and I’ve never enjoyed curling my hair and doing my make up more! I suppose you appreciate simple day-to-day things more when you don’t usually have the time to do them.

Our table was booked at Hudson’s Restaurant, The Grand’s signature fine-dining restaurant. With only around 7 tables, the restaurant and its service feels very intimate. We got to enjoy the impressive 9-course tasting menu, which is priced at £80 per person with an optional wine pairing for £50 per person. The tasting menu is very much an ‘experience’ rather than a meal.

To begin with, the waiter went through the menu with us in great detail and answering any questions we had. He was more than happy to offer us delicious vegetarian alternatives on any of the meat and fish dishes we weren’t sure about. I decided to swap the trout course for a parsnip and onion velouté with cream and truffle oil, which ended up being one of my favourite dishes of the night. The vegetarian options are by no means second rate.

Each dish that was presented to us looked like a true work of art, with interesting combinations of flavours, colours and textures. We both loved the raspberry, chocolate and pistachio dessert and were both wow-ed by the Earl Grey ice cream (which came with an optional side of Earl Grey tea). To say Scott and I don’t even get to eat our evening meals together most days now, the whole experience was so appreciated by both of us. My only criticism was that the restaurant lacked a bit of atmosphere, especially to say it was Saturday night, but that may have been because not all the tables were full. To round off the evening, we went for a drink in 1601 bar and sipped cocktails by an open fire (an Aperol Spritz for me). By this point in the evening I felt like I had totally relaxed and loved spending quality, uninterrupted time with Scott.

Along with a blissful 9-hour sleep and a delicious full English breakfast from the buffet at The Rise restaurant, I felt really refreshed the next day. 

Although I loved every moment of the experience and appreciated every little detail all the more, I was missing Theo and couldn’t wait to get back to my parents to pick him up. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder!

Our baby-free night at The Grand was exactly what we needed after an incredibly stressful time in our lives. It was a chance to let go of the responsibilities of parenthood, and for just one night, we were able to go back to just being ‘Jess and Scott’. The Grand is the only 5* hotel in Yorkshire, and the clear choice for a luxurious city break to York. I feel very lucky to have this beautiful hotel in my hometown. I already can’t wait to head back to try the famous afternoon tea in York at The Grand.

Book The Grand via Booking.comThe Grand via Booking.com
Read more reviews of The Grand via Trip Advisor

What do you think of my review of The Grand? Mums, when did you experience your first baby-free night? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Jess x

My night at The Grand York and dinner at Hudsons Restaurant was a complimentary press stay. All views and photos are my own.

4 Comments

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Comments

  1. thetravelsofmrsb says

    19th June 2019 at 6:14 pm

    It looks and sounds like you had a fantastic night! The food looks great!

    Reply
  2. Bejal says

    9th June 2019 at 1:11 pm

    This sounds like a fab break and the hotel looks beautiful as does the food! Great post Jess!

    Reply
  3. Karen Hutzcal says

    6th June 2019 at 9:23 pm

    I’m really happy that your night away in pure luxury was just that! The hotel stay seemed luxurious and just what you both needed! 8pm glad you enjoyed it all!

    Reply
  4. Angie Silver says

    6th June 2019 at 9:42 am

    What a wonderful and well deserved break!

    Reply

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Jess is an an award-winning travel blogger based in Yorkshire, navigating the world as a new Mum to baby Theo. Blogging about adventures both local and global.

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Post nap relaxation. My son is a vibe #BeMoreTheo Post nap relaxation. My son is a vibe #BeMoreTheo 💫
“Are you going to have another?”, asked a well “Are you going to have another?”, asked a well-meaning family member, out of the blue. Another cup of coffee? Another what? It could have been anything, but I knew exactly what they meant. Another baby. The question that fills me with dread.

It seems like when your first child enters toddlerhood, there is a societal expectation, or assumption, that all mothers are yearning for the next one. For me, that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Why assume there will be a next one? For many, one is enough.

After extreme prematurity, neonatal surgeries, a 3.5 month NICU stay, post natal anxiety, PTSD and a global pandemic, motherhood has well and truly consumed me, challenged me and changed me.

I feel like there is so much we still have to experience with Theo. He is a healthy and happy little boy ready to see the world. But it’s not just about Theo. 

I am working hard on my own personal development and having further therapy for my trauma. I am healing and reconnecting with parts of old myself. I want to write a book! I am unapologetically making myself a priority again. 

Having another baby is not a priority right now, and perhaps it never will be. All I know is that this little boy and his Daddy complete me and they are all I need. 

Now that restrictions are slowly lifting, we are ready to start living our best life and making memories that go beyond the local playground, as a family of 3.

Female adult life isn’t all about having babies. There is so much more available to us now.

Please always be careful when asking people about their family plans. You don’t always know what they’ve been through, or are going through. 

Have you ever been asked a similar question and how did you deal with it? I’d love to know 💭🌿
Happy Easter everyone 🐣💫 Just a post to appr Happy Easter everyone 🐣💫 Just a post to appreciate this mini egg cheesecake, delivered to our door by @nowtbutcheesecakes. I can’t wait to devour a slice with family in the garden.  #SupportLocal 

(@nowtbutcheesecakes is an amazing local business in Leeds and this is the third time we’ve ordered from them)
Now that Theo is talking, soon we will talk about Now that Theo is talking, soon we will talk about the scars on his tummy. I will tell him that they are something to be proud of. I will tell him that they are special. I will tell him that they make him unique. He will learn that anyone with a scar is very lucky because it means they are stronger than whatever it is they had to fight. I will make sure he knows all about his extraordinary journey 🤍

Theo had a total of 3 bowel surgeries all before 35 weeks gestation due to #NecrotisingEnterocolitis (NEC). NEC is the most common gastrointestinal emergency occurring in preterm babies and is what could have taken his life.

His scars are the reason he is alive today and remind me of his bravery and strength. 🌿

Adapted post from 2019

#behindthescars #25Weeker
A year on since lockdown, and look at how you’ve A year on since lockdown, and look at how you’ve grown.

Each day has felt so long, but the entire year has flown.

Your world has been so small, if these four walls could talk.

I cannot wait to show you, life is more than muddy walks.

I want to show you freedom, a new adventure every day.

My mind can only imagine, how much you’d love soft play.

Now you’ve entered toddlerhood, you’re a whirlwind, a burst of thunder.

Soon we will do new things, that light your face with wonder.

You started lockdown as a baby, now you’re a boy with wild hair.

My sweet son, I promise you, there’s an entire world out there 🍃🌍

Sketch by my talented Mum @veryanart1
🤍 Happy Mothers Day 🤍 This wild ride calle 🤍 Happy Mothers Day 🤍 

This wild ride called motherhood gets better and better with time. I am beyond proud and grateful to be this little boys Mummy ✨

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