Review: A Restorative Spa Break at Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

Grantley Hall reopened in 2019 following £72m of investment and 4 years of renovation. Since then it has created a world-class, five star experience for its guests. Since winning Hotel of the Year at the 2022 AA Hospitality Awards, I knew I had to go and see it for myself, especially as it’s located in the Yorkshire Dales, only 30 minutes away from my home in York. So I felt very excited as I drove towards Grantley Hall one foggy Monday morning in February, ready for a blissful 24 hours of child-free luxury. Read on for my full Grantley Hall review.

My stay at Grantley Hall was a press stay, provided complimentary in exchange for this honest review.

Grantley Hall review Feb 2023

Meeting me there was my best friend of 10+ years Naomi, who travelled across from Kendal for the experience. As Mums to two small humans, we were both equally grateful for the mini break. The first tip I can give you about Grantley Hall is not to trust your sat-nav to take you to the beautiful main entrance. Unfortunately both of our sav-navs took us to the service entrance, so we missed out on the grand approach to Grantley, across manicured lawns and a babbling stream.

We did, however, still receive a true Grantley Hall welcome as we pulled up in our cars, with staff coming out to meet us, take our bags and offer valet parking. Despite accidentally coming in ‘round the back’, our Grantley welcome definitely set the tone for things to come.

Feeling a little lighter with bags whisked away, we stepped into the elegant reception hall of the 17th-century Palladian mansion that is Grantley Hall. Light, airy and refined, we were shown into Norton bar, where we were offered a refreshing welcome drink.. Naomi and I drank it all in; the rich, sumptuous interiors and Grantley’s signature ‘apple lemonade'. This absolutely was a 5 star arrival and check in.

Insider tip: Be sure to ask to see the cocktail library wall for a fun surprise

Lunch at The Orchard

Having arrived around lunch time, we made our way to Apres at The Orchard, a pop-up restaurant at Grantley Hall. Located in a large bell tent and furnished with cosy faux fur throws, it had an indoor-outdoor ski lodge feel and a personality all of its own. I opted for the chicken schnitzel for lunch which was served with fries and a orange-yolked egg. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection and made for a tasty, indulgent lunch. The high level of service was maintained throughout and our waiter was extremely attentive and friendly.

The Superior Suite

By the the time we had finished lunch, our room was ready. A member of the reception staff personally showed us to our superior suite, which was accessed beyond the spa and through a unique glass-roof atrium with marble floors which made me feel as if I could have been in the Middle East. There is no expense spared on the architecture, styling and interiors of Grantley Hall.

This was proven further when we stepped inside our Superior Suite, with its own super king size bed, living area, dining area and floor to ceiling marble bathroom. The room was sumptuous and spacious, with dual aspect windows across the manicured gardens. We loved the little details; a painting that elegantly furled to reveal the TV behind it, and the member of staff who brought us an extra glass vase for some valentines flowers that Naomi had brought me. Complimentary damson gin had been poured into a crystal decanter and we were told the mini bar was also complimentary.

Check my Instagram for a full video tour of the Superior suite.

The icing on the cake was the vast marble bathroom heated flooring and its own roll-top bath, hammam-style walk in shower (big enough for two), plus twin sinks. I definitely appreciated the Bvlgari toiletries and got the shock of my life when I opened the bathroom door to an automatic toilet lid then sat down to feel a heated toilet seat. It was an impressive touch but I did turn the heated toilet seat off as it seemed like an unneccsarary use of energy.

The Three Graces Spa

We spent the afternoon of the first day and the morning of the second day at the Three Graces Spa, which received extensive renovation as part of the hotel’s £72m investment. The setting is beautifully relaxing and beyond the 18m pool, sauna and jacuzzi, the Three Graces Spa also has a steam room and a unique snow room. The indoor hydrotherapy pool connects to the outdoor pool, which steamed and bubbled in the crisp February temperatures.

Neither of us are big drinkers but Naomi and I ordered a glass of prosecco to our poolside loungers and took them out into the outdoor pool. We caught up, laughed and put the world to rights whilst savouring every sip. This was one of my favourite moments of the whole trip.

On Day 2, I returned to the Three Graces Spa for the Kundalini treatment which is a holistic experience using body energies. It is described as a back of the body experience to soothe and calm the central nervous system using chakra and sound healing therapy. It describes itself as much more than just a massage, and it truly was.

The therapist explained a bit more information about the treatment and got started with a relaxing foot scrub and slowly inhaling some essential oils through the massage bed. The treatment involved heated Himalayan salts on different pressure points around the back.

The whole ritual was heavenly and I think I could actually feel myself absorbing renewed energy from the powerful salts. So special.

Dining at Eighty-Eight

We opted to eat at Eighty-Eight, Grantley Hall’s Asian-fusion restaurant, which is on the grounds in a separate building. What I loved about Grantley Hall is that each part of the hotel has its own identity, from the spa to the restaurants and communal areas. Being in Eighty-Eight felt as though we could have been in a buzzy high-end London restaurant, but I loved knowing we were actually in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside. A real juxtaposition!

Eighty Eight is located in the rounded modern building to the right of the original building.

The level of service at Eighty-Eight was impeccable and the staff could have not been more knowledgable and passionate about the menu. They talked us through the concept of the restaurant and recommended we tried the 8-course tasting menu.

Embracing the full experience, we went for the tasting menu and paired it with a few of the best margaritas I have ever had. I don’t tend to mix my drinks these days but the margs we’re so good I didn’t need to try anything else. Highlights of the tasting menu for me included the opening course of chicken tea (only in Yorkshire, hey?) as well as the grilled diver scallops and the Korean style pork belly. The 8 course tasting menu at Eighty-Eight is an incredibly special experience and ideal for surprising a loved one or celebrating a special occasion. The tasting menu is priced at £88 per person.

Eighty-Eight is one of five restaurants within the hotel including the Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall.

The Grounds

We also squeezed in a little walk around the grounds of Grantley Hall during our stay, and I only wish we had more time to explore further. Unique water features, a babbling brook and perfectly landscaped gardens are yours to discover and it doesn’t take long to feel a sense of calm within these gardens.

The Final Say

My friend and I were blown away by every single aspect of Grantley Hall. The high level of attention to detail is woven through every aspect of the hotel, from service, the interior design, the ambience and the food, to unexpected surprises within the guest experience.

After everything I have described in this blog post, I am sure it won’t be surprising to know that Grantley Hall is not cheap. Rates start from £600 per night for a deluxe room, which is by no means a small sum. But after my own experience, I can say that Grantley Hall is truly on another level to other 5 star hotels I have stayed at. If you want something extra special and have the money to comfortably spend (or splurge) on a visit to Grantley Hall, there will be no regrets.

Thanks to Grantley Hall for giving me, and the rest of the world, another reason to love and visit North Yorkshire.

See what others are saying about Grantley Hall. Read Grantley Hall Trip Advisor reviews.
Read more of my hotel reviews.

Rates at Grantley Hall start from £600 per night. Rates for the superior suite start from £1,100 per night. Check the hotel’s special offers page for discounts and savings when booking direct.

My stay at Grantley Hall was a press stay, provided complimentary in exchange for this honest review.

What did you think of my Grantley Hall review? Is it somewhere you are considering staying? Feel free to ask any further questions in the comment box below.