I think I have found my new favourite hotel. After two nights, I felt like I had found a new home. It has a warm, comfortable cosiness that pulls you in and everything is familiar, yet it’s all fresh and new. Well, I would happily stay at Grantley Hall forever. It hugged me in tight and I didn’t want it to let go, from the friendly, personal greeting at the cute gate to the moment I was handed chocolates and water by the head porter as I left for my journey home. So many moments that keep coming back and making me want to visit again straightaway.
My favourite view of Grantley Hall
Arrival
There’s something memorable about being greeted at the hotel entry gate by a little kiosk. It feels as if you’ve arrived somewhere extra special. The drive up to the Hall by the River Skell along the winding road gives the first glimpses of the carefully tended grounds. Even here there are touches like the stags hiding in the trees, the rowboat bobbing on the river and then the dome of the Rill Garden (more on that later).
The porter team come out to meet you and sort your luggage and car. I quickly realised that when you’re at Grantley Hall, you don’t have to worry about a thing. I was shown through the beautiful lobby, with the stylish Drawing Room on the right. This is where afternoon tea is served, but I had left it too late to book in as it is very popular. After a quick look, I continued through to the Norton Bar instead. It is decadent and filled with paintings and rich jewel-toned cosy armchairs and sofas. I loved it immediately. It’s the opposite of the pale, soft subtlety of the Drawing Room. This is something that you find all over Grantley Hall. A mix of styles and tones and colours, but it all matches and feels just right.
Finalising check-in with a delicious hot chocolate and homemade shortbread really did get this stay off to a wonderful start. Oh, and finding out I had been given an upgraded room.
Arrival hot chocolate and homemade shortbread in the Norton Bar
The Room
It’s not cheap to stay at Grantley Hall, so I booked the entry-level Cosy Room as I was staying on my own. It was a very happy surprise to get upgraded to the bigger Deluxe Room, which was perfect and I don’t think I would change a thing. As expected, a comfortable bed with lots of room. There were a couple of good sized, plush chairs to relax in, which I appreciate instead of only having the bed to sit on.
More thoughtfulness came with the welcome bottle of champagne, local Yorkshire chocolates made by Lauden, which were rich and delicious, Grantley Hall gin and some Granny Smith apples - my favourites. There were other Yorkshire treats in the mini bar alongside more Grantley Hall shortbread and some soft drinks. It’s refilled every day so lots to enjoy or take with you as it’s complimentary.
The bathroom was big with lots of marble. I didn’t use the bath, but loved the shower, which was powerful and had a lot of space. Toiletries are Bulgari, which smell good, but I would have loved for them to have been from a local, Yorkshire company given the local ethos of Grantley Hall.
There was also a reasonable amount of storage space and especially drawers, which I find you don’t always get. Above the drawers were a pair of branded rain jackets. Something I have never seen in a hotel before and a super touch. With the ever-changing Yorkshire weather, I am sure they are well used. You can also buy your own version, along with other Grantley Hall treats, in the cute little shop near Bar and Restaurant EightyEight.
Deluxe room
The Spa and Gym
While I loved my room, I didn’t end up spending too much time there as I was most often to be found in the Three Graces Spa or the gym. Both are right up there with my favourite ones in any hotel.
I had a quick workout after I checked in as you can use the facilities from 13:00 on the day of arrival until 13:00 on the day you leave. There are good changing rooms in both areas with amenities as well if needed, plus these amazing showers, which have three different output levels. Super cool.
The gym is split in two sections: a weights and cardio space with lots of free and machine weights, and a strength and conditioning space. There really is everything you could want. It was better than my gym and of course stylish and not too crowded. There were only ever a couple of other people in. I love having the gym to myself, as you can go and do what you want. There’s also a studio below the gym. I did the 10:00 yoga class in the studio on both mornings, which I loved. One was a private session as no-one else joined. The sessions were gentle and a good way to get into the day.
The weights and cardio gym
The spa is huge. There’s an 18m pool that allows you to have a good swim, especially as the hydrotherapy areas are separate. The Roman-style pillars along the side of the pool give privacy to the loungers and cabanas. I really loved the corner cabanas, which are a bit more tucked away. I noticed plenty of people sleeping, relaxing or being served a drink by the staff.
The outside area is also a calm and peaceful spot. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great for most of my stay, but it doesn’t matter when you’re in the jacuzzi or outdoor Nordic sauna. This is a cute spot overlooking the wider grounds with two ice baths sitting either side. I didn’t find this sauna as hot as the one inside, but the ice baths were freezing. If you’re after cold there is the fun snow room, complete with mini polar bears keeping watch outside. Be careful when you walk in as it is snowy everywhere and so a bit icy on the floor. It gives you a cold shock before you head to the experience shower or steam room, which were much more my vibe. I wasn’t feeling like too many cold therapies this time.
I did feel the treatment I had, which was wonderful. A 60-minute Quiro massage, with a foot bath to start and delicious-smelling oil. I drifted off as I was so relaxed. The massage beds in the relaxation area were a nice way to come back to reality, not that I wanted to.
The spa also has a wellness café, but I ran out of time to experience this. It looked very pretty with a big olive tree in the centre and an outdoor area for those warmer days.
Three Graces Spa pool
Bar and Restaurant EightyEight
A lot of the food was exceptional at Grantley Hall. Bar and Restaurant EightyEight mixes Yorkshire ingredients with Far East-inspired flavours. It sits in its own modern building with Valeria’s Champagne and Cocktail bar next door and is dark and atmospheric with flowers and coloured lights illuminating the ceiling. It feels very decadent.
My corner booth gave a good view of the restaurant, but I would have liked something a bit more central, I think, as it felt like I was out of the way. The staff were once again super friendly and helpful, making good recommendations. I chose the tempura prawns because they are a favourite, and at my last pan-Asian experience at Matagi in Dubai they were unreal. These were a bit too greasy for me. The black pepper beef fillet with short rib and black garlic was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Soft, tender, full of flavour and a sauce I could have licked the plate for. The tenderstem was fresh and the perfectly cooked accompaniment. The milk chocolate and hojicha dessert was good but not mind-blowing, especially after the mains. I did like the crispy quinoa base, which worked well with everything else.
Black peppered beef fillet at Bar and Restaurant EightyEight
Fletchers
The second night I was in Fletchers. I started the evening in the wood-panelled Norton Bar having a perfectly mixed soft, creamy and delicious mocktail. As is often the case, I couldn’t see a pure juice-based offering on the menu, so the team made something specially for me and I loved it. It was the first time I have had a non-alcoholic spirit in a mocktail and it’s something I will have to look at another time. Pairing it with the peppery crackers and spicy snacks worked perfectly.
Heading over to the restaurant, with another very friendly welcome, I had a perfect spot this time with some privacy, but in the midst of things. The food was outstanding. The fresh soft yet crisp sourdough with two butters, my favourite being the parmesan and chive with a hint of spinach, was full of different flavours that seemed to go perfectly with the tartness of the sourdough.
To start, I picked a Whitby crab risotto with crispy leeks. Oh wow. The creamy risotto with the leeks was heavenly. Smooth and gentle, yet flavoursome. I could have eaten this forever. For main course I chose another Yorkshire dish of woodland pork, with slow-cooked pork belly and pork fillet, alongside vegetables, crackling and jus. I added some peas and mint as well. Soft pork fillet with the salty crackling and a melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. So good. For dessert I went chocolate again with a Baileys Tuxedo, which was a cake-style dessert coated in chocolate made to look like a tuxedo. Cute and fun for sure but a bit too much Baileys for my non-alcoholic taste buds. I had been speaking with the fabulous GM, Nuno, who offered me another choice if I didn’t enjoy it. I did eat it as it was good, and I didn’t really fancy anything else.
There is also a Michelin-starred restaurant by Shaun Rankin, but with only two nights, I didn’t get to experience this during the trip.
Mocktail before dinner in Norton Bar before dinner at Fletchers
Breakfast
Also in Fletchers was the breakfast. A more casual, relaxed feel in the morning. Everything was good without being especially memorable: the pastries, fresh fruit and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. The standout was the seasonal special of tomato and feta bruschetta. I just wanted a bit more after the other food had been so good.
The peaceful and calm Japanese garden
The Grounds
If you need an after-dinner or after-breakfast walk, there’s so much to see within the 38 acres of Grantley Hall including a range of gardens. The Kitchen Garden has seasonal, organic produce for the Shaun Rankin restaurant and in summer there are pretty wildflower and rose gardens. An area that I am sure is stunning all year round is the Japanese Garden just behind Bar and Restaurant EightyEight. The leaves would be colourful and autumnal now I am sure, but in summer, when I visited, the trees were green and lush. It’s such a peaceful and calming area with a waterfall, bridges and a large pond. It was built in 1910 and is one of the UK’s oldest traditional Japanese gardens. As you walk through you get to Love Island, which provides the best view of the hotel, I think. This area is often used for proposals and does have a romantic feel to it. Walking across stepping stones you come to the Rill Garden, which has an impressive metal and mirrored split dome at one end and Grantley Hall at the other end. In between is a water feature ending in a fountain surrounded by prairie grasses and flowers.
The Rill Gardens looking back towards Grantley Hall
Moments That Shone
- The staff: The number one memorable part of my stay was how many staff there were and how friendly, attentive and warm everyone was. It made the whole stay feel very relaxed, almost like you were staying with friends.
- Dinner at Bar and Restaurant EightyEight and Fletchers: Lovely, warm and friendly service plus some of the best food I have ever eaten. The crab risotto and beef fillet will stay with me for a long time.
- Three Graces Spa: Architecturally stunning, especially the pool. The peaceful and calm outdoor hydrotherapy and sitting area helps you completely switch off before a relaxing massage.
Whitby crab risotto at Fletchers
Moments That Fell Short
- Desserts: Both were OK, but after the rest of the food, it was a bit sad I didn’t get a standout dessert when I love a sweet treat or two.
- Breakfast: Again, it was OK but nothing to overly remember apart from the tomato and feta bruschetta, which was a lovely summer dish. When there are some outstanding culinary experiences, I wanted everything to be like that, so good felt like a let-down, even though it was still good.
Grantley Hall is most definitely a place you will never forget, for all the right reasons. I had heard and read about the hotel and had high expectations. These were surpassed time after time. Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic weekend, or you want to get away from everything to relax in the spa, there is something for you. It’s the ideal place to be looked after and taken care of, while feeling relaxed and fed very well. Well, I certainly was and can’t wait to go back to my new favourite hotel.