In the business we are in, we are invited to many hotels, restaurants, spa’s and retreats, even countries. We never take anything for granted – we know that we are indeed very fortunate.
That said, after so many years it takes somewhere extra special to give us the ‘wow factor’ feeling. At Grantley Hall – the ‘WOW FACTOR’ comes in capital letters! Those 5 stars and list of accolades are well deserved.
The invitation was perfect timing, it was our wedding anniversary weekend and it couldn’t have been more wonderful if we had planned it. It had been a while since our last visit, in fact we had the pleasure of a hard hat visit to see the progress early in the development, and to meet the team, followed by Sunday lunch in Fletcher’s and a Champagne lunch when Norton Courtyard launched.
Grantley Hall at sunset (left). The Norton Courtyard (right).
We knew this hidden jewel in the heart of our very own Yorkshire Dales was the ultimate, luxurious getaway for any special occasion, but this was our first time being invited to stay and have to admit – once you have been, you will be inventing special occasions so you have an excuse to go back – on a regular basis!
Let me start by taking you through our amazing Grantley Hall experience with…
The setting and the history
This palatial mansion near Ripon is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, set within stunning grounds that are a joy to wander around, with surprises down every pathway. Explore to your hearts content and discover the Kitchen Garden and English Heritage listed Japanese Garden which dates back to 1910. In fact Grantley Hall is steeped in local and royal history and we know that you, like us, love the history of these amazing places.
Japanese Garden
The original part of the Hall was built by Thomas Norton towards the end of the 17th century to celebrate a family wedding (can you imagine?). The Hall remained in the Norton family hands for the next 200 years.
Over the years, Grantley Hall has been a family home, visited by Queen Mary accompanied by the Princess Royal, and during WWII, as an auxiliary hospital for British, American, Canadian and Jamaican airmen and soldiers.
The transformation of Grantley Hall
In 2006 Grantley Hall was purchased from the council for private ownership and was left relatively untouched for almost a decade. Until that is, 2015 when Valeria Sykes and family embarked on their mission to bring to life their vision of transforming The Grantley Estate from tired and forgotten about, into the property we see today. The jewel in Yorkshire’s crown.
The transformation took four years until Grantley Hall opened its doors for the first time as a luxury hotel and wellness retreat.
Grantley Hall’s slogan is “the difference is in the detail” and it lives up to every bit of it.
Your arrival
Yes, the differences in the detail start from the moment you pull into the private drive and you are greeted by Rolls Royce’s, Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Ferraris showcased at the front of the hotel.
As you approach the hotel entrance extremely slowly while taking in this beautiful array of cars, a welcoming concierge steps out to welcome you by name, direct you to reception, park your car and take your luggage to your room.
After a welcome drink, you are escorted to your room where the difference in the detail continues; our favourite being the hidden TV behind the portrait and the motion activated toilet lid with the heated seat! We’re thinking about ordering one for winter!
The room
We stayed in the Eavestone Suite. It was huge, with a super king bed that had the comfiest mattress in the world and the most luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding, embroidered with the Grantley Hall monogram.
The wardrobe hides surprises such as luxury robes and slippers, a Grantley Hall umbrella and Grantley Hall jackets in case you forgot your own.
The bathroom harbours a beautiful bath, the kind you won’t want to get out of, a huge shower, his and hers sinks, luxury toiletries and that toilet!
As I mentioned it was our wedding anniversary and we were delighted to find a bottle of Champagne, fresh fruit, chocolates and an anniversary card.
Could it get any better? Well actually yes!
Three Graces Spa
I had a facial booked with Sasha, the Citrus Essence to be exact. This facial target signs of premature ageing, uneven skin tone and pigmentation, restoring firmness and brightening dull tired skin with concentrated levels of Vitamin C. Rich in antioxidants it is ideal for sun and environmentally-damaged skin. A great ‘pick-me-up’ and an uplifting treatment.
But this was so much more than simply a facial, my face was given the workout of its life with a deep, lifting and lymphatic draining massage and the results were astounding.
Not only did my skin look the best I have seen it in years, it was truly lifted, refreshed and in truth, transformed. Not only that, my mind was completely calm and relaxed and I am still seeing the benefit when I look in the mirror.
Sasha, you are a miracle worker!
While I enjoyed my treatment, my husband took full advantage of the pool to work up an appetite for our anniversary dinner in Fletchers.
The restaurants
At Grantley Hall you are spoilt for choice. There’s Michelin-star fine dining in Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, (not open on Monday or Tuesday), an exciting sensory journey with a reworking of classical Asian dishes in Bar & Restaurant Eightyeight, al fresco dining in the stunning Norton Courtyard or The Orchard, or a sophisticated dining experience in the more traditional Fletchers Restaurant.
Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall (left). Fletchers (right).
Fletchers is where we had dinner, starting in style with a glass of Champagne before being seated in this beautiful, intimate restaurant.
Our menu choices for starters were Roasted King Scallops – shallot and white wine cream, glazed Gruyere cheese, spring onion and Scallop & Crab Raviolo – we adore scallops and we didn’t have to think twice. Buttery, succulent scallops, each dish bursting with flavours that worked perfectly. We tried, but couldn’t choose a favourite.
Choosing main course was an easy decision, this dish is a personal favourite and came highly recommended by our waiter; Fillet of Beef Wellington (for two) – wrapped in mushroom duxelles and puff pastry, roasted roots, Lyonnaise potatoes and red wine jus. What a superb choice this was, it was nothing short of sublime with the beef perfectly pink, the pastry was light and flaky and the mushrooms brought the whole thing together. Could have eaten that for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
However, this dish is filling, so take that statement with a pinch of salt because the next morning I could only manage a dish of fresh fruit. I also wanted to be hungry for Afternoon Tea at 3pm in The Drawing Room, so we took ourselves off for a hike around the area to work up an appetite.
Thank goodness we did as this spectacular Afternoon Tea came in two parts. Part One: included those famous, delicate finger sandwiches with; Truffled Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Oak Smoked Salmon and Chive Cream Cheese, Cheese Savory and Red Onion and Smoked Chicken and Pesto. Plus, Coronation Chicken Vol-au-vent, golden raisin purée and micro coriander and Caramelised Red Onion, Cheddar and Caraway Sausage Roll.
One word – delicious!
Part Two: Coffee and Walnut Cake, Valrhona chocolate and coffee crémeux, cacao nib praline, roasted walnuts. Blueberry and White Chocolate Cylinder, almond sponge, blueberry cream, green basil. Fresh Fig Tart, mascarpone and lemon thyme cream, fig confiture, vanilla sable. Plain and Golden Raisin Scones, baked daily in Grantley Hall kitchens, served with Devon clotted cream, Yorkshire strawberry and raspberry jams, home made by the Grantley Hall chefs.
We were beaten with Part Two! But never fear, these sweet delicacies were packaged up for us to enjoy at home, and that we did.
I think it’s fair to say our Grantley Hall experience was unique, extraordinary, amazing and the perfect place to visit for any kind of celebration. It was certainly the best wedding anniversary we have enjoyed.
Grantley Hall is the perfect place to make those precious memories. You are worth it!
A hotel can be anything or, it can be everything. Grantley Hall is everything.
Images supplied.
Review by Angela Riches
