Executive Room At Grantley Hall

The crisp crunch of brown leaves, smokey crackling fires, and fuzzy colourful knits are just some of the reasons Autumn is perhaps the cosiest and most beautiful of seasons. 

Here in North Yorkshire, watching the landscape transform from luscious greens adorned with blooms to a warm hue of intense oranges and reds is best observed in a grand country hall hotel setting. 

We are delighted to have just returned from an immaculate stay at Grantley Hall Hotel complete with some of the finest little touches we have encountered. 

Nestled in Ripon’s vast and enchanting countryside the hotel welcomes all guests via a manned electric gate which makes way for a scenic trip through the hall’s impressive grounds. 

Illuminated water features line the lake and a grand entrance welcomes you along with a smartly decorated valet.

Superb service is delivered in an abundance at Grantley Hall and every member of staff boasts a warm and sincerely lovely demeanor. Throughout our stay, nothing was too much trouble and we felt very much like VIPs. There are four restaurants, a luxurious spa, and numerous tastefully decorated bars to pass the time in this delightful setting.

The unassuming white bedroom door opens to a cream carpeted corridor with three bright windows into the warm, serene, and truly special executive room. Objectively the room is home to a large king bed, a corner seating area, and one of the largest hotel bathrooms you will have ever seen. Without revealing all of the thoughtful touches provided, the generous complementary additions within the room set the exceptional tone for the rest of our stay. 

Some of our favourite room features included bathing in the rustic copper bath whilst enjoying a splendid view of the hall’s manicured lawn. Underfloor tiled heating made for a toasty welcome for our feet on a morning and we felt comfortable wearing our chunky white slippers and toweling robes along numerous corridors to the spa. 

Grantley Hall Spa

In our opinion, the Three Graces Spa at Grantley Hall is home to one of the most unique and memorable pools in the UK. The roman bath-esque interior consists of warmly lit pillars, inviting topaz waters, and numerous innovative treatment rooms. Poolside service is available in the form of fresh juices, smoothies, and champagne with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages aplenty. 

There is a snow room, sauna, and steam room and the rippling hydrotherapy pool extends outside, surrounded by countless comfy loungers. For those who love to keep their shoulders submerged in warm water whilst watching the steam roll into the air, the outdoor pool is particularly enjoyable on a chilly Autumn evening. 

Each indoor lounger is lined with a towel and unlike some spas which have an intimidatingly vague entrance and seating set up, knowing we could choose any lounger based simply on whether there was a  fresh towel was a welcome touch. 

We ordered a couple of beers and coffees during our trip to the spa and thoroughly enjoyed them all whilst basking in the humid and stunning atmosphere. 

Fletchers Grantley Hall

With an 8 pm dinner reservation, we headed to the Norton bar pre-feast for a couple of drinks in a cosy and rustic, classic country hall setting. Roasted nuts and olives accompanied our two mimosas and craft ales before we headed to Fletchers, an intimate and candlelit restaurant with a grill menu. 

Comfy booths and velvety armchairs create an amorous and grand setting for dinner. The restaurant serves a mixture of British and European cuisines and we enjoyed a gruyere souffle and steak tartare followed by two flavoursome full lobster dishes. Crispy salty fries and fresh garden salads devoured, we continued with a light creme brulee and an indulgent chocolate torte. 

Shaun Rankin At Grantley Hall

Although we did not dine at Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall we certainly got a flavour of the ambiance and the culinary dedication when we peeked into the restaurant. With a festive pre-Christmas trip on the horizon, we will certainly pay a visit on our return. With a skillset curated in no less than the kitchen of the Mayfair Hotel, Shaun Rankin is an exceptional talent and it is a delight to be able to experience his Michelin star creations and expertise here in our beloved North East. Highlights from fellow guests include the restaurant’s faultless and down-to-earth service and the sensational flavour combinations.