Three Graces Spa at Grantley Hall

First impressions

Grantley Hall is an impressive Palladian country house set in acres of parkland in Ripon, North Yorkshire. As you come through the gates, you’ll be warmly greeted and directed along a driveway past water cascades and fountains to the main house, which has been immaculately restored to its former grandeur with oak panelling, marble halls and an eclectic collection of art. The Three Graces Spa can be found in the new, elegant Fountains Wing.

What's on offer?

From the main entrance, turn right along the corridor - pausing to admire the paintings and sculptures – before heading left past the two (yes, two) wine tasting areas. The Three Graces Spa is just opposite an Elite Gym containing – rather unusually - a cryotherapy chamber, altitude training facility, underwater treadmill and 3D body scanner.

The large reception area and spa lounge are light and restful, with pale blue walls and accents of gold and dark wood panels, pulled together with soft grey furnishings. We were greeted, taken on a tour and shown through to the changing rooms.

These are clad in a myriad of marble complemented by dark wood lockers containing a robe, flip flops and two fluffy towels. We loved finding a welcome letter adorned with the official Grantley Hall seal inside, reminding us – if ever we needed to be reminded - that we were somewhere luxurious.

Change beside a central padded seat or nip into one of two private changing rooms with chairs and mirrors for ease. For pre- or post-spa preening, there’s a well-lit area with hair dryers and mirrors. Good sized showers, toilets and a swimsuit dryer complete the offering.

At the centre of the spa is an 18-metre pool set beneath an impressive vaulted ceiling – a nod to nearby Fountains Abbey. Around the pool are comfortably cushioned loungers separated by plants, barrel tables and statuettes, with curtained-off double loungers in each corner.

There’s a hydro-pool with four chairs and other seating areas with massage jets and a swan pipe to pummel tension from your neck and shoulders. Swim outside through the sliding door to find more bubble jets in the smaller outdoor hydrotherapy pool - lie back in the warm water and gaze at the garden.

There’s a nicely hot sauna with curved wooden seating and large windows looking out onto the garden and pool area; you’ll also find a dimly lit steam room with twinkly lights in the ceiling and a cold-water hose to use if you overheat - a dose of cold water around the ankles usually works for us. Or cool down under the experience shower, by hydrating at the copper water cooler or entering the snow room which looks out onto the pool area through a large window. Remember to fully dry off and adorn those flip flops first.

The hydro-pool leads to the spa garden with its large hot tub deep enough to sit with your shoulders under the water – and very useful when its cold outside. On warmer days, nab one of the many padded recliners in the garden and enjoy the privacy and shelter from the wind from the surrounding hedges. Shrubs and plants allow you to enjoy being in nature.

As if this wasn’t enough, Three Graces Spa also has a new Nordic Spa Garden with two Brass Monkeys cold tubs kept at 0.5 degrees. This particular Spa Spy only managed to get in knee deep before fleeing to the warmth of the sauna.

The tranquil relaxation area has six comfortable massage loungers to snuggle down on after a treatment – wriggle under the quilt and adjust the intensity of the massage to suit.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Inner Peace Immersion treatment (120 minutes, £240).

Emma, my therapist, began the treatment with a few inhalations of the Inner Peace Oil before firmly pushing my body down into the bed to encourage me to relax.

Emma then reached for an Ila Blissful body scrub and coated my back and limbs in the exfoliating product. Inviting me into a hot shower, I washed the scrub off, dried myself and climbed back onto the wonderfully wide and comfortable bed (narrow treatment beds always make me feel like I am going to fall off, so this was perfect).

Emma then used the Inner Peace Oil containing sandalwood, jasmine and Ylang Ylang for a full body massage. Starting on my back, she used long relaxing strokes before turning her focus to the tension hot spots in my lower back and around my shoulder blades. Turning over, Emma then paid attention to my neck and shoulders using hot poultices which she tapped on the skin and then rolled along the muscle groups to warm and loosen.

The final stage of this three-pronged treatment was a fabulous facial using a fine blackcurrant and honey scrub followed by a Hydrating Cleansing Milk and some Glowing Radiance Serum.

The end result was a very, very relaxed body and a glowing face. After hazily exiting the treatment room, I met my spa partner in the relaxation room - who was equally relaxed and glowing – where we compared notes over a berry smoothie and some frozen grapes.

The Three Graces Spa offers a variety of treatments from Ila and Natura Bissé including facials, scrubs, massages, alongside manicures, pedicures, Jennifer Young treatments for those recovering from or living with cancers, and treatments for mums-to-be and men.

Food Facts

Lunch and afternoon tea are taken in the spa lounge where you can eat in your robe. The menu is divided into three sections labelled ‘To Share’ – which consists of meat or cheese platters - ‘Bowls’ which are salads including roasted sweet potato, harissa chicken and vegan feta cheese - and ‘Sandwiches’.

Wishing to leave room for dinner, we tucked into sandwiches containing smoked salmon and cheese washed down with a Copenhagen Sparkling Tea. This looked very similar to a glass of Champagne but contained jasmine, white tea and Darjeeling – perfect for drivers or tee-totallers still wishing to indulge.

For supper, try the Pan Asian food at EightyEight just across the driveway. Asian silk-lined walls in vibrant colours, paired with clever lighting, make this space feel intimate and exotic. It was popular and quite buzzy on our visit.

Choose from a tasting menu or pick your own version of small and large plates. We tried the crisp Tempura vegetables, intensely flavoured prawn and lobster dumplings, and deliciously rich pork Bao buns.

Or you can opt to diner in Fletchers restaurant inside the hotel, where we enjoyed an excellent lemon sole dish.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The spa garden is a joy to relax in. Sheltered and warm, you can spend hours flitting between the hydro-pool and the hot tub.

The sense of space: the entire spa is roomy with plenty of well-padded recliners and poolside beds providing a real sense of hushed privacy.

The service: spa assistants are happy bring drinks, clear towels, answer questions and generally check that everyone is content and happy. Treatments are unrushed, personalised and excellent.

We didn’t love

We weren’t sure what to make of the snow room despite it being something different: it was certainly chilly with some snow on the ground and walls but - to make it a real winter wonderland - it would need some snowflakes cascading down.

Who do you think would like it?

Spa aficionados: the wide range of fire and ice experiences and the excellent treatments will please even the most jaded spa goer.

Romantics: there were several couples in the spa on the day we visited, some celebrating an anniversary or birthday.

Anyone in need of peace and quiet: the rural setting makes everyday life seem far away, and the luxury of the hotel and spa means even those who lead busy lives will be able to relax. Just leave that phone in your room.

What bubble rating did you award this spa?

We awarded The Three Graces Spa at Grantly Hall a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury. The décor is elegant and luxurious, there’s a good range of heat experiences, the spa garden is lovely, the Nordic spa challenging (in a good way), the treatments unusual and the customer service exceptional.