The AA has today (Monday 18th October) revealed the top hotels in the UK with the announcement of the latest AA Red Star winners and Grantley Hall in Ripon has been waving the flag for Yorkshire after receiving the maximum five stars, underlining the quality of its offering.
Announced in a virtual ceremony this morning, AA Red Stars are awarded to hotels that offer the very best customer experience and the highest levels of service. Two hotels were awarded the maximum five Red Stars with Grantley Hall joining Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (Windermere, Cumbria) in being recognised as among the very best hotels in the UK and Ireland.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said: “As the hospitality industry reopens after a challenging year, it is an honour to announce our latest AA Red Star winners. With the public looking forward to travelling further afield once again, it is inspiring to see hotels like these offering impeccable service and exceptional stays, providing guests with a comfortable and reassuring return to the hospitality sector.”
Grantley Hall opened its doors in July 2019. Owner and Yorkshire local, Valeria Sykes spent three and a half years painstakingly restoring the Grade II* listed mansion house back to its original Palladian splendour, making the most of all the wonderful produce and resources available in her native Yorkshire. Located in the heart of the rolling Yorkshire countryside with its own English Heritage-listed Japanese garden, the historic property, a member of the prestigious association of hotels and restaurants Relais & Châteaux, is a distinctly different luxury hotel and wellness retreat, featuring 47 exquisite rooms and suites.
Steeped in over 300 years of heritage, Grantley Hall was built by Thomas Norton and his son Fletcher Norton, first Baron Grantley, in the 17th Century, based on a Palladian design by English architect Isaac Ware. Over the years, the property became firmly established on the British country retreat scene, welcoming high profile guests including Queen Mary and the Princess Royal, prominent international businessmen, politicians and society families. The multimillion-pound restoration project, overseen by owners the Yorkshire-based Sykes family, saw Grantley Hall return to its former glory, capturing its elegant grandeur, along with the addition of several new buildings.
Rooms at Grantley Hall start from £450 per room, per night including breakfast.