Yorkshire Spa Retreat, a newly established resort offering a unique spa and lodge experience, is gaining popularity among celebrities.
Earlier this year, ITV presenter Josie Gibson visited Yorkshire Spa Retreat to celebrate the brand’s 80th birthday.
We decided to check it out for ourselves to see what the hype was all about. Nestled in over eight acres of lush Yorkshire parkland, this haven of peace offers holidaymakers the perfect spot to unwind while taking in the beauty of the Yorkshire Moors countryside. .
The retreat is just a short drive from the beautiful North York Moors town of Helmsley. It’s surrounded by national parks, providing plenty of country walks right on your doorstep.
You’re also within reach of top attractions and tourist hotspots like Castle Howard and Rievaulx Abbey, as well as the charming village of Hutton-le-Hole, the lovely market town of Pickering, and Duncombe Park, so there’s no shortage of things to do, reports Yorkshire Live.
Yorkshire Spa Retreat opened its doors late last year following a massive £4.5million investment during its development. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that no expense has been spared.
Designed with tranquillity in mind, the retreat boasts a mix of bespoke luxury holiday homes and exquisite lodges that offer comfort and relaxation. Equipped with modern amenities, they create the perfect environment for guests to feel at home from the moment they step inside.
We lodged in ‘The Blacksmiths’, a cabin equipped with a top-notch hot tub. The lodge, designed for four occupants, clearly prioritises comfort.
The main bedroom boasts a cosy double bed, walk-in wardrobe and an en-suite shower room. The second bedroom offers two single beds and plenty of storage space.
The living area is designed to foster unity among families and friends, featuring a spacious modern layout, cosy furniture and a feature fireplace – the perfect spot to snuggle up for a movie after a day of unwinding. The open plan kitchen and dining area enhance the lodge’s spacious feel.
The outdoor furniture is exceptional, including a pergola with a hot tub and Kamado Joe barbecue – perfect for quality time with your guests. Despite the weather not being ideal during our visit, I could envision sitting outside with a glass of wine, barbecuing in the sunshine during warmer months.
It’s perfectly kitted out for a holiday with family and friends. Naturally, the spa is the star attraction and we were eager to explore it.
Guests can unwind in the hydro-pool, herbal steam room, sauna, or salt chamber, or treat themselves to a rejuvenating spa treatment.
We kicked off with the hydro-pool, given it was the toastiest option and the weather was a bit nippy!
The spa boasts the UK’s first wild swimming pool, which takes centre stage. As inviting and stunning as it is, the chilly October temperature was enough to deter me!
However, I’m sure it would be delightful on a hot summer’s day.
Guests can enjoy a drink or two inside the snug alpine dome, providing the perfect backdrop to chill out before or after a treatment. There’s a vast array of treatments available, but after much thought, I chose the Mama Love massage (as I am currently expecting!)
It’s described as a cocooning massage promoting sleep and relaxation, complete with warm blankets, pillows and a natural whipped blend of butters. It was everything I needed and more. I had the best night’s sleep in months!
Meanwhile, my partner went for The Yorkshire Wellbeing massage, a soothing head-to-toe, face-down experience enhanced with warm oils of sweet orange and fennel. The treatments were pure bliss and we spent the rest of the evening in a very mellow state indeed.
The feeling of relaxation lingered for days afterwards.
When it comes to dining, the restaurant at Yorkshire Spa Retreat offers a delightful culinary journey that you can savour day and night. With an extensive menu featuring local produce and a fantastic drinks selection, you’re guaranteed a fabulous time in a relaxed setting with your loved ones.
We had reserved a table at The Dome, which is exactly as it sounds – a luxurious bar and restaurant shaped like a dome, constructed in alpine style wood, giving off the vibe of an upscale ski resort. We relished a few cocktails (mocktails for me) in the snug bar before being escorted to our table.
It was the ideal location to enjoy three scrumptious courses while taking in the serene spa view. We kicked off with mussels – a perfect beginning, well-prepared and generously portioned.
The menu was incredibly diverse, offering a plethora of choices. After much contemplation, I settled on the Pan Fried Salmon Fillet, while my partner opted for the Braised Beef Cheeks.
When the food arrived, it looked mouth-watering, again the portions were substantial, and it was evident that the ingredients were fresh, high-quality and well-cooked. However, the only minor downside was that we both felt the food was slightly lacking in flavour, which was disappointing as it had the potential to be outstanding but left us having to season our meals quite heavily as a result
While we did enjoy our stay, if I were to nit-pick, the food didn’t quite live up to the high standard of the rest of the experience. We decided to skip dessert as we were too full and retreated back to our cosy lodge for a relaxing night in front of the telly.
Overall, we loved the whole experience and left feeling ready to tackle just about anything!
Yorkshire Spa Retreat is a little slice of luxury nestled in the remote countryside, making it the perfect spot for some serious relaxation. It’s easy to see why it’s so highly rated – we’re already looking forward to our next visit in the summer, and maybe I’ll even be brave enough to try the wild swimming pool!
A week-long stay for up to four people starts from £589.
You can book online at Hoseasons.co.uk. *Prices are accurate at the time of writing and subject to availability.
For the latest news on events happening in Yorkshire and nearby, check out our What’s On homepage. There you’ll also find guides for days out and things to do across the region.
