Inside Yorkshire's most luxurious hotel

“Hey, dear, how are you? Welcome to Grantley Hall,” is how guests are greeted by the Yorkshire welcome service at the most luxurious hotel in God’s county.

Barnsley native Valeria Sykes purchased the 17th-century manor house in Ripon back in 2015, and after a £100 million renovation, the elegant hotel opened its doors in 2019.

"I want to make Yorkshire famous," says the owner in Channel 5's new four-part series Yorkshire's Most Luxurious Hotel: Grantley Hall, which starts tonight at 8pm.

Built in 1680, the impressive five-star property boasts 47 rooms, each staffed by 10 personal staff.

Attention to detail is key to providing such luxurious and personalized service, and general manager Nuno Cesar de Sa ensures that even the smallest flaws are fixed before the guest sees them.

“A hotel is a place where dreams come true, a hotel is a place where experiences are shared, a hotel is a place where memories are created,” says the hotelier-perfectionist.

Part of the advantage of Grantley Hall is the ability to browse the pillow menu, ensuring that even the place where a guest rests their head is perfectly matched to their needs.

Rooms typically cost between £1,000 and £3,000 per night, with one of the most luxurious accommodation options at the hotel being the Royal Suite.

This is the most popular room in the establishment – furnished with elegant cream furniture, tall windows and draped curtains.

The suite, with its “spectacular mezzanine bedroom,” is located in the hall’s former chapel and boasts views of the formal garden.

“Very often people come into this room and cry because they can’t believe how beautiful it is,” says Nuno.

“This could be a room for a king or queen, I really like it, I really like it,” he says enthusiastically.

Each room is lovingly furnished with the finest furnishings, and guests receive personalized service: staff keep a journal of their likes and dislikes to make sure everything is done right.

“We are known for driving out in our Bentley to pick up prawn chips for our guests,” says guest services manager Kate Baker.

The bed linen is made from the finest Egyptian cotton, and each room is decorated to perfection.

Yorkshire charm is also part of the refined service, and as receptionist Henry Harrison says, "in Yorkshire everyone is your friend."

“We’re going to give you this Yorkshire reception, why not?” he says.

“They use words that are very Yorkshire-like, and I love it when a member of staff greets someone and they say, ‘Hey, honey,’” Nuno adds.

For managing director Richard Sykes, it's also important to make sure guests feel welcome, and he says: "You leave as a friend, you don't just leave as a customer."

In the episode, the hotel accommodates an American A-list star in the Studley Room, and the staff eagerly prepares for their arrival.

Shannon Jackson, senior sous chef, makes "a very special VIP photo frame for a very special VIP guest."

“We only use the best ingredients, the best in the world,” the talented chef explains, showing off sheets of edible gold.

However, this majestic estate was not always so impressive.

When Valeria first purchased it, she spent a whopping £100 million and four years bringing it down to zero.

Valeria was married to multi-millionaire Brexit backer Paul Sykes, one of Britain's richest self-made men. They divorced in 2012 after 44 years of marriage.

"I had a fantastic life, but there was also a lot of sadness. I was divorced, so I could put all my money into it," she explains.

Valeria discovered the property in a state of disrepair and bought it for £6 million in 2015, before overseeing an extensive restoration.

She turned to her son Richard for help, as well as her three grandchildren, Tom, Will and Emily.

Reflecting on the renovations that took place on the show, Richard explains: "As soon as we started looking around the area, we were very sad to see how it could have fallen into disrepair."

From leaks and suspended ceilings to a seriously damaged main hall, he describes the work as "a real challenge."

Eventually, Grantley Hall was fitted with a brand new wing, spa and plant room, restoring it to its former glory, which guests can enjoy today.

Yorkshire's Most Luxurious Hotel: Grantley Hall will air on Channel 5 tonight, March 26, at 8pm.