I stayed at 'gorgeous' spa retreat 'unlike any other' and it's clear why it's so popular

A day at a spa is usually thrilling enough for most, and with the end of exam season, two mums and their daughters decided to celebrate with a luxurious holiday retreat. Parent's editor Emma Gill spent two days at the Yorkshire Spa Retreat, a newly established resort that offers 'a unique spa and lodge experience' and has received five-star reviews since its opening in 2022.

The retreat is part of the Hoseasons collection and is tucked away in over 11 acres of lush Yorkshire parkland. It's described as an 'oasis of tranquillity', providing visitors with 'an ideal place to relax and unwindwhilst savouring the splendour of the Yorkshire Moors countryside'.

Visitors can simply enjoy a day at the spa, but Emma was lucky enough to experience the accommodation, staying in The Blacksmith's Hot Tub accommodation, which boasts two bedrooms, a private hot tub, pergola, and barbecue.

Sharing her experience at the luxury resort, Emma said: "The first thing that struck us when we arrived on a Friday afternoon, after a two-and-a-half hour drive from Manchester, was just how quiet this place is."

She added: "Not in terms of holidaymakers — there were plenty of those dotting about walking from their lodges to the spa in their robes — but noise is definitely kept to a minimum and you're asked to be out of your hot tub by 10 pm.

"It worked for us, and who needs a hot tub later than that when there's a whole spa to discover. We had a three-hour session to fill on the Saturday and were spoilt for choice with where to begin our spa journey."

The sauna became their initial destination, offering the ideal warm-up before they ventured through the different wellness areas, with the herbal steam room proving the most intense of all.

This gave them the confidence to tackle the Wild Swim Pond, which proved to be an energising and revitalising experience that we would thoroughly endorse, despite having no immediate plans for wild swimming.

Whilst at the spa, guests can request beverages from The Dome Bar and Restaurant, though Emma and her family chose the complimentary water available in The Spa Relaxation Dome, a peaceful sanctuary to rest on beds whilst savouring soothing aromas and tranquil melodies.

Emma revealed: "We did sample the delights of the restaurant that evening, where the menu features the likes of fish mains including salmon and seabass, classics including pie of the day and a grill section with burgers, steak and chops.

"The girls picked theirs from the children's menu, enjoying some cheesy garlic bread and cod goujons with skinny fries, before sharing a chocolate brownie for dessert."

The Dome, a peaceful retreat housed within two enormous pods overlooking the natural swim pond, provides a distinctive area for unwinding with an olive tree at its centre and a vista of the water beyond, reported Manchester Evening News.

Emma went on to say: "While it was tempting to take advantage of the takeaway deliveries they offer to the lodges — Friday is pizza night — we spent the rest of the time making our own food, which was made easier because the place was so well equipped with an oven, a microwave, even a fancy coffee maker.

"And it meant that apart from a trip out to the nearby market town of Helmsley, we did little else during our stay. We could have done.

"The retreat has E-bikes you can rent for exploring the surrounding area, which includes national parks, scenic woodland walks, and attractions like Castle Howard and Rievaulx Abbey."

She concluded by saying: "Family-friendly attractions such as North Yorkshire Water Park, Lightwater Valley, and Flamingo Land are also close by, with the city of York just a 45-minute drive away.

"But it's not often you get to sample somewhere as spectacular as this, so why would anyone want to leave?".

Yorkshire Spa Retreat key information

Yorkshire Spa Retreat, part of the Magnificent collection, is a spa and lodge retreat with luxurious lodges and holiday homes built in 2023. The retreat caters to all guests, including those with dogs, with a large, secure paddock featuring dog agility equipment and wash stations.

The spa boasts a unique Wild Swim Pond, hydrotherapy pool, herbal steam room, sauna, salt chamber, and a range of organic treatments. Guests are treated to a 50% discount on spa access and 10% off treatments.

The Spa Relaxation Dome offers a tranquil retreat, with calming aromas and music enhancing the overall experience.

Dining at The Dome Bar and Restaurant provides a selection of dishes made from local produce, available throughout the day and night. Guests can savour an à la carte menu, weekend breakfasts, and themed nights.

Emma and her group were guests of Hoseasons and stayed in The Blacksmith's Hot Tub accommodation at Yorkshire Spa Retreat, which features two bedrooms and a private hot tub, pergola, and barbecue.

A variety of accommodation is available, sleeping up to six guests. Some lodgings allow pets and there are options with private hot tubs.

Prices start from £565 in July and from £495 for three nights based on four people sharing. To book, visit the website here.