The new Sakura Spa at Gisborough Hall opened this summer. I’ve been really keen to visit as I had seen the photos and it looked amazing. I was lucky enough to go last week and wasn’t disappointed! I’ve also put a video together so you can get a real feel for it.
Tucked away on the edge of the North York Moors, it’s a beautiful drive to get there too (lots of free-range sheep on the road!).
Gisborough Hall has long been a beautiful place for an indulgent escape (in fact Mr W and I stayed there many years ago, before the kids), but the arrival of Sakura Spa has taken the relaxation factor to another level. Inspired by nature, the spa is surrounded by woodland and has been designed as a peaceful retreat away from the everyday.
What’s included at Sakura Spa?
Sakura is mostly an outdoor spa with a beautifully landscaped gardens.
There are lots of attractive places to sit too.
The path on the right leads up to the top providing step-free accessibility.
The gorgeous infinity pool is heated to a lovely temperature and will be very pleasant to sit in all year round.
At the top of the spa you will see these lodges which house the experience rooms.
There are three main experience rooms. Below you will see the Sea Salt Steam room.
Then there are both Herbal and Finnish saunas.
Both saunas are huge with tiered seating and large windows giving wonderful views to the woodland behind and the spa area in front.
What I particularly liked in the saunas were these snugs with lots of comfortable seating. I haven’t seen anything like this before (it’s not the relaxation room – I will come onto that).
Outside you will also find the bucket drench shower (I hate these – brr – but my friend loved it!)
Another cold experience for after your sauna is the cold plunge pool.
Again, my friend loves to go swimming in the sea at all times of the year, so she enjoyed this:
I briefly mentioned the relaxation room earlier. In fact there are two at Gisborough Hall. Both are inside the main spa near the treatment rooms. There is the Tranquility Lounge with this fabulous installation (looks like flames but is in fact scented steam/air):
There are lots more comfy chairs in here as well as water and magazines.
I had the most amazing treatment – a combo of facial and massage (recommended!), and afterwards was shown to the ‘Deep Sleep’ room. I could definitely have spent a couple of hours in here if I’d had time!
I have to say that everything about Sakura Spa is beautiful. It’s been so well thought out an executed. Even the changing rooms are beautiful!
Lunch at KOYO
Of course, no spa day would be complete without something delicious to eat, and lunch was a real highlight. No hair-shirt tiny salads here! (Or there might be if that’s your thing, but I certainly didn’t try them!). I’ve taken photos of the menu, so you can get an idea.
We went for the chicken and bacon sandwich:
and the steak sandwich:
Followed by two gorgeous desserts of plum and blackberry fool:
and chocolate pot with black cherry.
The food was fresh, tasty and beautifully presented, making it the perfect chance to refuel before heading back to the spa. Sakura Spa days currently include a two-course lunch in Koyo, with the menu designed (as you can see) around fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Our Verdict
Sakura Spa is a gorgeous addition to Gisborough Hall and makes for a lovely day of pampering, relaxation and good food. From the peaceful woodland setting to the thermal experiences and delicious lunch, it’s a wonderful way to escape for a few hours to a really high quality spa. Thoroughly recommended!
