News Hub

Winning Independent Hotel of the Year at the 2025 Independent Hotel Show Awards cemented Grantley Hall's position as one of the UK's standout luxury hotels, but for General Manager Nuno César de Sá, the accolade is the result of something much less tangible than five-star facilities alone.

From fostering an award-winning team culture to balancing long-term investment with deeply personal guest experiences, his approach is rooted in the freedoms that come with independent ownership. We caught up with Nuno to discuss what the award meant to the hotel, how Grantley Hall continues to raise the bar for luxury hospitality, and why its greatest asset will always be its people.

What did winning the 2025 Independent Hotel of the Year Award mean to the team at Grantley Hall?

It was an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Grantley Hall. Being independent is at the heart of who we are as it gives us the freedom to create something truly distinctive rather than following a corporate blueprint. Every member of the team has played a part in shaping the guest experience, so receiving national recognition for that was hugely rewarding.

What do you believe sets Grantley Hall apart within the UK's independent hotel sector?

I believe it's our people and our ambition. There is a genuine drive across every department to continually improve and never become complacent. We combine the warmth, authenticity and character that Yorkshire is known for with uncompromising luxury and world-class service. Guests experience a hotel that feels welcoming and personal, whilst also delivering the standards they'd expect from the very best luxury hotels anywhere in the world.

How do you balance the heritage and character of the property with the expectations of today's luxury traveller?

We never see heritage and modern luxury as competing with one another, but they complement each other beautifully. The history and architecture of Grantley Hall provide an incredible sense of place, but our role is to ensure guests experience that alongside contemporary luxury, as ultimately, they want authenticity as much as they want luxury.

We preserve the character of the estate while continually evolving the experience, ensuring every stay feels timeless rather than traditional.

How does Grantley Hall's independent, family ownership influence your decision-making and the experience you create for guests?

It influences everything we do. Everyone at Grantley Hall understands and shares the vision of the Sykes family. During induction, every new team member has the opportunity to meet Mrs Valeria Sykes and hear first-hand the passion, purpose and long-term vision behind the hotel, which is incredibly rare! That creates a real sense of ownership and alignment across the business.

Because we're family-owned, we can make decisions based on what's right for the guest experience and the long-term future of the hotel, rather than short-term targets. That freedom allows us to invest in people, experiences and continuous improvements that genuinely enhance the brand.

Your team plays a vital role in delivering the Grantley Hall experience. How do you attract, develop and retain exceptional hospitality talent?

Our culture has always been a top focus for me. We want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered and able to build a long-term career.

From the moment someone joins Grantley Hall, they're immersed in our values and understand that every role contributes to creating extraordinary guest experiences. We encourage internal progression, provide lots of training opportunities and celebrate success at every level. We also love to party! Our annual staff party and awards ceremony is unbelievable and a great showcase of the experiences we create for guests every day, but this time, for our staff.

Most importantly, we genuinely listen to our teams and value what they have to say. We host Value Ambassador meetings where I ask that every department is represented by someone that isn’t usually an obvious decision-maker, no matter how junior, and it’s a forum to give really candid feedback and constructively discuss ways of bettering ourselves as teams and as a business.

How are changing guest priorities influencing your approach to luxury, wellbeing and personalised service?

Today's luxury guest is looking for experiences that feel personal, meaningful and memorable rather than simply extravagant. Personalisation has never been more important. We use guest preferences and thoughtful touches to create stays that feel individual, and have invested heavily in expanding our Guest Experience team who are responsible for building real, personal relationships with guests, being a direct point of contact for them. By analysing every piece of feedback and every guest review, they can resolve issues before a guest departs while also capturing preferences and insights that allow us to deliver an even more personalised experience on future visits.

I feel strongly that luxury today is about making people feel genuinely cared for.

What achievement or development from the past year are you particularly proud of? (Beyond all your award winning!)

One of the most exciting milestones has been acquiring an additional 44 acres of neighbouring land, which represents a significant investment in the future of Grantley Hall.

It's an opportunity that allows us to think long-term and continue evolving the estate in a way that's true to our vision. While we're incredibly proud of what Grantley Hall has become, we're equally excited about what comes next and the opportunities this creates for future guest experiences.

Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for Grantley Hall, and what can guests expect to see next?

Our ambition has always been to keep raising the bar without losing what makes Grantley Hall so special. We want to continue surprising returning guests with new experiences while preserving the warmth, authenticity and attention to detail that define the hotel.

The additional land gives us exciting opportunities for the future, and guests can expect continued investment across the estate, from unique experiences and wellness offerings to exceptional dining and luxury hospitality. Above all, we'll continue doing what we've always set out to do: create unforgettable experiences that make guests want to return time and time again.

Find out more at grantleyhall.co.uk