Relaunch for hotel following £2.2m investment

The Craiglands, a historic hotel in Ilkley, is re-opening its doors with a new team, a luxury new spa and a refurbished 700-capacity ballroom after a £2.2m investment programme.

General manager Matthew Hole joined the hotel from his management role at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and spent two lockdowns concentrating on the hotel’s facilities and leisure team.

Hole, who has more than 25 years in hospitality for chains including Marriott International, Cairn Hotel Group, DoubleTree by Hilton and Best Western, says the revamp marks a new chapter in the hotel and spa’s 162-year history.

He said: “Our relaunch coincides with the easing of lockdown restrictions and while the last 12 months has been an exceptionally challenging time for everyone in hospitality, we have used it to really scrutinise our offering, refresh our ballroom, focus on our team and create a leisure and conference hotel which befits our glorious location.

“Ilkley is, like many towns, enjoying a resurgence of visitors but also has an incredibly loyal and proud local community.

“Not only do we want our hotel to attract visitors from outside of Ilkley to support the local economy, but we are also firmly committed to being a good neighbour in our community and creating a destination which is at the heart of our wonderful town and in the hearts of Ilkley’s residents.”

The Craiglands Hotel was built in 1859 at the peak of the hydrotherapy movement, when waters from the streams were widely considered to have healing properties.

Recapturing its reputation as a spa and wellbeing hotel was one of the drivers behind the recent £2m addition of a Verbeia Spa & Fitness facility which uses previously unused space underneath the building and signals the arrival of experienced spa and fitness manager Craig Williams, senior spa therapist Bethany Shearer and sales and marketing consultant Gillian Venning.

Williams said: “We are in one of the most beautiful locations in the UK offering immediate access to Ilkley Moor.

“With wellbeing and mindfulness so high on everyone’s agenda, we’re proud to continue contributing to Ilkley’s attractions and its near 200-year reputation as a place to visit for health, happiness and rejuvenation.”

Hole has also overseen the ballroom refurbishment which includes three chandeliers and includes a new carpet, decoration of walls and ceiling, and restoration of the wooden dancefloor.

He said: “As we widen our focus to include both traditional and multicultural weddings, events and conferences and maximise the incredible function facilities we have here, we’ll be appointing a wedding and events co-ordinator, a Chef de Partie, additional food and beverage team members, reception staff, leisure attendants and spa therapists.”

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