When it comes to staying at hotels in the UK and British weather, I must be the luckiest person. No matter what time of year, I seem to be constantly blessed with sunshine and blue skies. I’ve probably jinxed it now but that luck was still the case at my latest hotel visit – the very cosy Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa. Part of the Historic Sussex Hotels group, this Elizabethan manor house is full of history and charm and offers magnificent views across Cuckfield Park. The exterior of the house is beautiful too and was the perfect backdrop for the shiny red Fiat Spider 124.
As you walk into the building you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Immaculately kept, but very traditional and some lovely floral displays dotted around the property. I loved this wooden carved owl light by the guest book entrance, staring at guests as they arrive through the doors.
If tradition is more your thing then you absolutely must stay in the main house in one of their historic bedrooms, but if you like a little pampering and modern design then the spa bedrooms are a must. These junior spa suites are located towards the rear of the main property in a separate building and attached to the spa. Our Jospeh suite was absolutely gorgeous. Not over the top in terms of design, but clean, crisp and relaxing. Huge windows to the private terrace pour light into the room and a wooden shutter both opens up and separates the bathroom into the bedroom – depending on the level of privacy you want.
I really did fall in love with our bathroom. Each spa suite offers gigantic bathrooms with walk-in showers, lots of space and Temple Spa products which in my opinion are the best hotel spa products going. They’re so fragrant and the smell clings to your skin all day.
In the Summer the private terrace really is a big selling point to these suites, especially for sun worshipers like me. Each suite has its own immediate private seating area and the rest of the huge terrace is shared between you and the other spa suite stayers. Magnificent views looking out over Cuckfield Park and the spa located just below you. The only other thing I wanted from the terrace was a breakfast menu and perhaps wine selection. I’d have abused room service all morning, afternoon and night if they did.
While the sun was still shining we set off to explore the hotel and its lush green grounds. Complete with a beautiful sun drenched terrace, croquet lawn and lots of seating areas for enjoying a tea on the terrace or glass of wine on the lawn. It’s from here that you get to witness the true grandeur of the building too.
Inside it’s just as lovely and the drawing-room is a fantastic little place to while an afternoon away and which looks out across into the garden and in the Summer opens up on to the lawn.
A quick outfit change later we took ourselves down to the hotels bar for a pre-drink and canapés before dinner. A tray of ports, a hidden and very well stock bar and an array of chilled wines and Champagnes by the glass. We had a pre-dinner cocktail (maybe one after too) and the canapés served were lovely.
Dinner that evening was in the hotel restaurant and it was absolutely stunning. Looked after by head chef Stephen Crane, expect to tuck into familiar classics perfected to perfection. We had a soufflé to never forget and dish after dish offered so much flavour. Read my full review of our restaurant experience.
After a lovely restful sleep in our spa suite I woke up at the crack of dawn for an early walk around the grounds and ensuring I was the first person in the spa at its weekend opening time of 8am. A blissful morning spent in the bubbly jacuzzi and a few lapse in the heated outdoor pool and indoor relaxation lounge with a coffee. I really can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed. The spa here also has an indoor pool, walk-through rainforest shower, isopod, gym and treatment rooms for extra pampering.
Of course no hotel stay is complete without breakfast the next morning. Believe it or not I never eat breakfast during the week when at home and so when I’m away it always feels like a treat. The full English is my guilty pleasure of choice. It’s always a good way to taste locally sourced farm ingredients and the dining rooms are usually spectacular, with no exception here.
We had such a lovely overnight stay at Ockenden Manor and it was great to finally visit the one hotel from the Historic Sussex Hotels group which we never quite got around to visiting all those years ago. The food was for me was the best from this hotel groups offering and felt like a real destination restaurant. The service throughout our overnight stay was fantastic and the spa was truly excellent. We whisked ourselves away through the rolling Sussex countryside with the roof down on the car and only wishing we could turn back and stay for just one more night.
That pool looks so relaxing!
Author
very relaxing!