Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Ockenden Manor Hotel and Spa, where traditional English charm meets state of the art spa luxury.
Ockenden Manor lies nestled in the idyllic Sussex village of Cuckfield – a place that looks as though it was created for bunting, street parties, tea cakes and the general good life.
Rich in history, the 17th Century manor house has seen Dukes, boarding school boys and even Canadian troops during WWII call Okenden home. But today the Manor plays host to city slickers escaping the smog, couples on romantic getaways and families taking advantage of the English countryside.
We arrive to check in at what appears to be a classic Elizabethan manor house – low hanging wooden beams, big inviting doors, rich furniture and numerous rooms darting off every which way. Only to be ushered out again and directed through the car park and around the hotel’s Victorian walled garden to a building that could not be more different. We’re met by a modern boxlike structure which houses Ockenden Manor’s newly opened spa – our haven for the weekend.
Inside, the spa is flooded with light as floor to ceiling windows, glass walls and stark white interiors make up one of the most modern, chic and impressive spas we’ve seen in the UK. An indoor pool takes center stage; leading out through a partition in the building’s glass frame to an outside pool nestled beneath the lush green English countryside.
Relaxation could not come quick enough so it’s off to our room to drop bags and get into our swimsuits. The Spa is home to six stunning new spa suites, which each open up onto a private roof garden terrace and look down into the spa’s pool, through a contemporary glass pyramid window. Inside the suites are vibrantly decorated with purple silks and luxurious creams, a huge bed and an open plan bathroom area complete with walk-in shower, roll top bath and wooden shutters should you want some privacy. The rooms have a modern, yet homely feel and they get us instantly in the mood for some well deserved R&R.
We were lucky enough to visit The Spa on one of the UK’s rare sun drenched days and we have to admit the weather showcased the facilities in all their glory. Relaxing in the outdoor hot tub, sunglasses on and sun beating down you’d be forgiven for thinking we were in LA, not Sussex which had seen torrential downpours just 24hours previously. The afternoon was spent sampling the sauna, steam room, walk-through rain shower, relaxation room and finished off with a deep cleansing REN facial that left our skin exceptionally clear.
As evening drew in it was back to the manor house (after a glass of champagne on our private terrace) for an indulgent Michelin star dinner. Guests on a half board rate can choose from the inclusive Cuckfield Dinner Menu, which includes Chilled Gazpacho Soup and Loch Duart Salmon, or bump up to the more extensive Sussex Menu for an extra £11.50 per person. A decadent tasting menu with pairing wines is also available, but after a day of being so good to our bodies we thought we should go for the lighter, but just as delicious option.
The restaurant service is what you’d expect from Michelin standard and the food and wine met our expectations perfectly. It’s was lovely to come away from the ultra modern spa for an evening of traditional service and indulgence. We ended the evening with the prettiest of desserts, followed by a nightcap in the manor’s gorgeous oak walled bar.
After a wonderful sleep we awoke bright and early to catch our train back to London but not before a breakfast of local eggs and delicious smoked salmon. The morning certainly came too soon, as another day in the spa could have easily been had, as could croquet on the lawn or afternoon tea looking out at the breathtaking South Downs and Cuckmere Valley.
Ockenden really does have it all, from the old world charm of the Manor House to state of the art pampering in the hotel’s most pleasant surprise – The Spa. We’re planning our next trip already.
Need to Know
Number of Rooms: 28 rooms in the Manor House and 6 suites in The Spa.
Check Out Time: 11am
Facilites: Indoor and outdoor linked swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, gym and treatment rooms, relaxation room, fitness studio, floatation tank, Michelin restaurant and bar in the Manor house, WiFi facilities, flat screen TV, Nespresso coffee machine, private terrace.
How To Get There: 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport, 1 hour from London and ½ hour from Brighton.
Rates: Spa packages start from £149.50 per person per night.
Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Cuckfield, West Sussex, RH17 5 LD Tel.01444 416111
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