Boasting beautiful views across the South Downs, South Lodge is a five-star quintessential country house hotel in Horsham, tucked away in the West Sussex countryside.
Despite its proximity to Surrey and South West London, this rural idyll feels a world away, and as we drove down the sweeping drive, past giant magnolias and beautiful flower beds, I could feel any tension begin to slowly ebb away…
In addition to its beautiful location, acres of well-kept ground rounds and sweeping views, there’s another stress buster to be found at South Lodge - a state-of-the-art spa. And by state of the art, I mean state of the art. But before I could slip into my cossie, it was time to check in…
Interiors
The historic hotel building has an illustrious past and has a real sense of grandeur; there are lots of high ceilings, plenty of dark wood panelling and a mixture of formal furniture and opulent wallpaper and art.
A few corners feel a little old-fashioned, but mostly it offers a welcoming charm and a laid-back yet luxurious country club feel. There’s plenty of room for everyone, and it also has a beautifully presented terrace which overlooks a vast lawn and the South Downs beyond.
There are 88 rooms in total and I was lucky enough to stay in a beautiful Family Suite, which was perfectly appointed and completely luxurious; it had all the mod cons, plus stunning countryside views visible via several huge windows, which had lovely wooden shutters to ensure blackout at bedtime.
Two vast king-sized beds ensured a great night’s sleep, whilst a fully loaded iPad is on hand for checking menus and ordering room service with ease.
In the spacious, elegant bathroom, a huge, mosaic-tiled shower had various nozzles and misters creating a blissful in-room spa experience and – my favourite touch – the lovely big bathtub had a built-in TV, complete with a waterproof remote.
There are various room options at South Lodge, ranging from ‘Cosy’ to the ‘Bothy Cottage’ – a new four-bedroom property set within its own garden. For a treat, go for one of the hot tub suites, which boast pretty terraces, fabulous views and bubbling private hot tubs.
The Spa
In contrast to the hotel’s more traditional interiors, the spa is strikingly modern and totally beautiful in every way.
Built in 2019 and housed in a sleek building that curves into the natural contours of the (93 acre) grounds, this incredibly stylish retreat combines beautiful contemporary design with the natural beauty of its surroundings.
Spa changing rooms are usually nothing to write home about, but at South Lodge, they are uber swish, much like the rest of the spa; huge digital lockers are intermingled with lavish Chesterfield sofa seating areas complete with bookshelves, flat screen TVs, serene lighting, and Dyson hairdryers.
Once in the main spa area, there is a stunning sauna – often dark and slightly claustrophobic, this one boasts an undulating wooden ceiling and a huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the terrace and greenery beyond.
Nearby, there are two steam rooms (one herbal, one salt), a bucket shower for the brave, a huge 22m x 10m indoor infinity edge pool, a very smart fitness and gym area, and various nature-themed treatment rooms. There is no shortage of sumptuous seating options, including incredibly comfortable sunbeds, large, cushioned daybeds and more, as well as an endless supply of soft towels and drinking water.
Outside, there are several terraces to choose from, all with gorgeous views. The outdoor, jet-filled hydrotherapy pool is huge and very efficient, but the highlight for me was the picture-perfect 18m long wild swimming pool, heated to 18 degrees when I visited, which uses no chlorine or chemicals but instead oxygenates plants to clean the water, making it wildlife and environmentally friendly.
It was a wonderful experience to swim in, amongst swaying reeds, aromatic mint plants and darting dragonflies. Around the pool, a large wooden decked area contains yet more chic sunbeds and modern parasols, as well as a small café / bar that serves all sorts of delicious things, including very good coffee and some delicious local fizz…
The food
We ate dinner in the 3 AA Rosette awarded Camellia. Here, skilled head chef Josh Mann and his brigade deliver an impressively creative, seasonal menu inspired by the fresh fruit and vegetables from the hotel’s walled garden combined with top-notch local ingredients.
We sat in one of the restaurant’s intimate wood-panelled dining rooms, surrounded by lavish wallpaper and glistening mirrors and were presented with a large, leather-bound menu; there is a danger that it could feel stuffy here, but the friendly, energetic team ensure that there is no unnecessary formality, so instead we were able to relax and enjoy our grand surroundings and the lovely views across the lawn.
The beetroot starter, with Baron Bigod gougère, pain d’épices, raspberries and truffle honey was a glorious combination of sweet and earthy flavours, and it looked beautiful too.
I then had the line caught bass, with chicken fat Pomme Anna, morels, pickled magnolia and smoked dashi cream. Again, beautifully presented, perfectly executed and a total pleasure to eat, filled with lots of unexpected flavours, all deeply satisfying.
The Marmite glazed monkfish with watercress velouté, black pudding and egg yolk ravioli, sauce Gribiche and English wasabi was another stunning dish both in terms of concept and execution – the meaty fish perfectly paired with the punchiness of the marmite and black pudding, softened by the silky egg yolk ravioli. Total indulgence, but then I had done quite a few laps of that fabulous pool…
Pudding was a pleasingly chunky rice pudding with sweet mango, feather-light toasted rice mousse, punchy passion fruit curd and mango mojito sorbet - another huge hit. There is some serious skill in the kitchen at South Lodge…
Served until a very civilised 11.30am, we opted for breakfast at Botanica - the chic, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant above the spa. Again, this did not disappoint – with its imaginative (dairy-free) menu and beautiful views. Although not totally vegetarian, the menu features a plethora of plant-based plates including the intriguing ‘Wasted Burger’, made entirely from the pulp of that morning’s freshly prepared juices.
We sat on the spacious, tasteful terrace in our robes, overlooking the beautiful wild swimming pool, and enjoyed a delicious leek and potato shakshuka with crumbled ‘feta’, cacik dressing and fresh herbs, along with fresh juice, delicious coffee and more.
The final word
If you’re looking for a truly fabulous spa break, then look no further; I’ve been lucky enough to visit several spas in my time and South Lodge is one of the very best. It oozes laid-back luxury; it’s beautifully designed, spotlessly clean and offers a well-balanced choice of expertly delivered experiences and state-of-the-art facilities.
All this plus top-notch food throughout, sumptuous bedrooms, stunning gardens, and a friendly and efficient team - what more could you want?
Rates at South Lodge start from £285 per night on a B&B basis
