24 Hours at South Lodge Hotel and Spa, Sussex
Winner of ‘Best New Spa’ in the Good Spa Awards 2019 and awarded a Five Bubble Luxury Rating by The Good Spa Guide, the Spa at South Lodge offers spa-goers the opportunity to refresh their body and mind within the natural surroundings of the South Downs.
The Spa
The Spa at South Lodge, which opened in February 2019, blends seamlessly into its surroundings with a grass and sedum roof and green oak cladding, despite its mammoth 44,000 sq.ft. size.
The sustainable design can truly be appreciated from within the indoor infinity pool with views extending across the grounds and taking in the outdoor natural swimming pond.
Overnight guests can check into the hotel and access the spa facilities from 3pm, but it’s well worth arriving a little earlier to enjoy a light lunch in the spa’s restaurant Botanica. With a Mediterranean inspired menu, the focus is on fresh and seasonal ingredients and there are plenty of plant-based plates, but also fish and meat dishes for variety.
Exclusive herbal tinctures at Botanica
Here, guests can get their first taste of nature with a bespoke range of tinctures made from plant extracts by herbalist Michael Isted of The Herball. Botanica is the first spa in the world to offer and serve these unique drinks and they are also available to purchase and take home. Choose from ‘Heart’, a heart and nervous system tonic reducing stress levels and nourishing the nervous system; ‘Beauty’, full of digestive enzymes and antibacterial plants, helping to nourish and strengthen digestive function and skin health; ‘Immunity’, an invigorating and nourishing tonic for the stomach, nervous system, endocrine and immune system; and ‘Invigorate’, packed full of blood cleansing and antioxidant constituents to revive and invigorate. Choose a juice and then add one of The Herball recommended tinctures to nourish the body from the inside-out.
After checking in to the hotel, head back to the Spa to make full use of the facilities including gym, spin studio, indoor pool, outdoor hydrotherapy pool and wild swimming pool, thermal suite and treatment rooms.
To take advantage of the treatments on offer, the spa strongly recommends booking in advance. Popular treatments include massages and facials, as well as scrubs and wraps. Choose from the Spa’s own exclusive range of products or Omorovicza: a luxurious range harnessing the mineral-rich waters of Hungary.
Following your treatment, spend some time in the relaxation room or head back to the pool and rest on one of the loungers taking in the glorious view of the grounds as the sun sets.
Dining options to suit all tastes
For dinner, there are a few options. From fine dining by Tom Kemble at The Pass where you can enjoy a close view of the kitchen at work, to the two AA rosette winning restaurant Camellia, or relaxed dining in Botanica which is open for dinner from Friday to Sunday, as well as during the summer months.
Tip: If you choose to have dinner in Botanica, take advantage of the hotel’s ‘tuk tuk’ ride back to the hotel.
Following dinner, enjoy a drink in the bar and lounge of the hotel which boasts an open fire and a broad selection of whiskies for that cosy wintery feeling.
On retiring to your room, you’ll find all the mod-cons you might expect yet a homely, traditional feel. Each room is individually styled. We’d recommend upgrading to a junior plush suite with a view. As with other ‘Exclusive Hotels’ the bathrooms are best in class. A junior plush suite includes a free-standing roll top bath within the room and a walk-in shower with an aquavision television. You can also bring a little of the outdoors in, by picking flowers from the grounds to place within the vase provided in your room.
The morning
For breakfast, there are two options. Breakfast in the hotel or brunch in Botanica which is served until noon, allowing you to take full advantage of the spa facilities or range of fitness classes on offer including spin classes in the purpose-built spin studio. If you wake early enough, you can even enjoy sun rise from the pool.
Check out time is 11am but you can continue enjoying the spa facilities until 2pm and for those wanting to hang on to the experience even after they have left, pop into the Spa shop and treat yourself to the spa products at home.
The Spa at South Lodge rethinks the luxury spa concept to connect guests with nature to provide a holistic retreat.
Rooms start at £265 B&B for a cosy room with spa access.
A junior plush suite with a view as pictured starts from £475 B&B with spa access.
The Spa opening times: Monday – Friday 6am – 10pm. Saturday and Sunday 7am – 9pm
Botanica opening times:
Brunch – Everyday 8am – 12pm
All Day Dining – Everyday 8am – 6pm (open until 8pm during June, July and August)
Dinner – Friday, Saturday and Sunday 6pm – 9pm
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