Finding high quality hotel accommodation that is not going to break the bank is becoming increasingly difficult in the UK. Of course, one can always spend absolute top dollar but even then there is a danger that one ends up in a rather sterile environment that promotes class above relaxation.
One of the exceptions to this general trend can be found in Lower Beeding, West Sussex. South Lodge Hotel combines relaxation with excellent service, a historical setting with modern convenience and it doesn't need to break the bank.
The approach to the hotel is via a long driveway, in keeping with the historic house setting, which widens out into a large gravelled area directly in front of the main door and reception. Car parking is a little further on the driveway and is plentiful, although, if like us, you arrive in a rather modest vehicle, you may just have to give the car a little pep talk so that it doesn't feel too out of place amongst the expensive marques.
Service at reception is very efficient and personal. Greeted as old friends, we were made to feel very welcomed and it mattered not a jot that our booking was through lastminute.com at a bargain rate. We were treated as any other guests, in a discrete and professional manner.
*Sleeping
The hotel has just 45 rooms, 5 of which are in the main old house that is South Lodge, and the remaining 40 of which are situated in converted former outhouses, such as stables and tack rooms, each of which have been cunningly adopted into the main building. This set up creates an unusual atmosphere within the building as external walls create internal spaces, levels rise and fall and corridors meander past pillars.
Our allocated room was one of the smaller rooms in the hotel and was converted from a tack room. Given that this was a smaller room, I was very pleasantly surprised. There was more than enough room for everything we could have wanted and certainly more room than one would have got in most hotels. A king-size bed, blanket box, bureau, two winged chairs with a small table, a large wardrobe, TV, DVD (films available free from reception) and cabinet and two large bedside cabinets were placed in the room with acreage to spare! The bathroom was similarly spacious with a huge raised corner Jacuzzi bath, separate shower and large vanity unit.
Luxurious fabrics with just a hint of Laura Ashley chintz complimented oak beams throughout. Furniture was suitably aged and leant itself well to the casual and yet decadent feel to the place. What really set the rooms apart from your average hotel, though, was the attention to detail. Most hotels provide you with a sewing kit in a cardboard folder. South Lodge provides a pincushion with all that you could possibly require together with a small pair of scissors. Most hotels will provide a couple of packets of wrapped biscuits. South Lodge provides a cookie jar. Most hotels have female sanitary products available in the public lavatories. South Lodge place a discrete fabric pouch in the bathrooms with everything you could possible need. Some hotels may provide flowers. South Lodge provides a vase and invites you to pick your own from the gardens. For me, these little touches showed an attention to detail rarely seen in the English hospitality industry. Discrete, understated and probably a lot less wasteful than the majority of providers. As for the unusual way of telling staff do not disturb you'll just have to visit to find out it's always nice to have a bit of a surprise!
The hotel is set in amazing grounds, reminiscent of National Trust properties. A large terrace makes way for a terraced lawn (with a champagne bar) that in turn breaks into natural, rolling countryside. Discretely hidden hard tennis courts are surrounded by a light wooded area. There is a small gym cum snooker room, but this is separate from the hotel and a bit of an afterthought.
The hotel has recently been extended to incorporate conference rooms and facilities. The extension has been done very sympathetically and the rooms looked well equipped. They were not in use when we stayed and so I cannot comment on the effect that conference provision might have on the rest of the hotel, although, as the provision seemed to be self-contained, I can't imagine much of an issue.
Eating
Food and drink at the South Lodge Hotel is second to none. The outside champagne bar has already been mentioned. When it's not hot and sunny the Library Bar or the Lounge provide a relaxed venue for a quick or slow drink or two. Service is again friendly and completely lacking in any hint of snootiness. Ordering two soft drinks is not going to get you funny looks but it does mean that you will miss out on the excellent wine list and spirits menu.
The Camellia Restaurant though is a bit of a jewel in the South Lodge crown. Commended with 3 AA rosettes, the menu is superb and not at all over-priced. Food tends, as with the hotel, to the simple elegant. read more
