What were your first impressions when you arrived?
How very sweet Cuckfield is! Such a charming village, with quaint cottages, an array on independent shops and cute cafes and there, nestling within the heart of it, tucked back from the road, lies Ockenden Manor, in all its Elizabethan splendour. My first impressions matched my final impressions – elegant and discerning.
What do you think makes the hotel so special?
It’s the sort of place you know you’d like to return to and one that you’d share with your friends. I loved how small and intimate it is (28 rooms) yet how spacious it feels, with a top notch, contemporary spa which never felt busy (a rarity amongst UK spas). The hotel is refined without being stuffy, the restaurant is well-renowned and the walks around Cuckfield Park are literally a breath of fresh air.
What was your favourite treatment?
Given that I was enjoying a much-needed babymoon, understandably not all of the treatments were suitable for pregnant women but I heard several guests raving about the Elemental Rebalancing Ritual, their signature two hour treatment.What was your favourite activity?
Swimming in the divine pool, walking in the surrounding countryside and relaxing in our spacious Junior Spa Suite, located near to the spa, with an incredible roof terrace overlooking Cuckfield Park.
How was the food?
Delicious! There is definitely a gourmet, indulgent angle to the food served here but it is possible to eat lightly and healthily, although if you plan to lose weight or detox, it’s not the right choice. The afternoon tea is a popular choice so it’s the right option for guests looking for fresh, locally sourced produce in an award-winning restaurant, but without restriction. There is a private dining room too, which seemed to echo with the gentle peel of laughter on a nightly basis from families with older children celebrating special birthdays or from couples celebrating anniversaries. Their tasting menus looked divine as did their Sussex menu (all locally sourced produce) and it was a welcome touch for vegetarians that both of these carefully crafted menus have vegetarian counterparts.
What was your favourite aspect of the hotel?
The immaculately clean and well-designed spa with its inviting indoor pool which I had virtually to myself. Such a joy to be able to swim inside and then glide through the swim-through to swim outside, surrounded by countryside and fresh rural air.
Who would you recommend the hotel to?
Independent solo travellers looking for a genuinely peaceful break, foodie couples seeking relaxation, babymooners looking for serenity and luxury, families with teenage children looking to unwind and get into nature. It definitely suits guests searching for an historic stay with a modern twist of wellbeing alongside an unrestricted menu, delivered in an intimate, exclusive way, rather than a mass-market spa experience.
To book a stay at Ockenden Manor, contact us on 020 3735 7555, email info@wellbeingescapes.com or book online here.
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
