"An Honest Review Of South Lodge, With Photos"

There’s always someone on the group chat who throws out ‘let’s book a girls’ spa weekend’. Yes, please, sounds awesome, sign me up. The thing is, after sorting a date that actually works (for real), places that hit the mark are hard to find. Too far, too close, minimum full weekend stay, a bit shabby, mega formal, etc.

I’ve had my eye on South Lodge in West Sussex for a while – so when the question once again popped up on my WhatsApp, I took full advantage and threw it out to the girls. It’s under an hour by train from London, centred around a gorgeous historic country estate, but with modern facilities and Michelin star dining.

What sets it apart

A 19th-century Manor House with grand ceilings and oodles of history, unique eco accommodation set alongside a wild swimming lake, the most beautiful spa comes complete with indoor and outdoor pools and some serious dining prowess. Oh yes, and it’s very own estate vineyard in collaboration with Ridgeview English Sparkling Wine.

It’s under an hour by train from London, centred around a gorgeous historic country estate, but with modern facilities and Michelin star dining.

The lodges

If chic but cosy cabins are your thing, then get yourself booked into The Reeds. Comprising six 2-bed Lakeside Lodges and two extra special 2-bed Spa Lodges positioned around a beautiful wild swimming lake, this secluded area of the grounds truly brings South Lodge’s ‘nature-first’ philosophy to life.

The decor made even the most difficult-to-impress members of our group oooh and aaah upon arrival.

All built using eco materials, although you’d never know it, because what strikes first is that they are utterly stunning. Sleek bamboo and titanium exteriors blend with nature, whilst a seriously calming Scandi-inspired washed timber and leafy green decor made even the most difficult-to-impress members of our group oooh and aaah upon arrival. Plus, absolutely every detail has been considered – from a fully stocked kitchen and bespoke welcome cocktails to a separate coat and boot room.

The spa

I dislike fussy spas. My dream setup is the ability to remain anonymous, pootling between pools and experiences at my own pace, with no agenda. Which is exactly what South Lodge offers.

The indoor infinity pool has relaxing loungers and a panoramic view of the rolling countryside, whilst the thermal suite is really rather lovely – simple but well specced out with sauna, steams and experience showers. However, the outdoor pools truly impressed me. A toasty outdoor hydrotherapy pool to bubble away in and an 18m natural swimming pool (separate to the wild swimming lake) – invigorating in a way you just can’t achieve from a small cold plunge immersion.

On the treatment front, the offering is impressive. From Margaret Dabbs manicures and pedicures to custom Omorovicza facials, the brand tie-ins are on point. I road-tested the Fresh Leaf Fusion Face & Body Treatment, an 80-minute vinotherapy ritual using products created in partnership with Pelegrims, from the estate’s very first grape harvest. Featuring a back mask, warm herbal poultice massage and mini facial, it left me feeling cleansed and totally zen.

Food & drink

Meal choice is everything, and with three diverse restaurants, South Lodge offers it all: Michelin-starred The Pass, elegant 3 AA Rosette Camellia and the Mediterranean-inspired, zero-waste Botanica. The four of us dined at night in Camellia, and the food definitely exceeded our expectations – it was so delicious we had to visit head chef, Joshua Mann, in the kitchen to thank him. Classic French-influenced fine dining, it struck the perfect balance between comforting, filling and fancy – I tried the Devon smoked eel and Sussex lamb, both of which I polished off with gusto.

The food was so delicious we had to visit head chef, Joshua Mann, in the kitchen to thank him

Lunch in amongst our spa day at Botanica was a light and airy rose-filled affair, but it was breakfast in our lodge that really impressed us all the most. We opted for the breakfast hamper, which was quietly delivered to our lodge’s cubby hole – for us to retrieve and enjoy at our leisure. I highly recommend this – it feels so indulgent (and a little naughty) to have wicker baskets of goodies waiting for you to wake up. Ours included fresh eggs (yes, the lodge has its own egg cooker), hams, jams, pastries, cheese and more, which we all ate on our balcony overlooking the water. Yum.

The verdict

Just 55 minutes by train from London, this is the place for a cheeky spa escape… as long as you are working with a generous budget. It can’t be overlooked that South Lodge has indulgent, investment-level pricing. That being said, if you are happy bunking up as we did, then the 2-bed Lakeside Lodges work out at a manageable £250pp a night – and you can easily forgo treatments to simply enjoy complimentary spa access and wild lake swimming.

Just 55 minutes by train from London, this is the place for a cheeky spa escape.

For a spa hotel that perfectly balances “trad” country house vibes (oil paintings and grand staircases) with high-tech, contemporary experiences (Michelin star dining), I promise it’s worth the extra splurge.