The Spa at South Lodge

First Impressions

South Lodge is a grand, Victorian, honey-hued manor house set in 93 acres of gardens and parkland. The grounds were created by 18th century botanist Frederick Ducane Godman, hence the botany-themed spa.

The spa is ultra-modern with huge glass walls and a wave-form grass and sedum roof. Follow the path from the car park through the gardens to the spa reception. Once inside, glance to your left for amazing view of the South Downs. The spa has been built to take advantage of its surrounds, with the pools and outdoor terrace all facing south to catch the sun.

What's on offer?

The spa is set over two floors with the reception, large lounge, Botanica restaurant, Ridgeview beauty room, boutique shop area and treatment rooms on the ground floor; head down the stairs for the changing rooms, gym, holistic studio, spinning room, heat experiences and pools. We were warmly greeted, and offered a spiced orange shot, warm flannels and a wristband to operate our locker and access all areas before being shown around the spa.

Changing rooms are stylish in dark blue with gold pendant lights, bright orange sofas and lots of good size lockers with names like Yew, Fig and Elderberry. Eight large showers are stocked with Pelegrims x South Lodge Vineyard shampoo, conditioner and body wash; vanity areas equipped with Dyson hairdryers, straighteners and well-lit mirrors - all well-spaced out so you can style your hair without bumping elbows.

Heat experiences include a large sauna with curved wave pattern ceiling and a glass wall, so you can roast – you will need a towel to sit on, it’s super-hot - while enjoying views across the Downs. The floral scent of the jasmine herbal steam room - which has a semicircle of blue-tiled seats - transports you straight to a Thai island. The marble-lined, menthol-scented salt steam room is hot and invigorating; cool off beneath the icy-cold bucket shower. All thermal rooms are large and comfortably seat 10-12. Sit on the long, mermaid-tail tiled bench in the centre of the thermal area and hydrate between heat sessions while watching people bubbling away in the hydrotherapy pool outside.

Swim leisurely lengths in the spectacular 22-metre infinity-edge, ozone-treated indoor swimming pool before relaxing on a grey rattan lounger, of which there are plenty. Early birds can swim with the sunrise from 6am.

Don’t miss a wallow in the large hydrotherapy pool with its massage jets and incredible views of the Sussex countryside; head down a few steps from here to brave the 18-metre natural swimming pond surrounded by loungers. Don’t be put off by the cooler winter temperature as it usually guarantees you’ll have the whole pool – and the views - to yourself.

You’ll find two areas in which to relax: a buzzy spa lounge with soft chairs and sofas on which to order, and sip, drinks and a post-treatment relaxation area which is calm and quiet, and equipped with beds and hydro pool views.

The Ridgeview Beauty Bar is light and airy with rows of pendant lights; a huge picture of the local Ridgeview vineyard graces the wall behind the double pedicure station. Jessica manis/pedis are on the menu, along with make-up and brows by Mii.

Active spa-goers will love the 200sq metre gym on the lower floor for new equipment, a spin studio and an alfresco gym. Or check out the new all-weather tennis courts. Residents can also sign up for Wild Swimming lessons in the new lake.

The theme of the spa is ‘bringing the outside in’ which it does with aplomb via glass walls and outdoor terraces.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Tranquility Pro-Sleep treatment (60 minutes, £145), a holistic ritual inspired by Indonesian Sea Malay massage designed to promote deep relaxation while stimulating all the senses.

My therapist, Charlotte, collected me from the spa lounge and led me to a low-lit treatment room; a small window offered glimpses of the lush green grounds. Charlotte talked me through the treatment and left the room so I could de-robe and lay face-up on the heated treatment bed.

After three deep inhalations of Comfort Zone’s heavenly-scented Tranquility Oil (a blend of cedarwood and sweet orange; my absolute favourite), followed by a little body stretching, the treatment commenced. Charlotte applied the gently warmed oil with a brush and used the lightest strokes, gently massaging my body with rhythmic movements, including my stomach.

Turning onto my front, Charlotte continued on the backs of my arms, legs and my back, before finishing on my scalp. While I tuned into the bespoke soundtrack, my mind and body completely relaxed.

At the end of the treatment, Charlotte fetched me a cup of Camellias Relax and Recover Tea with hibiscus and rose and – after a quick stop in the spa boutique to view the Tranquility range – dropped me off in the deep relaxation room. While I usually opt for a firmer, deep tissue massage, this gentle light touch experience felt incredibly soothing and, as it turns out, was just what the doctor ordered.

I found my spa partner looking suitable relaxed, her face glowing after a Grapevine Face & Body Glow (60 minutes, from £125). This signature South Lodge treatment showcases the new product range in partnership with Pelegrims, which uses grape leaf extract from the vines in the spa’s very own vineyard.

The Spa at South Lodge offers a range of massages, wraps and facials from Pelegrims x South Lodge, Omorovizca and Comfort Zone, plus a rasul mud room, bamboo massage and reflexology. Manis, pedis and make-up are delivered in the Ridgeview beauty room accompanied by a glass of Ridgeview fizz.

Food Facts

Botanica is the bright and comfortable spa restaurant where you can eat in your robe. On the menu: inventive plant-based dishes using sourced-locally ingredients prepared with a Mediterranean touch. There are also plenty of free-from options available.

We ordered a selection of delicious and super-fresh small plates to share including Botanica Caesar salad with crispy kale, Nutbourne heritage tomatoes with superstraccia and basil oil, lemon and leek arancini, lamb shoulder croquettes, and garlic confit hummus with spiced chickpeas. A healthy Cold Brew shake was the perfect accompaniment leaving us feeling full and content; the espresso shot charging us for an afternoon of spa-ing.

Outside, The Watershed offers drinks, gelatos and light bites to enjoy poolside during the summer months. If you are staying overnight, book into the Camellia Restaurant. After a pre-dinner Margherita, the feast began: a mouth-watering tartare of South Downs venison with smoked egg yolk, oyster emulsion and English autumn truffle to start. The main: Creedy Carver duck breast and sausage with five spice glaze, beetroot and orange and duck jus was delicious.

Our spa partner delighted in her Autumn mushroom gnocchi starter and BBQ pork main, but it was the Pina Colada savarin that stole the show, with mango and passionfruit cremeux and the most lip-smackingly-refreshing coconut lime sorbet. The (recommended) bottle of Chilean Pinot Noir was the perfect accompaniment.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved:

The natural swimming pond: while the bubbly hydro pool pulls the crowds (and rightly so), the natural swimming pond has its own kind of magic; the autumn views were blissful, and we had it all to ourselves.

The food: from the imaginative plant-based dishes in Botanica to the locally sourced fayre in the 3 AA Rosette Camellia Restaurant, you’re in for a treat.

The design: sunken into the landscape, the spa has been built to take advantage of its South Down surrounds; the pools and outdoor terrace are all south facing for optimal sunshine, while the interior is seriously stylish.

We didn’t love:

Being guided to the spa boutique straight from our treatment bed – relaxation room first, por favor.

Who do you think would like it?

Besties: will love South Lodge’s chilled vibe; catch up in the hydro pool, book side-by-side pedicures or sign up for a wild swimming course in the hotel’s lake.

Green spa-goers: with its sustainability credentials (a B Corp spa, no less), locally sourced plant-based food and spa products made using vine leaves from their own vineyard (South Lodge wine will be winging its way to the menu in the future), you can spa in luxury with a clean conscience.

Solo spa-goers: we spotted plenty on our visit - curled up on comfy poolside loungers with a good book and zero interruptions – bliss.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

We awarded The Spa at South Lodge our top rating of Five Bubble Luxury. This nature-inspired spa makes the most of its South Downs location with floor-to-ceiling glass, while their sustainability credentials are industry leading. The staff are super-friendly, but professional; the food exciting, and the treatments are luxurious and effective. What’s not to love?

Scarlet Spy visited in October 2024 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.