Utopia Spa at Alexander House Hotel

First Impressions

Alexander House is an attractive red-brick Sussex countryside manor that was once home to English romantic poet Shelley. Set in 120 acres of gardens, the hotel does ‘country escape’ with aplomb - towering chimneys, mullioned windows and an impressive carved stone portico scream Jacobean grandeur. Floor-to-ceiling glass; fresh, zingy interiors; and exciting Modern British cuisine put Alexander House back in the 21st century.

The Grecian-inspired Utopia spa occupies its own wing of the hotel making it equally accessible for day spa guests as overnighters.

What's on offer?

Hotel guests will find the entrance to Utopia Spa at the end of an elegant arched windowed corridor just off the main reception. The large, light spa reception is vast, with neutral tiles, and attractive fuchsia, blue and purple chairs providing a pop of colour. We enjoyed browsing the array of Temple Spa and Oskia products on display at the nearby boutique.

After a warm welcome and a quick tour, we were led down a spiral staircase to the spacious, grey-hued changing rooms. Here you’ll find some seating, plenty of soft towels and ample lockers lining the curved wall to your right - accessed via a code and containing a fluffy white robe and slippers. Each of the five generous showers contain L'Occitane shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Keep walking and you’ll come across a steam room, sauna and monsoon shower, a treat in a changing area especially if you’d rather not steam in mixed company. After showering, use the central vanity island to ready yourself for the day ahead.

The thermal facilities at Utopia Spa are top-notch - we particularly loved the wonderfully hot hydrotherapy pool, with its six sections of bubbly jets and domed ceiling of stars; two swan-neck fountains then provided some (much-needed) shoulder pummelling. Swim comfortable laps in the 15-metre swimming pool, with its imposing Grecian columns, black mosaic tiles and glinting lights, before relaxing in the small hot tub. Rattan loungers facilitate post-swim chill-out time – and you can telephone the spa butler for some pool-side hydration.

Don’t leave without visiting the sheltered Spa Garden surrounded by trees and shrubs, with its raised Jacuzzi, and quirky hobbit-like barrel sauna. We wallowed in the warmth long enough to enjoy the endorphin-pumping outdoor cold shower.

You’ll find plenty of loungers dotted around the garden; you can pre-book the secluded private area with its Canadian hot tubs – of which there are two - set on wooden decking. Relax on your own patio set afterwards.

At treatment time, head upstairs to the pre-treatment room - with its curved leather beds and striking green/black bamboo wallpaper - and watch birds fly between the treetops over the spa garden. The grand post-treatment relaxation room is much quieter with 12 loungers around the edge. The room is divided by a curtain of long thin ribbons hanging from the ceiling that flutter hypnotically as you lie back and relax under a soft throw. Or curl up with a good book in one of two hanging egg chairs.

A gym, fitness studio and dedicated spa restaurant, Reflections, complete the long list of facilities at Utopia Spa.

Tell us about your treatment

We tried an Oskia Renaissance Vitamin Glow (115 minutes, £205).

Danielle, my therapist, led me to an aptly-named treatment room called Calm and quietly explained the stages of the treatment before leaving the room so that I could de-robe and get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

The treatment began with an exfoliating scrub containing pink Himalayan salt, fruit enzymes and starflower oil which Danielle removed with warm cloths. Next, Danielle painted a white clay mask onto my back and limbs before cocooning me in towels and blankets so that the product could work its magic. As soon as the bio-nutritional actives had sufficiently soaked in, I climbed off the bed and into a hot shower. The clay washed off easily, and I returned to the bed for the final stage: a full body massage using Oskia’s energising mint and jasmine oil.

During the treatment, Danielle ensured I was warm and comfortable, popping cushions under my ankles and my knees to prevent lower back strain.

My spa partner had the same treatment with his therapist, Fern, and came out looking very relaxed but with his hair standing on end which tickled me.

Afterwards, we were shown through to the large relaxation room where we were offered a cup of herbal tea and little dishes of mango sorbet. Blood sugar restored, we snuggled down under blankets to chat and compare treatments – and where my spa partner exclaimed that his treatment was the best two hours he had had in a very long time.

Utopia Spa at Alexander House offers a range of Oskia and Temple Spa massages, scrubs and facials, as well as therapies for pregnant women, those living with/beyond cancer and treatments designed for couples.

Food Facts

You can feast in your robe in the two-rosette Reflections Restaurant, accessed via the hotel or straight from the spa. The restaurant horse-shoes around its own courtyard; when the weather is good, diners can enjoy views of the open firepit surrounded by olive trees and tall orange planters. Leather chairs and dark wood tables create a bistro vibe, while design quirks (think wallpaper adorned with cutlery) add some flare.

On the menu: a two-course lunch of salads, soups, paninis or catch of the day, or afternoon tea with fizz. We tried the afternoon tea for lunch and over-indulged in finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and several pretty little cakes.

In the evening, we treated ourselves to cocktails in the Champagne bar before heading back to Reflections Restaurant for dinner. There was a good choice of fish and vegetarian dishes on the menu on our visit, along with chicken and steaks from the grill. We both choose the catch of the day: sea trout served with fondant potatoes, carrots and asparagus. This was fresh, light and just what the doctor ordered at the end of a spa day.

If you’re staying the night on Sunday to Thursday, get dressed up and head to the rather grand 3 AA Rosette restaurant, AG's.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The service: staff regularly checked that guests had what they needed, regularly offering to ferry in drinks, dry robes or extra towels.

The bar in the garden: open when the weather permits, this alfresco bar serves smoothies and juices as well as the occasional glass of fizz delivered to your seat by the hot tub.

The top-notch treatments: both therapists delivered excellent treatments that left us feeling relaxed and with glowing skin.

We didn’t love

The very small cubicle for private changing: this is essentially a rail and a curtain around a seat, and is not in keeping with the rest of this stylish spa. Shy spa goers may do better to head for one of the large shower cubicles to change in private.

Who do you think would like it?

Ladies who are serious about good skin care: top notch brands and a range of skincare treatments are available; the spa even runs skincare classes for spa-goers to try products and learn from experts.

Couples: the hotel is grand enough for a special weekend; the is spa bright and cheerful and there are plenty of pools and heat experiences to enjoy together.

Spa-goers who like to be pampered: the attention-to-detail here is great, with frozen grapes, refreshing sorbets and drinks delivered to guests during the day, as well of plenty of dry towels and robes to help yourself to. Staff will even offer to dry your cossie before you leave. 

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

Once again, we awarded Utopia Spa at Alexandra House Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its incredible treatments, snoozy relaxation rooms, choice of restaurants and good service..