FIRST IMPRESSIONS
South Lodge is a grand, honey-coloured Victorian manor house surrounded by 93 acres of gardens and parkland, originally laid out by botanist Frederick Ducane Godman – the inspiration for the spa’s botanical theme. Guests staying in one of the 96-individually styled bedrooms and suites, or private lakeside lodges, are just a short stroll from the spa.
The spa itself is resolutely modern: walls of glass and a rippling grass-and-sedum roof help it sink into the landscape. A garden path leads from the car park to reception, where the South Downs unfold to your left; the pools and terrace all face south to soak up the sun.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
The spa spans two floors. On the ground floor you’ll find reception, a spacious lounge, Botanica restaurant, the Ridgeview Beauty Bar, a boutique and the treatment rooms. Downstairs: changing rooms, gym, spin and holistic studios, the thermal suite and pools. We were handed a wristband to open our locker and access all areas.
The changing rooms are a stylish mix of deep navy, gold pendant lights and bright orange sofas. Roomy lockers are named after plants – think Yew, Fig and Cherry. Eight generous showers are stocked with Pelegrims x South Lodge Vineyard shampoo, conditioner and body wash, while well-spaced vanity stations come with Dyson hairdryers, straighteners and good lighting – no elbow-bumping here.
In the thermal suite, the large sauna has an undulating, curved wood ceiling and a glass wall framing the Downs; bring a towel to sit on, it’s fiercely hot. The jasmine-scented herbal steam room, with its semi-circle of blue-tiled seats, feels positively tropical, and the marble-lined salt steam room is menthol-fresh. Cool off under the icy bucket shower. Each room comfortably seats 10 to 12, and a long, mermaid-tail-tiled bench in the centre is the spot to rehydrate between sessions.
Swim unhurried lengths in the 22-metre, infinity-edge, ozone-treated indoor pool, then rest on one of the plentiful grey rattan loungers by the huge glass window at one end and admire more of those views. Outside, the bubbly hydrotherapy pool has massage jets and beds, plus far-reaching views of the Sussex countryside; a few steps below lies the 18-metre natural swimming pond (our favourite), ringed with loungers.
Post-treatment, choose between the sociable spa lounge – with sofas and drinks to order – or the calm relaxation room, whose beds look out over the hydrotherapy pool. The bright and airy Ridgeview Beauty Bar offers nails by Margaret Dabbs London. Fitness fans have a 200 sq metre gym, a spin studio, an alfresco gym and all-weather tennis courts at their disposal.
TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENT
We tried the Elixir Power Facial (80 minutes, £205), built around Omorovicza’s Elixir (the brand’s Healing Concentrate), designed to plump, lift and restore radiance.
We completed consultation forms on comfy chairs at the spa reception, before my therapist, Caroline, collected me and led me to one of the 14 treatment rooms with its calming nature-inspired palette and comfy, heated bed at the centre.
After a double cleanse, Caroline analysed my skin under a Wood’s lamp - a small diagnostic device that emits long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) black light to examine the skin in a darkened room - handing me a mirror so I could see what she could: white areas showed dehydration, while yellow flecks revealed oil. Next came a gentle peel, followed by a double mask to plump and replenish. Caroline also worked on the décolleté, using fascia techniques to release built-up tension, and added a soothing scalp massage.
The finale was Omorovicza’s signature Hungarian Facial Massage: a traditional, rhythmic, hands-on technique that combines stimulating movements with lymphatic drainage to lift, sculpt and wake up the skin. Then came personalised aftercare advice and time to unwind with herbal tea in the relaxation room, where I found my spa partner looking equally glow-y and relaxed after the same treatment.
The result? Glowing skin for days afterwards; a stubborn small dry patch of skin on my face vanished.
FOOD FACTS
Spa guests can dine in their robes at Botanica, a bright, relaxed restaurant serving a largely plant-based, Mediterranean-inspired menu using local ingredients, with plenty of free-from choices. At lunch, we tucked into the grilled chicken Botanica Caesar salad with crispy kale, alongside an apple and beetroot botanical – billed as a heart and nervous system tonic to help ease stress.
For dinner, overnight guests should book the 3 AA Rosette Camellia restaurant. We started with South Coast mackerel: Szechuan-cured and paired with beetroot (as a purée, smoked and as jerky), grapefruit and a Szechuan pepper and yoghurt sorbet. Next, 30-day dry-aged sirloin of Sussex beef with pomme purée, beer-pickled onions, a Roscoff onion tarte Tatin, kale – the sauce Réforme was a masterstroke.
Don’t skip the sides: roasted hispi cabbage with kimchi butter, bonito mayo, apple miso gel and sesame crumb, and the roasted garlic pomme aligot with English autumn truffle, which was simply amazing. To finish, a chocolate mousse with miso caramel, cocoa nib tuile and miso dulcey ice cream – all washed down with a glass of local Ridgeview fizz.
Next morning, we returned to Botanica for breakfast (not to be missed): a Hutchings classic sausage with bubble and squeak, a fried egg and homemade brown sauce, plus delicious giant beans in a spicy red sauce – all washed down with a cup of delightful black coffee.
SWEET STAY?
We stayed in Chanctonbury Ring on the first floor, a spacious suite where a chilled half bottle of Ridgeview sparkling wine and two glasses awaited us. Two strategically placed armchairs invite you to sit and soak up those views. The beautiful four-poster bed was dressed in crisp white sheets and had the comfiest pillows this Spa Spy has ever encountered. Look out for Minty, the hotel’s signature sheep mascot, who doubles as a rather unique “Do Not Disturb” sign – just pop him outside your door.
The stunning bathroom has a bath with a TV at one end, a huge dual-jet shower and his and hers sinks.
WE LOVED
Sunrise in the swimming pond: a dip in the natural swimming pond as the sun rose over the South Downs, with a full moon still hanging behind us, was a magical moment.
Our Omorovicza Elixir facial: every product smelt incredible and felt beautiful on our skin.
The endless South Downs views: from all three pools, the sauna, Botanica and our bedroom – and seemingly extra beautiful on a crisp autumn day.
WHICH BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?
Once again, we awarded The Spa at South Lodge our top Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its exceptional range of facilities, skilled therapists, outstanding food and industry-leading sustainability – all with the South Downs as a backdrop.
Rest assured
