THE LOCATION

South Lodge is one of seven properties that make up the family-owned Exclusive Collection, which was the first UK hotel group to achieve B Corp accreditation in 2021. The hotel, sitting in a peachy spot for exploring Sussex’s South Downs, is a handsome stone manor house set in 92 acres, with a fabulous spa and vineyard (sparkling wine on the horizon soon).

Now eight brand new sustainable luxury lodges – six of which fit up to 2 adults and 2 children, and two Spa lodges “for romantics” which include your own halotherapy salt sauna and no room for nippers to spoil the mood. Muddy has been one of the first to review (remove the twinkle from your eyes, annoyingy I had two teens in tow) so this is hot off the press.

THE VIBE

Calm, peaceful and discreetly luxurious. Everything has been considered here. The views to the lake are double height – the second bedroom accessed via a beautifully-carved wooden staircase. The outside deck is huge and ideal for breakfast, lounging out with a book or enjoying an outdoor bath in the copper tub (yes I did them all).

As I was being shown around the room on arrival, I yanked back the curtains to get a view of the lake before realising that, oops, they’re automated. I mean, of course they are.

There’s a coat and boot room separate to the main lodge and, for those who don’t want to walk the 5 mins to one of South Lodge’s restaurants for breakfast, there’s a fabulous inside/outside cupboard where staff place a hamper of goodies ready for you to scoff in the morning. All you have to do is open the cupboard when you’re ready to grab it, maintaining total privacy. Warm woolly blankets are ready to engulf you as the temperature cools outside, and if you fancy a swim in the lake – we did, and I’d totally recommend it – hulkingly cosy Dry Robes appear in your cubby prior to your swim.

The bathroom is a haven with huge shower, double basins and a statement bath (with TV should you not want to disconnect totally from life) and a bottle of Ridgeway sparkling wine, a welcome cocktail and macarons set the tone. For the colder months, there’s an automatic ‘looks like fire’ in the lounge which I didn’t use but I imagine will be popular. And the well-thought-out kitchenette offered what proved to be the defining ‘Zellweger’ moment for my kids – The Reeds “had them at hello” when they found the complimentary draw of crisps and sweets.

PILLOW TALK

My kingsize bedroom was a gorgeous cocoon with sliding doors that separated it from the lounge area. The electric curtains (open, close, open, close – seriously, who would tire of having them in their house?) kept out the light and I had a fantastic night’s sleep. The room upstairs for the kids was made up as two singles, with its own TV and stunning views out onto the lake and the lounge below. No bathroom upstairs and narrow stairs so I’d advise it for older kids.

SCOFF & QUAFF

You have use of all South Lodge restaurants during your stay – a 28-seater Michelin-starred tasting menu at The Pass (think high stool seating and chairs, a grey backdrop and mauve banquettes of studded leather – book well in advance obvs); the more traditional 3AA rosette Camellia restaurant or the zero-waste Mediterranean-influenced, plant-led Botanica at the spa (open for brunch, lunch and snacks) and giving off Scandi vibes with its rattan, pale wood, ferns, nature prints and sun terrace.

Wanting something more casual and relaxed after a 3hr drive? We chose Botanica, and it’s very much not one of those bolted on ‘spa restaurants’ that feels like a glorified café. It’s large, zoned, a mix of banquette seating, fabric dining chairs, comfy armchairs for drinks and a bar area. Most importantly the food is excellent. Carnivores are catered for but with a more limited choice than you may be used to, though my teenage caveman was more than happy with his breast of lamb with baby carrots, lovage and onion seed crumb (£28).

My daughter and I did some small plate sharing – five choices were plenty by the time we’d seen off rosemary focaccia (£4), cured salmon with pickled kohlrabi, dill seed tahini dressing and green apple (£13), Serrano ham with pickled melon, coriander aioi and dill granola (£12) and Botanica “Caesar” salad of crispy kale with focaccia croutons (£6) and heritage tomatoes with mozzarella (£10).

Dessert delivered all the showstoppers, from baked blueberry cheesecake and strawberry meringue pie to South Lodge Bee Honey Cake with charred peach, raspberry and vanilla gelato (each £10). All tested – I’m nothing if not a pro – and all delicious, the honey cake edging it for originality.

There’s an abundant cocktail list that my daughter seemed intent on working her way through, and a wide choice of wines, with a pleasing number of English options.

WELLBEING

With 92 acres of verdant land around the hotel you can while away a lovely morning before heading down to the spa. For those staying in The Reeds, there’s extended spa accesss from 10am on the day of arrival until 5pm on the day you check out. Basically you’re getting two days of free spa access. That said, under 16s are limited to 8am – 9.30am and 4pm – 5.30pm, so it doesn’t become a dive bomb zone. Make sure you factor that in with any timings.

The Spa is an absolute whopper, using soothing elemental materials: spotless marble, wood, and stone tiles, but in soft natural colours and with accents of bold modern art. You want for nothing in the changing rooms, with Dyson hairdryers and straighteners, baby soft towels, bespoke Pelegrims products and an array of rain showers. The rest of the spa is a knockout too, with three pools including a beautifully landscaped natural pool, plus two heated ones to warm up in – one inside, one out. There’s also a suite of steam and sauna rooms with botanicals and plenty of outside space to curl up on a lounger or rattan egg chair and completely zone out.

Beyond this there’s plenty to stretch and tone – two tennis courts, a super modern gym, spin studio, holistic studio for yoga and a beauty bar. You can also borrow bikes and play croquet in the summer.

Without moving from The Reeds, you can say omm on your own balcony with the yoga mat left hopefully in the cupboard (nope, didn’t go there), or – no brainer if you’re looking at the lake – go for a swim. Not as cold as it looks, and safely lifeguarded, it was 19 degrees when my daughter and I slunk in at around 9.30am, and we floated around in paradise for a good 15 mins.

OUT & ABOUT

For kids there’s plenty of fun at the hotel – boardgames to borrow, books, consoles and outdoor games like giant Jenga and skittles etc, plus a trail map to follow in the grounds – you can even borrow wellies. If you want to venture further, opposite South Lodge is the Grade I listed Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, best known for spring and autumn colour, then four miles away there’s Nymans, a National Trust beauty with a whimsical house and gardens.

Further afield if you’re happy to drive for 30 mins there’s Petworth House, privately owned Arundel Castle and Gardens which is where we headed – worth the effort – and Brighton.

ACCESSIBILITY

Meadowsweet is a wheelchair accessible lodge, though you’d need the buggy to reach the lodge itself.

EV CHARGING

EV charging points are available in the main car park, not closest to The Reeds. 

DOG-FRIENDLY?

You’re in luck, woof lovers. All the lodges are dog-friendly.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Those looking for luxury hotel amenities while maintaining peace and privacy – where else can you swim among water lilies sourced from Monet’s garden in Giverny?! Ideal for a romantic break or a treat with your kids.

Not for: If your idea of a lodge stay is a big slouch on the sofa with the fam, the low-backed kidney-shaped sofa might not do it for you. Those with accessibility issues might find the main hotel caters better to their needs.

The damage: Special occasion incoming! Lodge prices start from £1,200 including B&B, extended spa access, plus drinks and snacks in the lodges. Hotel rooms from £415 B&B with full spa access for a Cubby Room 

The Reeds, Brighton Road Lower Beeding Crabtree Horsham RH13 6PS. Tel: 01403 891711.