South Lodge Hotel is a substantially extended Victorian country mansion located within 93 acres of West Sussex park and woodland.
Full of period and tastefully sympathetic contemporary furniture, together with a wealth of original oil paintings, the hotel exudes a high degree of comfort and luxury. South Lodge's original and more modern wings have been combined in a seamless manner to offer top class accommodation, fine dining, wonderful service and conference facilities that must rate amongst the best in the South of England. Undoubtedly, South Lodge exemplifies the very best of Small Luxury Hotel properties.
From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a very high standard of service, delivered with professionalism and efficiency by an immaculately groomed staff. Nothing appeared too much trouble - from valet parking our car to carrying our luggage (including clothes on hangers) up several flights of stairs to the very top of the building. Dinner, Breakfast and the bar service were equally special. We received exceptional personal service, particularly at dinner, and were truly made to believe we were the only guests at the hotel although at the time of our stay the property was buzzing with overnight and day guests plus several conferences.
There are two wonderful dining opportunities. The Camellia Restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in a stylish traditional atmosphere of starched white table linen and white gloved silver service. Local fare such as Pigeon Pie and Sussex Bacon Pudding are to be savoured. The Pass restaurant (open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday) is much more contemporary in design and located right alongside the hotel’s show kitchen. A delight for bon viveur’s who wish to experience exciting and imaginative 5 or 6 course menus created by the hotel’s head chef.
After lunch take a stroll around the extensive grounds. We thought that one of the nicest touches was the large rack of adult and kids’ wellington boots in the front porch, encouraging the guest to go “off road”; also, the notice in bedrooms placed alongside an empty glass vase suggesting that guests pick their own wild flowers whilst out rambling.
We would definitely stay at South Lodge again. The cost of dining – particularly the table d’hote menu in the Camellia Restaurant - seemed very reasonable given the superb cuisine and excellent service. There is just about everything you need at South Lodge for a delightful, pampered short break in a beautiful corner of England.