I’ve been lucky enough to stay at South Lodge Hotel before, and it’s one of the most spectacular country retreats. The staff are warm and friendly, the hotel and grounds are homely but luxurious, the food is delicious, and the spa is out of this world. So, when I was invited to visit their brand new lakeside lodges, I jumped at the chance, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Lodges
Earlier this year, South Lodge Hotel – part of the Exclusive Collection – unveiled its new five-star lakeside lodges, perched around the tranquil and picturesque lake which is nestled within the hotel’s 93-acre grounds of sweeping parkland and pretty gardens.
The hotel has a wide range of accommodation options for guests, including 96 rooms and suites, a charming private cottage, or the opulent lakeside lodges: The Reeds. There are eight lodges to choose from – two spa lodges with their own private saunas – and six lakeside lodges, including Water Boatman, where we were staying for the night.
The lodges are cleverly designed to offer a spacious and sumptuous space without compromising on cosy intimacy. From the outside, the lodges blend into the surroundings as if they’ve always been here, the wooden cladding sitting seamlessly alongside the mature trees and creating pretty reflections in the water.
Inside, there’s a small but handy porch to keep the cold air out, and a clever delivery hatch so staff can bring room service or hampers without disturbing guests inside.
The towering double-height living room creates a grand and open space that really makes the most of the stunning view over the water, but the clever design and lighting means it still feels snug and intimate. The whole lodge is finished with tactile and natural materials, soft muted tones, and beautiful finishings inspired by the pretty nature just outside.
A chic, curved staircase leads up to a very special bedroom with sensational views across the lake and hotel grounds which you can enjoy directly from your comfy bed at just the click of a button to dramatically open the drapes. If you’d prefer a quiet and secluded place to rest your head then there’s a second bedroom downstairs which can be shut off from the living space.
The bathroom is like a work of art, with statement marble tiles, a huge freestanding tub, a rainfall shower big enough for the whole family, and a smart toilet that flushes automatically. There’s also a well-stocked kitchenette and the complimentary mini bar offers milk, soft drinks and beers, while guests can also choose from an array of teas and coffees. We enjoyed some delicious treats from the restaurant, including sweet flapjack bites, light chocolate and raspberry macarons, and even some sugary pink vodka cocktails.
While the interiors of the lodges are like something straight out of an episode of Selling Sunset, the real magic starts when you throw open the bifold doors and step onto the deck which, during our festive visit, sparkled with the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree. Despite the cold bite in the air, we filled up the huge metal bath tub and switched on the jets to enjoy a soak al-fresco under a dazzling blanket of stars.
Guests staying in The Reeds can call on the team at any time, and a concierge will add you into a WhatsApp group so you can ask any questions with ease. The team will also provide a shuttle service in the hotel’s golf buggies so you needn’t trudge up to the bar or restaurants if it’s raining outside!
The stunning eco-lodges really celebrate their natural surroundings and, wherever possible, bring the outdoors inside. If enjoying the beauty of this setting from the comfort of your own loungers on your private veranda isn’t enough, then the hotel also offers guided wild swimming in the lake, so why not pull on your swimsuit and take the plunge?
Food and drink
Guests can enjoy several dining options while staying at The Reeds. The hotel itself has a Michelin-star restaurant – The Pass – where guests can sit right at the heart of the action watching head chef Ben Wilkinson and his team create a beautiful and delectable selection of seasonal dishes.
For a more laid-back and relaxed dining experience, the hotel’s spa restaurant, Botanica, offers healthy but tasty dishes in a light and airy space with views across the spa’s natural swimming pond and over the meadows. The Mediterranean restaurant is focused on sustainability and prides itself on being zero-waste, as well as offering a wide range of plant-based dishes.
For an informal meal, guests can choose from pub classics and hearty dishes such as steak or fish and chips in the hotel’s bar, where there’s also a wide range of cocktails, spirits, beers and wines to sample.
We were lucky enough to be dining in the hotel’s formal restaurant, Camellia, in the historic part of the house. The intimate and elegant dining rooms, with wood panelling, ornate chandeliers and fireplaces, are a nod to the history of the country estate. Here, the team make the most of ingredients from their own kitchen garden and from around the estate, as well as utilising the best in local products sourced from across Sussex.
We enjoyed a delicious meal of warm, homemade bread – made with a hint of coffee – followed by cheesy crab croquettes and rich black pudding. I chose line-caught bass with pomme anna with a side of crispy onion-topped Brussels sprouts while my husband went for the South Down venison drizzled with bourbon and elderberry jus, with truffle and parmesan mash on the side. Finishing with the Baileys chocolate fondant and some sweet petit fours, we were incredibly full and very satisfied!
The beauty of The Reeds is that these sumptuous lodges also have practical amenities like a small but well-stocked kitchenette, and a cosy living space. So, if you fancy staying in your robe and making the most of your private waterside terrace, you could also order room service from the bar menu, or treat yourselves to a romantic hamper for two – whether it’s breakfast in bed, an afternoon tea selection, or a charcuterie hamper.
Spa and wellness
As a guest of The Reeds you can use the spa facilities before you check in and long after your check-out, which is good because there’s a lot to see. The £15-million spa, which opened in 2019, has got to be one of the best in the UK. Not only is it a thing of beauty with it’s living roof and frontage of glass, but it also has the very best of facilities including a vast 25-metre infinity pool which seems to disappear into the grounds in the distance, and a beautiful natural swimming pond outside which is nestled in soft grasses and reeds.
There’s a wide range of treatments to enjoy and several relaxation areas where you can embrace the peace and quiet. There’s also a sizeable sauna with a window out onto the sunny terrace, as well as a steam room and a salt room, plus a bucket shower for the brave! Outside, there’s a vast hydro pool with several areas of bubbles and jets so you can enjoy the fresh air from the warmth of the swirling water.
The spa is cleverly designed to make the most of the space, meaning – unlike many spas – there’s always a comfy lounger to lay on or a day bed upon which to kick back and relax. Upstairs, Botanica, makes the most of the splendid views and offers drinks and food so you needn’t change out of your robes if you get peckish.
In a nutshell
South Lodge is an exquisite destination with everything any guest could wish for from a relaxing and luxurious countryside escape. The Reeds are the perfect option for guests looking for a touch of luxury while still including the seclusion and privacy of a private lodge with the top facilities and amenities of a five-star hotel. They may come with a hefty price tag, but you certainly get what you pay for.
Factbox
The Reeds lakeside lodges are available from £1,200 a night while the spa lodges cost from £1,400 a night.
Address: South Lodge Hotel, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham RH13 6PS
Phone: 01403 891711
Website: exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge
Photography courtesy of South Lodge Hotel.
