Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

The spa treatments were a real highlight the next day. Both therapists were professional and thorough with the massages, and the oil they use smells divine. We also had breakfast brought up to our room, which was such a treat. Everything arrived on time, and nothing was missing. We’d asked for somewhere quiet and were put at the end of the East Wing on the top floor. The room was small but perfectly manageable, and the bed was so comfortable. We’re now trying to track down those pillows for home, they were the best we’ve ever slept on. Dinner was included and delicious. Louise looked after us so well, and the pianist in the dining room was lovely. We were here for a belated Christmas party for my business and ended up having a wonderful stay. It was our first time here, and we had everything we needed and more. The guest service really is appreciated, keep it up!

The only thing that redeemed our stay was the facial, which was excellent, and the therapists were great. The spa decor, though, felt like stepping back into the 80s. We came in the middle of winter and couldn’t get comfortable. The heating in the bathroom was over 30 and we couldn’t switch it off, so we slept with the windows open, a fan running, and just a sheet. I got about four hours of sleep because it felt like a desert. At checkout, reception gave us a robotic, unsympathetic “sorry to hear that, we hope you enjoyed your stay and we see you again soon.” We clearly hadn’t enjoyed it, so that came across as rude. The drinks were extortionately expensive, about double London prices. We also saw managerial staff hissing at bar staff. It seemed pretty toxic.

The grounds are stunning, and the rooms felt spacious and a good size. We booked spa treatments and made use of the pool and hot tub, too. The food was excellent at every meal, and we really appreciated how friendly and proactive the service was. We spent two days and one night here, and I’d recommend it for a romantic weekend or a relaxing break.

The food was our main letdown. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, but the dishes didn’t quite live up to what we expected. The reservation system was also confusing, with bookings limited to one-hour slots, which felt restrictive and a bit inefficient. The spa was a nice bonus for the family. I had a massage while my husband and daughter used the pool. The temperature was just right, and the pool size worked well for a young child, so it was relaxing for all of us. We found Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club good value for the price. It may not feel like a luxury five-star stay in every way, but the overall quality for what it costs would make us consider coming back. The setting is peaceful and properly rural, yet still not far from London, and there’s plenty nearby to explore with children. Our room was comfortable and thoughtfully set up for three of us travelling with a four-year-old. The bed was excellent and we all slept well. Soundproofing wasn’t perfect, but it never got especially noisy, so it didn’t affect us. The bathroom was a little dated, though the room was well equipped. We had a lovely, very enjoyable family weekend and would happily return.