Surya Hogs Back Hotel and Spa

The food was overpriced for its quality, and it didn’t feel like a premium experience. The hygiene was just as disappointing: the toilets were dirty and poorly maintained, and the towels looked discoloured and worn, as if they hadn’t been replaced or refreshed in a long time. What should have been a restful spa break became frustrating from start to finish. Several facilities were out of order or poorly maintained, and parts of the spa felt like a building site. With signs of ongoing work around, it didn’t feel safe or relaxing, yet guests were still being allowed in. We were told some areas had earlier been considered unsafe, but the spa stayed open, seemingly to avoid giving refunds. That felt unfair and misleading. The whole place seemed disorganised and not worth the money. We left disappointed and frustrated instead of relaxed. I wouldn’t return or recommend it in its current state. See attached pictures of the toilet and corridor.

The bar is small, but its staff were welcoming and the bar food was good. Dinner in the restaurant was less satisfying: many items were unavailable from an already limited menu, and what we did get was just okay. Breakfast the next morning was much the same, okay food and okay service. The room was clean and tidy, with a comfortable bed, though the pillows were very hard. It’s right by a main road, and the single-pane windows let in a lot of traffic noise. The hotel itself looked clean and presentable, but our first encounter at reception was poor. The man there came across as rude and dismissive, as if guests were a nuisance. We had a similar impression of the spa staff, which was a shame. There was building work in the pool area that would have been good to know about before our stay. The pool was still open, but part of it was blocked off, which wasn’t a relaxing view. The sauna and steam room were good. We booked a night away together, but all the little things that fell short added up. Probably won’t come back.

I was hoping for at least a little something for over £100 a night, but I was extremely disappointed and won’t book again. Valentine’s Day had no decorations anywhere, and the staff seemed pretty uninterested, perhaps if you’re not a regular. The outdoor area was sparse, with no heated patio space. They have a pergola used for weddings, so I expected the outside to be better equipped. The spa was the part I’d looked forward to most, but it disgusted me. The pool water didn’t look clean, and the bottom had some kind of dirty texture underfoot. The water wasn’t warm at all, and I was shaking when I got in. The hot tub was filthy, with lines of dirt collected around the rim and in the corners. Its water was the cloudiest grey I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to a lot of spas. The room was clean, but the layout and noise were awful. The doors between rooms are interlinked, and even a whisper carried into our room. I could hear the people next door trying to whisper so they wouldn’t bother us, which made me think they could hear us too. A huge draft came through the closed window, making the interconnecting door bang back and forth all night. Also odd for a spa hotel: no robes or slippers.

The hotel never acknowledged my email asking about possibly booking a future stay. That was especially disappointing after the frosty customer service I got from the central hotel group by phone and email. I’m not sure I’d want to pay another £100 for a stay if the on-site staff are just as lacklustre. We stopped at the Tesla Supercharger late at night on our way home from Gatwick. It was dark and wet, and we were low on charge. Only after receiving a £100 PCN did we learn that drivers need to register inside the hotel to avoid a parking charge. That wasn’t at all obvious to two tired travellers arriving in pitch-black conditions. Hotel guests may find it obvious to register their car at reception, but it’s not clear to people using the chargers, especially in that poor lighting. I contacted the hotel, expecting that the landowner hosting the charger might have some discretion or at least be willing to help with what was clearly an honest mistake. They said they couldn’t cancel fines issued on their property and told me to appeal to the third party. The hotel has said publicly that “very few people” get caught by the charge, but the number of similar complaints online suggests the signs and process still aren’t enough, particularly at night. It’s hard not to wonder whether the parking operator’s financial arrangement matters more than guest goodwill. Maybe that isn’t the intention, but that’s how it feels. If you charge here or might stay at the hotel, make sure you register inside first or you could get an unexpected, expensive follow-up.