Ashdown Park Hotel is located in East Sussex, about 0.5 miles from Wych Cross in the heart of the English Countryside. Travelling from the North, it takes approx 45mins - 1hr to reach from the M23/Gatwick
The hotel is owned by the 'Small Luxury Hotels of the World' (slh.com)
Visit ------
My fiancee and I visited this hotel on a November weekend for 2 nights (sat & sun). Driving to the Hotel from London is extremely easy although the roads between the M23 and the Hotel can get congested.
As you turn into the long driveway you reach two small car parks for the Hotel and the Hotel itself. The hotel is a spectacular mansion which has its own church. The view you first get was not the most spectacular in our opinion and does not show the grandeur of the place. The most spectacular view of the hotel, as seen in the picture on this site, is from the opposite side of the hotel in its grounds.
As you enter the reception you are greeted by a vast open room with coal fire, two lounges leading off and a balcony leading to some of the bedrooms. (there are 107 rooms & suites in total).
The reception staff were efficient and polite and we were escorted to our room immediately. We stayed in the "Monkey Puzzle" room near the reception, which consisted of a very large bedroom which had a double bed, work desk, 3 piece suite, television, internet access (broadband), and large bathroom which included a massage bath (very nice!)
The room facilities were excellent and spotless, with champagne and tea/coffee awaiting our arrival. The hotel provided morning papers and a wake up call if required.
The hotel featured many lounges, a bar and the Anderida restaurant, which has won many awards for its wine and food. We ate in the restaurant both nights and were very impressed by the food and staffing, both meals were of the highest quality and having a grand piano in the restaurant set an excellent ambiance. The staff were very attentive, although not too crowding. The restaurant is a large 'L' shape with an open fire in the centre.
The breakfast was also fantastic with a buffet selection of fruit/cereals available and a cooked breakfast provided. Again the service was impeccable
The first (sat) night was busy however, the sunday night was extremely quite with only 4 other couples present! This was a nice contrast.
Hotel Grounds --------------------
The grounds of the hotel were spectacular, with vast open lawns, a large pond with 2 fountains, populated by huge fish!, a secret garden, long walks & running/biking paths, a golf driving range, and 18 hole golf course!! (not full size - most holes approx 150 - 300 yards)
The grounds are extremely well kept and looked after and provide a tranquillity of the English countryside away from the hustle and bustle of 'real life'.
The hotel also has a country club next to it. It has its own separate rooms but is open to guests of the hotel also.
It has its own lounge, which also does lunch, and provides facilities such as pedicures, manicures, indian head massages, massages, table tennis, a swimming pool and gym and clubs for the golf course and range
This is a lovely country club and we spent the sunday just relaxing in the lounge, playing golf and my fiancee had a manicure/pedicure which she loved!!!
The is also fantastic wildlife with deer free to roam about the hotel and grounds. It was most interesting trying to play golf with 5 or 6 deer munching on the hole!!!
There are also facilities close to the hotel, such as a visitable farm, clay pigeon shooting, Horse riding and ten pin bowling. Something for everyone!
Price Information (per room per night) -----------------------
For half board:
single from 135 to 335 a double room from 225 to 400 suites from 290 to 365
However, the hotel runs special rates for weekend breaks which include use of a choice of some of the country club facilities which with half board choice add an extra 75 pounds per room per night - this is the option we took
All inclusive is not an option
Families ------------
The only reserve I would have for the hotel is the fact that it probably would not be suitable for children as there are not many amenities to use.
Summary -------------
A truly excellent hotel which I would highly recommend and will definitely visit again myself!
More details
Value for Money
Excellent
Cleanliness
Excellent
Family Friendly
Poor
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