The Felbridge Hotel, East Grinstead, Sussex - 'four star luxury grade' - changed hands this year and has been completely refurbished to a very high standard in a contemporary style - all chocolate, beige and cream. Maybe not to everyone's taste - not very cosy and perhaps lacking a bit of character - but I loved it. Everything clean, shiny and brand spanking new. It is situated next to a main road but this didn't really detract from the hotel and we didn't notice any noise. The road is quite hard to cross on foot and it isn't easy to turn right against the flow of traffic - although we managed ok.
I booked for a weekend break in August, staying with my other half, on a special deal of £110 for executive double room including full English breakfast. Standard rooms, luxury studios and suites are also available - please check the website www.felbridgehotel.co.uk for the latest prices.
My room was quiet and spotless. The king-size bed was very comfortable and every detail had been considered - blackout blinds, 26" flat screen tv with satellite channels, courtesy tea and coffee tray, variable lighting, air conditioning and fridge. The shower room was clean, spacious and the shower excellent - although I avoided the Japanese cold water jet feature!
Not really a criticism but maybe a problem for some - the room was a long walk away from the main areas of the hotel. Our room was on the ground floor with a long straight corridor march to reception. There is a first floor and a few stairs around the place but there are plenty of easily accessible rooms to suit the disabled and young families. I would recommend requesting an accessible room on booking if required. I noticed wheelchair lift next to the restaurant.
There is a choice of two restaurants and a bar area serving meals. You can also order room service. Children are catered for and are made welcome. We ate in the Bay Tree restaurant, which is supposedly priced at mid-range with an informal atmosphere. The food was excellent but I thought the prices were too high and the wine list was beyond affordable so we opted for one small glass each and then bought a bottle in Threshers over the road to take back to our room. There is a pub serving meals and a garage supermarket a couple of hundred yards from the hotel - so there are other options.
Full English breakfast is served in the restaurant. It was freshly cooked to order and we didn't have to wait long - although there were only two other tables occupied. I wouldn't have had this if it wasn't included in the price as separately this costs £14.95 per head.
The hotel includes a leisure facitlity with spa treatments and pool. These looked good but I didn't have time to try them out. There are also conference facilities, a lounge area and a 24hr very efficient and helpful reception. I noticed people parking here for Gatwick airport and airport packages can be arranged - but not parking only.
On the negative side - the garden areas are poor and uninspiring and the hotel was fairly empty, so lacked atmosphere. The hotel also seemed to be lacking any tourist information leaflets. More pluses - the staff were exceptional and there are lots of sites to see in the local area. We visited Hever Castle and several National Trust properties.
To sum up, I would stay here again, but only on a special offer deal, and I would probably look to book dinner somewhere else as the prices were a bit steep.
Location. The Felbridge Hotel and Spa is located in East Grinstead, England, five miles ... more
from the Ashdown Forest and 28 miles from London. Gatwick Airport is eight miles from the hotel. Hotel Features. Set within the rolling Sussex countryside, th...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Location. The Felbridge Hotel and Spa is located in East Grinstead, England, five miles ... more
from the Ashdown Forest and 28 miles from London. Gatwick Airport is eight miles from the hotel. Hotel Features. Set within the rolling Sussex countryside, th...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Nov 12th, 2007
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