Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa

The Spa Suite room was lovely and comfortable with lots of space outside for relaxing on sun beds. The Spa itself was well stocked with towels, robes and flip flops and clean. The pools were well maintianed. All the staff were very polite, happy and helpful. The food was excellent. I also enjoyed a wonderful facial.

The ladies in the dining staff were remarkable. Efficient, kind and just lovely. The dining areas were so charming, and our room was absolutely lovely (we stayed in the spa). Highly recommend - as well as the delightful pub just a short walk away!

I visited Ockenden Manor for the first time with my friend for a spa day. The day included full use of facilities, a 30 minute treatment and afternoon tea. The spa was modern , well equipped and not overly busy so was able to make full use of the facilities. I can’t comment on the hotel as we didn’t stay however we had our afternoon tea in the hotel restaurant which was lovely. The food and drink was of high quality, served in pretty china, just as an afternoon tea should be. Both staff at the hotel and spa were very friendly and welcoming. My only criticism would be that the spa was extremely warm on the day we visited and changing facilities were limited. Most of the changing facilities are communal however I personally prefer private rooms, which were very few. Would happily visit again!

We've eaten here many times but this was a first time at the spa. It was early in the week and therefore very quiet. The indoor/outdoor pools were the perfect temperature for us nd being able to swim through from one to the other, a bonus. Indoor and outdoor jacuzzis were relaxing. An excellent sauna with ice shower right beside it was a combination of pleasure and endurance - loved it. Steam room. Tea/coffee/water on tap. All very relaxing. Warm unfussy welcome and a very enjoyable experience all round. The dining afterwards was pleasant enough (as it always has been). The menu wasn't particularly broad but all the options were tempting enough and delivered on taste. I do prefer more informal dining but the service was friendly enough. I know restaurants have to make a mark up on drinks but paying three times as much for a sussex beer than I do 200m away in the village does grate. Overall, a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Not enough people read the bad reviews because my issue echoed a lot of them on here. This hotel is over rated, over priced. The shift manager was managing the hotel, doing the bar and the restaurant server. His English was poor and people had to go to reception to order a drink at the bar. If you want to charge a lot then offer proper service with enough staff on. We had to get other guests to check how cold our room was as the shift manager did not want to get us a heater or move us until we all had to gang up to argue with him to move us. Receptionist refused to get involved and that's in her words. We were finally moved after we had our dinner, so had to move all or stuff after 5 hours of pleading with the manager. Explained this to general manager next day who insisted he was going to look into it.....after taking our money and offering feedback by email to which we never received. Go to a near by spa hotel with better service and less money and avoid this sham of a hotel trying to be upmarket with cheap service and no doubt underpaid staff who have to do more than one job on site. Spa side however is good and staff there helpful.

This hotel is in a stunning country area and has a lot of ye olde world charm but it is very much behind the times. We had the top room and a 4 poster bed and a separate bathroom with a walk in shower (the only room that has a walk in shower). The bed is too soft and think the mattress needs replacing, the room is big and there are a lot of very old stairs so don't bring heavy luggage. WiFi isn't very strong. There are set times to eat and the dinner is pretty but small portions and doesn't really change much so because we stayed for 2 nights decided to eat elsewhere on the 2nd night as lunch again is similar. Breakfast is a bit boring... Buffet is small ...melon fruit salad and yogurt and cereals and the obligatory croissant. Hot food is ordered and is OK.. No pancakes or waffles or anything special. Also the dining room is very old fashioned but not in a good way. The building inside is tired, need new cushions and upholstery on the couches. Also the reception is like something from fawlty towers.. One guy and a phone and computer. The upside is the spa... Its great, small but has everything you want and I had the best massage but the gym is very small as is the studio area... they do smoothies but when I asked for protein powder to be added they looked bemused. The tea is scones and jams and cream and they were the best scones I've had.. They seriously need to update their 'look,' of shabby chic and need to look at their dining options. The staff are lovely but seem too robotic. To be honest we go abroad loads and want to try and visit more of the UK but this place is more of a bed and breakfast with tea and dinner thrown in....shame.. We love hotels that have a bit more about them and unfortunately this one doesn't have that. . Just wanted to go off piste and fancied a manor house.