Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa

We recently enjoyed a family stay at Ockenden Manor, and overall, we had a wonderful time. The hotel is charming, the staff were friendly, and our room was comfortable, offering a great base to explore the surrounding area. The location and atmosphere are perfect for a family getaway, and we appreciated the family-friendly touches. However, we did have some feedback regarding two aspects of our stay. First, while Ockenden Manor is marketed as being dog-friendly, we were disappointed to discover that our dog wasn't allowed to join us in the dining room. This was a bit of a letdown, as we had expected to be able to include our furry friend during breakfast and dinner, especially given the hotel's dog-friendly positioning. It would be great if clearer guidelines could be communicated to avoid any confusion for other pet owners in the future. The second area for improvement was the spa. Although the facilities are nice, we found the experience to be far from relaxing. It seems the hotel has sold an excessive number of memberships to locals, which made the spa feel more like a busy leisure centre than a tranquil retreat. There were long queues for the only two showers available, and we couldn't even find a free locker to store our belongings. Unfortunately, this aspect of our stay was a bit stressful rather than serene, and we would recommend reconsidering the membership policies to preserve the calming atmosphere that one expects from a spa. In summary, our stay at Ockenden Manor was enjoyable, but these two factors did impact our experience. With a few adjustments, particularly in terms of its pet policy and the spa environment, this could be an excellent family destination.

Lovely hotel , very attentive staff . We celebrated our wedding anniversary , complimentary glasses of champagne was a lovely gesture . Beautifully decorated and lovely to vist at Christmas time . Very good food , excellent cooked breakfast Good spa facilities, robes and flip flops provided

We attended a Golden Wedding meal in the Burrell Suite on 01/12 Food was excellent as was the service. Servers were pleasant and professional. There were a number of children who had their own space We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Thank you! Ample parking too. Thank you

First class food and Service in a pleasant restaurant we had a Spa with two course Special Offer The interesting menu turned into a delicious smogasborg of delight. The Sussex beef was sensational and the soup and local cheeses perfect. Well done to all 👍

Having read the reviews , the day before we went, I found them very mixed. The hotel is beautiful and historic. Its set in a beautiful setting. The staff, were extremely friendly and polite. A credit and asset to the hotel. We were shown to our room , which was in the old part of the house, it had a four poster bed, a beautiful bath room, exceptionally clean . There was everything you needed, but no fridge, which, for a 328 pound room , you would expect. Coffee pods, coffee machine, a selection of t bags and then uht milk . With in minutes of arriving, room service came to our room with a complimentary glass of champagne.A lovely gesture. The spa, was a lovely visit, and we thoroughly enjoyed,Could not fault our time in the spa. The evening meal was mixed, attentive staff,local wines. The bread was unispiring as was the butter. My main, was tasty but sitting on a huge plate of mixed beans,pulses and sweetcorn. It totally overpowered the plateand unecessary, most of it was left. my husband had the fillet steak, which was the only edible part of the dish. This seemed to be the case for the gentlemen sitting next to us.as we both mentioned it to the waiter. We needed a side and it was either mash potato or chips.a bit disappointing, but the chips were extremely lovely. The breakfast was a scene from faulty towers. The buffet was unispiring. I had smoked salmon and scrambled egg. you got what it stated , no garnish or presentation. My husband had the english breakfast , but no mushrooms. it had me laughing. It was cold , no baked beans, two over cooked bacons, one over cooked sausage , half a tomato and two eggs. He had to ask for his baked beans. They eventually arrived.He told the waitress it was overcooked and cold . They did replace it. They clearly didnt want him having baked beans as they were , yet again omitted. The toast was two slices of bread cut into small triangles. The butter was tasteless. Overall a mixed visit. I doubt I would go back. We were however, refunded for the breakfast. John Cleese would love it there !

The whole experience at Ockenden Manor hotel and spa was absolutely lovely and as expected. The hotel and spa staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful without being over the top and went the extra mile to make us feel welcome and settled. We were shown to the roim and around the hotel by someone who clearly loves his job. We loved the room too - it was a very special treat. Tiny but important feedback: for the price overnight I felt the following could have been included and would've tipped my 4 into a 5 regarding the room; more shelves around the washbasin would be really useful for the billions of products one has to bring on such an occasion; mini fridge with fresh milk would have been even better; and larger cups/mugs for tea. There was some very beautiful dust on the shower head, but you'd have to be tall to see it! However, the bed and linen were gorgous and the room sumptuous - it was great fun, like renting a a grand apartment for the night. Food was perfect the right amount and delicious. Some feedback: the service at dinner and breakfast could have been a little quicker. We were also sorry to be charged for the side dish that we didn't eat (we hadn't asked for chilli). All that was outweighed by the standard of the venue - the atmosphere is warm and peaceful, with exciting and unusual bottles stocking the bar. Really great tobsee so much local food and drink championed. Everyone makes such an effort to keep it all perfect, from the cleanliness and décor in the hotel to the constant supply of towels and robes in the spa. The sunset through the trees seen from the outdoor pool was breathtaking. It was very, very special so am hoping to come back for my birthday next year! Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 October 2024.