Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa

Our daughter visits two or three times a year and she recommended Ockenden and we are glad she did! The dinners were some of the best food I have ever tasted, the flavours were amazing. We will definitely return and enjoy even more of the wonderful Spa and hospitality.

What a wonderful stay! The facilities, room, spa and restaurant all brilliant. The staff were attentive and friendly. Breakfast was delicious served quickly and plenty to pick from for all tastes
Only small point is spa use on out arrival day coincided with kids swim so a little busy. Aim for a 5 pm spa session when you check in. Next morning was quiet when we arrived at 11. Treatments were great a float and a LED mask session. Both very relaxing. It’s our second stay and will be back .

Recent lunch at Ockenden Manor. Unfortunately, the overall experience had dipped from our previous dining experiences there. The menu was uninspiring and greatly over priced. This would have been acceptable had the quantity and flavours delivered. However, they were found wanting on both levels. Serving staff were polite but lacked top end customer service skills. The dining room was only at 25% capacity and lacked any real form of ambiance. This used to be the go to dining destination in the area for special occasions, however, that day is long gone.

Scenic surroundings and sumptuous luxury are the trademarks of this stunning hotel and spa - but it’s by no means their USP - that is purely in the understated, calm, quiet way their staff anticipate and meet every need for their guests - before we even recognise it ourselves!
We had several issues before arriving frazzled and fraught for our overnight stay, not helped by travelling and arriving in ceaseless torrential rain.
Initially disappointed not to be staying in the hotel , we were shown to a magnificent, modern spacious 3 bed room in the spa building , which not only had flip flops, robes and spa bath towels at the ready , but a fridge with complimentary soft drinks , a coffee maker , kettle and fresh cookies, and even a gorgeous tea pot! A patio with a view and stunning bathroom ( huge bath AND separate shower) and comfortable beds completed the reatful room - with the added nice touch that each room is allocated a name rather than a number.
But far beyond this was the staff’s kindness, patience and initiative at managing to soothe our fraught nerves ( their pleasant personas never lapsed even when we temporarily lost the door key!) .
Even tiny touches like umbrellas at the ready , and pointing out best routes around the buildings , are all thought of.
Evening meal and breakfast in the historic old part of the building were both delicious, and again made all the better for the seamless, smiling, smooth service in stunning surroundings- the most impeccably decorated and furnished rooms possible.
Nowhere is perfect - a few more hairdryers would not go amiss - but if all hotels modelled their staffing standards and systems on Ockenden Manor , every guest would leave a very happy person!

Wonderful hotel. We stayed in a Cuckfield room which is on the second floor. Beautiful views, gorgeous big bed with scrumptious linen and a large bath. The Spa is exceptional with complimentary hot drinks and the outdoor pool and jacuzzi very special. Fabulous food and a wonderful English Wine menu which was a joy to see. Hopefully will return sometime soon.

A lovely hotel and no doubt a great spa break. Nice rooms, great staff and a good location.

Would’ve like an early morning gym burst but the spa isn’t open until 7am - my problem more than the hotels but it will be a future consideration when I’m over this way on business and need somewhere to stay.

Had an overnight stay which I very much enjoyed despite the underwhelming restaurant staff. The food was excellent but the head waiter/maitre d' or whatever one is called these days was very odd, though very pleasant. Kept sniffing and it did make me wonder what he might have snorted due to his eccentric behaviour including taking my order standing at the till, 6ft away and shouting my order at me whilst leaning back in a most casual and inappropriate manner.
At breakfast I was not allowed to sit where I wanted because I was told that table is set for lunch. Ten minutes later the waiter started re-arranging the lunch table and when I questioned him he said they had a cancellation and it was now being set for afternoon tea.... whilst I was still waiting for my breakfast to appear. It's a pet hate when waiters and restaurant staff tell you where you can sit. When I pay £300 for B+B, I expect to be able to sit anywhere I like in the restaurant.
I dared to ask the little oriental waitress to fetch marmalade after she pointed out where I could find it....if looks could kill.
Another fabulous place spoilt by untrained staff .......shame as I would like to have returned, but won't.

Stayed here a number of times and it's a place that never disappoints. All of the staff, from reservations to reception and at dinner are friendly & professional, treating guests as individuals (Sarah, Patricia, Asher in reservations/reception and the wonderful Flav & Amy in the restaurant). As returning guests it's lovely to be remembered and welcomed back... Dinner was fantastic- it's always good but every element of this year's courses was so well conceived and well executed. Home smoked salmon was accompanied by smoked and pickled beetroots which were amazing in themselves. Quail melted in the mouth, the al dente green beans contrasted perfectly with the creamed cabbage with minutevpieces of smoky bacon. Best cheesecake ever for dessert- baked Basque cheesecake- caramelised and with a slight hint of citrus cutting through the cream ( we were told this secret ingredient but you'll have to visit to find out).
The spa is superb- it's always impossible to find a seat to rest on but the indoor outdoor pool and outdoor jacuzzi are wonderful. The spa itself has lifts to make it accessible but the changing room showers could be improved by grab rails- it's really difficult when you have a mobility issue to stand without for support. Only other minute constructive criticism would be can staff please check pockets before clearing robes that they think aren't being used? This time we dashed out to stop them being taken from hooks but in the past have lost combs, toiletries spectacles and even our room key when this has happened.

Such a lovely experience. The Tudor room was everything I had hoped for and it’s got that homely feel to it. Although the spa looked amazing I was unable to go in due to a head cold but would love to go back and try it out. I did have a lovely foot treatment with Emily. The food in the restaurant was beautifully cooked but not much of it so we needed to order side dishes and bread even though we had 3 courses and I’m not a big eater portion sizes are tiny but all else was perfect

Very old historic property, we’ve stayed several times before restaurant team and food were excellent. Reception very helpful

We had a lovely stay. The staff made it for us, they were all lovely!

Everything!

Wonderful stay in a great location for where we needed to be. Spa access was a great perk! And the spa itself was amazing. Staff were absolutely wonderful, very peppy which made a very accommodating environment. It was clean and homely and the service at breakfast was great. It felt like staying with family.

History location use of Spa

The staff throughout our stay were warm and helpful. The food was excellent. We were able to take our dog which was great. The Spa is in a different building which meant we had to dress for the cold weather to access it. Also there is not the opportunity to buy a glass of Champagne or something nice at the lounge in the Spa. Our room had a great view over the park but the decor felt a little tired. Also no fridge or localised climate control. In my view this made it a bit overpriced for the facilities offered.

We loved everything about Ockenden Manor! From the warm atmosphere and incredibly clean and comfortable rooms to the charming decor and gorgeous views. Alas, we only stayed one night but it was a most excellent night, followed by a delicious breakfast the next morning. I would be thrilled to come back someday and have a mooch around the shops in Cuckfield.

Lovely place, beautiful inside and outside, friendly staff, nice spa facilities, delicious food at dinner.