Gravetye Manor

‘Classy, comfortable and tasteful, the house has kept its period character without being “old hat”; the rooms are elegantly furnished without being pretentious,’ say trusted Guide correspondents in 2016, of this ‘special’ country house hotel. The Elizabethan manor house, former home of the lauded Victorian gardener William Robinson, stands in ‘impeccably maintained’ grounds. Inside, the lounges have ‘huge’ log fires, ‘plenty of chairs and settees’, freshly cut garden flowers. Andrew Thomason, the managing director, is ‘much in evidence’. ‘Housekeeping standards are high’ in the ‘sizeable’ upstairs bedrooms. ‘A lot of thought has gone into anticipating guests’ needs. Our kettle was refilled during turn-down; a copy of the Radio Times was left open at the right page, with the TV remote control on top of it. All much appreciated.’ In the dining rooms, chef George Blogg’s ‘delicious’ Michelin-starred dishes draw inspiration from the vast kitchen garden. ‘We enjoyed an exquisite parsnip mousse, beautifully tender duck, an excellent chocolate tart suitably offset by a sharp fruit sorbet.’ (Francine and Ian Walsh, Bill Bennett). This hotel is a member of Pride of Britain hotels.