The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa is located in Midhurst, a very pretty Sussex market town. Wander about and you won’t be surprised to discover it was voted one of the best places to live by The Sunday Times last year. Here you’ll find a quirky mix of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture and a plentiful high street lined with a range of shops, pubs and cafes. As usual, we had one thing on our mind: luxury. So we headed straight to The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa…

Ambience

Dating back to 1430, The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa boasts plenty of character without sacrificing contemporary comfort. There are thirty-nine bedrooms and suites, each individually designed and furnished with antiques. Here you’ll find a friendly atmosphere where staff are happy to help and wandering down the spa in your robe is perfectly acceptable. It’s my kind of place.

Check in and welcome

We walked through the light and airy conservatory through to reception. I was greeted by a very friendly member of staff who checked us in without a hitch and explained all the need-to-know information. It was a warm welcome and set the tone for the rest of our stay.

The Room

I felt immediately at home upon stepping into the room and it wasn’t entirely because of the bottle of champagne that awaited! Old and new blended meticulously. For example, instead of shying away from them, sloping walls were played up with contrasting white and taupe paintwork. The result? A cosy room with real ambience.

The twin beds were exceptionally comfy and the pillows generously fluffy. Formal chairs at the end of the beds were an interesting deviation from the typical hotel chaise lounge and I thought it worked well.

I surprised myself by liking the bathroom even more. The detailed floor tiles might not be to everyone’s taste, but I fully intend on recreating this look in my next house. The sink was ample as was the shelving area, which I often find lacking in hotel rooms. Instead of cramming our stuff together, we took a shelf each for toiletries; a minor but pleasant luxury.

The Temple Spa products were not only beautiful to use but added a pleasant pop of colour to the décor, as did the sweet patterned china bowl holding a cloud of cotton balls and buds. There was a bath with rainforest shower head and, for afterwards, robes and slippers for lounging around in or making your way down to the spa in. Speaking of which…

Spa

With its dramatic Scandinavian-style vaulted ceiling and range of facilities I was very excited to try The Spread Eagle Spa out. I loved the blue mosaic tiling in the indoor heated pool which featured a very apt golden eagle and the steam room, sauna and spa pool were all a joy to use.

I was also fortunate enough to try out a ‘Work It Out’ massage – ‘a detoxifying deep tissue massage’. I was very much looking forward to the deep tissue aspect and it didn’t disappoint. My historically tight shoulders melted underneath expert firm pressure and essential oils. I left feeling eased without the usual sluggish, tired feeling that often accompanies a massage. I would definitely recommend this treatment if you too suffer from any tight or knotted muscles.

Dining

With its copper pan adorned inglenook fireplace, characterful beams and charmingly wonky flooring, the hotel’s restaurant was a delightful place to spend an evening. Better yet – the food was seriously good.

I started with the Potato Terrine which was crispy in all the right places and complimented beautifully with wilted spinach. My dining partner’s soup came with croutons and a little bowl of Parmesan for sprinkling.

Next up I tried the Aubergine and Red Onion Imam Bayildi which was very good, especially considering I wasn’t 100% sure what I was letting myself in for. It was a rich, sultry dish with hearty chunks of charred halloumi. My dining partner had the Sussex Cheddar Soufflé which was melt-in-the-mouth good.

I couldn’t resist the Apple Tart with Butterscotch Sauce which was everything a good dessert should be. My dining partner enjoyed the Milk Chocolate Semifreddo on the advice of our lovely waitress; she didn’t regret it and the plate was quickly emptied.

I couldn’t resist the Apple Tart with Butterscotch Sauce which was everything a good dessert should be. My dining partner enjoyed the Milk Chocolate Semifreddo on the advice of our lovely waitress; she didn’t regret it and the plate was quickly emptied.

Final Thoughts

For a luxurious yet friendly Sussex base I couldn’t recommend The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa enough. The rooms are cosy and full of character, the spa a pleasure to use and the food was excellent throughout. The staff were all helpful and very friendly and we left totally relaxed (and still a bit full from dinner).