Nestled in 93 acres of the West Sussex countryside I didn’t think South Lodge could get any more idyllic. But with the unveiling of six lakeside lodges and two spa lodges on the estate, it really does bring a little sprinkle of magic. I must say ‘lodges’ feels like an undersell for these incredible two-story spaces. Each lodge feels like a luxury home away from home. The attention to detail is exquisite, lovingly created by Beverley at Sparks Studios using locally sourced and recycled materials and local craftsmen that reflect the Exclusive Collection’s B Corp status. The beds and bedding felt pure luxury and I loved the little details like proper coffee and coffee table books on English wine and wild swimming.
Designed by Felce & Guy architects, you can see the same iconic biophilic architectural design as the stunning natural spa, and of course, each is named after a different local flora and fauna. They’ve really thought of everything – bamboo cladding, rain-water flushing toilets and heat pump air conditioning means they are as low impact as they can be, with one of the lodges also being fully accessible. My personal favourite is the outdoor copper whirlpool bath and the infrared sauna on the spa lodges’ terrace.
“We are incredibly proud to open The Reeds at South Lodge,” said Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director of Exclusive Collection. “Our aim is to provide guests with a luxurious yet sustainable retreat in line with our B Corp certification, where they can relax, rejuvenate and connect with the stunning natural surroundings of West Sussex.”
A thoughtful touch for families and those wanting to not be disturbed is the delivery hatch built into the door where hampers can be left for your collection direct from the inside. It makes it easy to order in local Sussex produce, homemade granolas, freshly baked bread, pastries and fresh eggs from the hotel’s own free-range chickens. I think this spot makes a perfect baby bolthole for some well-earned R&R or babymoon, as the touches and comfort are so indulgent. There’s a sink in the mini kitchen which makes life easier, great coffee and teas and even the ability to dial in your own cocktails to be shaken and served for you while you relax.
The fully glazed frontage floods the lodges with natural light and encourages a deep connection with nature. Each lodge overlooks the new swimming lake which will soon be adorned with water lilies exclusively sourced from Monet’s renowned garden in Giverny – the only location outside of France. Even more than looking at the beauty of the lake – you can now jump in for a dip with regular guided wild swimming sessions on offer to residents and visitors. At our visit, we were talked through tips on safety and wild swimming before hopping into off the jetty. It’s so brisk and exhilarating and seeing the estate and nature from the water brings a whole new perspective and state of mind. It’s been shown that immersing in cold water does wonders for your mental health and we certainly left feeling an afterglow, which was definitely helped by the coconut milk hot chocolate to warm us up.
Guests have full access to South Lodge’s award-winning 44,000 sq ft natural spa and three restaurants including the Michelin star ‘The Pass’ and ‘Botanica’, their dairy-free spa restaurant. We followed our swim with a delicious brunch at Botanica including fresh juices supercharged with tinctures by Herball (I chose immunity with added turmeric and chaga mushroom). The brunch menu was wonderful featuring local Nutbourne tomatoes, wild mushrooms and ham hock muffins. It’s a dairy-free restaurant but that doesn’t mean going without as their Superstraccia vegan burrata was incredible.
The Reeds at South Lodge are already highly desirable – including with a few celebrities, and booking up fast.
For more information and to book, visit here.
Rates start from £1,200 per night in a Lakeside Lodge, and £1,400 per night in a Spa Lodge.
All images credited to Feasts, Shoots, and Leaves
