We were delighted to welcome Steph (@lifestooshorttosayno) to Alexander House in September. Steph enjoyed an overnight stay, time in Utopia Spa with an OSKIA Nutri-Hydration Body Therapy as well dinner in Reflections.

Read on below to hear all about what Steph got up to during her time with us at our 5 star Hotel & Spa in the West Sussex countryside…

A Luxury Retreat to Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa, West Sussex with Steph Johnson

Alexander House has held a coveted spot on my bucket list for quite some time, so when the team reached out to extend an invitation to experience an overnight stay and spa day at Utopia Spa, I was lost for words.

Situated in the heart of West Sussex countryside, Alexander House marks the third hotel in the Alexander Hotel Collection that I’ve been lucky enough to explore and review. I have also stayed at Barnett Hill, located in the Surrey Hills and Great Fosters, in Egham near Windsor. For both of these stays I visited with Moose, my cockapoo and got to explore the incredibly beautiful grounds and even enjoy Doggy Afternoon Tea at Great Fosters.

That said, it’s not often I travel without Moose and whilst Alexander House is dog friendly, because of our travel plans, I made the decision to leave Moose in the capable hands of his dog dad for boys’ night. And instead, I treated my mum to a well-deserved spa retreat. Alexander House is perfect for a girly getaway.

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 

Alexander House is situated within 120 acres of picturesque parkland in the idyllic West Sussex Countryside. The Jacobean manor dates back to the 17th century, and was once the residence of the famed poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and author Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein. Today, the 5-star hotel boasts 57 individually designed rooms and suites, plus a 2-bedroom private residence ‘The Gatehouse’. But the real standout is their iconic Utopia Spa which I’ll delve into later.

As we stepped into the ornate reception of Alexander House, we found ourselves in awe of its sophistication and timeless elegance. As with each estate in the Alexander Hotel Collection, the Jacobean manor has been carefully designed, maintaining its palpable sense of history and prestige. The staff were warm and welcoming which immediately made us feel like honoured guests, and the luxurious surroundings we’d seen already promised a stay that would be nothing short of extraordinary. Whilst we waited for our suite to be ready, we made our way to the South Drawing Room to indulge in their afternoon tea.

 

AFTERNOON TEA IN THE SOUTH DRAWING ROOM

There is nothing more quintessentially British than afternoon tea. And afternoon tea at Alexander House was delightful. The selection of homemade delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of exquisite desserts were presented with artful precision.

As we enjoyed our afternoon tea in the South Drawing Room, I couldn’t help but think about Moose, and how if he had been a guest too, he would have enjoyed his own Doggy Afternoon Tea. Alexander House’s thoughtful approach to hospitality extends to even their four-legged guests as well. It’s just one of the many ways they go above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay for all guests, including the furry ones.

 

OUR STAY IN THE GARDEN MASTER SUITE

With satisfied bellies, it was time to check into our suite, and I must admit that I had no inkling of what awaited us. Just a short walk away from the main house, led us to the Cedar Lodge Suites and as we opened the door to our Garden Master Suite, Great Dixter, I was left speechless for the second time. The suite featured a separate lounge area with a comfortable corner sofa and bespoke furniture that included some remarkable, one-of-a-kind pieces on the first floor, along with a bathroom and a terrace with sun loungers. Heading up the stairs to the second floor (yes, the second floor!) the bedroom was just as plush and opulent as downstairs and featured tones of red & black with incredible views of the stunning Sussex countryside, which we enjoyed as we tucked into the chocolate dipped strawberries that were awaiting our arrival.

The suite’s pièce de résistance was its two luxurious bathrooms, one on each floor. Both boasted walk-in rain showers and underfloor heating for ultimate comfort. The upstairs bathroom took luxury to the next level with an oversized bathtub and a captivating feature stone-built wall. You know I’m a sucker for a hotel bathtub and I will never say no to a bubble bath.

For the perfect finishing touches, we were spoilt with an emperor bed, a choice of four mood lighting options and a fully integrated audio system. In essence, the Garden Master Suite was a sanctuary of comfort, style, and modern luxury (and I never wanted to leave).

 

FOOD AND DRINK

Food and drink is at the heart of all of the properties within the esteemed Alexander Hotel Collection. Having had the pleasure of savouring meals at both Barnett Hill & Great Fosters, two other hotels in the Collection, I was eagerly anticipating the gastronomic delights that awaited us. Despite not long after having eaten our afternoon tea, I was already looking forward to dinner!

At Alexander House you’ll find two restaurants, a champagne bar and the South Drawing Room I mentioned earlier. We booked to eat dinner in their Reflections restaurant, a 2-rosette bistro-style dining space which wraps around an exterior courtyard, offering an idyllic setting for alfresco dining during the warmer months and views of twinkling lights in the colder months. Typically, when my partner and I travel with Moose we’re not allowed to enjoy the main restaurants, for obvious reason. Thus, this dining experience at Reflections was indeed a special treat!

Everything on the dinner menu looked so good, making it a challenge to choose! I settled on the Jerusalem Artichoke Arancini to start, followed by the Vegetable Risotto as my main course, and naturally the Chocolate Tart was the perfect choice for dessert.

 

Let’s talk about breakfast! In case you didn’t know, breakfast just so happens to be my absolute favourite meal of the day, and I must say that Alexander House continued to exceed my expectations. They organised breakfast in bed! Smashed avocado, yoghurt, fresh fruit, warm danish pastries, a comforting cup of hot chocolate and a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed apple juice was the perfect wake up call.

 

UTOPIA SPA & THE OSKIA NUTRI-HYDRATION BODY THERAPY 

The part you’ve all been waiting for… Alexander House is home to the multi award-winning Utopia Spa. With an impressive 25 treatment rooms, including three couple’s treatment rooms, as well as inviting relaxation lounges, Utopia Spa is a sanctuary like no other. What truly sets it apart, and my personal favourite features, were the bespoke outdoor barrel sauna and a thermal whirlpool hot tub, where guests can immerse themselves in the serene surroundings, right in the heart of the West Sussex countryside.

Utopia Spa’s ethos revolves around rejuvenating the body, mind, and soul through a blend of heat, water, and scent therapies. They offer a range of bio-nutritional therapies by OSKIA of London and aromatic treatments from Temple Spa. Additionally, the spa offers its own exclusive Utopia rituals, all crafted to help guests rediscover their centre and achieve a sense of balance.

 

During my stay, I had the privilege of experiencing one of their brand-new spa treatments, the OSKIA Nutri-Hydration Body Therapy. It was a revitalising full-body ritual that began with a soothing exfoliation, followed by a hydrating treatment that left my skin feeling incredible. The tension in my body melted away with a warming back, shoulder, and neck massage, which was then followed by a truly blissful contouring facial and scalp massage. I left feeling on cloud nine!

After my treatment, I continued to spend the day relaxing, wrapped in my fluffy robe, enjoying refreshments from the outdoor bar and losing myself in the pages of a good book by the pool.

Utopia Spa is more than just a spa; it’s a sanctuary meticulously designed to whisk your senses away from the ordinary. It is without a doubt, a haven for those seeking the perfect blend of serenity and rejuvenation, and was the highlight of our stay.

 

Thank you Alexander House and Utopia Spa for an extra special stay that exceeded all our expectations, you are a relaxation destination like no other.

From the moment we arrived, the impeccable service, the attention to detail, and the exquisite surroundings enveloped us in a cocoon of comfort and serenity. Each aspect of our stay, from the luxurious Cedar Lodge Suites to the award-winning dining experiences and the spa treatments at Utopia Spa, will be something I’ll never forget.

The only thought that lingered in my mind when I checked out, was the eagerness to return, not just for my own enjoyment but also to bring Moose to experience the extraordinary dog-friendly hospitality that Alexander House and Utopia Spa graciously offer.

 

A huge thank you to Steph for joining us here at Alexander House and for her absolutely fabulous review and kind words!

Follow Steph here.

Find out more about Alexander House here.