What the Spabreaks.com team thought of a spa break at Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa

The location of Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa is charming. It's in the pretty market town of Midhurst in West Sussex, and gives you equal access to the surrounding countryside and the shops and tea rooms. The town has a history going back to the Saxons, and is said to have been visited by the likes of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, and Guy Fawkes. All that heritage is very much on show, not least at Spread Eagle itself, which is one of the oldest coaching inns in England, dating back to 1430.

A historic hotel

The hotel and spa are a bit of a tale of two halves, divided into a historic coaching inn, and a more modern, barn-style spa area. The hotel is beautiful and brimming with atmosphere - think wooden beams, secret passages once used by smugglers, massive inglenook fireplaces, and antique furniture. I bet it's amazing at Christmas!

There are 39 rooms and suites, and they are all individually designed. I don't think I've ever slept in such a comfortable bed in my life - I didn't want to move! For special occasions, the Queen's Suite is in the oldest part of the property, and was reputedly graced by Queen Elizabeth I. The carved four-poster bed is pretty amazing.

Classic dining

Food at the hotel is a popular part of the experience, so I was interested to try it. The dining room is in the main house, and offers a kind of old world elegance at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The menu is quite traditional, and everything is beautifully done. It's a lovely thing to sit nursing a drink by the fire in the oak-beamed bar in the evening, or enjoying a leisurely breakfast with a good book.

There's also a conservatory area and an outside terrace, which are great places to sit with a cup of tea, just taking time to breathe in the experience.

A tranquil spa

The spa is a change of pace in terms of style. The building is much newer, but they have built it so that it works with the ancient house.

The pool area is gorgeous - a chance to float beneath a Scandinavian-style vaulted ceiling, or relax in the Jacuzzi. There's an enclosed spa garden, which is a beautiful place to simply spend time and perfect for the summer.

Upstairs there are six spa treatment rooms as well as 'The Nest', which is their relaxation room. The treatments are really excellent, the therapists are great, and I loved the relaxation area.

Scenic Sussex

Spread Eagle is in the heart of the South Downs National Park, and it's definitely worth taking the time to enjoy that, whether you go for a gentle walk or just enjoy the view. While we were there, some of the team went out to explore, visiting the remains of Midhurst Castle on St Ann's Hill, which is said to date to around 1066.

The spa also makes a lot of effort to incorporate nature into unique wellbeing experiences that sometimes take you out of the confines of the hotel itself, depending on the seasons. For example, they have been known to offer forest bathing in nearby woodland.

The staff are wonderful

One thing that I have to mention is the staff - they're the epitome of good old fashioned manners. They're incredibly polite, helpful, and professional, but warm and welcoming as well, making it feel like nothing is too much trouble. That really is the cherry on top, and almost sums up the whole place. If you're looking to slow down, enjoy your surroundings, and take in the atmosphere, it's perfect.