A Magical Stay At The Ashdown Park Hotel

Bonjour lecteurs! Are you looking for a new place to explore with your family? Usually, I share with you all our favourite spots in Kent. But this time around, I am taking you to East Sussex! We recently had a magical Stay at The Ashdown Park Hotel. We’ve been many times there as it is one of our most-loved hotels and my mother-in-law actually got married there. So let me take you on a beautiful trip to an enchanted world.

The Ashdown Park Hotel

The Ashdown Park Hotel is situated in the heart of the famous Ashdown Forest where A.A Milne was inspired to write his Winnie The Pooh stories.

So if your children like the sweet little bear, you must stop by and visit the très British hôtel.

We’ve been there many times over the years and even I forgot how big it was. Indeed, the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club has many rooms and facilities such as a spa to make it a great family-friendly staycation.

If like me, you love a bit of luxury in some stunning surroundings, this is your place.

Our Arrival

After a hour and a half drive through some torturous country roads, we eventually made it to the Ashdown Park Hotel for the weekend.

As soon as you arrive, you are mesmerised by the imposing building with its adjacent chapel. No wonder why it’s such a popular wedding venue.

We checked in and walked along a long corridor to find our family suite. It was like being in a Harry Potter movies with the stained glass windows!

Apparently, there might even be a ghost down there… But I have seen nothing myself!

L’Atmosphère

The Ashdown Park Hotel is quintessentially British with a luxurious décor, so parfait for you to pretend you are une princesse.

Think large rooms decorated with chic sofas and lots of old paintings. It’s truly grandiose!

It’s part of an estate that dates back from the 17th century. Back then, the piece of land was over 3500 acres!

You can totally feel that Ashdown Park  has a proud British history and the hotel conserved a lot of it it in his ambience.

It’s a classic luxurious country hotel nested in some beautiful surroundings. J’adore such un hôtel traditionnel with classiques features.

Our Family Suite

And what a treat! We arrived in our family suite to be amazed by its size. I will say, it was truly magnificent!

We are lucky enough to experience many beautiful staycations, but this was something out of a fairy tale.

Our suite was made of a super king sized bed and a living room area turned into Stanley’s little’s corner.

Not so petit after all… And once you cross the main room, you could also access a fully equipped bathroom.

From the luxurious sink, to the Molton Brown toiletries, everything is made for you to feel fabulous.

Le plus? We were right by la chapelle and we had some amazing views of the estate. It was like staying in our very own castle!

J’adore the dressing table and the overall décor felt luxurious. We had all what we needed to relax.

Le Dîner

As it was cold and rainy, we decided to stay in our suite. Nested in one of the comfy armchairs by the window, I watched a bit of un film classique, ‘Roman Holiday’. But it was time to get some dîner.

Now, what is more luxurious than listening to some live piano while eating our food? Once more, the dinner at the Ashdown Park Hotel had it all to please.

Expect an incredible service with some yummy meals cooked for you by the chef.

Au menu for moi, I started with a fig and goat cheese millefeuille before savouring some delicate meat while Grumpy Boyfriend enjoyed the fish.

And regardez the size of Stanley’s plate! That’s what I call a complete meal… L’ambiance? Très chic, yet my little lord thought it was very nice!

Other Facilities

Indeed, the Ashdown Park Hotel might sound more like a romantique escape. But it still have it all for our little ones to have a blast!

We checked out the play room in the basement, played a bit of pool (I mean have you seen the size of this table!?) and this was us done for the evening.

Not before Stanley asked for a few tips to the piano player on Chopin’s pieces…

Breakfast & Spa

After a lovely night sleep (guess who tried to make it to our huge bed?), we enjoyed some yummy breakfast in the same luxurious premises as the night before.

Pas de musique this time, but all the staff was eager to please and help us. We certainly enjoyed some pain au chocolat.

We took our time, we made the most of the view of the estate and we pretended it could last forever…

And to make the dream last longer, Stanley and I made it to the spa facilities. Dressed in his own little robe and slippers (like une star de cinéma?), we relaxed in the pool and went into the hot tub too.

Children are allowed at specific times and it was quiet, so we made the most of it. You can also go to the gym or have a treatment there.

Exploring The Forest & The Pooh Corner

We had one last drink before leaving. It was so relaxing to sit in the beautiful traditional lounge.

I actually recommend you book an Afternoon Tea there. We’ve done it many times in the past and it never disappoints!

But we also went for a little walk among the estate. We did not go far, we already know the place quite a bit and it was cold and miserable so we were better inside with a drink.

But not to worry, we got to explore a bit la forêt and we even stopped by the nearby Pooh Corner in Hartfield. A must see when you are in the forest where it all started…

The Ashdown Park Hotel – Le Verdict

Our stay at the Ashdown Park Hotel was truly magical… Because it’s so famous for being a glamourous wedding venue, it might not be an obvious choice for a family staycation.

But I must say that we had a fantastique time. It works so well if you have children and you fancy a chic stay in the countryside.

The whole estate is something out of a fairy tale. Whatever you like doing, taking photos pretending you are a princess or going for a walk (spot the deers!), the Ashdown Park Hotel has it all for you to have a luxurious and relaxing time.

Our  room was very spacious, the food was delicious and we always felt like we were taken care of at all times.

The perfect family weekend in East Sussex!

We love it there! We’ve been big fans for nearly a decade now and I have no doubt we will be back in the years to come…

 

What was the most luxurious hotel you’ve ever visited? This was très spécial indeed…

 

Disclosure: We stayed at the Ashdown Park Hotel for free in exchange for an honest opinion. With a spécial merci to the hotel for inviting us. We truly had as stunning time.