Expert review of Alexander House Hotel, West Sussex

I could write a thousand clichés about how amazing my stay at the Alexander House Hotel and Utopia Spa was, but actually I think that the only thing I need to say is that I took my laptop with me, fully intending to start this review in the evening of my stay, but after the amazing treatment, the delicious dinner, and yes, OK, a couple of glasses of the most delicious Chilean Sauvignon Blanc I've tasted in a long time, all those ambitions simply flew out of the window and I went to sleep instead.

I knew the stay would be a good one as not only did the spa win an award for being 'Best for Romance' in October 2011, but they are part of the Alexander Hotel Group which is responsible for Rowhill Grange, which I also love.

The Alexander House Hotel

With Alexander House though, it's the detail that makes it so special. Set in an 18th Century manor house in East Grinstead, Sussex, the hotel is magnificent. I was greeted by the friendly concierge, who gave me a tour of the building along with a potted history and a recommendation that I did the walk around the grounds later on. The spa has been open since 2006 although Alexander House has been a hotel since 1984.

The Utopia Spa is open to hotel guests as well as being a very well-appointed day spa and spa break venue. As you walk into spa reception, everybody seems to be smiling and it genuinely feels as if the staff just can't do enough to help you. The waiting area is light and airy and well stocked with free refreshments, and the relaxation area is calming and just what you need after a soporific spa treatment.

A little piece of Utopia in the Alexander House spa

I was booked in for the spa's signature 'Brushes with Heaven' treatment, an unusual facial and body treatment using Temple Spa products and brushes of different textures and sizes. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that this fabulous treatment, even though it sounds unusual, is quite possibly the most gorgeous spa treatment I've sampled to date. My therapist, Emma, was lovely, and told me before I'd even taken my robe off that she fully expected me to doze off, as most people do!

The treatment started with a foot cleansing, then I was brushed with what felt like a body brush and covered in 'drift away' massage oil which smelled divine. The entire treatment is carried out using brushes, which feels a little strange at first but is so relaxing that you soon get used to the different sensations and just relax into it.

After being anointed with warm, scented oil I was wrapped up and cocooned in blankets while Emma got on with the Temple Spa facial. At this point I started drifting in and out of consciousness so my account of the treatment might not be so accurate. The facial mainly uses the sensitive skin range, although Emma asked me if I had any specific skin concerns before we started and took those into account. If you've never had a facial massage carried out with brushes, I thoroughly recommend that you give it a try because the sensation is something else. It's almost impossible to describe, mainly because I kept dozing off, but it's the most sublimely relaxing feeling, and the aromas of the scrumptious Temple Spa product all add to the experience.

When it was all finished, after almost an hour and a half, I was more than spaced-out and had to come back to my room for a snooze. So much for starting my spa review!

The rest of the spa is top quality, with a hydrotherapy pool , a small swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms. The changing rooms are spacious and there are towels everywhere, clean ones I hasten to add, so no dragging around wet towels everywhere you go, there's always a clean, dry one on hand so that you're comfortable at all times. I found the staff to be friendly, chatty and accommodating too.

And the food's great too!

I managed to wake up for dinner. I waited in the hotel's Champagne Bar where again, the service and attention to detail were spot on. I was given a little bowl of vegetable crisps while I waited for my table, and table drinks organised in advance. The food - you've guessed it - amazing. Starting with the tiny cup of delicious pea soup, I enjoyed the whole meal immensely. I don't usually opt for a dessert if I've had a starter but when there's chocolate and pear bread and butter pudding on offer, what's a girl to do?

I came back to my room, mid-evening, with all good intentions but the treatment, food and wine got the better of me and I just fell asleep. My room, a Junior Suite, was perfect, with a huge, comfortable bed, TV, CD player and DVD and a bathroom I would kill to be able to transport to my own house. There really isn't anything missing - my room even had a delicious selection of fresh fruit awaiting me, a choice of cafetiere or instant coffees, teas and biscuits. It was so perfect that I almost wanted the cafetiere to leak just so that I could find something remotely negative to say that would balance all the praise.

I absolutely adored the Alexander House Hotel and Utopia Spa, and as for the Brushes with Heaven treatment I think it should be available on the NHS for insomnia and stress relief!

To book a spa break at Alexander House and Utopia Spa call our free reservations service on 0845 555 8 555 or email us with your dates and requirements enquiry@spaseekers.com

To book Alexander House Hotel, West Sussex call 0845 555 8 555 or buy online. Buy monetary spa vouchers for this spa.

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