Last Updated on February 22, 2024

Staycation at a Spa Hotel in Surrey

City Dwellers, do you get the urge to get away to the country at this time of year?  For me, the vibrant green hedgerows and the fresh spring and early summer air seem to draw me out of London like a magnet.  An escape to the country – especially one which is just 40 minutes from Waterloo by train is the ultimate treat.  And, if the place I’m staying has good food, a spa with a pool and luxurious rooms that’s even better.  Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa ticks all the right boxes for me and, even if it’s just for an overnight stay, I’ll go back to the City refreshed and invigorated.  

My home for the night was ‘Bronte’ – a feature room with a stunning four poster and with artwork that reflected the Bronte family.  There were robes and slippers in the wardrobe ready for post spa relaxation.  There was a proper coffee machine so I could indulge in an espresso or three.  There was a tea tray with kettle and an assortment of teas and coffees.  And a couple of sneaky biscuits.  The fridge had sparkling and still water chilling for my arrival and there was Nutty sitting on the desk…yes I did covet him!

There was a good sized desk/dressing table, a pair of comfy chairs to curl up in with a book and the kind of ambient lighting that you don’t notice, in the right way!

The luxurious bathroom came equipped with a good heap of the fluffiest white towels and there was a selection of individual toiletries, all paraben free and all branded ‘Hand Picked Hotels’.  The bath had a shower over which ran at a good pressure so you could realistically choose between bath and shower.  

Once I’d settled in, I made my way over to the spa and health club.  It is open to members and hotel residents, although only children staying at the hotel can use it – and only for very limited times.  Pleasantly quiet at 3pm on a weekday afternoon, there’s a small but well equipped gym, a pool and jacuzzi, a sauna, steam room and more.  With a little more time I’d have booked a treatment, but I was staying for a wine dinner that evening and I’d already spent a little too long in the steam room.  Next time!

The wine dinner was a one-off event, with the winemaker from Creation Wines in South Africa joined by Corné Pretorius, a horticulturist who is also from South Africa and by Caroline Scaramanga who is helping to develop the hotel gardens of the Hand Picked hotels.  Julia Hands the owner, Chairman and CEO of Hand Picked Hotels gave a short introduction to the evening before we learned more about the biodiversity of South Africa and how some of the same concepts of place and synthesis with nature are being translated into the landscapes of the hotels.  More about the wines will follow because there’s a real movement in South Africa to change and embrace a sustainable way forward.

We started with drinks outside on the terrace.  It’s a beautiful space where, weather permitting, in the summer you can dine al-fresco looking out over the rolling Surrey hills.  The hotel has a plethora of private rooms suitable for weddings, anniversaries and corporate events and our dinner was hosted in one of the rooms, so far from the main dining area that I suspect the other guests at the hotel didn’t notice we were there.  

While banquet dinners can’t ever represent what a regular diner in the hotel will experience, they are a good litmus test for the overall food offering. Producing 50 or 60 covers to be served simultaneously is a challenge in its own right that shouldn’t be downplayed.  If you were thinking of booking a private event – a wedding or birthday party then you might be pleasantly surprised here.  What we enjoyed for our dinner was exceptionally good quality.  We started with a fish course of cured hake served with butter emulsion, nori dust, pickled samphire, cucumber and onion which paired beautifully with the Creation Reserve Chardonnay that we were offered.  That was followed by a palate cleansing  followed by a couscous salad.

The meat courses comprised a perfectly pink rack of lamb with pearl barley risotto and chimichurri paired with the Creation Reserve Pinot Noir and then a spicy Bobotie with saffron rice paired with the richer Creation Syrah Grenache.  I was particularly impressed by the lamb, a dish that’s tricky to serve to a small group let alone at a banquet.  The Bobotie was a revelation and I’ll be making my own version soon – a spicy beef mince topped with a creamy, light egg custard that was just just delicious.

For dessert of course we enjoyed Malva pudding – a dish created by a restaurant in Boschendal, near Stellenbosch in the late 1970 which became the favourite of Nelson Mandela.  This version, made with sweet potato, was delicious although without an overwhelming apricot flavour which for me is the signature note of the dish.

There are times, like this one, when I’m truly grateful to be staying overnight. I slept like a baby in the massive and very comfortable bed and woke the next morning relaxed enough to easily dissuade myself from another visit to the spa in favour of a lie-in. 

Breakfast gave us another chance to experience the food at Nutfield Priory.  Trying my best not to be tempted by the Full English or the Eggs Benedict, I opted instead for the omega-rich smoked mackerel with scrambled eggs on toasted seeded bread with basil and chive olive oil drizzle. 

A healthy and delicious start that was enough to mean I didn’t need lunch.  If you don’t want a cooked breakfast, then there’s a cold buffet with meats, cheeses, pastries, yoghurts and more.  Unlike the cooked option, there’s no calorie count there!

While the original building, dating back to around 1240, was indeed a priory, the hotel was rebuilt in the mid to late 19th century. 

It’s full of original wood and stone carvings, both inside and outside and the Grand Hall has a stunning organ to complement the beautiful fireplace.  I learnt that what looked like a ceiling decoration in the centre of the Grand Hall was actually an early form of central heating, allowing the warm air from the fire in the hall to circulate through vents on the upper levels. 

It’s a charming and authentic English Country House hotel with a range of room options from the smallest ‘cosy classic’ rooms which still come with a full size double bed to two master suites which are uniquely styled and larger than most London flats! 

Nutfield Priory also has a range of special promotions for guests.  In addition to Spa Breaks and Half Term specials, as you’d expect given they are less than 20 minutes’ drive from Gatwick, there’s a getaway option which would start any holiday with a real sparkle.  You arrive to find your room set up with a cocktail kit so you and your companion can enjoy a drink before dinner.  Then, there’s a three course meal in the hotel’s restaurant.  An overnight stay with breakfast the next morning, then an executive car transfer to Gatwick.  And, of course, use of the spa and health club.  

But, even if you are staycationing and just getting out of London for a day or two, you’ll find Nutfield Priory to be the perfect country house hotel escape.  

Factbox

I was a guest of Hand Picked Hotels for their Taste of South Africa Dinner and Adapting to Change event.
Nutfield Priory has 60 rooms, 15 of which are feature rooms and suites.
The Cloisters Restaurant at Nutfield Priory is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner
In addition to overnight spa breaks staying at the hotel, the Health Club offers Spa Days and there are a range of membership offers for local residents
The hotel is about 8 minutes drive from Redhill station and about 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport.

Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa
Nutfield Road
Nutfield
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 4EL