by What is the meaning of an English country hotel? For me: a venerable old house, graciously redesigned, in a nice location with a lot to see and nearby. It should serve as a comfortable, attractive, friendly basis for which you can return after a trip, preferably with a spa in which you can relax. There are many addresses that offer these things, but there is a knotty problem: Can you afford it? And if so, does it cut too many corners in terms of design, comfort and service?
The Al Friston has opened in the medieval village of the same name, where the Fairytale St. Andrews Church sits next to the village of Green and the Cuckmere River with the old spiritual house, the first property of the National Trust.
So far, so very good. Location (beautiful village; wonderful, uninterrupted view): tick. To see and do things (Glyndebourne, Charleston House, Eastbourne, Rathfinny Wine Estate, Long Man Brewery, runs high on the depths, cliffs on the seven sisters or along the Cuckmere River, candle food, paddle boarding, paragliding): Tick. Value for money? Let’s take a look at that.
First, the background story. This is the fourth boutique hotel in the Signet Collection, which began with the excellent miter at the Hampton Court in 2020. Owner Hector Ross then opened the retreat in Elcot Park near Newbury, the Barnsdale in Rutland, and now in this place of the dean, which began the 14th century in the early 20th century, became a hotel in the early 20th century.
Former General Manager James Dopson, whose in -laws were the owners, is enthusiastic about the renovation. The heated outdoor pool has received a facelifting, although the gardens need work, while the new spa contains a secret weapon called Alessandra, whose facial and massages, my friend Geraldine and I both agreed, the last word in blissful relaxation.
Ross is a delightful guy who manages the project himself with his wife Sammy and often has during construction. But four hotels in five years are many and corners that have been cut in terms of design. This, he tells me, is the last one: Now perfect what he created so quickly.
This is not the only boutique hotel in Tiny Alfreiton. The hotel inspector Alex Polizzi was probably not the best when Ross also ended up here, but in fact the two hotels complement each other. What is able to the star, one of three hotels of the police collection (it looks at a parking lot, although its inner courtyard is beautiful), it takes on the peerless interior of Olga Police, Alex ‘mother, and is more polished and luxurious -and therefore expensive: £ 340 for a standard double with breakfast with £ 165 at the Alfiston.
Make your choice. In the Al Friston you will find an attractive color palette, especially in the airy dining room. Beautifully decorated bedrooms with a statement headboard, coating carpet, patterned fabric umbrellas, sparse art on the walls and ordinary, functional, tiled bathing rooms. But no radio, no flowers, no books, no minibar, so the boutique luxury no longer remains. But my sussex room had wonderful views and it was called Ravilious, which is nice because he is my favorite -English artist.
The star also gives the guests the opportunity to dine elsewhere in the second or third night in the Alter tone elsewhere, and vice versa. Geraldine, who came with me when I discussed the star in 2021, and I thought both that it would take a perfect break.
I tell you what else takes a perfect break. A swimming in the pool (drinks that have brought us), a spoiling spa treatment, a visit to this must-the-the-the-south-france-france-rathfinny Wine Estate, then a short drive and an early evening walk, followed by a bench with a bottle of Rathfinny and breathtaking views of the seven sisters and the seven SSIEM Cuckmere-Valley.
There were a few dog hikers and a group of Korean tourists who had seen the seven sisters who could be seen in a popular series at home. The weather was nice and we had the feeling that we had a special day. Back to the Alfritton for an excellent dinner from a simple menu jamón ibérico and a pork chop for me, moulles and lemon sole for Geraldine-a Comfortable Night and a helpful buffet breakfast (again a few steps from what you would find in a luxury device). But monetary value? I think so.
Doubled by £ 165 per night, including breakfast (01323 870248). Seaford Road, Alfreiston, Polegate BN26 5TW
