3 Best Hotels in The Southeast, England

Enter under the portcullis of this genuine medieval castle, where present-day luxury dominates. Antiques and rich draperies furnish the individually designed bedrooms, and many have lattice windows, beamed ceilings, and curtained four-posters. The hallways, lounges, and dining areas are adorned with suits of armor, mounted weapons, and historic portraits. You can dine beneath a 12th-century barrel-vaulted ceiling in the excellent Queen's Room restaurant; the prix fixe menu includes three courses, and you can add three paired wines for an additional cost. Alternatively, consider the superb afternoon tea (£50 per person), which is served until 5:30 pm and can be enjoyed in the Great Room, in one of the charming lounges, or out on the beautiful garden terrace surrounded by ruined castle walls. If you're staying the night, take a stroll around the lush grounds—stop for a game of croquet or tennis, or play a round on the 18-hole putting course along the way—or wander along the country path into the village of Amberley, via the impossibly pretty thatched-roof houses on Church Street.

Located 15 miles southwest of East Grinstead (and within east reach of Arundel, Brighton, and Lewes), this spectacular country estate is the region's most luxurious stay, set within 92 acres of Sussex countryside and including a small vineyard, woodland walk, kitchen garden, and rockery. Still, it's what inside the hotel that counts. The beautifully appointed bedrooms, suites, and lakeside lodges are individually designed to combine heritage features with modern comfort, and there are wide-ranging dining options in the three excellent restaurants—including the Michelin-starred Ben Wilkinson at The Pass—along with the billiard bar and garden terrace. Perhaps the highlight, however, is the state-of-the-art spa, with an indoor pool and a natural outdoor swimming lake, as well as a scented sauna and salt steam room. Breakfast is served in the elegant Camellia, or you can eat in the spa restaurant Botanica, which has many vegetarian and vegan options. South Lodge is also an excellent family retreat, with extras for young children including a tent and books in the room, activity trails through the gardens (with prizes), and designated swimming times.

Situated a few miles south of Arundel, this charmingly out-of-the-way country escape offers lovely period features, expansive private gardens, and one of the region's finest spas; sleeping options are spread out across a series of houses, cottages, and courtyards. Most of the buildings are (despite appearances) less than a century old, and the rooms vary from highly decorative, medieval-style suites with four-poster beds to bright and breezy bedrooms with modern furnishings. Ask for a peek inside the 13th century chapel, one of the truly historic buildings in the grounds.