Refurbishment completed at historic Sussex hotel

To mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of Historic Sussex Hotels, the famous Queen’s Suite at the 14th century Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa at Midhurst, West Sussex has been completely refurbished and it is now believed to be the largest hotel suite in the South of England.

The bedroom, bathroom and sitting room of the famous suite, once used by Elizabeth 1, measures 60 m2 but when the adjoining Edward VII entertaining room is added, the total area measures an impressive 102m2.

The fine old polished floor boards, beams and the room’s massive four poster bed have all been retained while the remainder of the room has been completely redecorated with antique furniture, colours and materials all in keeping with the room’s ancient history. Modern touches include a flat screen television and web and internet connections.

The bathroom has been completely modernised with a free standing roll top bath, separate shower and marble tiles. But the room’s unique wig closet has been retained in one corner of the room. It is possibly the last of its kind in a hotel in England.

Other areas of the famous hotel have also been refurbished under the anniversary upgrade programme, including the Hillarie Belloc and H G Wells suites, both named after previous famous guests who stayed at the Spread Eagle. The hotel’s Jacobean Hall, used for banquets and wedding receptions, has also been re-roofed and redecorated and the hotel’s famous lounge bar now has a new reclaimed oak floor to bring it back to its former glory. A further 10 of the hotel’s 39 rooms are scheduled for refurbishment before the end of the year.

The Spread Eagle also features an attractive Aquila spa with a wonderful pool set beneath a vaulted ceiling, and its award-winning restaurant serves the best in modern British cuisine, presented with style and flair.

For outside activities, guests can enjoy historic car and horse racing at Goodwood, Cowdray Park Polo, walking on the South Downs, West Dean Gardens, Chichester Cathedral and sailing off the south coast.

Other hotels in the privately owned Historic Sussex Hotels Group are Bailiffscourt Hotel and Health Spa at the coastal village of Climping on the Sussex coast and Ockenden Manor at Cuckfield, 10 minutes north of Brighton which features one of only two Michelin starred restaurants in Sussex.

For further information on the Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa or other hotels in the Historic Sussex Hotels Group, visit: hshotels.co.uk.