The Most Gorgeous Spa Hotel in Surrey?

[Independent review] Nutfield Priory, one of the Hand Picked Hotels collection of spa hotels in Surrey, holds a special place in my heart. It was a location that my partner booked for a very important purpose – a proposal! Even though he didn’t actually pop the question in the grounds of the hotel, it’s where we spent the majority of our day. I was certainly on a high but I don’t think it skewed my opinion enough to give you a biased review.

The Hotel

Nutfield Priory is a late Victorian mansion. The reception area is located in the entrance hall, a space the size of my lounge. Its large common space is decorated with vast stained glass windows with a mezzanine and an enormous chandelier above.

The bar is in a nook between the common space, the restaurant, and the library. The library! Walls of ancient books circle the room, crying out to be read over a coffee or a cocktail. I was desperate to take one home, but I couldn’t be that naughty. During the evening of our stay, we sat in the empty library with a cocktail, and I tried to find the oldest book on the shelves – the oldest I found was one from 1853.

During the day, we sat outside on the garden deck, looking out onto the Surrey hills.

For a Saturday in May, it was quiet. The atmosphere across the whole hotel was calm and refined. I might have liked the bar area to have a TV and show some sports – considering it was Champions League Final night – or have a live musician, but I understand that it’s not necessarily the vibe they were going for.

The Room

Only we could end up with The Wordsworth Suite, the best suite according to the lady at the front desk, often used as the bridal suite. We worked out that the room is bigger than a single floor of our house. The bed is enormous, definitely big enough for four, and there is a distinct seating area between the bed and the windows. I genuinely felt like royalty.

There is also a dressing area with wardrobes and a large table with plug socket access. Inside the wardrobes were coffee and tea facilities, a safe (a good addition because it kept my ring safe while at the spa), and some dressing gowns.

You know, I think the bathroom is bigger than my lounge too. Right by the door is a shower that could have fit three, a bath, his and hers sink, and a toilet tucked away inside a cubicle – after all, no one needs to sit in the bath and see the love of their life on the throne.

The Restaurant

As part of our stay at Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa, we booked a 7 course chef’s tasting menu for dinner. We arrived at the restaurant at 7pm and were seated facing out into the garden and across the green. As others were ordering off a menu and tucking in, we waited for each course of delicious luxury to arrive. From what I understand, the chef’s menu changes, and I can’t remember exactly what we ate, but I do remember that the portions were small, and filling. I do remember a pork belly with apple mash, which tipped me over the edge – I think it was the fifth course, and I really struggled. Not enough to turn down the citrus chocolate bomb dessert!

We did pass on the cheese board. We’re not cheesy people, and I started to get the food sweats!

In the morning, we were seated by the window again, and demolished our toast and jam looking out at the bright May sunshine. Again, food was excellent. I of course had Eggs Benedict, and Dan had a full English, and even after the feast of the night before, the food was good enough to scoff.

The Spa

A short walk from the main hotel building is the spa that guests from the hotel are able to use without extra cost. Individual spa treatments do cost an additional fee. The spa is on two floors: upstairs there is an exercise studio, café and treatment area; downstairs it has a gym, squash court, yoga studio and pool. The changing rooms, also located downstairs are large, offering loads of lockers, a communal changing area, cubicles, and individual showers.

A walk out to the pool leads to a relaxing setting, warm and dimly lit. There are a handful of loungers dotted around the pool area, which includes a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi. The pool itself is relatively warm, but does feel refreshingly cool after a few minutes in the sauna. We rotated between the four facilities, enjoying the child free time – although, we were present when the pool opened to under 16s, and a couple of boys jumped in to play. That was our time to leave, but we didn’t feel hard done by.

Perhaps the next time you’re looking for a bit of luxury, this spa hotel in Surrey is a perfect choice. We’ll be back soon, I’m sure.

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