GETAWAYS
HOLISTIC INDULGENCE AT SOUTH LODGE
A NEO-JACOBEAN GRAND DAME OF A PROPERTY WITH A YELLOW BRADSTONE BRICK EXTERIOR AND 93 ACRES OF SURROUNDING BEECH AND OAK WOODLANDS, SOUTH LODGE KNOWS HOW TO DO FIVE-STAR PROPERLY, BUT WITH A COLLAR-LOOSENING SENSE OF ACCESSIBILITY THAT’ S VERY MUCH PART OF WHAT MAKES IT SO EXCEPTIONAL. YOU CAN ARRIVE ANTICIPATING MICHELIN-STARRED THEATRE AT THE PASS, SPEND THE AFTERNOON SUBMERGED IN AN OUTDOOR HYDROTHERAPY POOL AND END THE NIGHT BAREFOOT ON THE DECK OF A LAKESIDE LODGE. THE WHOLE PLACE SEEMS DESIGNED AROUND ONE CLEAR IDEA- THAT GENUINE INDULGENCE IS NOT ABOUT CHOOSING BETWEEN NATURE, FOOD AND WELLNESS, BUT ALLOWING ALL THREE TO BLUR TOGETHER IN WHICHEVER WAY YOU CHOOSE. BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
THE PASS
The Reeds, South Lodge’ s collection of lakeside lodges, takes that idea furthest. Set apart from the main hotel, our spa lodge sat directly on the water, its double-height glazing framing reeds, sky and shifting reflections like a living landscape painting. The architecture is contemporary but deferential to its setting, with warm timber, natural textures and earthy shades setting the tone rather than anything overly glossy. A king-size bed faces the lake; a separate lounge has a fireplace and dining table; the kitchenette comes with a fridge stocked with drinks- all blissfully designed so that guests instantly sink into relaxation and wrapped in a round-the-clock personal concierge service, what more could one want?
The escapism continues at The Spa, a 44,000-square-foot building sunk so sympathetically into the landscape that its scale only becomes apparent once inside. Glass pulls the grounds into almost every space, while the 22-metre indoor infinity pool appears to pour towards the countryside beyond. Outside, the heated vitality pool bubbles beneath open sky; nearby, an 18-metre wild swimming pool hovers at a cool 14 ° C; and bookable lake slots offer wild swimming should you wish to experience the real thing.
The thermal suite also includes a botanical sauna and marble-lined salt steam room- interestingly, and although the treatments here are top-notch, touches such as these extended facilities make it quickly apparent that The Spa is so rich in its offering, it doesn’ t depend upon those treatments to quantify its calibre; they are an added bonus to an already restorative system of warmth, water and fresh air, which collectively is more than enough to reset anyone’ s nervous system.
South Lodge gets particularly right the absence of‘ ceremonial wellness’- the kind that’ s increasingly more commonly packaged as‘ optimisation’ in that everything has to be about growth or bettering oneself and is frankly exhausting. The atmosphere is easy, sociable and contemporary, so you can properly relax without feeling obligated to whisper about it, track it or monitor it. Botanica, the spa’ s Mediterranean-inspired, zero-waste and dairy-free restaurant, extends that mood without pretension, although our evening belonged to The Pass- Ben Wilkinson’ s Michelin-starred restaurant built quite literally around the workings of the kitchen.
Fresh from a cheerful glow-up, The Pass, although it was never stuffy but was definitely more stark in its aesthetic, is visually warmer and more tactile than it was previously, with a grounding autumnal palette, plush fabrics, modern layered
128 • www. insidekent. co. uk