Romantic breaks in Sussex

Best for wellness

Crafted at Powdermills, Battle 

Newly opened in late 2025, the hotel is set around a seven-acre lake and woodland with a focus on wellness. Try a relaxing sauna and swim and reconnect with nature, or for creative couples, try your hand at a workshop. The Restaurant offers seasonal menus and produce from the on-site garden, as well as a pub. 

Perfect for: Reconnecting with nature and calming couples retreats

Local experiences: Battle Abbey, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard, De La Warr Pavilion 

Alexander House & Utopia Spa, East Grinstead

Find your own slice of pampered paradise at this 5 Star Spa hotel. With 25 treatment rooms – including three designed for couples – you and your other half can unwind in luxury, as you enjoy an extra special romantic break. (They don’t call it Utopia Spa for nothing). Expect the full five-star treatment from the moment you arrive, until you bid a reluctant farewell.

Perfect for: Luxury spa experiences and romantic getaways

Local experiences: Wakehurst, The Cat Inn, Ouse Valley Viaduct 

Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, near Littlehampton

Fully unwind with a spa day at Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa in Climping, including Evening Sunset packages that include a choice of treatment, a glass of fizz and a delicious dinner in the hotel restaurant, or a very short walk away at the recently relaunched Black Horse Pub. Rooms are available in a series of charming houses and cottages, located in private parkland right next to the beach.

Perfect for: Coastal escapes and indulgent stays 

Local experiences: The Beach Watersports, Goodwood Motor Circuit, Tinwood Estate vineyard 

Best for Food lovers 

Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead

Escape to the country with a romantic break at this 16th-century manor house, enveloped by 35 acres of beautiful grounds. With a Michelin-star restaurant and rooms that combine old-world charm with modern-day comforts, you’re guaranteed to fall head over heels with this regal manor. 

Perfect for: Michelin Star dining and beautiful gardens 

Local experiences: Kingscote Vineyard, Bluebell Railway, Borde Hill Gardens  
 

The Pig in the South Downs, Madehurst

Tucked away in the South Downs National Park, surrounded by rolling hills and quaint villages, The Pig is the perfect spot for a romantic retreat. In the evenings, you’ll retire to luxurious, cosy rooms, with roll-top baths, reclaimed textures and views of the Sussex countryside. But not before dining at their award-winning restaurant, with ingredients sourced from their own Kitchen Garden.

Perfect for: Local produce and laid back luxury 

Local experiences: Goodwood Art Foundation, Slindon Estate, Riverside Amberley

Best for exploring the South Downs National Park

The Star, Alfriston 

A luxury hotel at the foot of the South Downs, The Star (part of the Polizzi Collection) is set in the heart of the quaint historic village of Alfriston. The 29-bedroom hotel is set around a 15th century low-beamed inn, which has been revamped with luxury bedrooms and a new stunning outdoor courtyard.

Perfect for: Luxurious rooms and cosy retreats 

Local experiences: Seven Sisters Country Park, Rathfinny Wine Estate, Charleston in Firle 

The Swan, Fittleworth 

A beautifully restored 14th century coaching inn set in the heart of the quaint rural village of Fittleworth. 12 stylish bedrooms offer a perfect cosy retreat in the Sussex countryside. The wood-panelled pub and dining room showcase the best of local produce and comforting dishes. 

Perfect for: Country escapes and laid back stays 

Local experiences: Stopham Vineyard, Arundel Castle, Pulborough Paddles

Best for historic towns & villages 

The White Hart, Lewes

Stay in a 16th-century coaching inn, where you can cosy up in the pub’s snug or unwind in front of its original fireplace. Or why not head to the rooftop terrace, where you can watch the sunset over the South Downs? There are four spectacular ‘Luxe suites’, with in-room roll-top baths and super king size beds, as well as complimentary dressing gowns and boujis bath products.

Perfect for: Sunset drinks and up-scale accommodation 

Local experiences: Charleston Lewes, Lewes Castle, Artelium Wine Estate 

The Bell in Ticehurst

Quirky and utterly charming. With seven rooms and four rustic lodges, The Bell is a romantic bolthole with an abundance of personality. Their Love Nest Lodge provides all the luxury you could ask for, with a deep copper bath and twin shower, as well as your own private terrace. Or opt for their spa lodge – called Pour L’Amour – which features an outdoor bath, complete with power jets. 

Perfect for: Quirky interiors and country pub charm 

Local experiences: Pashley Manor Gardens, Mousehall Winery, Vespucci Adventures 
 

The George Inn, Rye

Steeped in both history and charm, The George in Rye is a beautifully restored sixteenth-century coaching inn, offering a luxurious retreat in the heart of medieval Rye. This enchanting Grade II listed hideaway blends historic character with contemporary elegance, creating the perfect setting for a couples’ escape. Original feature like the exquisite Georgian ballroom and Elizabethan beams whisper tales of the past, while eclectic interiors and indulgent comforts make every stay unforgettable. 

Perfect for: Characterful stays and local culture

Local experiences: Tillingham Estate Winery, Camber Sands, Hastings Contemporary