Powdermills Country House Hotel

This charming country hotel, set within extensive and picturesque grounds featuring beautiful lakes and woodland paths, offers a tranquil escape. Its signature feature is its idyllic natural setting, providing ample opportunities for peaceful walks and a serene atmosphere that guests consistently praise. The hotel is ideal for couples seeking a romantic and quiet getaway, families who appreciate the spacious grounds and dog-friendly policy, and sightseers looking for a comfortable base to explore nearby attractions. Guests frequently highlight the excellent food, particularly breakfast and dinner, and the attentive and friendly staff who enhance the overall experience. To make the most of your stay, consider requesting a room with a lake view and be aware of the hotel's ongoing refurbishment plans, which aim to update some areas.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests highly value the hotel's beautiful grounds and lakes, which are perfect for leisurely walks and offer a sense of peace and tranquility. The outdoor swimming pool, though unheated, is a popular feature for those brave enough to take a refreshing dip, especially during warmer months. Easy parking is consistently noted as a significant convenience, removing any stress upon arrival. The hotel also provides various common areas with a welcoming atmosphere, including spaces to relax both indoors, often by log fires, and outdoors. A standout feature is the hotel's dog-friendly policy, allowing well-behaved pets in many areas, including the Orangery for breakfast, which is greatly appreciated by pet owners. However, some guests note the absence of a lift, which can make navigating the hotel's steep steps challenging for those with mobility issues.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The rooms are generally described as clean, comfortable, and spacious, with many offering lovely views of the surrounding grounds or lake. Guests frequently praise the comfortable beds and deep mattresses, contributing to a restful night's sleep in the quiet location. However, feedback on bed comfort is mixed, with some finding mattresses either too soft or worn and lumpy, and pillows varying in firmness. Bathrooms are a recurring point of concern, with several guests noting they need a revamp due to issues like chips in the bath enamel, shower heads needing cleaning, wet room floors that get soaked, or a dangerous step into the bath/shower. In-room amenities like hairdryers are sometimes found to be inconsistent or ineffective, and some rooms have a limited number of standard power sockets. While generally quiet, some older parts of the building may have poor noise insulation, and rooms near the kitchen can experience more noise. A few guests also reported a dog odor in certain rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience consistently receives high praise, with guests frequently describing the food quality as excellent, delicious, and of a high standard. Breakfast is a particular highlight, noted for its excellent variety and being cooked to perfection, offering a wide choice of options, including a highly-rated full English breakfast. Guests appreciate the option to bring their well-behaved dogs to breakfast in the Orangery. Dinner in the hotel's restaurant is also widely commended for its quality and often described as a fabulous and romantic experience. While the overall food quality is exceptional, isolated comments mention specific dishes like waffles or bacon being less than ideal, or a seafood dish not being hot enough. One guest also reported difficulty contacting room service.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an idyllic and quiet countryside location, nestled within beautiful grounds that are perfect for leisurely walks and offer a serene escape. Its setting provides a peaceful retreat while also serving as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area, including the Battle of Hastings Battle site and various coastal attractions. Guests consistently find parking to be easy and readily available. However, it is important to note that the hotel is not within easy walking distance of the town of Battle. Internally, some guests with mobility issues have highlighted challenges due to the hotel's layout, including steep steps leading to the restaurant and the absence of a lift, which can make navigating between floors difficult.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receive overwhelming praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently describe them as amazing, attentive, and nothing being too much trouble, contributing significantly to a positive stay. Many reviews highlight the staff's willingness to go above and beyond, such as making guests feel special for anniversaries or remembering previous visits. The housekeeping staff are also commended for their thoroughness and pleasant demeanor. While the service is generally exceptional, a few guests noted that some newer staff members appeared to lack experience or training, particularly during busy periods like weddings. Overall, the staff's dedication to providing excellent service is a recurring theme, creating a welcoming and caring atmosphere for all guests, including those with pets.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is undergoing a refurbishment, which has been mentioned as ongoing or planned, indicating future updates to the property. There has also been a recent change of ownership, which some guests noted could impact the hotel's future operations and staff. For guests traveling with pets, while the hotel is very dog-friendly, it is advisable to request a dog-free room if sensitive to potential pet odors, as some rooms have been noted to retain a dog scent.