More than 70 years after the O'Brien family first opened their Edwardian country house to the Cowdray Park set, third-generation owner Seamus O'Brien presides over a thriving spa hotel. With the South Downs on the doorstep, and golf, tennis, bowls, croquet and swimming on site, it is the perfect place for a restorative yet active stay. Our inspectors found the 'facilities were excellent' 'but what really stood out was the quality of the staff', who were 'thoughtful, happy, kind'. From standard rooms to family suites, the accommodation is a contemporary take on traditional English country-house style. Some rooms have a balcony or patio. Dual-aspect master rooms have a bath and power shower. All have homemade biscuits, fine toiletries, 24-hour room service. You can order from an all-day menu, enjoy a Sunday roast, take afternoon tea on the terrace, or horse around in a bar adorned with polo memorabilia. At dinner, 'good but not great food' might include cornfed chicken supreme with truffles and red wine sauce, charred watermelon steak, or mint-crusted saddle of lamb. There are also children's menus and a baby-listening service. At breakfast, as well as an 'adequate buffet' there were 'excellent hot options' such as kippers, or smoked salmon with scrambled egg.