The hotel: Set within the last vestiges of the forest which once blanketed south-east England, the 106-room Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club sits surrounded by the beautiful Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, a perfect venue for meetings and incentive trips. Barclays Bank obviously thought so as it was its training centre until the hotel was created in 1993. The 19th century listed building is now one of four Elite Hotels.

THE CHECK-IN: The lobby is a foretatste of the country house ambience that pervades the whole hotel, with a crackling log fire and a tail-coated concierge to take care of bags. A very small but well-staffed reception desk ensures a speedy check-in with bags immediately conveyed to the room.

THE ROOM: Continuing the country-house theme, the huge Master Suite – the best of seven categories of room - boasted a four-poster bed, seating area with sofa and two easy chairs, wide-screen satellite TV, DVD player, internet connection, Nespresso coffee machine etc. plus wide-ranging views over the landscaped gardens. The spacious marble-dominated bathroom came with a Jacuzzi bath, separate shower and two basins, all complemented with Molton Brown products. Broadband internet access is available in all rooms.

THE FACILITIES: Very extensive with the country club offering swimming pool, gym, aerobics studio, sauna and steam rooms plus health and beauty spa with Matis products. Outside there’s a par 3 18-hole golf course, driving range, putting green, croquet lawns and tennis courts. Other activities available include off-road racing, archery, laser shooting, falconry, assault course contests and team-building exercise. Nestling within 186 acres of grounds, the Ashdown also offers extensive walking and jogging opportunities. In the hotel there are snooker tables, spacious lounges, a cocktail bar and the award-winning Anderida restaurant which made the AA’s Top 10 for notable wine lists in 2010/11 and also sports two AA rosettes.

THE BUSINESS: Reflecting its 15 or so years as a Barclays training centre, it offers 17 different functions with capacities ranging from eight to 150 people. The Ashdown Park has all the attractions of a remote country retreat providing a ‘motivational business environment’ but is easily accessible by air (Gatwick is 20 minutes away), rail and road. The hotel offers a range of eight-, 24-, 36- and 48-hour fully-inclusive delegate packages. Broadband internet access is available in all rooms and bedrooms which is free for the first 15 minutes although the hotel often waives charges beyond this time.

THE VERDICT: A perfect example of the English country house hotel which is fully geared to the requirements of business meetings, events and incentive trips. It’s an ideal location to encourage focussed thought in an outstanding setting, within and outside the hotel.

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