London has Soho House, Home House, The Twenty Two — too many members’ club hotels to mention. But outside the city’s sprawl it’s something the Cotswolds has had the monopoly on — until now. Like the grand Estelle Manor and Insta-bait of Soho Farmhouse, newly opened Crafted at Powdermills in East Sussex is a “lifestyle” destination, set in bucolic ancient woodland, and aimed at creative locals as well as frazzled city-dwellers.
On a Friday night, arriving after a 90-minute drive with cortisol spiked from finishing our journey with rain coming in sideways along pitch-black country lanes, my friend and I were perfect test subjects for the hotel’s concept. Though a warm welcome via a roaring fire at the entrance of the Grade II-listed main house, and from the friendly receptionist who beckoned us over with a glass of English sparkling (from Kent vineyard Chapel Down), instantly lowered our shoulders.
