Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-271.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-80469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-271.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-271-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-271-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-271-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Gravetye Manor</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re considering a career pivot, how about Michelin Guide Inspector? Muddy&#8217;s picturing an arsenal of elegant disguises for that all-important anonymity, but one thing the gig definitely requires is discernment. </p>



<p>In assessing hotels for the newly announced Michelin Key awards, experts were looking for excellence across a full five categories: architecture and interior design; overall personality and character; quality and consistency of service; value between the level of the experience and the price paid; and the hotel&#8217;s contribution within its particular locality. </p>



<p>Service has been scrutinised, creature comforts checked and beds bounced upon (or so we&#8217;d like to think), and this year&#8217;s 139 Key holders have now been revealed. Here are your Sussex winners, including one that now has a shiny new Key to match its prized Michelin Star. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravetye-manor-east-grinstead-two-keys"><a href="https://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gravetye Manor</a>, East Grinstead (two Keys) </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Gravetye-Manor.jpg" alt="Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead, wins Michelin Keys" class="wp-image-80402" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Gravetye-Manor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Gravetye-Manor-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Gravetye-Manor-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Gravetye-Manor-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Gravetye-Manor-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Historic Gravetye Manor was praised for its &#8216;pastoral calm&#8217;, expressed in oak paneling and country charm. The hotel&#8217;s &#8216;sumptuous&#8217; gardens were also singled at, and service was found to be proper but never stuffy, all in all giving the delightful illusion that you&#8217;re a house guest of a landed country cousin. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amberley-castle-amberley-one-key"><a href="https://amberleycastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amberley Castle</a>, Amberley (one Key)</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Amberley-Castle.jpg" alt="Amberley Castle wins Michelin Key" class="wp-image-80403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Amberley-Castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Amberley-Castle-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Amberley-Castle-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Amberley-Castle-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fortifications dating from the 14th century house this luxurious family-owned hotel. If its historic authenticity impressed inspectors, so too did its contemporary luxuries, including Vispring beds, gas fireplaces and lavish bathrooms. Make a dinner reservation and you&#8217;ll be banqueting in two of the castle&#8217;s grandest rooms. Of course, you&#8217;ll also be staying in a village that was a finalist for Muddy&#8217;s <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/sussex/amberley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Best Places to Live</a> awards, so don&#8217;t neglect to go for a wander. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artist-residence-brighton-one-key"><a href="https://www.artistresidence.co.uk/brighton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artist Residence</a>, Brighton (one Key) </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Artist-Residence.jpg" alt="The Artist Residence, Brighton, wins Michelin Key" class="wp-image-80404" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Artist-Residence.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Artist-Residence-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Artist-Residence-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Artist-Residence-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Artist-Residence-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The founding hotel in the boutique Artist Residence group won inspectors over with its fun, unpretentious vibe. They liked the individuality that comes of having had local artists decorate the hotel&#8217;s rooms in exchange for lodging, and approved of the stylishness present in even the aptly named &#8216;Tiny&#8217; rooms. Balconies with sea views can also be had, and its &#8216;hip&#8217; restaurant, Blakes, serves seasonal fare from an open grill. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-gallivant-camber-one-key"><a href="https://thegallivant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gallivant</a>, Camber (one Key) </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Gallivant-Camber.jpg" alt="The Gallivant, Camber, wins Michelin Key" class="wp-image-80405" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Gallivant-Camber.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Gallivant-Camber-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Gallivant-Camber-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Gallivant-Camber-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Beachy chic? It&#8217;s in plentiful supply at The Gallivant, say Michelin mavens. The &#8216;swanky&#8217; boutique hotel channels Hamptons vibes while avoiding clichés, and neutral decor makes a soothing backdrop for quirky vintage finds and custom elegance. The petite Bamford spa and recently relaunched restaurant, Harry&#8217;s, also impressed. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leonardslee-house-at-leonardslee-lakes-amp-gardens-horsham-one-key"><a href="https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/leonardslee-house-stay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leonardslee House</a> at Leonardslee Lakes &amp; Gardens, Horsham (one Key)</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Leonardslee-House.jpg" alt="Leonardslee House &amp; Gardens, Horsham, wins Michelin Key" class="wp-image-80406" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Leonardslee-House.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Leonardslee-House-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Leonardslee-House-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Leonardslee-House-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Leonardslee-House-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A stay in this Italianate mansion comes with after-hours access to acres of Grade 1-listed gardens. There are only 10 rooms here, and Michelin inspectors noted that it feels more like an &#8216;aristocratic retreat&#8217; than a hotel. Statement wallpapers and vineyard views are a draw, as of course is its restaurant, Interlude, whose growing trophy cabinet just happens to include a Michelin Star. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-old-rectory-hastings-one-key"><a href="https://theoldrectoryhastings.co.uk/rooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Rectory</a>, Hastings (one Key) </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Old-Rectory-Hastings.jpg" alt="The Old Rectory, Hastings, wins Michelin Key" class="wp-image-80407" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Old-Rectory-Hastings.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Old-Rectory-Hastings-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Old-Rectory-Hastings-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/The-Old-Rectory-Hastings-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This nine-room bed and breakfast is owned by a fashion designer whose &#8216;fine taste&#8217;, visible in every little detail, caught the inspector&#8217;s eye. Overall, the aesthetic is &#8216;period atmosphere and contemporary visual impact&#8217;, and you&#8217;re sure to leave with abundant inspo for your next home makeover. It&#8217;s quiet with beautiful gardens but its location on the edge of Hastings&#8217; old town means you&#8217;re never far from fun. </p>



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