House of Dré crafts a creative stay at Crafted at Powdermills

Posted in Hotel Review, Projects

Brimming with wild ambition and craft-focused offerings, Crafted at Powdermills delivers a modern country escape – all wrapped up in authentic luxury. SPACE reviews the latest hotel to hit Sussex. 

WORDS BY EMMA KENNEDY • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MILO HUTCHINGS

This story was originally published in SPACE Jan/Feb 26

Winding my way across the Sussex countryside in search of anything that might confirm I was heading in the right direction, I was rewarded with the sight of bold steel signage announcing that I had arrived at Crafted at Powdermills. Given the crafty, nature-infused concept at the hotel’s core, the clean industrial lettering came as quite a surprise. I’m not sure what I had been expecting – perhaps something hand-painted on driftwood, hanging at a jaunty angle – who knows?

Just a 90-minute train ride from London and a three-minute shuttle from Battle station, Crafted at Powdermills – hotel and members’ club – is entrepreneur-turned-hotelier Chris King’s second venture into hospitality. Having co-founded the award-winning Birch brand in 2020, only to witness its demise in 2023, he dusted himself down – or, more likely, took a cold-water swim – and started again. Explaining its downfall in a previous conversation, King was diplomatic.

“Birch was a mix of many different opinions and voices around the table. It was a joint venture with investors and operators from the industry, but it had too many moving parts. There are lessons I’ve taken from that journey, and I’m now trying to right the wrongs and learn from those mistakes – essentially by creating a far more efficient operation.”

Six months on, and here he is, bounding across the entrance lobby to give me a guided tour. He claps his hands and smiles broadly. “Right – let’s start outside.” Following hot on his very quick heels, the private tour begins.

Leaving the warmth of the main hotel – a beautifully restored Georgian Grade II-listed country house – we head towards the seven-acre lake on which it sits. Framed by autumnal woodland and wildflower pastures, it’s exceptionally beautiful, and within seconds I’m smiling as broadly as its founder.

Saunas, hot tubs and plunge pools look out over the lake, where wild swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking are just a few of the watery pursuits on offer. Padel courts are incoming, an outdoor pool is already in situ, and a plethora of activities – from forest yoga to trail running – can be found on the wellness menu. A vast gym is about to open, and Pilates, yoga, barre and gong baths will take place in studios dotted around the grounds.

As its name suggests, Craft (with a capital ‘C’) is taken seriously at Powdermills. Tapping into the neighbouring Hastings and St Leonards enclave of creatives, the Craft Barn and Art Studio will host workshops and classes led by high-end talent. Artist-in-Residence Holly Dawes will encourage guests to take to the potter’s wheel, while other makers will show you how to build a birdhouse, paint a woodland scene, forge something small enough to take home, or bake the perfect loaf of bread. Wherever your creative leanings lie, the chances are there will be a workshop to appeal.

In addition to the 55-room hotel, King has also snapped up a trio of properties within the grounds, including the five-bedroom Lakeside Cottage, and has future plans for woodland cabins. Before heading back to the hotel, as the light begins to fade and the lake becomes a postcard of shimmering gold, King stops and stares as though seeing it all for the first time – and he looks content with his lot.

First impressions are everything, and Powdermills scores a straight 10/10. From the outset, there is a distinctly curated feel. From the fragrance to the deep recessed shelves adorned with ceramics, to the artworks hanging on tobacco-drenched walls, the atmosphere is curiously delicious. Immediately, I want to see what’s around the corner, and with the main building retaining its original Georgian layout, it flows coherently from one room to the next. Rich reds, flanked by earthy greens and teal blues, lead into terracottas and inky greys. Graphic paintwork in flat colours decorates furniture and floors, while murals echoing the same palette spread across ceilings and over mantels. It’s fun and intoxicating – and just when it threatens to become a little too much, it reins itself in with slubby neutrals and quieter tones. The result is skilful and playful, and the creative vision of Andreas Christodoulou, Founder and Creative Director of multi-disciplinary design studio House of Dré.

The design works without explanation, but it’s always interesting to understand the origins of a narrative. According to Christodoulou, it all began with a patchwork quilt:
“A piece of craftsmanship stitched together from fragments of old and new. Rather than one continuous natural palette, the studio has created a patchwork of spaces, each with its own distinct colour story and character, which come together to form a cohesive whole. This approach mirrors the spirit of Modern Folk – a style that feels both cosy and elevated, defined by an earthy palette, mid-century references and a collection of curiosities gathered over time. The aesthetic celebrates heritage and craft while remaining modern and playful.”

“This approach mirrors the spirit of Modern Folk – a style that feels both cosy and elevated, defined by an earthy palette, mid-century references and a collection of curiosities gathered over time.”

Andreas Christodoulou, House of Dré

Part of the collection of curiosities he refers to includes works by local artists – many of whom will also lead craft workshops. There are plenty of pieces for sale and, according to King, are selling faster than they can be replaced.

In contrast to the rich colour-drenching found elsewhere, the all-day restaurant is a much paler affair. Contemporary paintings and punchy leopard-print cushions provide colour and pattern, alongside generous planting beneath a central skylight. A modern take on a traditional Orangery, I imagine its contemporary glamour being a big hit in 1066 country.

Like the restaurant, though more casual, The Pub – a standalone venue attached to the main hotel – is open to all, not just members and overnight guests. All ingredients are sourced locally or grown on site in the hotel’s own market garden.

Up in the guestrooms and suites, the design tempo is dialled down again to a breezy, pale palette. My suite was exceptionally spacious, with a terrace overlooking the pool, but the standout style comes courtesy of Sebastian Cox. His furniture reinforces the sense that everything here has been carefully considered. Tables, desks, sideboards and dressing tables – all with his signature gentle curves – feel perfectly at home.

The bed, dressed in a striking blanket by Warp, offers a creative take on the traditional candlewick. Shots of colour pop from the border of a jute rug, the tobacco hue of the curtains and the orange-tiled bathroom. It works beautifully – a place to hang out after a swim, a class or a walk, and watch a film or read the newspaper. Which is exactly what I did after an early-morning icy-cold plunge.

In my experience, visiting a hotel in its opening week is rarely advisable. While there’s undeniable excitement in being among the first through the doors, service can often be hit and miss. And yes, there was still work underway around the grounds – deliveries arriving and final touches being made – but the sense of anticipation was palpable. Every member of staff seemed genuinely happy to be there, many remarking on how long the area had been waiting for somewhere like this.

Memberships are already rolling in, instantly giving the private members area a lively feel. A mixed group whom I assumed were old friends – were in fact new members – and had only just met. Most were working, others enjoying a coffee after a class, but all enthusiastic about their new club. By early evening, locals were enjoying drinks in the library, while a well-attended members’ event filled the pub with energy. The concept and design all felt original and new – and well placed for today’s experience seeking traveller – and if I lived near, I would sign up in a heartbeat.

King is open about his ambition for Crafted at Powdermills to be the first of a series of hotels and clubs under the Crafted umbrella. Calm yet energised, I drove away, praying his next location would be a woodland setting near me.