A stay at The Alfriston

This hotel, set in a picturesque village in the South Downs, combines luxury and hospitality for a relaxed and stylish country escape

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The transition from beloved but slightly tired family hotel to luxury escape can be a tricky one; how do you keep the warmth and familiarity that regular guests love, while refashioning the interiors for a new audience? The Alfriston, in the South Downs village of the same name, has solved the puzzle. It relaunched as part of The Signet Collection (which has three other hotels) this year, helmed by general manager James Dobson, whose parents were the previous owners. A deep understanding of the ancient building (formerly known as Dean's Place, it was built in the