Windsor Hotels
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
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Windsor Bridge, one of the first to be built across the Thames, links the town and its castle with that other great institution Eton College. The area has always been one of privilege and the town itself has developed throughout the ages as a direct result of serving the castle and royal family in one way or another. Traditionally visitors to the town came in pilgrimage to visit the shrine of Henry VI, the infant king who was born in Windsor and who is interred there in St George's Chapel. Many hotels and other accommodation options were created to cater for the early pilgrims, some of which remain today.
Subsequent ages brought Georgian and then Victorian influences to Windsor and it is at this point the town really started to become the major force it is today and when the Castle becomes most associated with the incumbent Royal Family. During Queen Victorian's reign in particular it was transformed from a small mediaeval town to the beating heart of the British Empire, hosting successions of meetings with European heads of state. Victorian developments in Windsor have largely replaced the medieval structures and character of the town although some ancient medieval remnants remain, most notably the main street in the town, Peascod Street, which predates even the 1000 year old castle. Because of the obvious royal connections, it has more than its fair share of facilities and amenities, including two railway stations and many shops including both independent and chain stores and a great many gift and souvenir shops. There are many popular bars, cafes and restaurants too, to cater for large visitor numbers. The town also has a notable theatre and many other attractions which have added to the existing historical and cultural appeal. Among these are river boat cruises which run daily, from February to November and offer a novel perspective of the castle as well as providing a charming River Thames boat trip. A very popular addition with children in particular is Legoland which occupies the site of the old Windsor Safari Park. The Lego based theme park has rides, Lego models and workshops and has established itself as one of the country's top visitor attractions. Walking and cycling are popular ways to get around, and the old Windsor Bridge is pedestrianised allowing a pleasant walk to Eton on the other side of the Thames. Another popular attraction in which to enjoy the surrounds is Windsor Great Park, located to the south of the town. A 5000 acre deer park, this was, at one point, a hunting ground for Windsor Castle and features the stunning 3 mile tree-lined Long Walk to the castle, a charming village, rivers, ponds, a lake and ancient oak trees. The boundless attractions make for a very popular visitor destination and the number and range of Windsor hotels reflect this. In keeping with the privileged ambience of the town there are some exclusive, luxury hotels, which can match any top world hotel for style, class and service. Often with many historical elements, furnishings and decor, luxury hotels offer the kind of exquisite accommodation enjoyed by the town's most well-heeled guests. Guests staying within a luxury hotel should expect superlative levels of personal service throughout from room and concierge services to the finest dining environments. Rooms and suites will be enhanced with high quality bedding and furnishings and equipped with all the latest technologies in audio and visual entertainment and business networking systems. Spacious luxury bathrooms will be similarly special. While the luxury hotels will evoke a certain elegance and noble stature as befits this Royal Borough, another type of hotel has a whole different cultural history in the town and surrounds. These hotels are the traditional inns and lodging houses which have long played a role in catering for visitors to Windsor. Traditional coaching inns and lodging houses are also steeped in the traditions of the area and offer comfortable well appointed accommodation in addition to authentic bar and lounge hospitality. A good sleep and hearty breakfast are the order of the day and traditional bar meals offer lunch and dinner possibilities too. There are many contemporary hotel options too, some privately run and others international hotel chains. Commonly they will offer a range of features for both business and leisure guests and will offer high quality fixed rate accommodation. With the introduction of Legoland many hotels will happily cater for families and may have a range of family oriented features such as play areas and children's menus. From the age old bricks of the castle wall to the explosion of colour in Legoland, Windsor is a place where ancient and modern cultures meet and the Windsor hotels blend both to perfection. |
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