Providing a wider range of experiences for our travellers this year, we launched luxury hotel breaks, for those who simply want to escape for all the indulgence of a beautiful hotel. As a result, we have been joined by the perfect destination - the spectacular Great Fosters in Windsor.
Spectacular outdoor spaces on a luxury hotel break
Set within 50 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and parkland in Windsor, the great outdoors is a big part of the hotel experience at Great Fosters. Take your time to stroll around the formal gardens. Originally designed by W H Romaine Walker and Gilbert Jenkins, they are amongst the finest Arts and Crafts gardens in Europe, complete with exquisite details such as a Saxon moat, a knot garden designed to reflect the intricate beauty of a Persian rug, fragrant beds of flowers and herbs, manicured topiary and at the heart the Drake sundial, which historians suggest may have been donated by Sir Francis Drake and is believed to date back to 1585.
In regal company
Practically in the shadow of Windsor Castle, reputedly the Queen’s favourite residence, Great Fosters is the sister hotel to another great luxury retreat, Alexander House Hotel. A magnificent red brick homage to Elizabethan design, the hotel’s history dates back to 1598, and testament to that is an original royal crest of Queen Elizabeth I above the main porch. Over the years it has played host to an eclectic array of guests, including the likes of Orson Welles and Charlie Chaplin, but today it remains as luxurious as ever following a careful period of restoration.
Take time to enjoy the moment
This is a place that’s all about enjoying where you are in the moment. Play outdoor chess, life-sized Jenga or croquet, swim in their magnificent outdoor pool or simply sit by it, reading a good book and enjoying the surroundings. There are two treatment rooms in the Utopia Spa, where you can enjoy a range of holistic beauty and wellbeing therapies from the Temple Spa product line, inspired by the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.
Bring your dog!
Dog owners can rejoice! This is a luxury hotel where your four legged friend is more than welcome to join you. They will love a stroll in the grounds, and will be treated to a super comfy bed and stylish bowls to dine from along with treats from the Tunbridge Wells Dog Biscuit Company. There’s plenty to explore in the topiary mazes, amphitheatre, kitchen garden and piggery- all approved by resident pooch, Daisy. There’s just a small £30 fee per stay.
Michelin Star dining
Great Fosters is also a master of superb dining, with Michelin Star restaurant, The Tudor Room, proving to be a perennial favourite, as well as the more contemporary surroundings of The Estate Grill being a gastronomic delight. The hotel specialises in modern English and European cuisine, while each space brings its own atmospheric experience to the table. Also a must while you’re here are indulgent afternoon teas.