Conveniently situated on Windsor High Street, the Castle Hotel blends modern comfort with a rich history. Just moments away from Windsor Castle, and with numerous shops and restaurants on the doorstep, this elegant boutique hotel caters for all types of visitor and proved to be the ideal choice for a weekend stay.
Disclosure: The Castle Hotel Windsor provided a complimentary visit for myself and my husband in return for coverage on this site.
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A Historic Hotel In The Heart Of Windsor
The history of the Castle Hotel goes back to 1528, when it was known as the Mermaid Inn. At that time it was a simple hostelry but by the 1700s the town of Windsor had expanded and the hotel became an important coaching inn. It received the first of its eight Royal Warrants, and began to provide horses and carriages for the royal household.
By the 19th century the Castle Hotel was regarded as the first choice of accommodation for many prestigious guests, including the Duke of Wellington. And today it continues to be an important part of the town’s heritage, a favoured place to eat and drink, with friendly staff and welcoming accommodation for visitors.
Rooms With A View
The hotel’s 108 rooms are split between the Main House, the 18th century Mews Building, and the modern Park Wing Suite. All of the rooms are well-appointed, and some are fully accessible. And a few of them offer amazing views of Windsor Castle…
We had a room in the Main House, with a lovely view across the High Street. It was comfortable and stylish, with a coffee machine, desk for working at, and super-fast wifi. The fridge was stocked with water, soft drinks and fresh milk (the latter a thoughtful extra that you don’t find everywhere). And a small collection of locally-themed books in the bedroom added a royal touch to our stay.
Eating And Drinking At The Castle Hotel
We had dinner at the hotel’s beautifully decorated Leaf Restaurant, where fixed and à la carte menus are available. The menus include vegetarian and vegan options, and the food was well prepared and well presented. I enjoyed a beetroot risotto with goat’s cheese while my husband had a succulent Scottish salmon. And the dessert menu included “Windsor mess” – clearly there is a rivalry with nearby Eton!
Breakfast was buffet style, again with choices for vegetarians and vegans. At other times of day you could enjoy bar snacks or afternoon tea (a children’s afternoon tea menu is also offered). And if you just want to relax with a drink there is a spacious bar with an outdoor seating area.
Making The Most Of Your Stay
Visitors will find that the Castle Hotel is a perfect base for enjoying everything that Windsor has to offer, from sightseeing to horse racing to boat trips on the River Thames. It is also a short walk from Windsor & Eton Riverside railway station, with frequent direct trains to London, making it a great location for those who want to visit the capital.
But good road, rail and water connections mean that it is also well situated for exploring further afield. Places such as Hampton Court, Runnymede (where the Magna Carta was signed), and Henley-on-Thames are just a few of the many options.
Read more about Things to Do in Windsor.
Staying At The Castle Hotel Windsor
- The Castle Hotel is in Windsor town centre, at 18 High Street, SL4 1LJ.
- The hotel has 108 rooms. There is a lift to the upper floors and accessible rooms are available.
- There is a car park behind the hotel at Bachelor’s Acre. This is operated on a first-come first-served basis, and there is an additional charge for car parking.
- The car park has a charging point for electric cars.
- The hotel has meeting rooms and facilities for business travellers. Leisure visitors may find that there is more availability at weekends.
- Windsor is 40 km from London and 14 km from Heathrow Airport.
