Fairmont Windsor Park
Bishopsgate Road, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0YL
+44 1784 535 555 • fairmont-windsorpark.com
This must be one of the most sumptuous and stylish hotels ever constructed. Every element, every aspect of the décor, every detail of the exterior and interior says elegance, affluence, indulgence, and luxury. The three-storey building is set beside the 4,800 acres of Windsor Great Park, and the hotel stands in its own 40 acres of open parkland, where beautiful woodland, wild meadow, neat lawns, a large lake, gazebos, and fountains tempt guests out of their rooms and into the fresh air. The three brass sculptures of horses that appear to be racing across the front lawn remind visitors that they are not far from Ascot Racecourse, where the world-famous Royal Ascot equestrian festival is held in June each year.
The new Fairmont stands on the site of a 17th-century lodge that changed hands several times before it was acquired by Surinder Arora, one of Britain’s most successful hoteliers. While carrying out a total rebuild, he respected the Jacobean style of the original house. (The Jacobean period, from 1605 to 1625, was when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England.) Certain details inspired by the original house are visible in the façade, brickwork, and decorative chimneys of the grand new hotel. It takes a short walk through the front corridors of the hotel to find Reception, and once there, everything is dwarfed by the grand circular space that sweeps upward to form an atrium with its elegant glass roof. Sunlight streams down and highlights the magnificent central display of purple and pink orchids, intermingled with lush green moss and other colourful flowers.
Orchids play an important role in the hotel in recognition of the previous landowner’s collection of exotic orchids that won many prizes, including first-class certificates from the Royal Horticultural Society. As a delightful touch, The Orchid Tearoom has been created in memory of the collectors and their rare plants, and everything in this peaceful drawing room is inspired by the flowers. The wallpaper, menu, and gorgeous porcelain teawares are all exquisitely decorated with orchids, in various shades of pink and purple on a blue ground, while countless tiny ceiling lights in the shape of flowers add a twinkle of magic to this lovely room.
The tea list is extensive and offers an excellent range of black, green, white, and oolong teas and a selection of herbal and fruit infusions. For more adventurous tea lovers, the menu also offers a chilled Darjeeling or jasmine sparkling tea, and for those who like to start their afternoon tea with something a little more exciting, they can choose an Orchid Cocktail (one includes gin laced with Earl Grey, another adds Matcha to vodka, and a third combines Rooibos and Irish Whiskey), or there is a selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines to choose from. Guests then have to decide between the classic Afternoon Tea, the Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, or the Vegan Afternoon Tea (and there is also the Children’s Afternoon Tea). Whichever menu is chosen, guests can be sure that the selection of sandwiches, the little savoury extras, the wonderful scones, and the gorgeous pastries have been created by Head Chef Tim Sheed and Pastry Chef Tanuj Sharma with a great deal of thought and care so that everyone has the most wonderful time, with amazing food and exquisite surroundings. On sunshiny days, tea is also served on the terrace, where the cushion covers are printed with more orchids, or in one of the cute glass pods in the garden that becomes a little private summerhouse for the duration of the delicious afternoon tea.
