 Romantic Getaways Just 20 minutes from Heathrow and a short hop from the centre of London, the Harte & Garter Hotel & Spa in historic Windsor offers a unique hotel experience... Where is it? Sitting in the shadow of Windsor Castle, the Harte & Garter Hotel & Spa boasts one of the best addresses in the UK. Many of the rooms overlook the castle, and Windsor's fabulous shops are just around the corner. Other rooms provide a picture-perfect view of the Thames, Eton College and the surrounding countryside. What about the rooms? The H&G enjoyed an £8 million pound spruce-up in 2007, bringing the two coaching inn buildings bang up to date. Rooms are individually appointed and luxuriously fitted with super comfy beds, and classic but modern furnishings. Where possible, the traditional features of the orginal 'Jacobethan' style have been retained. The artwork on the walls reflects the hotel's heritage. All in all, the hotel is charming but comfortable, modern but spacious. There are 79 bedrooms in all, including a number of four-poster rooms and family suites. There are also seven elegant private dining rooms, and the town's bustling Tower Brasserie and Tea Room, popular with locals and visitors alike. One word of warning: Windsor is a busy town with a thriving nightlife, and is also directly under Heathrow's flight path. Because the hotel was a bit limited to what they had in terms of wall width, it is quite a noisy hotel, but don't let that put you off.  What to do in Windsor If you can bear to leave the hotel, with its fabulous food and sumptuous spa, there are loads of things to do... The Castle and Legoland are two of the most obvious things to go see, but as well as the Royal tour - on which we picked up a number of fascinating royal facts, including details of the fire that destroyed much of the maginifcent building - we loved visiting Eton, Windsor Great Park and taking a river cruise on the Thames. Ascot is only a short drive away, too. It's worth asking if you can have one of the rooms that specifically overlooks the changing of the guard - you get a bird's eye view of this lovely tradition from the comfort of your room. It's a bit special! We also recommend a massage in the spa - it was just the job to relax us, ready for the return to real life and another busy week!  Can you get married there? The Harte and Garter boasts a really comprehensive range of wedding packages. We recommend The Ballroom, which provides an exquisite backdrop for weddings, and seats up to 160 guests. As the day progresses, The Harter & Garter comes into its own - afternoon tea at the hotel is such a lovely experience, and the brasserie is such a romantic treat, with a truly delicious menu and brilliant service. Cocooned in a coupley bubble, you could be blissfully unaware that you were in the company of lots of other diners. The clientele is real mix of young, fashionable folk and older, sophisticated Windsor residents - ask for one of the booths by the window for a magical people-watching position.  How much? The Freesia package at £75 a head includes a red carpet welcome, Champagne, wine, fresh flowers for each table and all the on-the-day stationery. The Orchid package, at £95 per person includes wedding night accommodation for the bride and groom and a dedicated wedding planner. An additional £20 per person will include an evening buffet. Rooms start at around £160 a night. Various packages are available, check the site for the latest deals, many of which include spa treatments and the meal. Even if you like to get out and about to eat, we would really recommend eating at The Tower, so these packages are well worthwhile. Breakfast is also a real treat, so we recommend going for this inclusive option, too. |
