THE LOWDOWN

Sitting (very) pretty on the Berkshire-Surrey border and just a stone’s throw Ascot, Royal Berkshire is a zippy 20 miles from London and less than nine miles from Heathrow airport. It’s weekend away goals (and has its fair share of celebrity neighbours). The stunning red brick country pile boasts grandeur and period charm, with a glorious rotunda and good-enough-for-the-grid gardens. 

Part of the seven strong line up of Exclusive Collection hotels, Royal Berkshire is set in 15 acres of horticultural heaven and includes a pretty walled garden, a shaded woodland walk, a sun trap South facing terrace, pond with water features and several statues including a horse in the rose garden – we’re in Ascot, it’s a thing. 

It looks more smart country club than a family-friendly four-star hotel, yet somehow strikes the perfect balance between the two. There’s croquet on the lawn, frisbee golf, chequers and tennis, as well as deck chairs for sun lounging, a small gym and private dining space. The vibe is warm, the dining is casual and there’s a cosy lounge for cocktails and catch ups. It was just what we needed after a lengthy traffic jam on the M25. We’re regretting not arriving by helicopter – there’s a helipad! Maybe next time *wink*.

THE VIBE

Think classic country club but without the stuffiness. Royal Berkshire is fresh and inviting with a home from home familiarity – a relaxing haven for race goers who have been on their feet all day and frazzled parents who have survived the Spinning Spider at Legoland. The décor is a mix of old and new: timeworn floorboards, wood panelling and open fireplaces sit harmoniously next to modern touches.

We loved Fork restaurant and the snazzy downstairs loos. If you’re lucky enough to have it on your doorstep, Royal Berkshire could easily become the place you go to celebrate any special occasion with family or friends. For everyone else, it is worth getting stuck on the M25 for. 

PILLOW TALK

There are 66 rooms ranging from cosy and comfortable ‘shoebox’ rooms, to six spacious family rooms and swanky treat-yourself-suites. We were in the Spencer Suite and, as the name suggests, it was fit for a Princess. Think king-size bed, bougie lounge with cosy sofa, table and chairs and built in TV – one of three in the room. There was another opposite the bed and a third in the bathroom above the jacuzzi bath (yep, you heard) which meant my other half could catch up on the Euros while I watched something far less boring in the bath! 

The Molton Brown products, Nespresso coffee machine and a lovely box of welcome chocolates to greet us, were a nice touch. Decor was relatively neutral leaving the stand-out features of the room – TVs, the bath, the bed and remote-controlled curtains –to do the talking.

SCOFF & QUAFF

We began our evening in the Polo Bar for an aperitif. The drinks menu is vast, there are so many different spirits and cocktails to choose from it’s no wonder the bartender had to check how to make my Martini. Fortunately, he nailed it and I enjoyed it on the terrace with the last rays of the day. Bliss.

Dinner is served in The Fork restaurant, casual in comparison to our room and the locale. It’s cosy bistro in style, the huge fork above the fireplace giving a sort of Alice in Wonderland vibe.

There’s nothing like getting stuck in a traffic jam to fuel one’s hunger so a pre-starter of smoked aubergine hummus and chargrilled flat bread accompanied the remainder of our cocktails while we checked out the menu of elevated bistro classics.

Though the menu is relatively modest, there was plenty of choice. To start, we happily tucked into salmon cakes with fennel salad and citrus dressing and sesame shredded duck smothered in a lip-smacking teriyaki sauce with a zingy pink ginger spiced salad which was divine. 

This was followed by tender pork loin with a hash brown, sauté broad beans, baby onions and a sweetcorn puree and an 8oz bavette steak served with triple cooked chips, vine tomatoes and peppercorn sauce, each washed down with a full-bodied Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon.

Portions were generous, we didn’t opt for sides and were left feeling comfortable with enough room for dessert – a delicious dark chocolate bavarois with chocolate ganache and creamy banana Crème Brulée, which was heaven. 

Breakfast is served at a leisurely 8am – 10:30am on weekends, meaning more time to snooze and enjoy your room (hello coffee in the jacuzzi bath). It’s buffet style so more relaxed, but nice to just graze on any weird and wonderful combo you fancy – full English, continental, cereal you name it, which is especially good if you have kids, fussy eaters or people who “don’t do” breakfast with you. 

KID FRIENDLY?

Absolutely! There are a number of family rooms, travel cots are available and the relaxed dining, abundance of space and outdoor activities makes travelling with children so much easier. The wellies lined up by the entrance were a nice touch and contribute to that home from home atmosphere.

DOG FRIENDLY?

There is a selection of dog-friendly rooms available just mention upon booking. Elsewhere in the hotel, well behaved dogs are welcome in the Polo Bar.

ACCESSIBLE?

Relatively, the restaurant and hotel reception are all on one floor, there are a few steps into the Polo Bar but everywhere is accessible by ramps for wheelchair users. There are also wheelchair friendly rooms with grab rails etc for a comfortable stay.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Royal Berkshire is also a swish wedding venue – imagine that garden in your wedding snaps. The Library offers a private dining space just off the Polo Bar and there is an events space for partying the night away a reasonable distance from the other hotel areas so as not to disturb other guests.

There was wedding on the night we stayed, but Royal Berkshire is so vast it didn’t interfere with our evening save for watching a few people stumbling around the grounds in their finery when we went out for an evening stroll after dinner. 

THINGS TO DO

The hotel is perfectly situated for all sorts of attractions making it ideal for a weekend away. If travelling with children Windsor is not far at all with the delights of Legoland only 5 miles away and Windsor Castle just 7 miles. And for the festive season, Lapland is just 3.5 miles away – I imagine the hotel itself, with its open fires and cosy vibes, looks particularly lovely at Christmas. 

Of course, Ascot Racecourse isn’t far for a spot of Gold Cup action (2 miles). If wandering round the grounds isn’t enough Virginia Water Lake is 3 miles away offering stunning views and some gentle hikes. And if you, or your partner, are golf crazy then the stunning Wentworth Golf Club is on the doorstep (2.4 miles away).

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: A romantic night or two away and it’s ideal for families looking for a base camp to do Legoland, Windsor and London.

Not for: People who prefer small, quirky boltholes, Royal Berkshire is more traditional. Those looking for a spa break should look elsewhere unless a jacuzzi bath and rainforest shower will do the trick. 

THE DAMAGE

Rooms range from £159pn in a shoebox room  from £219pn for a family room and from £279pn for a suite. You can visit Royal Berkshire for a drink, afternoon tea and/or dinner which is again reasonable for this neck of the woods.

Royal Berkshire, London Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 0PP

Review by Claire Hool