Hotel review Fairmont Windsor Park Englefield Green

The grounds were amazing, but it made us smile that parents would shell out thousands for out-dated facilities like breezeblock outdoor loos, and a communal bathroom with free standing tubs.

I also remember the leafy country lane that ended with a postcard-perfect English pub and the gates to Windsor Great Park. Forgetting the name of the school, I Googled to see if I could find it again.

Rebuilt and reopened in 2022 the house was previously a bankers' mansion, a World War II Red Cross hospital and a religious retreat. (Image: Fairmont Hotels)

Then came an invite to stay at Fairmont Windsor Park, and suddenly there it all was; The impossibly quaint Fox and Hounds pub, the white park gates, a now very smart looking school, and even smarter hotel.

Set in rolling grounds, the Fairmont site was once home to banker Sir John Shroder in the 1860s. 'The Manor House' or Heath Lodge was expanded and upgraded by his successor Baron Bruno Shroder, and during the Second World War it was a Red Cross military hospital. After the last Shroder relative died in the 70s, it was bought by a religious group, then became the Savill Court Hotel, before being bought and renovated by businessman Surinder Arora in 2014.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak strides out to meet EU President Ursula von der Leyen at the Fairmont Windsor Park in February (Image: PA)

Since reopening in January 2022, it has proudly taken its place in history; hosting Ursula von der Leyen and Rishi Sunak's negotiations for a post-Brexit trade agreement for Northern Ireland - known as The Windsor framework. Rishi liked it enough to arrange a team building day for Tory MPs, but that all sounds far more exhausting than my stay at the 251 room hotel.

After an easy 45 minute drive from North West London, you sweep through the gates to a vista of bridge, lake, and splashing fountain. The immaculate grounds are studded with art, and inside is all box fresh luxury and elegance - the dizzying entrance hall could be overwhelming, but the welcome is so friendly and discreet, it feels like a place to recuperate.The extensive spa includes indoor and outdoor pools, a steam room, sauna, Himalayan salt room and extensive range of treatments. (Image: Fairmont Hotels)

Our suite had a four-poster, comfortable sitting room and luxurious marble double bathroom with huge tub and walk-in shower. We soon headed down to the extensive spa where you can choose from indoor or outdoor pools - the latter full of hydrotherapy jets in a peaceful courtyard.

I'm not sure whether Rishi put in a few laps before the talks, but as I turned my face to catch the sun and allowed my tired muscles to be pummelled by the jets of water, my thoughts drifted far from cross border trade agreements.

The bedroom in The Royal Suite at Fairmont Windsor Park (Image: Fairmont Windsor Park)

After that our first world problem was whether to head to the sauna, lie on a heated stone recliner in the Himalayan salt room, enjoy a pore-cleansing steam in the Turkish bath, plunge our toes in a Japanese foot bath, or take the shower circuit emulating different temperatures of gentle rainfall.

Reader we did it all.

You needn't worry that Fairmont Windsor is grand or packed with besuited politicians, on our visit there was a lovely informal atmosphere, a wedding party, a 60th birthday, families relaxing and celebrating or couples like us enjoying a night off.

The Orchid tea room at Fairmont Windsor Park (Image: Fairmont Windsor Park)

Although it was fine dining at its best, there were no ties or jackets in the 1215 restaurant, which is named after that other famous Windsor agreement, the signing of the Magna Carta. Decorated in subtle greys, we sat in a panelled alcove looking out at the South Lawn and dined on first rate British produce - some of which comes from the nearby Royal Farms.

I'm not sure whether William and Kate, who are now installed permanently in Windsor, enjoy such gastronomic treats, but while many menus over-describe and under-deliver, we were stuck for superlatives.

An amuse bouche of tomato gazpacho, a grilled Cornish mackerel with pickled beetroot, blackcurrant and horseradish, a duck liver parfait with smoked duck breast, peach and brioche were all delightful early summer dishes. A roast halibut with grape and fennel came in a delicate, subtle Champagne sauce, accompanied by a Loire Valley Sauvignon blanc, while a loin of lamb was bolstered by punchy mergez sausage, and an Argentinian Malbec.Both the fine dining restaurant 1215 and the breakfast at Moreish were excellent. (Image: Fairmont Windsor Park)

Afterwards we sat on the terrace under blankets before settling between soft sheets on the kind of mattress it would take years to save up for. In the morning we hit the aptly named MOREISH restaurant where the whole five star experience had been taken up a notch with a breakfast selection to please travellers from all points of the globe.

From full English to continental, the unrivalled spread took in American waffles, pastries and salad with meats and fish. It's set the bar high for future hotel visits and this one may well live as long in the memory as that lovely Surrey summer all those years ago.The hotel has 251 rooms and suites (Image: Fairmont Windsor Park)

Fairmont Windsor Park Bishopsgate Road, Englefield Green has 251 rooms and suites. Rates start from £575 inclusive of VAT for a Fairmont King room on a fully flexible basis. For more information, visit www.fairmont-windsorpark.com