The Beaumont Estate, Windsor – Review

After a hot and stressful working week smack bang in the middle of this July`s epic heatwave, a night away in Windsor`s Beaumont Estate promised to be just the tonic. The Estate set in 40 acres of beautiful grounds, once a Roman Catholic boarding school, boasts over 400 bedrooms, a conference village, a Chapel and the White House. It was the stunning online images of the White House that lured us, and with the thoughts of a deluxe air conditioned suite, and a swim in the pool, all topped off with a leisurely dinner in the evening sunshine in our minds, we arrived in good spirits.

On our arrival, the cheerful Reception Staff were more than helpful and immediately won over our two children with the Hotel`s Beaumont Bear Club offerings of colouring and activity packs. The prescence of the Bear himself greeting us with one of those four fingered animal waves that only children are endeared to, just added to the excitement!

Our suite – described in the website`s info as `spacious and contemporary` – certainly was that. A huge bedroom with queen size bed at the end of which was a large flat screen tv, was flanked on one side by a wonderful bathroom with roll top bath, separate power shower and complimentary toiletries. The door to the other side of the bedroom led to a separate room which can only be described as a vast conference room. Yes mahogany table, at least 10 chairs and sofa space in abundance. It was in this room that our childrens` z beds were located. Not what we expected, but comfy beds nonetheless.

The children were keen to have a quick swim before dinner so, armed with swimming costumes, we headed off to the indoor pool within the hotel`s Leisure Suite. A lovely warm pool greeted us and an hour`s fun in the water was just what was needed to fire up the appetite for dinner.

On such a balmy night surely our only option was to dine al fresco. So we were shown to a table positioned in an outdoor area outside the Beaumont Restaurant. The tables and chairs looked like they`d been borrowed from the local social club, but we chose to overlook the apparent shabbiness and looked forward to choosing some tasty fare from the A La Carte Menu. Service was prompt and staff were very obliging but this didn’t really make much difference to what can only be described as a rather lacklustre meal.

But after a good night`s sleep we returned to the Beaumont Restaurant in the hope that the offering of a hot and cold breakfast buffet might make up for the night before. It didn’t. Yes all the usual suspects were there but it all just looked somewhat unappealing. Again though, service was good and there were lots of staff on hand to provide tea and coffee top ups.

The highlight of our weekend break was the Legoland visit. The hotel have teamed up with Legoland (less than 20 minutes drive away) to provide a weekend package that includes 2 nights` B&B and a 2 day pass to the theme park. It`s a child`s dream! So if it`s a weekend break you’re after in picturesque Windsor with something for both parents and the kids then the Beaumont Estate is for you.