Macdonald Windsor Hotel

Dean deserves a special mention for handling our car and luggage. He was friendly, professional and so helpful, the kind of service that makes a stay memorable. Our suite was lovely, spacious, comfortable and well presented, and the hotel's central Windsor location was ideal. We could even see the famous Wonky House from our room, a fun, unusual detail. At night, we heard a lot of movement overhead, possibly from a staircase. It woke us several times, so that area could use more soundproofing. Apart from that, we had a really enjoyable stay and would gladly return to Windsor.

The communication before our last-minute booking was very good. They replied quickly to all my questions, which I really appreciated. The hotel is right opposite the castle, ideal for an event there, and the rooms are smart with most of the small luxuries you'd expect from a high-end place. A disposable shower cap would have helped, since the shower was a huge wet room with no way to avoid the force of the water. You can book parking underneath the hotel, but it costs a lot extra. I paid, though with better planning I might have found cheaper parking elsewhere. Most staff were excellent, apart from one female receptionist who was a bit snippy.

The location is central, the hotel clean and welcoming, and the restaurant was good with a lovely server. But our room was freezing, and the second room offered was just as cold. We eventually got a room on another floor where the heating worked. Reception was comfortable, though the scent was overpowering. They advertise parking on site, but it's £40, not valet parking, and getting in is difficult even with a small car. There's nowhere to park outside while you go into reception to ask about it. We had to leave the car quite a way off and pay £2.50 for an hour.

The concierge chaps were especially lovely, and the whole staff were lovely. Our room was clean and a really good size, with an extra large bed and a sofa bed for our little one. The hotel's right opposite Windsor Castle, so the location is excellent for a break exploring the wonderful Windsor area.