Hi, we are planning to stay in Windsor for a few days in October 2025 Thought the Harte & Garter would be a good choice for accommodations. However, the reviews are years old or currently a mixed bag of positive & negative Appears to be a Clarion Choice Hotel but nothing on their website. Pictures indicate a possible renovations and the room rates are all over the place.
Anyone been to Windsor recently to confirm a yay or nay on this hotel selection? And did you stay somewhere else that you found to be lovely. Thanks JW
Posted by
3655 posts
In September 2023, we stayed at the Castle Hotel Windsor and liked it very much. I've heard that the rooms in the new Annex aren't as nice or as quiet as the rooms in the older building.
Posted by
Connecticut
745 posts
Several years ago I stayed at the MacDonald Windsor Hotel which is across the street from your selected hotel. The service, accommodations, and included breakfast were outstanding. I dined at the Duchess of Cambridge restaurant which is also on High Street near the aforementioned hotels. Back then the food was amazing and seemed authentic. I have not forgotten how much I enjoyed that two nights and three days visit.
Posted by
SE Washington, USA
609 posts
We stayed at Macdonald Windsor House this past October and were pleased with our stay. We loved the location. It was especially great location for the all the charity shops :)
Posted by
Midwest
159 posts
Hi JW. I’ll be staying at the Harte and Garter in a little over a month. I too noticed what you have called out but it met my criteria for location and budget so giving it a go. I will come back and let you know my thoughts. If i sem to have forgotten, or this thread is closed, feel free to message / remind me with a message via the RS portal
Posted by
Midwest
159 posts
Hi JW.
Just used Windsor as a base and spent 4 nights at Harte and Garter. My thoughts are that it will be largely personal in one’s opinion of the hotel. I did notice right on my arrival one couple checking out for some issue and easily received a full refund and they were quickly on their way. I myself found the hotel good given the price and location within Windsor and transportation options.
It is true that the hotel is at the lower end of comfort and aesthetics with carpet in the main area quite worn, but they do have a nice front lobby setting. The stairs are a quirky part of the building’s charm and there was a large lift up to all floors. In the room, there was fresh carpet and paint. The execution of the painting was not great but one can see they are putting in that effort. I found the drapery to be unfortunate with paint stains on them and seemingly precarious in their installation.
It was really hot (90+) during my visit and the lack of ventilation made the room oppressive but think this would have been true at many older hotels. Due to this heat, combined with an old mattress with noticeable springs, I took an extra comforter and slept on top of two. Aside from a noisy fan unit (which was not particularly effective at cooling but did fine circulating the air) the room itself was quiet and more space than needed. Looked like there was a large heater and the towel heater worked well, as did the hot and cold water taps.
The location was convenient with two bus stops and the two train stations in easy distances and it was an easy base to day trip from. Of course you are right near the castle and all the restaurants too. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the location really could not be better.
The scaffolding mentioned by others is removed and the front is very attractive. Aside from the bad bed mattress, the only other issue were details in the bathroom corners, grout, and inside the light fixture that could use deep cleaning.
I did find this area of town closed shops and restaurants earlier and opened later than one might expect and limited early cafe visits and end of day store runs. (There was a local Tesco open until 10pm with a small selection for needs plus the hotel kettle, complimentary water bottles, and NesCafe were generous.).
Everything was par for the price point (roughly $100 US per night) and I was happy with the stay at that price.