THE LOCATION

Fairmont Windsor Park exterior — Fairmont Windsor Park

Pretty darn chichi, actually. Pack your tiara and bend into that curtsey, because we’re walking the historic grounds of kings and queens. Fairmont Windsor Park elegantly straddles the Berkshire-Surrey border, just a 10 minute drive from Windsor Castle, next door to the Savill Garden and on the fringes of the well-heeled village of Englefield Green.

The 40-acre superluxe hotel (sister hotel to The Savoy London) is Surinder Arora’s latest venture. He is one of the UK’s most successful hoteliers and lavished millions and millions rebuilding the property with the ambition to create the country’s grandest country estate.

Sitting on the footprint of the old Savill Court Hotel, every brick has been replaced, but the traditional Jacobean exterior has been respected, with a super basement added to accommodate the spa and wellbeing, conference facilities and the biggest, pillarless ballroom I have ever seen.

THE VIBE

It’s first class all the way, lady. The minute you swing through the gates, nod to the gatekeeper and sweep down the drive, you know this all about the superluxe – perfect striped lawn, toytown bridge, fountain and Rolls Royce golf buggies on hand to offer a door to door service. So blinking fancy.

Fairmont Windsor Park ORCHID TEA ROOM — Orchid Tea Room

Head inside and the wow hits you between the eyes. Pass through the stone lobby and you’ll be bathed in light from the striking glass dome 50ft above. From here, what Fairmont fun you fancy is down to you. Turn left into the elegant Orchid Tea Room with staff gliding from table to table with cakes stands laden with soldier straight finger sarnies and precision pastries. Turn right and you’ll find yourself in The Library – a quiet space to hunker down with the papers and a whiskey.

Fairmont Windsor Park 1215 BAR — Bar 1215

Overlooking the south lawn, is the 1215 bar, offering a superb drinks menu and informal bar menu, and 1215 restaurant – a heavenly fine dining option. There’s also a gin bar and a more relaxed restaurant for breakfast, Sunday brunch and dinner. But we’re disappearing underground to the sanctuary of the spa – a place where your wellbeing is priority. Self care never looked so good.

Fairmont Windsor Park relaxation room — Relaxation room

What can I say? It’s gorgeous. Sometimes leaning into luxury can create a snobbish atmosphere. Not here. The staff offer a warm welcome to each and every visitor whether they arrive in a Honda or helicopter. If you love The Savoy’s old school hospitality you get a bit of that here.

THE FACILITIES

Fairmont Windsor Park HIMALAYAN SALT rOOM — Himalayan Salt room

Honestly, where do I begin? The spa and wellbeing centre is a whopping 2,500 sqm of fabulous. At that size, you’d expect it to feel overwhelming or intimidating, but it doesn’t.

Fairmont Windsor Park SPA INDOOR POOR JAPANESE CHERRY TREE — Indoor pool

The indoor pool is a showstopper. Loved the frothy cherry blossom tree at one end and the squishy day beds to snooze or socialise in. Head towards the tree and you’ll find the Japanese foot spa, a steam room and what can only be described as a human car wash with jets of water firing at you, disco lighting and birdsong. Jury’s out on that one.

Fairmont Windsor Park Spin studio — Spin studio

Fairmont Windsor Park reformer pilates studio — Reformer Pilates Studio

Elsewhere you’ll find a cryotherapy chamber providing a three-minute blast at minus 110C; a thermal suite, beautiful marble Hammam, enjoy the detoxifying benefits of the Himalayan Salt Room, boutique gym with spin and reformer pilates studios, 18 treatment rooms, hair salon, barbers, an aesthetics skincare clinic, VIP spa room, Greens, a wellbeing café and more.

Fairmont Windsor Park tennis court and outdoor gym — Outdoor gym and tennis courts

Although the outdoor hydrotherapy pool, outdoor gym and tennis courts were closed during my visit – they’re now open, just in time for the sunny weather. Perhaps my only niggle is how easily it is to get lost. Trying to sashay in a blissed out state from treatment room to the changing rooms, took me on a magical mystery tour of corridors. A few more signs would be helpful.

THE TREATMENT

Fairmont Windsor Park SPA TREATMENT ROOM — One of 18 treatment rooms

I plumped for unadulterated luxury that slaps you in the face. Not literally, that would be bad. But a 23 carat Liquid Gold, Rose Quartz and Caviar Facial (facial) sounded pretty fabulous to me. The treatment features the highly acclaimed ‘Liquid Gold’ argan oil gold (not actual gold) plus caviar and pearl that leaves your skin smooth and glowy.

The rooms are dark and cocooning, the beds are sumptuous and I loved the thin duvet and pillow for extra comfort. My total bugbear at spas is those faffy therapists who tickle and chat to you for an hour. Not so here. My therapist was discreet, relaxed, and, best of all, a woman who understood the brief. She told me to switch off, relax and explained there would be no talking. Just a gentle soundtrack of inoffensive spa music to whisk you off to a new dimension.

Fairmont Windsor Park relaxation room (2)

The facial itself is indulgent, but it also put my skin through its paces with an exfoliation and cleanse, before being lathered in exotic glow-getting lotions that left my skin feeling ridiculously soft and dewy.

Fairmont Windsor Park hydro experience — Human car wash

Other treatments I’d be tempted by: the Savasna Deep Night’s Sleep Massage (from £120); Cryotherapy (£45) – not for the faint hearted but for all the wellbeing benefits and the intensive remodeling body treatment, Reshaping Body Strategist 3-1 Ritual (£120). If you don’t come out looking like a new woman, you might as well feel like one.

Good for: Self care queens. There’s a huge list of therapies – and I loved that people living with or recovering from cancer are catered for. The proximity to Windsor and London is a massive plus.

Not for: Those on a tight budget. A spa this superflash comes with a price tag to match. Get someone to treat you and splash out on a hotel room while you’re at it.

The damage: My 55-minute facial was £120 but you can book in a re-shape and paint hand treatment for £35.

Fairmont Windsor Park, Bishopsgate Rd, Englefield Green TW20 0YL. Tel: 01784 535555

Fairmont Windsor Park spa – the dreamiest day off ever

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