What do you want to hear about first? The room with the giant bed, or the blue carpet ballroom where the queen danced - which you can hire for a fashionable wedding? You might like to know what you are getting, assuming you can afford a suite, equally if you can't afford a bedroom at even the lowest price, you might like a little look.
The Entrance
I'll make things simple - I'll describe the hotel in the order in which you see it. The doorman opens the door and somebody immediately asks, "Can I help you?' (Polite code for if you are not staying here, nor eating here, we will not let you in.)
Up a flight of stairs. (Good thing I am not yet needing a stick nor a wheelchair.) Grand staircases are not designed for the elderly who can afford the time and money to travel.
At the top of the stairs is a dark, discreet area with two chairs by a fireplace. Not designed for the casual visitor to hang about. Reception is to the left. If you wish to rendez-vous, round the corner is the bar.
The back entrance from the park is where you would enter with a royal party or a wedding group.
The Beautiful Blue Carpet Ballroom
This is where our present Queen Elizabeth danced as a young girl with her sister Princess Margaret.
The Bars and Restaurants
The Lower Level restaurant
I was on my way to the famous restaurant Dinner, featuring food created by Heston Blumenthal, using traditional recipes long forgotten from centuries ago. We lost interest in spending as much as about £37 on dover sole downstairs, when we could sample a thrilling three course lunch in Heston's restaurant for about £38 (plus service and drinks. Dinner restaurant overlooks the park.
The bedroom I saw had the largest, widest bed I've seen since I admired the Great bed of Ware at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Views from this room over the back towards the park, a delight. Some people from overseas might be equally excited by the view of the bustle of department stores opposite at the front of the hotel.
The bathroom had a marble floor, a bath, toilet and bidet. Very traditional and comfortable.
Nothing oo-la-la exciting like you get in Disneyland, no Jacuzzi bath, sunken bath, no music blaring Country hits like Opryland, no water feature running through the restaurant like in a jolly 3 star motel somewhere in the USA, no ra ra like San Francisco. Frankly, if I were a nouveau riche American film star or footballer I'd be seriously disappointed by so much discreet and so little wow factor.
I'm sure it's what HM Queen would like. But she has her own room across the park and only needs a bedroom here to freshen up.
The main big bedrooms set you back close on £1000 rack rate, although out of season discounts bring the price down to only £500 a night. I asked to see a room, which had giant bed, which will cost you only £500 a night.
Dinner Restaurant
I have a separate blog on the Dinner restaurant featuring food by renowned chef Heston Blumenthal.
Swimming and Spas
The swimming pool is being remodelled. When I get a chance to see it, I shall tell you all about it.
Angela Lansbury writes about travel, wining and dining.
She is the author of twenty books.
In preparation Jewish Travel Tales by Angela Lansbury - the worldwide sections include Schindler Museum in Poland, Levi jeans, and Marilyn Monroe. The UK and London sections include PM Benjamin Disraeli's house, homes of the Rothschilds, Kindertransport statue on a London station, and memorials and museums which have associations with other famous people such as Anne Frank.
More books by Angela Lansbury the author on lulu.com
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