When you're in Bray-on-Thames, also called Bray, the royal castle of Windsor is six miles east. It's so close, in fact, that Bray is considered part of its estate. As the name suggests, Bray is right by the River Thames in a rural part of the country. Even so, you're less than a mile from the M4 freeway when you stay here. Several hotels serve the area and give you access to royal heritage, personal service and the town of Maidenhead, less than three miles north.
Far from being a menagerie, the Monkey Island Hotel is a country retreat once used by monks. You can only reach it by footbridge or boat. The hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens and offers 26 rooms. The Pavilion Restaurant is a fine dining eatery, while the Terrace Bar is a little less formal. Rooms come in various styles, including twin and double, a family room and a suite. All have bathrooms and the price of your stay includes a full English breakfast. While you can't get room service after 10 at night, you may get a sandwich any time. All of this comes with a history that dates back to 1197, when nearby Merton Priory monks used the island for fishing.
Monkey Island
Old Mill Ln.
Bray
SL6 2EE
United Kingdom
011-44-1628-623400
monkeyisland.co.uk
Waterside Inn is a boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames. The luxury hotel has various grades of rooms and suites, where you can enjoy views of the river from your private patio. All rooms have their own bathrooms, but only the suites come with name-brand toiletries. They are located in several different cottages, along with the main inn building. Traditional architecture features wood beams and wattle-and-daub styling, plus there's a lounge area and open log fires. The dining room features river views and a fine dining experience with a culinary guide.
The Waterside Inn
Ferry Rd.
Bray
SL6 2AT
United Kingdom
011-44-1628-620691
waterside-inn.co.uk
Oakley Court Hotel in Water Oakley, three miles south of Bray, lets you stay in a stately home set on nearly 40 acres of land. The hotel offers nearly 120 rooms and suites with river or garden views. Some even come with four-poster beds. A golf course is in your back yard and the hotel caters for corporate team-building events and conventions. A private piece of the Thames stands at your disposal here, perhaps to be used as the background for wedding photographs or a summer meal outdoors. Oakley Court keeps a gourmet chef on staff and serves European-inspired cuisine at the on-site dining room.
Oakley Court Hotel
Windsor Rd.
Water Oakley
SL4 5UR
United Kingdom
011-44-1753-609988
principal-hayley.com
For accommodation that's neither boilerplate nor quite so exclusive as Bray's offerings, Braywick Grange is in Maidenhead. The family-run guest house is opposite a golf driving range and is just one mile from the M4, with the train station within walking distance. Unlike conventional hotels, you're invited to hang out with family and other guests in the lounge or just keep to yourself. The house was built in the 1930s and offers six rooms including a family room. A summer-season, solar-heated swimming pool is an amenity not often seen in the United Kingdom. Some rooms have their own bathrooms, while others share. A couple have a bidet. Since the guest house owners welcome business people, you may also enjoy discounts for staying a week or longer.
Braywick Grange
100 Braywick Road
Maidenhead
SL6 1DJ
United Kingdom
011-44-1628-625915
braywickgrange.co.uk
