You know that feeling when you drive past a massive wrought-iron gate and wonder if the place inside is actually worth the fuss or just a pricey relic? That's the vibe with Royal Berkshire Hotel. Tucked away on London Road in Sunninghill, just a stone's throw from Ascot, this place is basically the definition of "quiet luxury" before that became a TikTok buzzword. It’s a Queen Anne mansion that looks like it stepped off a movie set, but honestly, it’s way less stuffy than you’d think.
People often get it mixed up with the ultra-posh Coworth Park down the road. They’re different beasts. While Coworth is where you go to spend your life savings on a spa day, the Royal Berkshire is where you go when you want a solid, stylish, and weirdly cozy base for a weekend at the races or a Legoland trip with kids who are definitely going to spill juice on the carpet. It was originally built for the Churchill family—specifically Charles Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough's son—back in 1731. History is everywhere here, but it doesn't feel like a museum where you're afraid to breathe.
What it’s actually like inside the Royal Berkshire Hotel
Walk through the front doors and the first thing you notice isn't a massive chandelier or a gold-plated reception desk. It's the smell of old wood and high-end candles. The lobby is a mix of traditional architecture and some surprisingly bold modern art. It’s part of the Exclusive Collection, a group that owns places like Pennyhill Park and South Lodge, so they know their way around a high-end renovation.
The rooms are a bit of a mixed bag, but in a good way. You’ve got the traditional wing and the more contemporary wing. If you’re a fan of high ceilings and sash windows that look out over fifteen acres of manicured gardens, aim for the main house. The "Cool" rooms—yes, that’s literally what they call some of them—are more stripped-back and modern.
One thing that genuinely surprises people is the lack of a traditional "stuffy" hotel gym. Instead, they’ve got a massive focus on the outdoors. We’re talking tennis courts that actually get used and croquet lawns that aren't just for show. There is no massive indoor pool here, which is a dealbreaker for some, but honestly, if you want a swim, you’re better off heading to one of the sister properties or just leaning into the "country house" vibe and going for a long walk in Windsor Great Park instead.
The Fork restaurant and the reality of dining here
Let’s talk food. The main restaurant is called FORK. It’s relaxed. You can show up in jeans and not feel like the staff is judging your soul. They focus on British ingredients, which sounds like every other hotel in England, but they actually do it well.
The menu changes with the seasons. In the autumn, you might find a venison dish that’s so rich it’ll make you want to take a three-hour nap immediately afterward. In the summer, the terrace is the place to be. There is something about eating a burger while looking at a fountain that makes it taste about 40% better.
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Breakfast is a highlight. No sad, lukewarm buffet trays here. It’s mostly cooked to order. The eggs royale is a frequent flyer for a reason—the hollandaise is actually made from scratch, which is more than you can say for some five-star joints in central London.
The Ascot connection: Why racing fans flock here
If you are coming for Royal Ascot, you need to book about a year in advance. I'm not kidding. The hotel is situated less than two miles from the racecourse. During race week, the energy changes. The quiet gardens are suddenly filled with people in top hats and fascinators drinking champagne at 10:00 AM.
It’s one of the few places where the staff doesn't blink an eye when you come back at 7:00 PM having lost fifty quid on a horse named "Fast Lightning" and needing a stiff drink. They have a shuttle service sometimes, but most people just grab a local cab. It’s close enough that you could walk if you weren't wearing four-inch heels or stiff brogues, but nobody actually does that.
Hidden spots in the 15-acre grounds
Most guests stick to the patio. Big mistake.
If you head toward the back of the property, past the tennis courts, there are some incredible little woodland paths. It’s perfect for clearing your head. There’s a walled garden that feels completely cut off from the rest of Berkshire. It’s the kind of place where you can sit on a bench for an hour and not hear a single car.
For the business crowd—because let’s be real, this place does a lot of corporate events—the "Energy Zone" is a weird but cool touch. It’s a dedicated space with retro arcade games and snacks that aren't just soggy biscuits. It’s meant to break up boring meetings, and it actually works. Seeing a CEO play Pac-Man is a specific kind of entertainment you didn't know you needed.
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The logistics: Getting there and getting around
The Royal Berkshire Hotel is tucked away, so if you don't have a car, you're going to be relying on Uber or the local firm, Ascot Cars. Sunningdale station is the closest rail link, with direct lines from London Waterloo. It’s about a five-minute drive from the station to the hotel.
- Distance to Heathrow: About 20-30 minutes depending on the M25's mood.
- Distance to Legoland: Roughly 15 minutes.
- Parking: Plenty of it, and it's free. A rare win.
One minor gripe people often have is that the signage from the main road can be easy to miss if you're driving too fast. It’s a sharp turn into the driveway. If you end up in the center of Sunninghill village, you've gone too far, though the village itself is worth a wander for the independent coffee shops.
Is it actually worth the price tag?
Look, it’s not cheap. You’re paying for the Berkshire zip code and the "Exclusive" brand. If you just want a bed for the night, the Premier Inn down the road is fine. But if you want to feel like you’ve actually escaped the city, this is it.
The service is what usually tips the scale. It’s attentive without being hovering. They remember if you asked for extra oat milk for your room or if you prefer a table away from the door. It’s those small, human touches that keep the regulars coming back.
One thing to watch out for: weddings. Because the grounds are so stunning, they host a lot of them. If you’re staying on a Saturday in June, expect to see a lot of confetti and hear a disco until midnight. The hotel is usually good about keeping guests separated from the wedding party, but the "country house silence" might be a bit louder than usual.
Actionable insights for your stay
If you're planning a trip to the Royal Berkshire Hotel, don't just book the cheapest room on a third-party site and hope for the best.
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Ask for a room in the main house. Even if it’s a bit smaller, the character of the original Queen Anne architecture is half the experience. The annex rooms are perfectly nice, but they feel a bit more like a standard high-end hotel you could find anywhere.
Book your dinner table at FORK when you book the room. It’s a popular spot for locals, not just hotel guests, and it fills up fast on Friday and Saturday nights. If you’re there during the week, check if they have any "local's nights" or special menus—they often do deals for residents of the SL5 postcode.
Explore Windsor Great Park. Don't just stay on the hotel grounds. The Savill Garden is right nearby and it's world-class. You can walk from the hotel to the park entrance if you're feeling ambitious, but a quick drive is easier.
Check the "Exclusive" app. The hotel group has an app that sometimes offers better rates or little perks like late checkouts that you won't find on the big booking engines.
Ultimately, the Royal Berkshire Hotel succeeds because it doesn't try too hard to be "cool." it knows it's a grand old house in a beautiful part of England, and it leans into that with good food and a relaxed atmosphere. It's a place for a slow weekend, a celebratory dinner, or a very fancy home base for the races. Just watch out for that sharp turn off London Road.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Check the racing calendar at Ascot Racecourse before you book; prices spike significantly during meet days. If you are traveling with a dog, call the reception directly to snag one of their limited "pawsome" rooms which come with a bed and bowls. Finally, if you're planning a Sunday stay, the Sunday Roast at FORK is widely considered one of the best in the Sunninghill area—book the 1:00 PM slot to enjoy the garden view in the best light.