Thinking of spending our last 2 nights in England in Windsor due to ease of transport from our second-to-last location (Cotswolds) and our destination (Gatwick).<BR><BR>It seems Windsor is only ever mentioned as a day trip from London. Anyone have any experience spending the night?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.

no, but I would stay there if it's convenient and you're done with London. It's very charming in a village-y sort of way. There is plenty to do in the two days you're staying there.

Yes, I have...<BR><BR>Previously posted on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&amp;tid=34386289<BR><BR>Aut hor: Rex<BR>Date: 12/14/2002, 12:30 pm<BR><BR>Message: Recommndation without hesitation for a place to stay in Windsor (best if you have a car) - - <BR><BR>Fairlight Lodge <BR>41 Frances Road <BR>Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3AQ<BR><BR>Telephone: 011.44.1.753.861.207<BR>Fax: 011.44.1.753.865.963<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Due to an early morning flight out of Heathrow, we stayed in Eton, just a 5 minute walk from Windsor Castle. It's a cute little town full of Eton school boys in their tails. It was a bank holiday weekend and we were lucky enough to get the last room at a place that ended up having a pretty good restaurant.

Several years ago, we stayed in a lovely hotel right across the road from the castle. It was the night before our flight from Heathrow. The bus to the airport stops in front of the hotel. We took a nice walk down thru Eton and around the area. It is a perfect stop for the last night. Can't remember the name of the hotel but could look it up. CJ

Windsor is a lovely place - BUT since you are flying out of LGW it doesn't make much sense as a last night's stay.<BR><BR>The traffic situation between Windsor and Gatwick can be a REAL nightmare.<BR><BR>You could stay in Windsor the next to last night, but south of London in east Sussex or north Kent makes more sense for the last night.

Brian<BR>Last year after visiting the Cotswolds, we wanted to visit Windsor prior to flying home from HRL. We stayed at the Marriot Courtyard in Slough, which is about five miles away. We had a car and the hotel had plenty of parking. Because the Marriot is a business hotel their weekend rate is great. We stayed Friday and Saturday nights for 40 GDP each night. The week day rate is about 125 GDP.<BR>Where ever you stay, Windsor is well worth visiting.

alanmunson: Brian is flying out of Gatwick - so staying in Slough isn't practical.

Brian,<BR><BR>I stayed at a Thistle hotel in Eton about 5 years ago and really liked it as a convenient, nice place to stay on our final night. (One caveat: Thursday night seemed to be heavy drinking night, however; we had to avoid several drunks as the pubs let out their patrons at closing time along the main road).However, this l;ocation was convenient because I was flying out of Heathrow. I agree with the other poster that you might want to find somewhere closer to Gatwick as a place to stay.<BR><BR>Happy travels.<BR><BR>John H.

there is a marriott and two courtyards nearby to windsor if you want a little bit of usa before leaving...also i have stayed a couple of times on the river at the Runneymeade hotel just a few miles from windsor...as pointed out there are a number of places in windsor as well...search travelocity, this site or any of the other sites...<BR><BR>I AGREE NOT TO STAY THERE THE LAST NITE... go down toward kent, surrey is quite nice....winston churchills country house is near oxted which is quite a lovely area and the house is worth visiting and there are B &amp; B's around which would serve you well....gatwick is then maybe 1/2 hour or less drive...there are lots of good restaurants and pubs as well...

Yes, Windsor isn't practical to stay the night before flying out of Gatwick...traffic is bad and further than you think. It IS a lovely town however for one night prior. You could do what you want on the day before leaving, then in the afternoon check into a place close to Gatwick. The town of Horley (five minutes away) had lots of lovely B&amp;B's, and they will take you to Gatwick if you have turned in your car the night before. Twice this last year, (once only a couple of weeks ago) we have stayed at the wonderful Renaissance (Marriott)the last night , 5 min. from Gatwick, and they have a shuttle bus to take you back and forth. I made sure it was a weekend night, as their rates are wonderful, good friendly service. There is also a Moat House, Holiday Inn and others. You could turn in the car late afternoon at Gatwick, shop around the terminal, eat there, and take the shuttle back to the hotel.

My Aunt Pat and Uncle Terry and cousin, Sonia live in Old Windsor. I have been there many times and ALWAYS fly in and out of Gatwick when I visit. Uncle Terry HATES to drive to Heathrow. I don't remember any traffic problem, however I am always a passenger, never the driver. I think you would like Windsor. There is much to see, like Windsor Castle, Queen Mary's Doll House, and Eton College. Hampton Court is not far away, as is Runnymeade and the Memorial to John F. Kennedy. I think you would really like Windsor.

Thanks for all the replies. Guess I should have been more clear - we will not have a car. Windsor was attractive because it's 1 1/2 hours by train from the Cotswolds and 1 1/2 hour by train to Gatwick (we have a 1:00 PM flight).<BR><BR>The alternative is to do the last 2 nights in Oxford (a 2 hour bus ride to Gatwick) but we're having trouble finding decently priced lodging that's walking distance to the center (but that's another thread).<BR><BR>We really like to spend a minimum of 2 nights per location. Has anyone stayed at The Royal Adelaide Hotel in Windsor?<BR><BR>Thanks again for all the info.

We are going to be in London early September with our 3 yr old who is really into princeses/palaces/castles! Given its proximity to Heathrow, does it make sense to stay overnite at Windsor which would give us about 1.5 days in the area and then cab/bus it to the airport. Or is it really better for a full day trip?
Thanks.

Oh, and one more question... heard from some friends that there is a &quot;toyland&quot; or such on the way to windsor where there are dolls houses or little peoples houses. I dont think she was refering to the dolls museum/house at the windosr.Any idea?? Thanks again.

Tongsa: Your friend is probably referring to &quot;LegoLand,&quot; which is also in Windsor.

Stayed in Windsor in a B&amp;B in December 1998 the night prior to a flight out of Heathrow. Loved the town, hated the B&amp;B. Early morning local taxi to the airport cost the equivalent of about 14 USD at that time. We had a good dinner at the Van Sittart (sp) Arms pub, in a neighborhood a short walk from the B&amp;B. Evensong in the castle chapel was special.

Thanks MeiJ But she did say &quot;theme&quot; park. Would that be in Slough? Not familiar with the layout....

Have been also reco the Christopher Wren Hostel and Cecil?/Castle Hotel...

Thanks

Tongsa, Legoland is some sort of a theme park where children can enjoy various rides, but it is certainly not disneyland. It is kinda amazing to see what you can do with thousands of small plastic blocks though. Legoland is definitely in Windsor, about twenty five minutes walk from town centre. There is a shuttle bus running from the town centre to Legoland.

I have eaten at the restaurant at Christopher Wren hotel a while ago and remember it to be a very pleasant experience. A friend of mine spent her wedding night there and raved about this hotel ever since. So you should be alright there. Just remember the hotel rooms in Europe are not generally as spacious as those in USA.

I would suggest spend the night in Windsor or Eaton so that you can enjoy this lovely place after the day trippers are gone. The path along the River Thames is a beutiful place for evening stroll. Enjoy your trip.

The Castle Hotel is a lovely hotel, right near the Castle itself, but FYI, not air conditioned (other than meeting rooms). They do provide a fan in each room.