Great Fosters

Great Fosters, an exquisite Michelin Key One-Keys property in Egham, United Kingdom, offers a blend of historic grandeur and modern luxury. Set within 50 acres of meticulously maintained gardens, this Elizabethan estate is widely lauded for its captivating charm and exceptional service.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

Great Fosters consistently receives high praise, generally rated as "Very Good" to "Exceptional" across various platforms. On Booking.com, it scores 8.3/10 based on 392 reviews, while Hotels.com and Expedia show ratings of 9.0/10. Google reviews average 4.4/5, and TripAdvisor 4.2/5, based on over 2600 reviews combined. The overwhelming sentiment is one of luxury, charm, and a memorable experience, often chosen for special occasions.

Key Highlights

Guests frequently commend Great Fosters for its stunning 16th-century Elizabethan architecture and 50 acres of picturesque gardens, which include topiary mazes, a Saxon moat, a Japanese-inspired bridge, and a sundial gifted by Sir Francis Drake. The heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, open during summer months, are also significant draws. The hotel's historic atmosphere, seamlessly blended with contemporary touches, and the overall sense of tranquility contribute to its allure. The outstanding service and friendly staff are consistently highlighted as a key reason for return visits.

Room Quality

Great Fosters boasts 56 individually designed rooms and suites, including historic named suites. Rooms in the main house retain the original style with modern amenities, while accommodation in the Coach House and Cloisters offers particularly stylish and luxurious options. Guests have described rooms as comfortable and beautifully decorated, with thoughtful extras like coffee trays, nice slippers, and quality toiletries. Some suites feature four-poster beds, damask-draped walls, gilt trimmings, and oversized bathtubs, contributing to a romantic escape. The Dower House section, comprising former Estate cottages, offers rooms with large bathtubs, marble-clad showers, huge comfortable beds, and crucially, air conditioning, which is not permitted in the Grade I listed main house. However, some guests have reported uncomfortable beds needing replacement, tiny TVs, and, in older parts, noisy heating or "smelly bathrooms/noisy old loos".

Dining Experience

The hotel features two on-site restaurants: The Tudor Pass and The Estate Grill.

• The Tudor Pass: This Michelin-starred restaurant (awarded in March 2023) offers a sophisticated gastronomic experience with a tasting menu designed by Head Chef Alex Payne (or more recently, Stefano Di Giosia). It's an intimate setting with only seven tables, known for its creative dishes, quality ingredients, and exceptional service where chefs often present courses with an introduction.
• The Estate Grill: A 2-AA Rosette brasserie providing a more informal dining experience with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients, many cooked on a grill. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
• Breakfast: Guests frequently praise the superb and amazing English breakfast.
• Other Options: Afternoon tea is served in the Anne Boleyn drawing room or on the terrace overlooking the gardens. The Cocktail Bar also offers light meals. During warmer months, al fresco dining is available on the terraces and patios, and curated picnic hampers can be enjoyed in the grounds.

Service & Staff

The service and staff at Great Fosters are consistently highlighted as exceptional. Guests describe staff as friendly, efficient, attentive, knowledgeable, and going out of their way to ensure a wonderful stay. Many reviewers note feeling well-looked after and commend the incredible service. However, some older employee reviews mention past issues with management and a "bully and blame culture," though more recent employee feedback suggests a positive work environment and management that cares for the team.

Location & Accessibility

Great Fosters is a historic five-star country house hotel located on the edge of Egham, Surrey, near Windsor. It is conveniently situated not far from the M25 motorway. Egham Station, offering a 40-minute train journey to London Waterloo, is a five-minute taxi ride away, and Heathrow Airport is just a 15-minute drive. While it's an excellent location for those with a car, access by public transport can be less straightforward. The hotel has rooms with disabled access, and the Tudor Pass, Estate Grill, and Cocktail Bar are all on the ground floor. The historic nature of the building means there is no elevator, and some rooms might not be accessible for those with mobility issues, with creaky stairs noted.

Value & Pricing

Great Fosters is considered a luxury hotel, and its pricing reflects this. Typical lowest nightly rates are around £260-£300, with an average weeknight price of approximately $295 and weekend nights around $475. Prices can vary significantly by season, with June often being the cheapest month and September the most expensive. Many guests feel the experience is "well worth it for a special occasion" and delivers a "fabulous place to stay, a little bit of luxury." Offers such as dinner, bed, and breakfast packages are available, often including an allowance towards dinner. Some guests acknowledge the luxury comes at a price, feeling they are "being charged just to breathe in the luxury."

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Comfort: Issues with uncomfortable beds (mattresses too soft), noisy old toilets, and small TVs have been mentioned.
• Heating/Cooling: Some rooms have been described as cold with poor or noisy heating, and air conditioning is not available in the main house due to its listed status.
• Room Location: Some rooms are a "schlep" from the main building and require going outside.
• Duvet Size: A specific complaint noted was a single-sized duvet in a double-sized cover, leading to discomfort.
• Breakfast Menu: While the English breakfast is excellent, the overall breakfast menu has been described as disappointingly limited by some.
• Exterior Maintenance: The gravel driveways and main car park have been noted as needing maintenance/repair.
• Accessibility: The age of the hotel means creaky stairs and limited accessibility in some areas, with no elevator.
• Lack of On-site Gym: There is no gym on-site, with an arrangement for an external facility a mile away.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. alexanderhotels.co.uk
3. slh.com
4. hotels.com
5. booking.com
6. thewordrobe.com
7. muddystilettos.co.uk
8. tablethotels.com
9. londontheinside.com
10. ratedtrips.com
11. leadingrestaurants.co.uk
12. flyertalk.com
13. alexanderhotels.co.uk
14. indeed.com
15. indeed.com
16. expedia.com
17. kayak.com
18. wearegifted.co.uk
19. alexanderhotels.co.uk