Latest Updates

Work is well under way at The Castle Hotel and as part of the transformation, a brand-new British brasserie will be opening.  We’re excited to announce that the new restaurant will be called Penningtons.

With a nod to the history of the hotel which dates back to 1528, it’s named after the original inn keeper George Pennington. Our team are working in partnership with Auden Hospitality to develop the restaurant which will be opening in June 2026. Our menus will champion seasonal British produce in a relaxed, social setting.

And that’s not all. The new Penningtons bar will be inspired by the building’s origins as Windsor’s original tap room. Soon to be your new go-to spot in the heart of Windsor.

As The Castle Hotel prepares to relaunch this summer following the extensive £9.5 million refurbishment, we’ll be creating 25 new roles and are looking for people who are passionate about hospitality to be part of our team.

Join us on Thursday 26th February for our Recruitment Open Day and discover what it means to work in a beautifully evolving property where people, training and long-term development are a genuine priority. There has never been a better time to join.

It’s an exciting time, with our team at the heart of it. We’re building a wonderful team to shape the experience from the inside out. This is a rare opportunity to join during the transformation, see the changes unfold and be part of the team as we reveal something truly special.

Several new roles are being created specifically to elevate the guest experience and ensure every stay feels considered from start to finish. Recruitment will span across front of house positions, chef and kitchen teams, event professionals, restaurant, and bar staff, as well as housekeeping roles. Bringing together a full-service team dedicated to delivering warm and confident hospitality.

So, if you’re passionate about hospitality, thrive in a team environment and want to grow with us as we unveil this next chapter we’d love to meet you.

Refurbishment is underway at The Castle Hotel, with a clear purpose. To make the hotel a place visitors and locals want to return to, whether that is to stay the night, pop in for lunch, or meet friends for dinner.

We start in the bar. Stripped back and opened up, the space now reveals its natural proportions and flow. This work is focused on how the bar feels at every moment of the day. Welcoming for a quiet drink, comfortable when busy, and easy to settle into for a casual bite to eat.

Next is the lounge, the heart of the hotel and the main entrance space. This is where guests arrive, pause, and decide to stay. While much-loved features like the roaring fireplace will remain, the lounge is being reworked into a more flexible, inviting space. Ideal for afternoon tea, a light lunch, or a relaxed evening meet up. It is about creating a room that works just as well for locals dropping in as it does for guests staying overnight.

The restaurant space, formerly known as Leaf, is currently stripped back and in preparation for something new. We are looking forward to sharing more details soon about our British Brasserie, which will take pride of place as the hotel’s restaurant. The new space will include a cosy private dining room and will play a central role in making The Castle Hotel a destination for dining as well as staying.

As work continues through the building, the main staircase remains unchanged. Carefully protected throughout the refurbishment, it continues to anchor the hotel, connecting floors, stories, and past to present.

Upstairs, the bedrooms are in the midst of their transformation. Walls are stripped back and layouts refined, laying the groundwork for fresh, modern guest rooms designed with comfort, calm, and ease in mind.

This is the quieter, slightly dustier part of the refurbishment. Essential work that allows us to put The Castle Hotel back together properly. Foundations are being laid now for what comes next, from beautiful textiles, furnishings, and thoughtful details, which we look forward to sharing with you.

A Windsor Love Story Rekindled Through The Castle Hotel’s Renovation Auction 

At The Castle Hotel Windsor, we are privileged to be part of so many love stories, and every now and then, one of them comes full circle in a heart-warming way. 

Recently, a couple who celebrated their wedding night with us returned for a wonderful reason. They came to take home pieces of the hotel itself. During a furniture auction held as part of our £9.5 million refurbishment, they discovered the chance to give new life to items that had been part of their special day. Among the 624 lots available were guest room furnishings, bar and dining pieces, and terrace furniture. Each item carried its own chapter in the hotel’s long history.  

What began as a birthday surprise soon became a beautifully sentimental moment. One purchase in particular, a mirror from the honeymoon suite they stayed in. It was chosen with the hope that it would “stand the test of time,” and serve as a meaningful keepsake from the place where their marriage began.  

They also selected two chairs and a table, each destined to become talking points in their new home. 

Their return to Windsor is part of a much larger story. The couple originally married at the historic Windsor Guildhall, located directly opposite The Castle Hotel. Their connection to Windsor deepened further when they later moved to the town after years spent balancing life and work across different counties and even continents. This included time volunteering in Malawi, where they first met while contributing to charitable eyecare work.  

As they prepare their new home in Windsor, it was a delight for us to see them return. This time they visited not as wedding guests but as custodians of pieces from the hotel’s past. Our team are so pleased to know that furniture from the hotel will continue its journey somewhere it holds truly special sentiment.  

As we move forward with our renovation, we look forward to welcoming more guests whose stories become part of ours. We also hope that some may find a piece of the hotel that becomes part of their home too. 

Redefining dining at the Castle Hotel Windsor 

We recently sat down with Scot Turner from Auden Hospitality, the team helping us rethink our food and drink offering. The conversation reminded us why The Castle Hotel has been at the heart of Windsor since 1528. We are privileged to welcome guests from all around the world to showcase the best of British produce and cuisine. Travellers, locals, and everyone in between find their way here, from those lining up to watch the Changing of the Guard to long-time supporters of the hotel. 

Something for everyone 

As we redefine our restaurant and bar, we aim to create a space that feels like Windsor’s living room, a place to relax, connect, and enjoy good food and drink. The restaurant was once Windsor’s original tap room, and that sense of warmth and approachability will remain at its heart. Guests might pop in for a locally brewed pint, linger over oysters and English sparkling with friends, or enjoy a quiet moment in the garden. Warm, approachable, and effortlessly modern, it will be a place for every occasion. 

A story behind every corner 

Richard Martin ran this place in 1779. He had a secret room tucked away in the building. That hidden space will become our private dining room, perfect for celebrations, milestone dinners, or moments that deserve their own story. When not in use, the door will stay open so restaurant guests can enjoy the cosiness of the space. 

A facelift for every corner 

The restaurant will undergo a full refresh inside and out. The front of the hotel will shine with renewed kerbside appeal. The garden will become a sanctuary, beautifully lit and gently heated, ideal for a quick drink or a relaxed al fresco meal. 

Guests will be able to enjoy our lounge throughout the day. Coffee and pastries, a leisurely lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner. The lounge will flow naturally into the dining room and bar, with or without the roaring fire at the heart of the hotel. 

Rooted in Britain 

Every dish will celebrate the best of British seasonal produce, locally sourced, prepared with care. Showstopping pies, steak tartare, and oysters on ice will take centre stage, each made with the same attention to quality and provenance. 

We can’t wait to welcome you in 2026 to explore it for yourself. 

The Castle Hotel Windsor, is stepping into an exciting new chapter. In partnership with leading architects 3DReid, the team is redefining this historic landmark with the same care that has defined it for generations.

Located just steps from Windsor Castle and overlooking the town’s elegant Georgian streets, the hotel has long been part of Windsor’s story. A place where royal pageantry, history, and hospitality meet. With 108 bedrooms, dedicated event space, and a characterful bar and restaurant, The Castle Hotel has welcomed travellers, locals, and dignitaries for over five centuries.

Inspired by its regal setting and storied heritage, the transformation blends the building’s historic architecture with a fresh sense of contemporary British style, embracing the modern spirit of Windsor today.

Design that tells a story

Every space within the hotel is being thoughtfully redefined to create moments of discovery. Irresistible fabrics, crafted furniture, and abstract art inspired by Windsor’s rich history bring warmth and character throughout.

Guest rooms are being refurbished as calm retreats from the bustle of the High Street, with luxurious bedding, layered textures and lighting that adapts to every mood. Each room carries subtle nods to Windsor’s heritage, from art celebrating our history to colours that echo the tones of castle stone and the surrounding countryside.

The library has been designed as a welcoming sanctuary where guests can sink into plump cushions, enjoy a book or simply take in the atmosphere. Elegant details and a curated sense of comfort create a setting that feels both timeless and alive.

A dining experience to savour

At the heart of the refurbishment lies a new dining concept that reinterprets British tradition for the modern guest. The restaurant and Tap Room-style bar will flow seamlessly, allowing guests to move between a leisurely lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and drinks indoors or on the garden terrace.

Menus will celebrate the best of seasonal British ingredients, combining familiar comforts with dishes crafted using locally sourced produce, a nod to Windsor’s market-town heritage.

The private dining room, once known as the Manager’s Office, is being refreshed to create an inviting setting for family celebrations or meetings with colleagues outside the boardroom. When not in use, its doors will remain open, allowing restaurant guests to enjoy the atmosphere of this beautifully redefined space.

Simple, honest food served with warmth and charm will define every visit. Guests might join us for a glass of English sparkling wine, linger over lunch, or stay for longer after dessert.

Continuing a royal legacy

This transformation is more than a design project; it’s the continuation of a story that has been unfolding for over five hundred years. The Castle Hotel has grown alongside Windsor itself, shaped by the life and history that surround it.

Guests will notice the evolution not only in design but in every detail: the genuine warmth of service, the thoughtful touches sprinkled throughout a stay and the small moments that make each visit memorable. Every interaction, every space and every detail reflects the best of modern British hospitality.

A story written in the heart of Windsor

What began in the 16th century as an inn run by Richard Martin, the King’s Hackneyman, later became a cherished meeting place for Queen Victoria’s courtiers and a haven for literary greats such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Thomas Hardy.

For centuries, travellers, poets and politicians have passed through these doors, each adding a chapter to the Castle’s remarkable story. Today, that spirit of connection endures. The Castle Hotel remains a place where people come together to share moments, make memories and feel part of something special.

As this exciting transformation unfolds, we look forward to welcoming guests old and new to experience the next chapter in the Castle’s legacy.

The British Brasserie will be a much sought after and new dining concept in the heart of Windsor. A modern British brasserie that captures the best of Britain, cultivating the best ingredients cooked authentically and served with British charm in a timelessly modern vintage setting. The menus will focus heavily on seasonal and locally grown produce, local cheeses from Berkshire, grass-fed premium cuts of meat and the freshest seafood.

Open seven days a week, the restaurant will blend timeless traditional British classics with unexpected twists, creating an experience as rich in heritage as it’s in flavour.

Timeless cocktails and craft beers will enhance the menu of traditional pies, show-stopping large steaks and nostalgic desserts. Every visit is designed to spark curiosity, connection and conversation. This is dining with character.

More information will follow.

Step back in time and explore the rich history of The Windsor Hotel, nestled in the heart of royal Windsor.

The Castle Hotel began life in 1528 as The Mermaid Inn – humbly brewing beer and cider for the people of Windsor which, at the time, was a small town of just 1,000 people.

In 1644 – 1672, the small change of England and Wales was suppressed due to a collapse of confidence in it because of over-issue and massive counterfeiting.  There was no provision in the country for low-value money and to fill in this gap, many civic corporations and businesses issued their own coins or tokens.

This led to The Pennington Penny being issued by the entrepreneurial Innkeeper of the Mermaid Inn – one George Pennington – in Windsor in 1656.  As far as we know, there’s now only one remaining copy of The Pennington Penny in existence and it’s kept in the vaults of the British Museum.

During the 1700s, innkeeper Richard Martin was awarded the first of the hotel’s eight Royal Warrants – to provide horses and carriages for the royal household. The hotel grew with the population of Windsor to become one of the grandest places to stay in the Royal Borough.

By the 19th century, The Castle Hotel Windsor had solidified its reputation as the connoisseur’s choice of accommodation in the area. The hotel was so popular among the elite that the Duke of Wellington stepped in to dine after his victory over Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo.

Today, The Castle Hotel stands as a testament to Windsor’s rich history, and we are excited to be starting our upcoming refurbishment. Our goal is to keep the history while incorporating today’s technology, luxurious amenities, and excellent service. We aim to make The Castle Hotel a destination for both locals and hotel guests. The changes will encompass not only the guestrooms but also an exciting destination bar and restaurant.

We cannot wait to take you on our redefined journey and welcome you to our new-look Castle Hotel.

Sutton Hotel Collection has announced a £9.5 million refurbishment of The Castle Hotel Windsor, to be completed in 2026. The multi-phase transformation led by interior designers including 3DReid will start in November 2025 and see a full refresh of all bedrooms and suites across the hotel. It follows a hugely successful reimagination of the Francis Hotel in Bath.

Starting with the Mews and bedrooms in the original hotel, and concluding with the Park Wing, the refresh will also involve a redesign of the ground floor and the launch of a new British brasserie concept in the restaurant. A significant aspect of the investment includes the team which will be increased and developed to deliver an enhanced guest service. The programme will run throughout 2026 with completion scheduled towards the end of 2026.

Set opposite the iconic Windsor Castle, The Castle Hotel Windsor is one of the town’s most treasured landmarks, with a history dating back to 1528. Working with acclaimed interior designers like 3D Reid, the visionaries behind the recent Francis Hotel reimagination, the refreshed interiors will combine classic elegance with contemporary comfort, creating an environment that celebrates the hotel’s heritage whilst meeting the high expectations of today’s seasoned travellers and business delegates.

Shaun Bowles, Cluster General Manager said: “This £9.5 million transformation is more than just a renovation – we will be fully repositioning The Castle Hotel within the Windsor market and investing heavily within our brand, our people and our guest journey. We’ll be empowering the team to be imaginative and curate personalised experiences for the guest. We will also be focusing on delivering a first-class British restaurant and elevating our afternoon tea to appeal to the 12million tourists that visit Windsor every year”.