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.