The Best Hotels to Book Near Heston Blumenthal's Restaurant, the Fat Duck

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Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck is as imaginative as its location is beautiful
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck is as imaginative as its location is beautiful | © Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo
Photo of Daniel Stables
Daniel Stables
28 September 2021
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No restaurant is more wildly original or widely acclaimed than the Fat Duck, Heston Blumenthal’s flagship eatery in the Berkshire village of Bray, near Maidenhead – famous for his innovative dishes, such as egg-and-bacon ice cream.

Our selection of hotels near the Fat Duck range from ancient country inns to luxurious properties on private islands in the Thames. All offer a comfortable stay and easy access to this unforgettable restaurant – and are bookable on Culture Trip.

Monkey Island Estate

Monkey Island Estate
Courtesy of Monkey Island Estate / Booking.com
It’s not every day you get the chance to stay on a private island in the Thames, but that’s exactly what’s on offer at this gorgeous hotel – housed in two pavilions dating from 1723. Rooms combine the elegance of that era with marble bathrooms and views over the river, while the indulgent floating spa offers a range of massage treatments on a luxury barge.

River Arts Club

River Arts Club
Courtesy of River Arts Club / Booking.com
A Victorian mansion serves as the setting for this arty hotel, where rooms combine period features – such as wood panelling and cast iron bed frames – with bright colours and vibrant modern artworks. A 66yd (60m) stretch of river-facing garden offers no end of opportunities to relax on a sun lounger with a book, while a cigar cellar and honesty bar are on hand to help you pass the evenings in style.

Castle Hotel Windsor

Castle Hotel Windsor
Courtesy of Castle Hotel Windsor / Expedia
It might not be the grandest castle in town – that goes to Windsor Castle, a short walk away – but this stately property, which sits in a Georgian townhouse, is appropriately regal. Certainly, you’ll feel like royalty on the plush furnishings of its classically designed rooms. The food is top-drawer, with the Captain Sir Tom afternoon tea a pleasantly British way to pass the afternoon.

Sir Christopher Wren

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel
Courtesy of Sir Christopher Wren / Booking.com
With the Thames on one side and the elegance of Windsor all around, this historic red-brick hotel is a fantastic choice. Those with an eye for design – like the hotel’s namesake – will adore the wooden ceiling beams and four-poster beds of the traditional guest rooms. Gastronomes mustn’t miss the hotel restaurant, where afternoon tea on the terrace overlooking the river is a celebrated occasion.

Macdonald Compleat Angler

Macdonald Compleat Angler
Courtesy of Macdonald Compleat Angler / Expedia
Perched prettily on the banks of the Thames, this stylish four-star hotel oozes excellence – from the four-poster beds and paisley textiles of the Deluxe Rooms to the views of Olympians on the river (nearby Marlow Rowing Club train here). Afternoon tea on the terrace is a refined way to spend a few hours, while there’s world-class Indian food on offer at Sindhu: the latest venture from Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar.

Grovefield House Hotel

Grovefield House Hotel
Courtesy of Grovefield House Hotel / Expedia
This red-brick Edwardian mansion makes an elegant setting for a stay overlooking the Buckinghamshire countryside. Traditionally designed guest rooms join an acclaimed restaurant, Hamilton’s, where classic dishes are presented in an artful style. Even greater gastronomic delights await a short drive from the hotel, in the form of Heston Blumenthal’s legendary restaurant, the Fat Duck.

The Bird in Hand Hotel

The Bird in Hand Hotel
Courtesy of The Bird in Hand Hotel / Expedia
Even by the standards of British country inns, the Bird in Hand is old – with a history dating to the 14th century. Rooms wear this heritage elegantly in their ceiling beams and rugged wooden furniture, although some have a much more modern aesthetic. The Tudor surrounds of the pub downstairs are not to be missed, either – with superb local beer from Butcombe Brewery and dishes including Cornish mackerel.

Hurley House

Hurley House
Courtesy of Hurley House / Expedia
Understated, traditional luxury is the order of the day at this Berkshire hotel, with lovely wood-panelled bedrooms, comfy Chesterfield armchairs, and bathrooms with indulgent, freestanding bathtubs. The rustic bar-restaurant, warmed by wood-burning stoves, is a lovely spot to pass the evening while enjoying dishes like roasted black cod and teriyaki steak, paired with superb wines.

Danesfield House Hotel and Spa

Courtesy of Danesfield House / Expedia
Winding country roads lead you through the gates of this grand country house, dating to 1901. Rooms feature classic period pieces including wooden four-poster beds and plush sofas, with views over the hotel’s verdant grounds and the River Thames beyond. The Orangery, its on-site restaurant, is an evocative spot to enjoy dishes like rump of lamb with romesco and roasted peppers, before retiring for a luxurious night’s sleep.

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