Monkey Island Estate - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Very impressed with the whole stay, room and dinner was excellent

Nothing to add

Incredibly private and historic venue with beautiful grounds and onsite bar & restaurant. The staff was so helpful, kind and friendly. They accommodated various requests we made during our stay. We also did the self-drive boat experience which was lovely. If you are looking for a special stay book the Wedgewood suite, you won’t regret it.

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Breakfast, the setting, the staff and the architecture of the property.

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Pretty much everything, stunning grounds next to a lovely village

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We loved almost everything about our one-night stay. Monkey Island Estate feels truly luxe, from the setting on the Thames to the stylish interiors and overall atmosphere. The property is beautiful, polished and special, and it made for a memorable short stay.

The bed was the one disappointment. It felt wonky and uncomfortable, with a saggy mattress, and we did not sleep very well.

Location is great, plus its just a perfect spot, surrounded by the river, so quiet, lovely grounds, the bar is great, drinks and cocktails were really good - lovely place to chill with your friends and partner

The breakfast. Last time we stayed it was table service and honestly one of the best breakfasts i've had. This time the rather functional receptionist told me we didnt have breakfast included and we'd have to pay £40 each, even though we did have it included and so i had to re-prove that to them. Breakfast now is a buffet service, no doubt having to manage rising costs / staffing challenges, but it was very disappointing, at least it was included i'd be fuming if i'd paid £80 for it! Staff were great, just a poor product.

Everything

Leaving and their questionnaire about my stay ...

Beautiful location.

Was disappointed with the level of service. Young inexperienced staff mainly employed. Tried getting info on how to get to into Windsor without driving and no one offered any helpful info. Ended up getting reception to order a taxi which was ridiculousy overpriced and the driver was running his business from the car. Breakfast was disappointing as didnt realise this would be buffet style. Having to stand around waiting for toast you put in the toaster yourself is not a 5 star hotel experience to me. Same evening menu every night and we were not told of the supplements to certain dishes as we were given the wrong menu! Paid for a Temple balcony room. Got the ground floor room and the terrace was covered in goose poo (as there are lots roaming the grounds, which wasnt an issue) A previous guests pile of olive stones left on the terrace not cleaned up. Overall wasnt the 5 star experience i was expecting.

very nice hotel, excellent diner and breakfast

Location , the open space and seclusion

Poor service and food quality for breakfast basic items and cold food Cottage ja run down nails sticking out my daughter hurt her toe Lacks care and doesn’t feel 5 star

Location. Easy walk to Bray and nice grounds.

Rooms very small for the cost. Breakfast buffet. Very average; expected better.

Very exclusive feel, perfect surroundings, and a great place to visit for a lovely short break.

Only negative for me was the bed, a little lumpy and the mattress topper meant at the pillow end it kinda dipped down and meant another pillow was needed. Not a big deal and being picky.

Everything. The grounds, the rooms, the setting, the food, the service.

Nothing.

Beautiful property in a stunning setting. Particularly liked the lounge area in the Temple building with complimentary coffee,tea & water. Great breakfast.

The bedroom was on the small side, could’ve done with more space.

The grounds were amazing and in a perfect location

Nothing everything was good maybe a bit pricey for drinks etc

Lovely staff. Great facilities, free drinks in mini fridge. Good value for money

Bed was a little uncomfortable

Quirky, peaceful, very lovely

Great Location

Temple Rooms are a little small

The grounds are really welcoming and perfectly manicured. Lots of spots for Photos and private conversations. All public spaces are beautifully decorated and very welcoming. Lots of private places for coffee or drinks in a sun room or lounge. The history of the estate is also intriguing. There were facilities available we did not use but appreciated. Fees for these are pricey, but probably in line with such a resort. All staff were very welcoming and atte4ntive. The waitresses in the dining room and outdoor patio were particularly hard working!

The breakfast and dinner package we chose included breakfast and dinner. but there were a number of features that one paid extra for. In my mind a fixed price menu with several choices would be more transparent. I believe there needs to be one more wait person in the dining room area for the breakfast and dinner hours. There should be a bus boy/girl to clear tables and clean them to take the stress from the wait staff.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Monkey Estate Hotel. The views were fantastic, and the location was small and lovely, tucked away in a way that felt special. The lounge area was a nice touch, the hotel was clean throughout, and the staff were friendly and welcoming.

On the downside, the bed was uncomfortable and having the AC unit positioned right above the bed wasn’t ideal.

Location outstanding

Dinner menu very expensive and disopointing fish was lukewarm

A beautiful retreat, charming and attentive staff. Delicious food and drink and a stunning location.

Stunning location

Fabulous location

Nothing to note

Uniqueness of the location. How quiet the property was.

The fitness suite was rather disappointing

Our third visit, and as usual we appreciated the beautiful surroundings on a very quiet and peaceful island with lovely grounds. A compact room with balcony and views over the river, which was clean and nicely presented. However, our visit was marred by penny pinching charges, we had booked a dinner, bed and breakfast package but were only offered two courses and were expected to pay for a dessert. In addition the bread which came (not requested by us) with the starter was then charged for. There was another charge added to the bill, which we didn’t understand but seemed to relate to staff service. On our last visit a little treat was added as we were celebrating a landmark birthday, this time despite being asked if it was a special occasion (we were celebrating our joint birthdays and wedding anniversary) no mention of this was made. Although we love the hotel, associated as it is with our honeymoon, we certainly didn’t feel very special on this visit.

Everything about our stay was truly exceptional 💗 Walking over the bridge onto the island felt like leaving the outside world behind. The beautiful scent as you enter the accommodation, the peaceful gardens with the geese and bees, the warm and welcoming staff, the luxurious and comfortable bedrooms, and the incredible food all combined to make this one of our favourite hotel stays. We’ll absolutely be back 🥰

That I had to leave….

Food was lovely. Staff amazing hotel was beautiful

The only thing I didn’t like the room was to small I couldn’t pull the chair out fully as it would hit the bed when I was doing my hair & makeup

More beautiful than I imagined. Professional, friendly staff. Gorgeous room with one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in. Simply super.

Rent the boat and get on the Thames! That experience was a highlight, as was the Floating Spa. We also took advantage of nearby walks and footpaths just to see more of the area on foot.

The room we were assigned in The Temple building smelled musty / damp / mildewy. We spent the first night there but requested -- and were given -- a different room in The Barn (which seemed to be newer and cleaner, even if our room was smaller).

Lovely grounds.

Very small room.

Fabulous location and gardens

Didn't;t stay long enough

Beautiful location, small but comfortable room. We are returning visitors and it was wonderful to see the property at the height of summer and see how the landscape had evolved. Hydrangea heaven! We wished we could have stayed another night!

The breakfast wait staff need a little more training

Poor customer service and disgusting the way we were treated on my special birthday!

Everything! They lie about the pool too. Don’t book this hotel.

Fabulous place, gardens, terrace, by the river ... super attentive and friendly staff ... lovely rooms, aircon ... great breakfast

Lunch/dinner better in Bray ... swimming pool would be nice

Location and quality

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Beautiful tranquil place Fantastic staff

I was impressed with the location — beautiful, quiet, and serene, providing a wonderful place to relax and unplug. The customer service was excellent too; the staff went out of their way to make my stay comfortable and pleasant.

I only had one negative. There was a sconce light hanging on the wall just inside of the door. Every time I opened the door and stepped back for the swing of the door, I hit my head on that light. That light needs to be smaller so it doesn't hang into the walking space due to the low ceiling, or needs to be further into the room.

Setting is superb. Hotel is beautiful. Food and rink lovely.

The room was a little small, but this was clear on the booking as to its size.

The location was beautiful on the Thames river. Lot's of space to walk, enjoyed the family of geese wandering the property.

Our room was lovely but very small. The air conditioning was not functioning so our room was very hot (23.5 degrees).

Beautiful grounds

Service charge just to stay. Ridiculous

Beautiful gardens, peaceful, charming. Good breakfast.

The staff are so incredibly kind- we were here for our wedding night and everyone was just the friendliest, warmest and most professional I’ve encountered in some time.

The only downsides were a lack of bath (which I understand completely) and the hardness of the bed. Luckily my husband loved how hard it was, and slept soundly but I struggled to sleep!

Great atmosphere very relaxed

Exceptional location. Beautiful clean rooms. Staff coukdn’t have been more friendly and helpful. A short walk from Bray village. Highly recommend the boat trip which was wonderful

Unique location on the river.

Room was a little small

It was exceptional all round. Flawless service, super delicious food, fabulous estate. What a wonderful, hidden gem!

LOVED the location, sooo peaceful and tranquil (although you could hear the M4 drone away, which is not surprising given its proximity). Brasserie food was excellent/ The breakfast volume was HUGE, and fresh produce. Likewise the dinner was really tasty and fresh. Bed and pillows were extremely comfy, which is a plus as I am a really fussy sleeper. Staff all round were excellent.

We were given a complimentary upgrade but the room was still small for 2 people. Goodness knows what the original one would have been like. Dinner menu choice was limited, but then I guess 4 seasonal meals is better than 20 freezer ones, so.... We couldn't open the windows in our room and were told they didn't open so we were left with trying to operate the AC......

The grounds and buildings are fantastic.

We had a very tight and small spiral staircase which was difficult to get through with large heavy suitcases

Location grounds

Limited menu only tapas on the Sunday using a weekday menu

Luke was superb in the bar - best staff member ever!! The hotel sold us a river package witht champagne which made the weekend ! Such a tranquil setting and great place to go to

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Beautiful, absolutely stunning setting, we were lucky to have blue skies and warm weather so seeing the property at it’s best. Well appointed, beautifully decorated rooms and communal spaces. Great breakfast most of the staff were friendly and helpful. Stay for dinner or Sunday lunch, you won’t regret it!

Not really a not like but would have preferred. Dimmer switches on lights especially bathroom. Very bright for a quick trip to the loo in the middle of the night! A couple of staff weren’t very good at all, however the other staff more than made up for those slip ups.

Location and the staff. The entire staff are outstanding. Particularly in the bar and restaurant.

The location is good and the staff were very helpful

I booked the Barn room which I didn’t realise wasn’t on the actual island rather in the corner of the car park with views into someone’s back garden. I felt as though the advertising for this wasn’t clear enough, as if I had known this was the case I wouldn’t have booked it.

The Island is fantastic! It is so beautiful. We loved the bridge over to the hotel and restaurant. The staff were very friendly and attentive and the breakfast had a great choice. We had an evening meal there and some drinks as well. Love the Monkey Room!

The room had everything you need in it but the beds are small. Being of average height and weight we struggled with the bed. We also felt if one of us got out of the bed as it caused the other to bounce around the bed. This caused interrupted sleep. Recommendation would be to look into the beds for the future.

Great location for Bray and the food culture in the area.

Poor service. Old and tired room furniture, fixtures and fittings. Not very clean. Small rooms even though we booked the deluxe terrace option.

Overall stay was lovely, the Sundial cottage was great and the estate is in a lovely location with great surrounding pubs and attractions. Lovely welcome basket in the cottage upon arrival. The restaurant food was mostly great and the service very friendly. Cocktails great in the bar and nice area to relax in.

The estate was closed for majority of our stay due to a private wedding which is fine but this wasn’t made clear upon booking and we weren’t able to use any bar/restaurant facilities or walk around the island which was an impact on our stay. The breakfast delivered to our cottage (due to the private event) was cold. There is lots of room for improvement on general maintenance - in the garden of our cottage we found a razor blade and nails where our little boy was running around. Also, in the gym, packaging for equipment and items for the gym left lying on the floor. A general tidy up would make it more 5 star. Milk frother would be good in Sundial cottage.

We thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet this beautiful estate had to offer. Our room was very comfortable and the hospitality was wonderful.

History

The latest renovation is a bit corporate

Beautiful location, personal service by super friendly staff, wonderful SPA treatments, excellent food, comfortable rooms and scenic trails along the river for walks or runs.

The continental breakfast was good and ample. Our room was clean and quiet, with no neighbour noise. Although the temple room was not large, it was of sufficient size, with a comfortable bed. The birthday chocolates were a nice touch. Staff were polite and helpful. For example, we didn't have to stand by the toaster, waiting for out toast to be done. A member of staff delivered it to our table.

A path ran alongside our room. Although it only seemed to go to the fire escape, people used it and walked next to our windows. Operation of the thermostat was unclear. Outside, background noise from the motorway was unavoidable, however, this was not audible in the rooms. Signposted directions could be clearer in Bray village.

Location is incredible! Beautiful area, stunning grounds. Feels like you are miles away from major routes, when you are so close

We arrived before check in as we had an early afternoon booking at the Fat Duck. The receptionist told us to change in the toilet? I showed him the email I received from the manager, advising we could change in the gym, to which he still refused. Luckily the manager who I emailed previously turned up and allowed us to use one of the empty houses which was much more comfortable. Thank you :)

Lovely location and surroundings

Meals and drinks very expensive They also added a tip for barman and housekeeping staff onto the bill

Wonderful location.

For the rating and cost I just expected that bit extra, more engaged staff, more than two small milk sachets. Just expected that bit more. To have four service charges applied by default looks and is wrong on the bill. A service charge for a bar drink? Really. Yes I could take three off but it left a sour taste.

Nice rooms, comfortable bed, unlimited sparkling water, nice estate to walk around. staff arranged a taxi for us to go to nearby restaurant, which was convenient and helpful. Gym was a nice addition

Cooked and continental breakfast was 40£ pp which is a bit steep, would prefer to go à la carte and just pay for an eggs royale etc but don’t think that was an option looking at the menu. We didn’t go for this reason. Not all staff were aware property had a (albeit small) gym which was a bit strange as we had to ask several people to then get the key for it. Rooms felt a bit overpriced, ours was quite small but lovely view and decoration made up for it. At checkout, a discretionary charge was added to our bill, which was a bit strange and no explanation.

Alex at front desk was lovely! But rooms are very snug. Only if you bring overnight bag. It is not walking distance to anything that is commercial, must drive or uber

Its a bit too remote. Perfect for people who want seclusion, but not for tourists. Not for children as there is not much to do for kids.

Very unique and beautiful setting

Rooms a bit small

Lots of quirky character

Everything & everyone

Nothing, it was delightful

Beautifully furnished property. Immaculately clean

Nothing

Beautiful hotel and great location. The food and service during breakfast was excellent - Attention to detail and very friendly staff. I would definitely be back.

I only had one issue with the stay and it bothered me that it wasn't addressed, even though we enquired multiple times. When we arrived we asked if it was possible for a late check out. We were told by the guy in reception that he would ask house-keeping. By evening we haven't heard anything, so we asked again, and got the same reply. Only 40 minutes before checkout on the last day (after asking a 3rd time), were we told that we could stay one hour more. For a 5-star hotel, this was quite disappointing.

The room, grounds, staff. Everything!

The sink didn't drain well

The setting and grounds are beautiful. The room was clean and comfortable with superb views. The bar is lovely and the staff in the bar was great.

You are paying for the setting. There is nothing else for your money. The staff checkingvme in messed up my check in. They got my name wrong, I am female and he was checking me in on a booking made by a man and was insistent I needed to pay, despite me showing him the payment made to the hotel on my statement. He clearly didn't hear me , but never thought to clarify my name, when I asked him to check the details (as there was something clearly not right), he implied it was my fault as I hadn't noticed thar the form he'd given me was not my name. The writing was so tiny I couldn't read a word of it, fo it could have said anything. It wasn't the best first impressions I'd ever had. Other than the bar staff, we never saw another member of staff all weekend. It felt more like an air b and b than a luxury hotel experience.

Have stayed here before and again didn't disappoint. Free upgrade which was a lovely surprise. Free drinks in the room which was a nice touch. Warm, big shower and dark.

Beautiful spot on the river. Nice Elemis products and good shower. Comfy bed - but look out for the sharp corners! Pleasant breakfast.

Seemed quite old fashioned and not in a charming way. Rooms were very cramped and too hot to sleep in comfortably. Very limited menu in the bistro with poor veggie choices. Single check-in/out desk slow.

Beautiful grounds and buildings in idyllic location. Friendly and efficient staff.

Small bedrooms in The Barn accommodation and no mirror except above basin in shower room. Small wardrobe. No dressing table. No wall or door hooks to hang coats, bathrobes etc. Suitable for one person but not couples especially for more than one night. No room for cases but they offer to store them separately.

Great location. Staff were happy and friendly and very attentive. Best service we have had for a long time.

Beautiful surroundings, classic decor and comfortable facilities

I liked everything, I would have liked room service options

It was beautiful, well appointed, flexible, under once in a lifetime experience.

Breakfast only until 10 a.m., and the cheese was poor for the continental, as were the pastries and absence of charcuterie aside from a cheap salami.

Extremely kind to accommodate late check-out. Lovely grounds, facilities. Mattress was a little soft but all else excellent.

Express check-out would have been nice to have.

Great stay outside of London, not far from Heathrow yet quiet. Small hotel in beautiful location.

All ok

Continental breakfast

Lovely location

Not a lot of choice on the menu

Everything!

Can’t think of anything!

Location!

Nothing!

Lovely location. Decent room and view!

I paid for breakfast through booking.com but it didn't go through to the restaurant so they tried to charge me for breakfast.

Close to restaurants in Bray. Short Uber away. Nice hotel and grounds.

Rooms a little small.

Lovely peaceful setting on the river. Stylish buildings and rooms. Dinner was good, breakfast was better. Friendly, helpful staff, particularly in the bar and restaurant. Practical for London: Taxi to Maidenhead station, then fast train or Elizabeth line to centre.

Our rooms were very small, certainly not big enough for two guests to spend any time in. Biggest gripe was lack of daytime food options, either in the restaurant or at the bar. We had planned to eat on arrival in afternoon; no walkable alternatives. A little awkward to find by car, hampered perhaps by satnav inaccuracies in Bray village (can't blame hotel for that!)

Great location clean and tidy

Over cooked expensive breakfast.