How typically do you get to remain on a personal island? Monkey Island Property is subsequent to the village of Bray which is a magnet for gourmets internet hosting each Heston Blumenthal’s Fats Duck and the Roux household’s Waterside Inn. It’s an island on the River Thames 5 miles from Windsor Fort.
Its charming identify comes from both monk settling close by in 1197 or George third being banished right here in his insanity together with his pet monkey. The third Duke of Marlborough (a forebear of each Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Diana) purchased the land in 1723 as a fishing retreat. He commissioned two Palladian buildings: a two-story temple and an octagonal pavilion.
It’s been a centuries-old retreat. In the beginning of its Edwardian golden period monarchs visited, as did the poet Siegfried Sassoon and the composer Elgar who labored on his First Violin Concerto in The Hut, a home on the adjoining financial institution. H.G Wells got here together with his lover Rebecca West, whose novel ‘The Return of the Soldier’ concerned a previous affair on Monkey Island.
I felt I used to be on for an journey the second I handed the reception hut and crossed the footbridge that jogged my memory of a Hokusai print. I landed on this fish-tail-shaped non-public island crammed with chestnut, lime, and walnut timber. It’s tastefully and elegantly landscaped with lawns and flowerbeds. It’s punctuated with celadon shepherds’ huts, beehives, and statuettes of monkeys. All I may hear was the circulate of the river, the birds, the cackling geese, and the chickens.
On the appropriate, the 18th-century white Temple constructing got here into view. It homes 40 fantastic visitor rooms (with charges ranging from $277 per evening). They’re cozy and intimate with Savoir beds. Their many home windows provide loads of daylight and afford beautiful views of the river and lodge grounds. There are additionally six cottages and The Wedgewood Suite which is particularly theatrical and magical. It has an authentic plasterwork ceiling depicting Neptune, shells, mermaids, and dolphins. It has home windows throughout and the partitions are paneled in oak. There’s even a portrait of the Duke of Marlborough with Monkey Island within the distance. My lavatory had an indulgently deep stand-alone bathtub, a heated ground, and Elemis toiletries. Beneath is the Temple Lounge the place I sat in divine silence to observe the water circulate previous.
On the left, as I crossed the footbridge, is The Pavilion housing the restaurant, bars, occasions, and ballroom. I had each dinner and breakfast in The Monkey Island Brasserie, a teal room with views over the river and gardens. I sunk right into a deep banquette amongst the spacious tables. As my in-room lodge video declared “The eating is impressed by the freshness of nature”. The glowing wine and cheeses are British and the beer comes regionally from a Windsor brewery. The menu was confidently transient, the helpings had been very beneficiant and the worth was not extravagant. Afternoon Tea can be a favourite on the beautiful terrace overlooking the river.
In line with the lodge’s identify, there’s a lot character and exoticism on show. The hall is wealthy in a wallpaper of the very forest ferns and leaves the place you would possibly anticipate finding monkeys. The fashionable Monkey Bar has a heat, welcoming fire beneath an 18th-century ceiling depicting ‘singerie’ with monkeys pursuing nation sports activities. Above it’s the Whisky Room resembling a lighthouse with its slim steep steps and attic-like vantage level. Octagonal in form it was fantastically adorned with material wallpaper depicting leopards.
My hour-long floating therapeutic massage passed off on the lodge’s ‘spa barge’. With each the feeling of the river’s water and the sound of birds twittering I lay in my cabin immediately transported. My specifically designed aqua-cushion mattress enhanced my watery expertise. I lay solely on my again, tucked in by towels. My muscle groups had been manipulated from each angle. It was blissful soaking within the tinctures and oils of arnica, ginger, and rosemary as soon as ready by monks.
The lodge presents company a personal boat journey alongside the Thames. It’s additionally the right deal with for {couples} seeking to rejoice. It’s particularly best for weddings with a ballroom and pagoda particularly designed. Certainly the entire place may be employed out privately. The vibe is chilled, the service telepathic and the clientele respectful. It’s a magical retreat within the simple vary of each Heathrow and Central London. I can’t advocate it extremely sufficient.
