A Girls trip to Oakley Court

A Girls trip to Oakley Court

Friday, 14 August 2026

I've spent my last few years in London, creating and cultivating female friendships and last week, one of my new friends and I decided to go for a little weekend away.

I seem to have accidentally documented the transition (here, on the blog) from meeting Alexandra at one of her creative events, to becoming friends, so she's a familiar part of my world at the moment. I made such a big effort at the start of the year to fill my life with fun, new activates and love that in doing so, I made a new friend!

It was another warm Friday so I took the afternoon off and I headed out to Windsor early to make the most of the booking. 

Oakley Court is a Victorian mansion, set on the banks of the river, in Windsor. It took less than an hour to get there from London, via a little stroll around the town. 

The room wasn't ready when I arrived so after a wander around the grounds, I went straight to the wellness centre. I had visited the Soho house pop up there last summer, but didn't realise the hotel itself was so gothic and majestic. Very cool! 

I went for a quick swim, which was wonderfully refreshing given the heatwave and then enjoyed an array of Cowshed products in the shower afterwards. 

If you know anything about me, you'll know that the river is my happy place so I was very pleased to follow it further outside of London and see it surrounded by the English countryside, rather than, erm, Fulham haha. 

I spent the next few hours on a comfy garden chair, under a tree watching the boats and the ducks go by. All very whimsy. All very content.

Alexandra arrived at about 4, which was perfect timing for a cocktail or two. I couldn't quite decide what I wanted so I tasked the barman with making me some kind of strawberry spritz and he did an excellent job. Sweet, fruity, and most importantly, cold. 

When it was time to check in, we excitedly explored the room and all the freebies (plate of cookies, more Cowshed products and a picnic basket full of snacks) before dumping our bags and heading back out to the restaurant for dinner. 

We both ordered crisp glass of white wine and the miso black cod, which happens to be my favourite dish ever - I always get excited when I see it on a menu! Our lazy afternoon, turned into a lazy evening as the sun slowly, set over the riverside. 

Back in the room, we grabbed the hotel robes, raided the box of snacks and put on a film before I fell asleep at 9pm, which is pretty on brand for me. As far as I'm aware, Alexandra stayed up and had a bath.

The speckled rays of sun, shining through the leaves and into the room was a very gentle start the next morning. We woke up to the sound of nothing, which is an absolute treat when you live in Central London.

After a few hours of faffing around in the room it was breakfast time! A little buffet, set up in the back room, opening out into the courtyard. The staff were very attentive, I seem to make a habit of ordering annoying drinks, but they were happy to oblige and got it right first time when I ordered my go to - an iced, coconut milk, hot chocolate. 

In typical Alexandra style, she had brought some arts and crafts supplies so after breakfast we took a few steps down to the river and got painting. It was so nice to really switch off for a few hours.

I had plans back in London that evening, so I dipped off for another swim and then caught the train home refreshed, and relaxed!

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My £2 visit to The Pilgrm Hotel, Paddington

My £2 visit to The Pilgrm Hotel, Paddington

Sunday, 12 September 2021

When The Pilgrm started appearing on my feed, I initially thought it was a brunch cafe, all anyone ever posted were photos of pancakes and avocado toast but that was enough for me to have a click around and find out that actually, it's a hotel - quite possibly the most instsgrammable new hotel in London at that. Just look at this lobby:

This is what they would call the reception; if this were a normal hotel but this was by no means a traditional lobby. From the street, similarly to as online, you could quite easily mistake the place for a coffee shop although like any good lobby, (pr coffee shop) the madness of the street outside disappears as soon as you step in. You feel the serenity hit you as you're greeted by a grand wooden staircase, a wall of hanging plants and a coffee bar come check in desk.

Check in can all be done prior to arrival so all you really need to do is pick up your key. It was all very quick and informal which was nice considering I was a bit of a sweaty mess having just cycled there from SW London. It was a really nice day so I did enjoy the ride but with Paddington station just across the road, I needn't have bothered - the transport links are pretty awesome.

The dark wood of the staircase and the theme of hanging plants is continued through to the bar and restaurant upstairs; it's full of character. With two separate indoor dining areas plus an outside terrace, the public spaces in the hotel were really well done and actually very peaceful considering the hustle and bustle outside. The sort of place made for ordering a coffee and getting some work done; which was exactly my plan for the afternoon.

Less relaxing is the maze of corridors which had me feeling like I was lost deep somewhere in the hotel for a few minutes although I was initially given very good directions to my room so I only got lost when I went for a wander to see what else was around. 

The rooms aren't quite as pretty as the public space although absolutely nothing to complain about. Very simplistic with lots of natural light and a puffy white bed. There was a full length mirror which is always appreciated, a small rail for a couple of hangers, a TV, a fan and a little armchair in the corner. My favourite thing however was the Marshall speaker which I promptly connected my phone to whilst I got ready to head out for the evening.

The bathroom was awesome in black and white. There was a big rainfall shower and ample space to move, although the sink area was lacking, in terms of size and space for much more than a toothbrush.

I saw it being described somewhere as a hotel for locals and I can get behind this. It was the perfect base for us since we were heading to regents park that evening.

Oh, and I forgot the mention the most amazing thing about this stay - it only cost me £2 (that's if you disregard the bottle of prosecco we drank.)

Sometime way back in lockdown (the days all blend into one don't they?) I saw their pay the date promotion in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and managed to nab a room on the 2nd day - obviously a great cause and I was pleased to be a part of it.

Normal room rates start as low as £69 and in my opinion, it blows any other budget friendly hotel out of the water- a great new spot if you ask me!

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Covid Staycation | St Giles London

Covid Staycation | St Giles London

Monday, 2 November 2020

With both of my brothers moving back home at the beginning of lock down, not only did I have a new normal to get used to when it was finally lifted, I had a new home life as well. It wasn't terrible although the house did get a little bit crazy - eight months in; and with the next lock down looming, I was ready for a little escape.

Que: the St Giles hotel and their Stay Safe, Stay St Giles Programme - a great opportunity to just get away from all the family madness at home and just take a night to myself.

Reception was quiet and calm as I arrived on a slow Monday afternoon. Good distancing, protective screens, hand sanitiser and face masks worn by all staff instantly put my mind at rest. Staying somewhere more public than home during the pandemic can be a bit scary but they did a great job at reassuring me that everything was as Covid secure as possible without being invasive and ruining whole experience.

Heading up to my room on the 9th floor however, the hotel seemed a bit old and worn - the lift was super rickety - although opening the door to the room, I was pleasantly surprised. The suite was a really great size and with 5 large windows meaning the room was flooded with mid afternoon natural light - the bathroom was absolutely sparkling in the sun. There was a sofa and coffee table in the main part of the room but also a little cove behind the bed with a dressing table area and also a table and benches to sit on - it was a huge amount of room. From up there I also had great views across London in all directions.

It did smell a little musky but that soon went after I opened the windows. Other than that, everything seemed very clean and the complimentary a hand gel on the bed was very much appreciated. There were also stickers on the front door, the toilet and things like the remote, saying that they had been cleaned properly - these sorts of small touches meant I could relax, as there's no way I would have picked up the TV remote otherwise - that was something that used to freak me out a little even before covid.

The staff also were very accommodating, delivering a pen up to the room so I could fill in the breakfast card and also allowing me a late checkout which was very helpful.

I ate dinner and then breakfast at the hotel but these I would not recommend. Even with the half price deal they currently have on, it seems a huge waste to be staying in such an awesome location - Soho on one side and Fitzrovia on the other - and not make the most of all the amazing bars and restaurants within a couple minutes' walk. What I will say however was how nice it was to not have to go out into the cold, I just threw on a huge jumper over my lounge wear and wandered down to the restaurant in the warmth. I've hardly taken off this knitted cardigan from Femme Luxe since it arrived, its like a dressing gown that's acceptable to wear in public and I love it.

It's not the height of luxury but it doesn't claim to be; for locals looking for an easy escape or business and leisure travelers seeking a safe, central location, St Giles London is perfect. Rooms start at as little as £49

*Gifted Stay

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