Equipment wise there are some free weights, some work benches, a running machine an exercise bike and a rowing machine. The running machine’s still in good nick, the bike has definitely seen better days, featuring an annoying sticky pedal on one side that you have to keep adjusting. Likewise the rowing machine is getting on a bit, I do remember one time when it actually came off it’s support frame the screws were so lose, so be warned!

~~~~Any other hotel business~~~~

There’s wi-fi available down in reception at a £6 for an hour rate. In the rooms there is I-Bahn internet cable access connections which is reasonably fast, but the usual pricey affair at £15 for 24 hours access.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the main draws for the hotel is it’s relatively low price and close proximity to the attractions of Windsor as well as Lego Land. This means that all of a sudden in holiday weeks the place transforms into something out of the set of Charlie and the Chocolate factory, where dozens of mini people are suddenly scurrying around your feet at the breakfast chanting excitedly about the day ahead.

What I thought was a nice touch, was that during the holidays they convert one of the few downstairs conference rooms into a kids play room, equipped with tv, puzzles, and games like giant connect four. Kids always eat free in holiday inns which is another plus.

Pricing wise, it’s the usual thing – the bill board rates behind the counter are way higher than we pay on our company rates. £225 for executive room and £150 for a standard room – nonsense. We get a £90 including breakfast rate, and I’m pretty sure that at weekends it’ll be significantly less than that. One other key source of trade is the relatively close proximity to Heathrow airport.

~~~~Summary~~~~

To conclude, I’ve kind of got used to its shabby round the edges appeal over the weeks, yet I still admire its efforts to improve and the service touches that make a difference over time. It’s a convenient hotel, it’s never going to be a luxury one.

Maybe one day I’ll understand why you have to take a ticket out the machine still to get in, but the barriers (I assume are permanently broken) are always up on the other side. It’s no doubt somewhere on someone’s to do list. But for now, from me, it’s toodaloo.

As I’ll be there a few more weeks yet, if you are ever in the vicinity, do look out for me with the long (not another day in the data centre) morning face at breakfast time and smile, it all helps!