From the 1st inquiry in May 2022 until we walked out yesterday 12th April 2023, nothing was to much bother. Our daughter was married at The Hotel Windsor on Tuesday 11th April 2023. During the nearly 12mths of planning we had the support from Johanna Towsey head of catering sales Executive together with all ther staff. We went to the expo 1st, held in July and talked details with Johanna. We then, out of the blue asked if we could come in on a Sunday to have another look with then Bride and Groom. Johanna arranged it. On that day, we were meet by the concierge who knew all about us coming. We were told take your time no rush...we were there over an hour and we were not asked to hurry up. Every staff member we walked passed or who helped us have be courteous, professional and caring. If I had any inquiry it was not a problem and answered with in a day.
When we went to the tasting the hostess, Tania was able to run through the Beveridge package as neither the Bride, Groom or ourselves drink. She was amazing. My daughter only wanted a small wedding, 34 in total. The guest number was not a concern. Other venues were not happy with such a small guest list. For The Hotel Windsor it was not a problem.
The day of wedding we had the use of the Ballroom all day. The staff had set the room in advance for us.
We had both the Bride and Groom together with the Bridesmaids and my husband and myself say the night before, we also arranged for extra rooms for our extended family for the night of the wedding. Johanna was able to arrange all of this for us no stress. On arrival to The King George room where the Bride and her Sister were to get ready there was beautifull bottle of bubbly with note wishing her the best of luck. So lovely.
On the day of the wedding nothing was to much for the staff. We enjoyed an amazing breakfast before all the day proceedings commenced. Fabulous breakfast even more fantastic staff.
The catering staff for the night made sure to checked that the run sheet was right with me so as nothing would go wrong. We would like to express our gratitude to Navay Batra (Banquet Manager), Tania and Muhammad together with the kitchen staff for the seamless flow. Every guess told me how amazing the staff were.
Johanna also stayed back late to make sure everything was running like clock work. She was so lovely, she took photographs of the Bride and her Dad as they were waiting to enter the Ballroom for the ceremony. Johanna sent them to me the morning after.
On leaving we had help loading the car with all the gifts and bits and pieces from the amazing concierge. BRILLIANT!!!
I could go on and on and on. However if you want to be treated like family and experince old world architecture, together with 140yrs of Victorian history. There is no place better. Can not recommend The Hotel Windsor highly enough.
So to all staff from the Concierge's , house keeping, dinning room, kitchen staff and most of all the catering team.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
PS the biggest thank you is to...
Read moreThis grand old dame located in downtown Melbourne, opposite Parliament House does not disappoint, if you yearn for the elegance and class of a bygone era complete with world class service and a dash of scandal. This ought to be on your list of places to stay. The historical pieces around the property make for fascinating reading. Particularly a certain "Gentleman" by the name of Peter Janson.
I booked in here as part of a Luxury escapes package for my husbands birthday. I called ahead to advise staff of the occasion and they assured me "not to worry, we'll take care of it". I also had his present posted directly to the hotel and once again this was handled beautifully.
Upon arrival we were greeted warmly by staff with a cheeky birthday blessing by the check in staff. The warmth and humour were very much appreciated by both my husband and I.
The doorman/concierges work at a frantic place making sure everyone who walks into the establishment feels like a VIP.
It was a pretty chilly weekend with highs of 12°C and our room was warm and inviting with the thermostat set to a toasty temperature. We were in a Superior room overlooking Spring Street with a great view.
The bathroom is directly in front of you as you enter with a generous sized wardrobe for storage that includes soft fluffy robes, a shoehorn with polishing brush, iron and board and an umbrella. It's these thoughtful additions that reflect the care that goes into making guests comfortable.
There was also a stocked mini bar and room safe.
The main bedroom itself is separate from this area with the ability to receive someone at the entrance of the room whilst maintaining complete privacy for anyone in the bedroom area.
The room appears to have been lovingly maintained with many original fixtures still in place and functional. The bed was comfortable and the pillows were also high quality.
Staff had indeed taken care of a birthday treat for my darling by way of a delicious slice of cake with a custom "happy birthday" dark chocolate to compliment. They also included a great bottle of chilled wine with a card signed by the staff. It really was a highlight and we would both like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the staff going the extra mile to make us smile.
Our stay included a nightly drink at the cricketers bar which is on the ground floor and breakfast. Breakfast was delicious and staff once again work like a well oiled machine. They genuinely set the standard for hospitality.
There is a poster on the lifts listing "distinguished guests" with numerous Prime Ministers, royalty and celebrities, strangely tho, I couldn't find our names 😉
Trams are within cooee of the front door and there are always taxi's out front.
If you want to step back in time and enjoy the dark wood, the heavy curtains, some Chesterfield lounges and the ghosts of parties past. Book a room. You...
Read moreThe Windsor Hotel is one of Melbourne's oldest hotels and unique in its Victorian period architecture and rich coloured and patterned heritage decor. Nestled majestically opposite the grandeur of Parliament, The Windsor Hotel in Melbourne stands as a timeless emblem of elegance and sophistication. Its proximity to theatres, restaurants, and picturesque gardens, ensures a seamless blend of convenience and charm.
As one of Melbourne's venerable establishments, The Windsor exudes an air of Victorian opulence, meticulously preserved through the ages. Its architectural grandeur captivates with every step, from the brightly tiled staircases to the richly hued hallways, suffused in a decadent tapestry of reds, creams and greens.
Originally christened in homage to British royalty following a distinguished visit, The Windsor bears witness to a constellation of renowned guests, commemorated by a plaque adorning its hallowed walls near the elevators. Each corner whispers tales of history, beckoning guests into a realm where luxury and legacy intertwine seamlessly.
There are numerous fancy suites with plush decor, named after British royalty but my favourite suite was the Wizard Suite- with multiple themed rooms and its own hallway, based on Harry Potter books. My night here in 2022 was so much fun, despite the bathroom needing an update and some elements of the room being worn or broken. It is still one of my most memorable hotel experiences
Last night I attended a Victorian period ball, and the Windsor's majestic ballroom was the perfect venue to feel as though one had stepped back in time. Amongst the Victorian splendor, were architectural features such as patchwork coloured glass ceiling domes, stained glass windows, intricately adorned walls, marble fireplaces and sumptuously patterned carpets. Here, amid the flicker of dimmed light and the strains of classical melodies, guests were transported to an era of refinement and grace, as if time itself were but a fleeting waltz.
Yet, amidst such unparalleled allure, a shadow looms—the lamentable challenge of communication. Despite its myriad of charms, The Windsor falters in the realm of responsiveness. Goodluck trying to make an enquiry, booking or getting them to answer their phones. At least 5 times I have spent over 30 minutes ringing to no avail, and if someone did bother answering - they just pass you back into the system and then ignore you.
In the tapestry of luxury woven by The Windsor Hotel, each thread bears the imprint of history, elegance, and indulgence. While its Victorian splendor remains unrivaled, the echoes of missed opportunities serve as a poignant reminder that even the most illustrious of establishments are not immune to staff &...
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