Collaborative Post

Did you know that there is a secret Elven door located in an enchanted forest just outside Ascot? You can only find it by personal invitation from Father Christmas himself, and it is portal directly to Lapland. It is known to the Big Folk (human adults) as Lapland UK.

We visited Lapland UK over the weekend and had the most magical time. It is a fully-immersive experience in which little folk and their parents build toys in the elf toy factory, decorate gingerbread biscuits, go ice skating, and, of course, have a one-to-one meeting with Father Christmas. Check out our Lapland UK review and how-to guide here.

But our magical trip started long before we set foot on the fairy pathways…

Royal Berkshire Hotel

The Royal Berkshire Hotel is an official partner of Lapland UK and offers an exclusive 10% discount for Lapland UK visitors.

We stayed in this beautiful, family-friendly hotel the night before as it is just 3 miles away from Lapland UK.

This luxury hotel, dating back to 1705, was the perfect place to start our adventure, with its wide-open spaces and carefully-landscaped gardens. As soon as we arrived, the girls were keen to explore so we dumped our bags and headed outside!

Outside Space

The grounds of the Royal Berkshire Hotel are extensive, with plenty of room for little ones to run around and burn off some energy.

There were also two giant board games built into the grassy area – Draughts (or Checkers for my American readers) and Snakes & Ladders. All the pieces were laid out ready so we just jumped right in and started playing.

Then we headed to the fountain area, which is edged all around with bushes and trees – perfect for a spot of hide-and-seek!

Interior

The entrance hall was wide and welcoming with a cute display of welly boots and reindeer – we instantly felt at home!

Inside, the reception area was festooned with Christmas decorations, and imagine the girls’ excitement when they discovered a signpost pointing them to Lapland UK from our hotel!

Our suite included a kingsize bed and a double sofa bed for the girls. It was light and airy and had everything we needed for our stay, including a large TV, wet room, and tea-making facilities.

The Staff

All the staff at the Royal Berkshire Hotel were really friendly. This is something that particularly stood out for us and both hubby and I commented on it.

On arrival, the receptionist took the time to speak directly to our girls and all the staff said hello as we walked around.

When we accidently left Moana, a precious stuffed toy, in the lobby, she was carefully sat up on the mantelpiece to await our return, and treated like a valid member of our party, just as the girls see her!

Lapland UK and the Royal Berkshire Hotel

After you book your Lapland UK tickets, you receive a number of informative emails, one of which lists local accommodation. Simply click through to the Royal Berkshire Hotel from this email to book your family room or suite and receive an additional 10% off their best price.

The package also includes a delicious buffet-style breakfast comprising of cooked and continental options, as well as cereal and fresh fruit. We were fortunate enough to sit in one of the bay windows for breakfast and, as you can see, the view is spectacular.

We had a lovely weekend and would definitely stay at the Royal Berkshire Hotel again.

Why not pop over to our Lapland UK post and find out what all the fuss is about (plus tonnes of insider tips).

Disclosure: We given a family suite at the hotel for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

What are your top priorities when you’re looking for a hotel? Do you stay in hotels often or is it a special treat? Have you ever visited Lapland UK? Let me know in the comments section below 🙂

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