The Milestone Hotel, The Windsor Suite

If I could give 6 stars out of 5, I would! We had booked afternoon tea at The Milestone and, to be honest, we were quite awkward guests from the start - we requested an unusual time outside their usual sittings, yet they accommodated us graciously. On the day, we turned up far too early — but the moment we stepped inside, we were warmly welcomed and immediately recognised as “the 4 o’clock afternoon tea.” That small touch made us feel genuinely cared for. From that point onwards, the team looked after us in the best possible way. Our waiter deserves a special mention – attentive, kind, and looking after us exceptionally well. Food-wise, every single element was just divine – from the sandwiches, through the heavenly scones, and pastries, everything was pure art for the palate and the eyes. We could not finish it all and ended up with two generous “doggie bags” of delicious leftovers. The tea room is sophisticated, imperial and quintessentially British. It was the perfect venue to celebrate my daughter’s British naturalisation. And The Milestone surprised her with a special personalised plate, which made the moment even more special. On the whole, The Milestone gave us a memory we’ll cherish. Thank you, wonderful team, for making our little celebration such a joyful occasion.

I usually visit this hotel twice a year, but this is my first time writing a review, prompted by a particular experience during my recent visit. I came for tea on the afternoon of 31 July 2025. - First, I would like to commend the older gentleman standing near the entrance. When we asked whether we could have tea without a reservation, he kindly and professionally directed us to the bar and tea lounge. At the same time, he maintained an air of quiet authority that gave the impression he would not hesitate to turn away guests who were not appropriate for the hotel’s standards. I found this both reassuring and professional. - After having lunch at a nearby hotel, I remembered this hotel and decided to stop by. As we had just finished a meal, we did not order the three tiered afternoon tea set. - Our tea experience itself was smooth and pleasant overall. However, towards the end of our visit, I noticed something that left a less positive impression. The tea room is small, and we had a clear view of the entrance area. At one point, a person who appeared to be the manager gathered approximately four staff members near the entrance and seemed to be giving instructions—or possibly a reprimand—within clear view of the guests. From our perspective, the exchange appeared tense, and it left us feeling somewhat uncomfortable. - Shortly afterward, that same manager processed our payment. Unlike what one would expect at a hotel of this calibre, there was no polite inquiry—at the very least something like "Was everything fine?"—or even a simple “Thank you.” He completed the card transaction without a word and walked away promptly. - I have visited this hotel dozens of times over the years, and this was the first time I experienced such indifferent treatment. I was genuinely taken aback. - I do not know whether this was because we came without a reservation or because we did not order the full afternoon tea and were therefore seen as less valuable customers. However, such dismissive behaviour feels inappropriate and unwelcoming, and I felt compelled to share our experience. - Thankfully, as we were leaving, the older gentleman at the door asked, “Did you enjoy the tea?” and wished us a pleasant day. That was the one redeeming moment in an otherwise disappointing visit. - We had come for tea following a celebratory birthday lunch, so it was disheartening to end the day with such a sour impression. - For the sake of maintaining the high standards and reputation of this otherwise excellent hotel, I sincerely hope that the management will address this matter. A single negative encounter can significantly affect the guest experience and, over time, may harm the hotel’s image. I trust that steps will be taken to ensure all guests feel equally welcomed and valued, regardless of their reservation status or order.