Introducing Bespoke Island Takeovers at Monkey Island Estate, Bray

After months apart from friends and family, YTL Hotels' Monkey Island Estate in Bray is offering guests the chance to reunite in style this autumn with exclusive takeovers of the stunning private island on the River Thames. Perfect for a wedding, birthday or simply reunion celebrations, Monkey Island Estate offers 41 rooms and suites and six private residences across seven acres, accessed by footbridge, boat or helicopter. Guests can look forward to a range of exciting activities, including indulgent treatments on the island's bespoke Floating Spa Barge, exploring the stunning surrounding countryside by foot, bike or boat and enjoying the great outdoors with the estate's very own Shepherd's Hideaway experience.

With Monkey Island Estate's friendly and expert team on hand, island takeovers can be tailored to suit every group, no matter the size or style of the get together they have in mind. From being able to enjoy the whole island for a full weekend to taking over a private corner of the grounds with loved ones for a summer's afternoon, the team will ensure groups have a magical experience to remember. Guests taking over Monkey Island Estate will enjoy a highly personalised stay, rooted in local experiences and bespoke to each group's needs. Keen gardeners can explore the beautifully landscaped grounds whilst breakfast lovers gather freshly laid eggs and homemade honey from the estate's four beehives. Green-fingered guests will also be thrilled to discover the herb garden, contributing to the exceptionally fresh menu at the Monkey Brasserie.

Nestled in the estate's beautiful country gardens guests will find the Shepherd's Hideaway, a stylishly furnished outdoor cabin with contemporary countryside interiors. Expect gourmet picnic hampers filled with local treats and chilled bottles of English sparkling wine. For countryside lovers, the hotel team are on hand to advise and recommend local walking routes suitable for all abilities.  The hotel proudly owns three Mini Countrymen cars, encouraging its guests to self-explore the quintessentially British town of Bray-on-Thames, famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants. With strong Royal connections to neighbouring Windsor, nearby wild swimming ponds and streets lined with charming English pubs, restaurants and cafes, the local discoveries are endless.

Monkey Island Estate is also ideal for couples looking to get married with the ultimate island wedding takeover. Brides and grooms have plentiful space to host friends and family with a stunning riverside backdrop and every wedding amenity they could wish for. Framed by stretching gardens and elegant architecture, guests can float in by boat, meander over by footbridge or fly in by helicopter, enjoying exclusive access to the bride and groom's private island, dedicated to their special day. For a romantic end to the celebrations, newlyweds can step aboard Monkey Island Estate's very own chartered vessel, The Dragonfly, for a romantic sunset cruise, complete with Champagne and canapes.

Whether it's a countryside chic wedding or end of lockdown party, why not commission a marquee or tipi on the hotel's exquisite lawns, enjoy a tasteful dinner party in the refined River Room or host an elegant soirée in the stately Marlborough Ballroom. With a history dating back 800 years, guests enjoying exclusive use of the island will be following in the footsteps of monks, monarchs and aristocrats who each left their mark on this quirky bolthole and the fascinating stories of adventure and wellbeing they left behind.

For those looking more for rejuvenation than celebration, Monkey Island Estate offers a beautiful Floating Spa Barge, moored peacefully on the banks of the island on the River Thames. Treatments include the signature Monk's Elixir and the Floating Massage which takes place on a specially designed aqua cushion. Inspired by its riverine surroundings and past figures who once inhabited the island, the hotel's treatments promise to generate inner warmth, relieving stress and stiffness throughout the body.

After a year of lockdown, an exclusive island takeover offers the ultimate gateway with a whimsical sense of escapism. Guests can look forward to bountiful gardens, relaxing boat trips and exceptional gastronomy on the doorstep. Ideal for big or small group getaways, a private takeover of Monkey Island Estate offers both adventure and relaxation for the entire party. From a relaxing afternoon at The Floating Spa, a sunset cruise down the Thames, sensational cocktails at the Monkey Bar or a balmy evening stargazing, guests can expect a bespoke retreat, steeped in stylish yet laidback luxury. 

Exclusive buyouts of Monkey Island Estate are available upon request. For more information email reservations@ytlhotels.co.uk, call +44 (0) 207 657 8200 or visit www.monkeyislandestate.co.uk