HotelsCombined.com, the world’s leading hotel price comparison platform, have revealed that the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018 at Windsor Castle has led to full-occupancy of the hotels in the area, with hotel rooms being booked at more than triple the average price as royal fans worldwide flock to be part of the historic day.
Only a single bed remains in the Windsor castle area at The Manor Hotel, which is currently available for 1,184 USD per night. Meanwhile, Macdonald Windsor Hotel has had TV crews pay a whopping $17,750 for suites with balconies overlooking the High Street, which will provide the best view of the newlyweds as they take part in a carriage procession down the main road, while Harte & Garter, a four star hotel located directly opposite Windsor Castle had a slightly cheaper, but still very expensive rate of $14,183 USD for its rooms overlooking the castle.
According to HotelsCombined, the average price in Windsor is usually at 185 USD for Saturdays, but the average price paid for a room has more than triple to an average of $500 USD to $567 USD.
Amer Alhalabi, Regional Manager MENA, HotelsCombined said: “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding is proving to be a huge opportunity for hotels in Windsor, where prices are spiking for bookings in mid-May. The United Kingdom has always been very popular among travelers from the Gulf region, and we expect that in the future more Gulf tourists will be interested in visiting Windsor while in the U.K.”
For those fans who are wanting to see the wedding in-person and who haven’t made a booking yet, hotels in regions that offer easy access to Windsor are also enjoying high occupancy, but still have available and more affordable options. Rooms near Heathrow airport, 20 kms away have more than doubled with rooms that are usually $85 USD selling at $170 USD per night.
With thousands of people likely to descend on Windsor on the wedding day, businesses of all types are preparing for a big day and will open before dawn to cater for dedicated royal enthusiasts.
The couple will get married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle at 12:00. After the ceremony, they will embark on a carriage ride around Windsor at 13:00. This carriage ride will follow a route along Castle Hill, High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road and Albert Road. The final part of the royal couple’s journey will take the Long Walk which is three miles long and will then continue all the way back to Windsor Castle.
The best place to spot the royal couple on their wedding day will be on this stretch of the Long Walk. In particular, the wide, tree-lined avenue offers more standing space than the narrower roads throughout Windsor. It’s also the prettiest spot of the route, with Windsor Castle perfectly framed at the end of the avenue.
“Wherever you decide to watch the royal wedding, be sure to get there early so you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Royal weddings pull in great crowds of well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds as they celebrate their marriage with the world.” Mr AlHalabi added.
