I wonder! D'you remember the first record you ever bought? The first film you ever saw at the cinema? Your first girlfriend / boyfriend? And other such important rites of passage? Answers on a postcard...

More to the point, do you remember the first "decent" hotel you ever stayed at? Speaking for myself, most of the answers to the above questions are a tad awkward, but the first really decent hotel I recall staying at was actually this one, some ten years or so ago, whilst attending an interview to become a Mathematics teacher at a rather large school near Slough called Eton College (you may have heard of it, but it matters not if you haven't). It was thus with a wry smile that I received an e-mail from Priceline telling me that I was to stay at the Copthorne Slough / Windsor, and for a bargain price of just £45, for baby Josh's most recent "Legoland" Easter treat. Things had gone full circle. From newly-wed, starry-eyed young couple to experienced hotel reviewer with a keen eye for detail and a young child in tow. What had changed?

If I've bored you enough already (and I hope that I haven't), then the simple answer is: "Not a lot!" It's still a reliably nice place to stay. Well located and well-appointed, it certainly deserves its four-star status. Bear with me!

It had been a long day. The hotel is well located for London's Heathrow airport and even better located for "Legoland" which is the absolute favourite place in the world for the now 3 1/2 year-old Josh. We'd spent the previous night at the Slough / Windsor Marriott (which I have previously reviewed and which still has a bar that is, in my humble opinion, totally out of control) and the previous day at "Legoland". Josh was getting tired and somewhat fractious. So were his parents. We all needed an oasis. In the Copthorne, we found it.

Josh likes the colour red, and the Copthorne is, as it happens, something of a red monolith - an angular superstructure constructed of red steel and glass. Not exactly inspiring architecture, but it's an easy landmark towards which to navigate. As if Copthorne know that a general election in the United Kingdom was approaching at the time of writing, the interior is appropriately decked out in a politically-balanced mixture of Conservative blue and Liberal Democrat yellow. We still really liked the red exterior, but let's not go too far into politics!

We drove our car into the (free) underground car park. It had been a somewhat difficult day at "Legoland" and an air of calm was needed. We climbed a set of stairs and found ourselves in Reception.

The hotel was quite busy, which is not always a bad sign, but the queue to check-in did not take too long. The reception area is elegant and tidy, with a passage leading to the leisure centre and swimming pool and adjoins a great bar area - and a grand piano. There was a sign on it expressing strict rules that "This piano is for authorised users only, and could parents please ensure that...." This was actually one of several "Rules" notices posted around the hotel. I didn't actually resent them or start making representations about my human rights - they were eminently sensible and were seeking to avoid the irritations I had encountered the night before at the neighbouring Marriott. The hotel was simply trying to make sure that everybody's enjoyment was not compromised. As a salute to the management was about to form, I was called to check in.

Check in was friendly and efficient and I handed over my "Millennium / Copthorne Partnercard" and politely asked for a large, smoking room. I really needed a cigarette after the day I'd had! After more than a few key taps on the check-in computer, I was greeted with an apology and an explanation that the only smoking rooms they have are standard rooms. Dilemma time. Upgrade? Smoking? Big decision. Thinking of my mental - rather than physical - health, I opted for the smoking room. A few more taps on the keyboard and I was informed that they had run out of these. I'd been beaten by the guy in front of me in the queue. Never mind. Two key cards and, for some reason, a complimentary drinks voucher (later used for a £5 glass of wine in the bar for Amanda) were allocated and we were soon in the lift heading up to room 310.

As a quick aside, the computer had originally allocated us to room 309 and the receptionist had crossed this out and written in 310. One day, I'll try this out because, when charging drinks etc to our bill, the crossing-out was never challenged. Never, ever stay in a room next to me - you may just end up picking up my bar bill!

Anyway, we headed up in the lift and arrived on the third floor. A very well decorated corridor whispering calm and tranquility led us to our room. We entered and were very pleased with what we saw. The spacious, traditionally L-shaped, room was furnished in a relaxing blue / gold colour scheme and featured a comfortable king-size bed. Strangely, the sofa bed was made up as if we were going to be inviting guests. A quick 'phone call to reception sent a very pleasant and helpful member of housekeeping up to return the bed to its original and very comfortable sofa status. The television had a decent selection of channels, the obligatory trouser press was discretely placed in a corner behind the wardrobe and the minibar was, thankfully, both lockable and locked. Windows opened sufficiently wide for desperate, slim smokers to enjoy a view of the Slough skyline. Nothing to report there, I'm afraid. The bathroom was clean and well-stocked with toiletries; two of everything, so that we could each enjoy a bath or shower without worrying about using up each other's bubble bath or shower gel! I'm, at heart, a bath person and really enjoyed it. Amanda's more of a shower gal and would report that finding the ideal temperature took more than a while to perfect. So take a bath!

WIth Josh finally asleep, we decided to investigate the bar - and what a lovely, relaxing place to enjoy a drink or two. A quiet haven, but another laminated A4 sheet with rules was posted. Clear demarcations about when and where children were or were not welcome was in fact very welcome - and in clear and welcome contrast to the laissez-faire attitude that clearly didn't work at yesterday's Marriott. It's good that kids are welcome. It's also good that there are places that they aren't and that after 10pm, they're expected to be in bed. Common sense prevails and everybody's happy. If not, go to the Marriott and put some ear plugs in.

Returning to our room, we ordered some food from room service. The hotel is proud of its catering and has recently opened "Turner's Grill" under the supervision of celebrity chef Brian Turner. It would have been nice to try it, but Josh's table manners have taken something of a down-turn and we tend to dine in our room these days. For under £20 Amanda enjoyed a delicious club sandwich and I had a truly superb tagliatelle carbornare. Probably the best room service meal we've enjoyed in a long time.

Breakfast would, to be honest, have been totally ridiculously priced, so we skipped the "most important meal of the day" and chose to eat elsewhere. The clocks had gone forward overnight and, "robbed" of an hour's sleep, we checked out. The process was friendly and effortless.

We left the hotel with very happy memories. This was the first "proper" hotel we'd ever stayed at. I'm a little more critical nowadays and my wide eye for a bit of luxury has turned just a bit more critical. This hotel still passes the test with flying colours. Especially the Red!

Andrew