The Best Hotels to Book in Reading, England

This 1844-built hotel beside Reading train station offers quirky rooms and suites with funky furniture, arty statement wallpaper and, in some, roll-top tubs. The on-site restaurant and bar serve modern treats and signature cocktails; try the loaded Chez Mal burgers, including a vegan option, and the gin-based Rhubarb Triangle. You’ll enjoy the breakfast menu, from a full English to eggs and soldiers, and with the 24-hour room service, you’ll never go hungry.

Take in the original features of this 1911 listed building, from the Italian glass chandelier to the lift shaft. The luxury townhouse offers elegant, art-scattered rooms with Penhaligon amenities and espresso machines; some include private balconies and marble bathrooms. Meanwhile, opulent suites come with special amenities; some have a roaring fireplace, an in-room copper bathtub and hand-painted wall designs. Don’t miss visiting the spa or the sophisticated restaurant for award-winning, chef-cooked tasting menus.

Expect amenities galore at the Hilton Reading, from the indoor pool and fitness centre to the free parking; Reading town centre is about 3mi (5km) away. Check into your contemporary room or suite – nice and bright thanks to big windows – and bring along your furry friend to some rooms. Head to the on-site eatery – trendy with its funky chairs, globe bulbs and statement flooring – for dishes featuring local produce and special spritzer drinks. If you’re here on business, you’ll appreciate the 10 meeting rooms and on-hand event planners.

See the Thames from this four-star riverside hotel, relax in the indoor infinity pool, and indulge at the chic restaurant and bar. Order takeaway afternoon tea on sunny days for picnics in the hotel riverside garden or further afield. The hotel is a simple 15-minute walk from Reading town centre. Working? There are six meeting rooms, including the view-clad Riverside Suite hosting up to 200 people. Microphones, video conferencing screens, the hotel meetings director and free on-site parking will come in handy.

Enjoy the convenient location of this hotel, where parking is included; you can easily drive to Reading, Newbury, Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed, and Legoland Windsor Resort. Kids under 17 stay for free at this hotel, while those under 12 also get to eat for free. You’ll all enjoy the breakfast buffet and British dinner classics in the restaurant. Also, you can savour cold beers in the garden, Starbucks coffee in the lounge and alone time in the mini-gym. Special occasion? The Bourne Suite hosts 200 with a private bar, a dance floor and a garden patio.

Families exploring Reading will enjoy this stay two minutes from the train station. Book a spacious contemporary room and a full English or continental breakfast buffet for a great start to your day. There are books, board games and a video game area for the kids, while you’ll enjoy the gym, pool and Turkish steam bath. Come together at the bar and restaurant for internationally inspired dishes, from fish and chips to a wok bowl filled with vegetables, noodles and a protein of your choice. Wash your meal down with a classic cocktail.

For a simple stay near the town centre – a 10-minute walk away – book a room at the Crescent Hotel. Rooms of different sizes, including family, are homely and cosy. Some have ensuites, while others have shared bathrooms. Mornings mean a continental or cooked breakfast. Also, there’s free on-site parking and a garden to relax in when the sun is shining.

Rustic-chic runs throughout this former hunting lodge of King George III, originating in the 14th century. Plush rooms – some dog-friendly – feature colourful, country-inspired furnishings and come with breakfast; choose from a long list of classics or international options, such as shakshuka. Grab an armchair by the fire, in a cosy corner or in the bulb-strewn garden to sip a pint from its award-winning Butcombe Brewing Co; afterwards, tuck into a charcoal-oven-cooked 28-day dry-aged steak or a venison pie.