Royal County Hotel, Reading

4-8 Duke Street, Reading, RG1 4RY
3

Situated in the heart of Reading’s town centre, the hotel is ideally located next to the Oracle shopping complex and within easy reach of the inner ring road an... more

 

£ Rooms from £49 (≈ $83) per night
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7/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
8/10 Check-in process
7/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
8/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
7/10 Performance of staff
7/10 Overall experience
7/10 Overall value for money
  • 8/10 Stan ( Mature couple) 

    from Burnham on sea , GB  on  May 8, 2008

    "Overall the best stay we have had, older style hotel, but well cared for and extremely central to Reading town centre, the receptionist was fabulous and booked us in early (before 3pm) the stay was very nice, bed was comfy and decor was pleasant in an old fashioned way and I would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel. It was a bit difficult to find inspite of very good instructions from the website. The bit where it says about turning into Oracle shopping centre, you do need to enter under the "Concrete Structure" at the roundabout and keep in the right hand lane underneath this, you would not believe this takes you to a major road! It does! So beware otherwise you get caught in Reading's infamous one way system, possibly never to be seen again! However it is worth the trip!" (97219145)

    Fabulous breakfast, lovely service

    No cups for morning tea

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  September 8, 2008

    "A one night stay at £99.50 and overpriced for the facilities and quality of the accomodation." (107211398)

    The hotel is conveniently located for city centre. The bathroom was adequately equipped, although I could not get the heated towelrail to come on. The view from the room was poor and the window only had a blackout blind, which served its purpose however a curtain may also have been useful for privacy during the day.

    The hotel requires some redecoration in the stairwells and corridors leading to rooms. The decor is dated and wallpaper/border combinations feature throughout.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  August 4, 2008

    "Very reasonable stay for the location in Reading" (107237610)

    Although only 1 set of towels provided additional towels were brought to the room promptly

    The PDQ machine was not working meaning that I had to pay in cash, shower was not very good and only one set of towels was provided

  • 8/10 Yvonne ( Mature couple) 

    from Brighton , GB  on  July 1, 2008

    "It was a perfect location for us,our daughter,s graduation." (99660764)

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  June 16, 2008

    "Not worth the money" (99097575)

    Indian restaraunt was vey good

    Romm was shabby and the shower fell apart

  • 8/10 Stefan ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Helsinki , FI  on  June 9, 2008

    "It was ok stay." (97008869)

    Nice clean room. Good shower. Great staff, always ready to help. Excellent location.

    Work chair in room was too big and heavy, it made moving around the room difficult. The staff had some trouble with the internet access. Internet was very expensive too. Sound proofing was poor.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  May 7, 2008

    "great. would stay there again next time" (97224452)

    Receptionist was very friendly and polite. Staff in general were great. Hotel was very central.

    Parking very awkward. No air con in room

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  May 7, 2008

    "Could of been more comfortable" (97939752)

    Nice adjoining restaurant for dinner and breakfast

    uncomfortable bed, weird smell in hotel, door looked dodgy, tap leaked

  • 10/10 Patrick ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Bruff ,co. limerick. , IE  on  May 1, 2008

    Very centrally located

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  April 9, 2008

    looks very impressive on the out side,went down hill on entering the room ,staff pleasant and friendly (small)decor could do with some help

    room tidy but small,bathroom tap (hot)not working

  • 9/10 Adam ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Hatfield , GB  on  March 25, 2008

    "The hotel was situated within a few minute walk of the Thames Valley Park bus departure stop making it ideal for early travel to the companies resident there. Internet access is provided in the rooms via an Ethernet socket although I choose to utilise my mobile phone for connectivity. The staff were friendly, attentive and offered informative information on locations to eat in town." (97766745)

    The room was of generous size and tastefully modern in decoration. Breakfast was served promptly and of high standard.

    The shower was somewhat difficult to operate.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 5, 2008

    "just wanted a place to stay after a night out. spent little time actually in the hotel" (97552723)

    location near to the centre of town and where i wanted to go

    room had keys (old fashioned locks)

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  January 5, 2008

    "I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the accommodation, given the reasonable price (albeit for last minute booking), the central position and the availability of easy car parking." (97299507)

    Central position, easy car parking, reasonable price and fairly comfortable room.

    The bar and the comical service at breakfast.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 15, 2007

    "Difficult to find the hotel due to the one way system and bus lanes. Even on foot you could easily walk straight past it. Once you do find the hotel however, there are plenty of shops nearby. Also, an LCD television in the room was a nice touch." (97432354)

    The breakfast

    The creaking floorboards, and the shower running hot then cold

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  December 12, 2007

    Reception very helpful

  • 7/10 Alan ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Blackburn , GB  on  December 8, 2007

    "This is a reasonable hotel in a good central location. Car parking can be a bit of a challenge, as can trying to navigate around Reading as a stranger. I would happily stay again, although I think it is a little over-priced for what it is." (97682553)

    It's central location and the friendliness of the staff

  • 8/10 Simon ( Young couple) 

    from Swindon , GB  on  November 28, 2007

    "Room was what we expected for the money. Could do with a little brightening up but on the whole no real probems." (97267519)

    Location for shopping and nightlife

    Late check in

  • 7/10 Daniel ( Young couple) 

    from Marlborough , GB  on  October 19, 2007

    "overall it was very enjoyable, in the perfect location." (97672830)

    modern, clean and tidy

    no mini bar, ahd to go out to purchase refrshments we asked for a smoking room but did not receive, could be more choices on the restaurant menu.

  • 6/10 Nicholas ( Mature couple) 

    from Kings lynn , GB  on  October 3, 2007

    Good cental location

    Exstractor fan did not work in bath room and a niose of running water outside the window.

  • 10/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  September 26, 2007

    "All the staff really friendly and helpful. I will use the hotel again and recommend it to others." (97011085)

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  July 4, 2007

    "We would liked to have known that the bar was closed on a weekend and that the only food served was breakfast." (99231165)

    the room was clean and well equipped the staff were friendly and helpful,It was central to the shops and pubs .

  • 8/10 Neil ( Mature couple) 

    from Wellingborough , United Kingdom  on  June 27, 2007

    "Very good accomodation and service for keenly priced city centre hotel." (47251347)

    Good value for money

  • 8/10 Roy ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Romsey , GB  on  June 27, 2007

    "Unfortunately the bar was not open over the weekend but drinks were made available at reception. The choice of drinks were very limited, i.e no Tia-Maria and Jack Daniells. Also a sandwich was ordered upon our return to the hotel one evening which we found to be stale and costly at £5, this service we found very poor. Overall we found the staff extremely helpful and the rooms very clean and comfortable, however some resourses were lacking." (99431337)

    very clean

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 26, 2007

    No airconditionning. No internet connection available. Noisy environment Creaking parquet

  • 7/10 Paul ( Young couple) 

    from Leicester , GB  on  May 30, 2007

    "The full english breakfast on the Sunday morning was cold and the quality of the food was poor!!" (99313608)

    staff polite, room nice

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 20, 2007

    It was in the city centre and free parking provided. Very convenient to The Oracle ( shopping centre ) for meals.

    It was very hot in the room. The boiler was on at it's maximum. Can't cool the room down with a portable fan provided by the hotel.

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 11, 2007

    The location was good for central Reading - reducing travelling time

    No towels in the room and a random kettle with tea/coffee etc. Room was small and facilities limited. This hotel feels like a throwback to another era.

  • 10/10 John ( Solo business traveller) 

    from York , GB  on  April 6, 2007

    I liked the room at the back because it was quiet. I would also, in future when booking a room with you, prefer the same one.

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 3, 2007

    "Dinner was disappointing in quality Breakfast was not served early enough in the restaurant and the doors were not opened until after 07.00 (even though they are supposed to be opened at 07.00. There was no slimline tonic available in the bar. The cost of the room (£110) was not justifiable and I would not stay here again." (99224879)

    The proximity to the station

    It was dirty and delapidated. The cold tap on my bath did not work at all

  • 8/10 Allan ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Waterlooville , United Kingdom;GB  on  March 30, 2007

    Clean and Tidy

    Poor selection of TV channels

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  March 27, 2007

    "I booked this hotel on behalf of two colleagues. They were disappointed overall with their one night stay and will be looking for alternative accommodation when visiting Reading in the future." (49546275)

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  March 21, 2007

    "over all it was good the staff were good apart from the card machens messing up my bank account so i couldn't pay in the morning but was eventually sorted out and staff were good about it but still wasn't impressed" (99254199)

    the bed was nice, big bathroom

    the door nob for the bathroom door was broken not impressed!

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 17, 2007

    "The staff were friendly and helpful. My room was clean and pleasant but small. The decor was nice but not very well finished, particularly in the bathroom. I had breakfast in my room which was excellent. I would have been really happy with the room if I had paid, say, £70 for it but for £110 I expected a little more." (99367423)

    Pleasant staff, clean room

    The price

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 16, 2007

    "I would have liked to know that there was no lift, and the direction signs could have been clearer." (99717362)

    Pleasant, quiet atmosphere.

    No lift, and having a bad left leg, the stairs were tough going.I would prefer a room on the ground floor on my next visit.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 14, 2007

    "This was a fine plaxce to stay for a short period. Slight problem with water pressure dropping when having a shower but otherwise very good." (99485211)

    It was central to my needs and very useful

    Outlook, because it was in town there was no outlook from the room

  • 5/10 Paul ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Benfleet , United Kingdom;GB  on  March 3, 2007

    The receptionists were helpful and attractive

    The room was small, overpriced and dated

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  February 23, 2007

    Convenient location with car parking on site

    The initial room we were given was of poorer quality, but we were then changed to an acceptable room.

  • 8/10 Graeme ( Mature couple) 

    from St.albans , United Kingdom;GB  on  February 14, 2007

    it was a nice clean hotel right in the center of Reading ,ideal for our over night stay

    it was a twin room but only 1 cup in the room for a coffee ,, so had 2 share a cup

  • 9/10 Algirdas ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Kaunas , Lithuania;LT  on  February 13, 2007

    Quiet, relaxing ambinece, very experienced and good performing staff

    no lift, no wifi internet

  • 8/10 Mark ( Mature couple) 

    from Hemel hempstead , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 25, 2007

    "Perfectly adequate for what we wanted. For parking location and breakfast included you couldn't ask for more." (99455841)

    Clean and comfortable, updated and refurbished however bathrooms appear to have been neglected. location is excellent. Service and breakfast are good.

    Bathrooms were not upto the price tag

  • 9/10 Roger ( Young couple) 

    from Tower barracks , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 7, 2007

    "Excellent choice of hotel if you want to mix shopping with boozing!!!!You are right in the centre of town and the friendly staff are happy to relieve you of your baggage before check-in time, leaving you free to hit the town." (99444959)

    Plenty of room, comfy bed, en suite

    View from the window!!!!

  • 9/10 Alex ( Young couple) 

    from Bromley , United Kingdom;GB  on  December 20, 2006

    "Nice hotel, friendly team, car park was a bit of a nightmare though!" (99390926)

    Pleasant room, comfy bed

    Only one free kit-kat!

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  December 9, 2006

    Security

    No cups. Television too high up wall leading to stiff neck

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 2, 2006

    The room was very large and spacious

    There was no hot water or heating at intervals due to a boiler problem which I had to report to reception on a couple of occasions. The bathroom window would not fully close - being November this made it fairly chilly (especially with the central heating being temperamental).

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  November 30, 2006

    The staff were extremely friendly. The details were entirely accurate of the hotel. It was in the centre and close to the railway station which is what we wanted.

    There was nothing to dislike. We had a wonderful stay.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  November 30, 2006

    Modern

    Room a bit pokey

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  November 29, 2006

    The room was very cold, noisy and very small. Shower was hot then cold and hot again. The movies did not work, I have stayed there 3 times now and they have never worked. bar or resteraunt was closed on sunday night???

  • 10/10 Tim ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Stourbridge , United Kingdom;GB  on  November 22, 2006

    "A great little hotel, very conveniently situated for the town centre." (99074241)

    quiet and clean, non-smoking floor

    up a lot of stairs!

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  November 22, 2006

    Clean, central

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  November 15, 2006

    "overall quality of the room was poor, not corresponding to the description made on the website: website should be more honest, describing the all the types of room, not only the best ones." (99462126)

    the location (town center)+ very quiet + most of the staff was helpful

    the room (211): broken bath handle, dirty shower curtain, cold bathroom, hot water difficult to maintain, poor choice of TV channel and beverage, breakfast order form missing, very poor decoration + taxi ordered by myself given to someone else by the front desk + my room door was found opened twice after the cleaner had come in.

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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