The hotel is set in the (allegedly) oldest building in Reading. And it sorta looks like it is. It's charming, in its own way, but it's one of those places that you visit and say "Wow, it's old" but then you go and stay somewhere else. There is no lift and the rooms are located down a labyrinth of corridors and stairs. If I stayed here for a week I'd have buns of steel. I had an executive room which had a queen sized bed, small flat screen TV, desk, table and two chairs. Bathroom had both a tub and shower, a heated towel rack, but the shower was very narrow - impossible to shave your legs in it. Real narrow tub as well. Sink has separate hot and cold taps that some find charming, but I find annoying (I'm more function over form). Ceilings were very low in the bedroom area making me feel claustrophobic (but this is likely characteristic for this period of place).
The front of the hotel is set off of the street, and it can be difficult for taxis to get up to the front of the hotel at times. There are taxis in town that will take you anywhere "in town" for 5GBP - they run 24/7 from what I understand.
Breakfast (if you get it) starts at 7AM and runs until about 9AM.
The front desk women are all very friendly and polite and there was a kind gentleman who carried my heavy suitcase upstairs, but in all, it just wasn't the sort of place that I enjoy staying at.
My room here was 89GBP with free CABLE internet (no WIFI save for downstairs in the bar/restaurant). If you like to work in bed, bring your own wireless router. I think you can get this rate for far less on one of the hotel sites. The room was equipped with a nespresso maker, a water kettle, and a few teas and coffees. An armoire but no closet.
I checked out after the first night and went down the road to the Penta hotel because I prefer their beds, the lift, the WIFI, and their amazing breakfast. But if you want to stay in a quirky historical building, this place is for you. read more