Basingstoke, Red Lion Lane51.262675,-1.085206(Show on Map)
8.3
Very Good
+5 Photos
+5 Photos
+ 3 Photos3
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
The Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke shines with its exceptional location, placing guests right in the heart of the town and allowing easy access to shopping, dining and entertainment options. Guests appreciate the convenience of being close to the train station and the availability of free safe parking. The hotel's historical Georgian frontage adds charm, further complemented by the friendly and attentive staff, which consistently enhances the overall guest experience.
Breakfast at the hotel is generally well-received with many guests praising the fresh, cooked-to-order options and the variety offered in the buffet. Attentive staff further improve the experience, despite occasional issues such as food not being hot enough or running out quickly. Dinner service receives mixed reviews: fresh and tasty meals are appreciated, but limited menu options and closures, especially on weekends, are a drawback. Planning ahead for dinner is recommended, though the numerous nearby dining options mitigate this issue.
The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, often exceeding expectations for a budget stay. Comfortable beds and powerful showers are common positive points. However, the décor and furnishings are somewhat dated with occasional concerns about room temperature and cleanliness. Enhancements to the fixtures could further improve the guest experience.
Cleanliness is generally maintained to a high standard with most guests finding their rooms and common areas spotless. However, some guests noted that the bathrooms are outdated and certain areas need a deeper clean.
Staff at the Red Lion Hotel are often highlighted for their exceptional service, cited as helpful, friendly and accommodating, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience.
Guests find the Wi-Fi service satisfactory with good overall connectivity, though some reported issues with speed and occasional connectivity failures. Families appreciate the hotel's spacious rooms and family-friendly amenities like available travel cots and a homely atmosphere, despite occasional noise disturbances from other guests or events.
In terms of comfort, beds are generally found to be very comfortable, though personal preferences about mattress firmness vary. The Red Lion Hotel positions itself as a reliable three-star accommodation, suitable for short stays and business trips. Its accessibility features, including convenient parking and an elevator, are favorable, though some improvements in facilities could enhance its accessibility further. The rich historical atmosphere also adds character, making it an appealing choice for various travelers.
Categories
Historic
Originally opened as The Red Lion Hotel in 1603, with a history as an inn and coaching post. It is likely the oldest establishment in Basingstoke, with a 400-year history of catering to travelers.
Cheap
Located in Alton, the Red Lion Hotel offers essential amenities and an affordable stay. It is a practical choice for budget-conscious travelers.
3 Star
This hotel is conveniently located in the town center with free parking, making it ideal for guests who want to explore Basingstoke. It receives consistently high ratings for its convenient location and value.
Family
Business
Accessible
Golf
Room Types
Double RoomWith an en suite bathroom, this room offers Freeview TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Twin RoomWith an en suite bathroom, this room offers Freeview TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Superior Double RoomWith an en suite bathroom, this room offers Freeview TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Feature Double RoomWith a sofa and en suite bathroom, this room offers Freeview TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Small Double RoomWith an en suite bathroom, this Small Double Room offers Freeview TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Guest Reviews
8.3
Very Good
Review Summaries
Location
Nestled in the heart of Basingstoke, the Red Lion Hotel enjoys an exceptional location that garners high praise from its guests. Its central position makes it an ideal choice for visitors looking to explore all that the town has to offer. Situated right in the middle of town, the hotel is conveniently close to the shopping center, restaurants, bars and theaters, like The Anvil and Haymarket. The hotel is just a short walk, about ten minutes, from the train station, providing easy access for those traveling by rail.
Guests appreciate the easy access to the local amenities with many highlighting the hotel's proximity to popular spots such as Festival Place, a hub for shopping and dining. The hotel's central yet quiet location also ensures a peaceful stay while keeping all the town’s attractions within walking distance. Free and safe parking adds to the convenience, making it perfect for both leisure and business travelers who might need quick access to the town center or nearby offices.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff further enhance the experience, providing excellent customer service that complements the hotel’s prime location. The Georgian frontage adds a touch of historical charm, making the Red Lion Hotel a visually appealing choice. Overall with its fantastic central location, convenient amenities and welcoming staff, the Red Lion Hotel stands out as a favored option for visitors to Basingstoke.
Breakfast
The breakfast offerings at the Red Lion Hotel have generally been well received by guests. Many highlighted the breakfast as excellent and substantial with particular praise for the fresh and cooked-to-order options. The buffet breakfast is frequently noted as great with a good variety of choices including both traditional English and European continental options. Staff are often commended for their friendliness and attentiveness during breakfast service, adding to a positive dining experience.
However, there are some inconsistencies that guests pointed out. While many found the breakfast delicious and of good quality, others experienced issues like the food being not hot enough or running out quickly. Additionally, some guests felt the breakfast was overpriced when not included in the room rate. Despite these mixed reviews, most visitors appreciated the range of options available and the overall quality, making breakfast at the Red Lion Hotel a generally enjoyable part of their stay.
Dinner
The dinner experience at Red Lion Hotel has received a mix of feedback from guests. On the positive side, the meals that were freshly prepared were hot and very tasty with some patrons enjoying lovely evening meals. The hotel benefits from its great location, surrounded by numerous dining options and a nice bar on the premises. Additionally, it is convenient that food delivery is allowed, as an alternative during weekends when the hotel doesn’t run its restaurant for patrons.
However, several guests encountered challenges regarding dining at the hotel. Many were disappointed by the limited dinner menu and were not informed in advance about closures or lack of dinner service, particularly on weekends. Instances included the main bar and restaurant being closed due to Covid, leaving guests without hotel dining options. Other reviews noted the absence of a restaurant for lunch or dinner and some guests remarked on the poor quality and expense of the available food.
Overall, while the dining facilities, when available, receive praise for their quality, guests should be aware of potential closures and limited dining options, especially during weekends and certain holidays. This makes planning ahead essential for those expecting all-inclusive meal services at Red Lion Hotel.
Rooms
The Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke receives mixed reviews about its rooms with many guests appreciating the spaciousness and comfort, particularly noting the large and clean accommodations. A significant number of reviews highlight that the rooms are very clean, well-sized and generally functional for the price point. Comfort features like the beds and showers are often positively commented on with mentions of powerful showers and comfortable, clean beds. Several guests found the rooms to be lovely with some considering them perfect for a budget stay.
However, there are repeated mentions of the rooms appearing tired and outdated with worn carpets and old-fashioned furniture. Some guests experienced issues with room temperature, ranging from excessive warmth to poor ventilation. Other negatives include small room sizes and occasional cleanliness concerns, such as smelly carpet and insufficient cleanliness in the bathroom.
Despite these drawbacks, the hotel seems to maintain a reasonable standard of comfort and functionality, often exceeding guests' expectations, especially for budget-conscious travelers. Though an upgrade of fixtures and furnishing is needed to elevate the overall guest experience, the hotel’s central location and accommodating staff complement the stay positively.
Beds
Guests at the Red Lion Hotel generally found the beds to be comfortable with frequent mentions of terms like very comfortable and comfy beds. Many appreciated the large, clean and comfortable beds, often describing their experience as restful with soft and springy mattresses. However, the reviews also pointed out some inconsistencies: a few found the mattresses too soft or too firm and there were mentions of small and lumpy beds. Other critiques included old and uncomfortable mattresses, bed frames mismatched with mattress sizes and even some beds that squeaked. Despite these occasional drawbacks, many guests highlighted the overall comfort provided by the soft, spacious and clean beds at the hotel, suggesting a predominantly pleasant sleeping experience.
Cleanliness
When it comes to cleanliness, the Red Lion Hotel generally receives favorable reviews with the majority of guests noting that their rooms were clean, comfortable and spacious. Several guests described their rooms as spotless and meticulously maintained. The hotel itself was frequently highlighted as clean and welcoming with clean corridors and public areas contributing to an overall positive impression.
The central location of the hotel adds to its appeal, further emphasizing its convenience and the quality of attention to cleanliness. Many reviewers appreciated the tidy and fresh appearance of the rooms and bathrooms.
Despite the largely positive feedback, there are some areas that require improvement. A few guests pointed out that the bathrooms were outdated with some not meeting their cleanliness expectations. Complaints about dusty curtain tops, marked sinks and general wear and tear on furniture were noted by others. Issues such as creaky floorboards, dusty areas and rooms needing a deeper clean were also mentioned.
Overall, while the hotel generally maintains good standards of cleanliness and creates a welcoming environment, addressing the occasional lapses in cleanliness and updating older facilities could further enhance the guest experience.
Staff
Visitors to the Red Lion Hotel consistently praise the attentiveness and friendliness of the staff. Guests often highlight the team's exceptional helpfulness, noting how accommodating they are from reception to housekeeping. The welcoming nature of the staff leaves a positive impression with several reviews mentioning specific team members who went above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Despite some minor criticisms like outdated bathroom fittings, the overwhelming sentiment is that the staff's excellent service significantly enhances the overall experience. Guests appreciate the informative and efficient check-ins and the friendly demeanor exhibited throughout their stay. Whether it’s the morning shifts or evening staff, the quality of service remains consistently high.
Wi-Fi
The Red Lion Hotel offers guests a generally positive experience when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity. Guests have reported that the Wi-Fi is easy to use with many noting that it has been improved over time. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi that is available throughout the premises, which many visitors found to be a convenient feature.
Many guest reviews mentioned that the Wi-Fi was good, excellent and reasonably quick, which indicates that guests can expect a reliable and comfortable online experience during their stay. However, a few reviews did acknowledge issues such as poor Wi-Fi speed, problems accessing the Wi-Fi and occasional connectivity failures. Despite these few drawbacks, the overall sentiment points to a satisfactory Wi-Fi service at the Red Lion Hotel.
Family
Red Lion Hotel offers a generally positive experience for families with children, making it a viable option for those traveling with little ones. The hotel boasts a range of family-friendly attributes, such as spacious family rooms and good-sized accommodations, which make it convenient for those traveling with babies and young children. Many visitors appreciated the availability of additional facilities like an ironing board, extra water glasses and a travel cot if needed. The homely atmosphere and the pool were particularly enjoyed by the kids, adding to the overall family-friendly environment.
Despite its overall appeal, there are a few areas that might need attention. Some guests noted issues such as children running in the hallways and noisy parties that might not be conducive for families with very young children. Additionally, there were mentions of uncomfortable beds and subpar breakfast services. However, the helpfulness of the staff and the hotel's central location make it easy to access nearby town amenities and services, which is a considerable benefit.
In summary, while the Red Lion Hotel is family-oriented with various amenities to accommodate young children, some improvements in noise management and room comfort could enhance the experience further.
3 Star
Situated at a convenient location, the Red Lion Hotel provides a solid three-star experience, making it a suitable choice for short stays and weekend getaways. Guests appreciate the good value for the price paid, highlighting the friendly staff, especially during meal times and a smooth check-in process. While the hotel exhibits standard three-star functionality and meets expectations for its rating, the quality of the rooms and bathrooms is noted to need some upgrades. Despite being a bit tired in places, the hotel's decor still offers a decent stay. Overall, Red Lion Hotel presents itself as a reasonable and budget-friendly option for travelers looking for a three-star accommodation.
Business
The Red Lion Hotel offers a range of features and services tailored for business travelers. The business center is accessible and the staff are accommodating to business needs, making it a suitable choice for conference attendees and those on business trips. Business meetings and working sessions can be easily facilitated, thanks to the hotel's business meeting friendly environment. While some guests encountered WiFi issues, which can be crucial for work, others found the booking experience seamless and efficient. Overall, the hotel is regarded as good for business travelers with successful conferences reinforcing its reliability for business purposes.
Accessible
Red Lion Hotel stands out for its accessibility features, making it a favorable choice for guests with disabilities. The hotel's easy accessibility begins with its convenient location, which is simple to find and offers accessible car parking options. Proximity to public transport, shops, restaurants and the train station adds to its appeal, providing easy access to various amenities and making it convenient for guests to explore the town center.
The hotel features a convenient elevator, though it received mixed reviews due to its dated condition and occasional outages during renovations. While some guests found the lift frequently busy, its presence provides crucial access to different floors, making it easier for guests to move around. Staff politeness and the diligence of the night porter were appreciated, ensuring smoother accessibility to facilities.
However, certain aspects need improvement. The lack of facilities for disabled persons in the shower and occasional issues with the lift posed challenges for some guests. Nonetheless, accessible parking, easy access to a downstairs café and the bar, combined with a generally accessible street, contribute positively to the overall experience.
Boasting an accessible location from major points and offering simple parking solutions, the Red Lion Hotel maintains its effectiveness in catering to the needs of guests with disabilities, though some enhancements in facilities and infrastructure would further elevate its accessibility quotient.
Historic
The Red Lion Hotel boasts a rich historical atmosphere with its character-filled older rooms and a charming Georgian front. Situated in the heart of a historic city, the hotel provides a nostalgic experience, particularly for returning guests. The establishment is noted for its high standard of decoration, enhancing its historic feel. Guests particularly enjoy having breakfast in the historic building, appreciating the ambiance of this former coaching-inn despite some opinions that it has lost some of its past identity. Overall, the Red Lion Hotel is praised for its historical significance and unique charm.
FAQ
No, Red Lion Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Red Lion Hotel.
No, Red Lion Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Red Lion Hotel.
