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Summary of reviewsHotel 1843 Reading garners acclaim primarily for its unbeatable location and positive dining experiences, making it an appealing choice for both short and long stays. Situated within a short walking distance to the town center, Reading railway station and the Oracle shopping center, the hotel provides excellent accessibility to a variety of amenities, including restaurants, bars and cultural attractions. Its strategic positioning ensures a perfect balance between convenience and tranquility, making it ideal for exploring Reading’s vibrant city life or attending events like the Reading Festival.
Breakfast at the hotel receives predominantly positive feedback with guests appreciating the variety of tasty options, including full English, vegetarian and vegan choices, often cooked to order. The attentive and friendly breakfast staff further enhance the experience. However, inconsistency in breakfast availability and occasional slow service are noted by some guests.
The dinner experience is frequently praised for its excellent, well-prepared dishes and inviting dining atmosphere. The Indian/Fusion cuisine and reasonable menu pricing stand out. Although there have been instances of slow service and temporary refurbishments causing closures, the overall dining experience remains a significant highlight of the hotel.
Rooms at Hotel 1843 Reading are generally spacious and clean, suitable for extended stays. However, they are often described as outdated with worn-out furnishings and a need for refurbishment. The lack of modern amenities and issues like noise from adjacent rooms can detract from the experience. Nevertheless, the kind and helpful staff significantly improve the overall stay with many guests highlighting their professionalism and friendliness.
The hotel's free Wi-Fi service is generally reliable and strong, though a few guests reported connection issues, particularly during the night. The nightlife experience, bolstered by the hotel's bar and proximity to trendy bars and restaurants, is vibrant but may not suit those seeking a quiet environment due to noise from the bar's music extending into the early hours.
Beds in the hotel, while mostly described as comfortable and clean by numerous guests, also receive some mixed reviews regarding comfort levels. This variability suggests some rooms may need updated bedding.
Overall, Hotel 1843 Reading offers good value for money with its three-star accommodations meeting and sometimes exceeding guest expectations. It blends practicality with a touch of historical charm, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking mid-luxury comfort despite occasional noise and outdated room decor. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Hotel
Categorized as a cheap hotel, this option provides affordable lodging in Reading. Its central location adds value for budget-conscious travelers wanting to be near the city center.
4-Star Hotel
Located on London Street, Hotel 1843 Reading provides comfortable accommodations with a historic touch. The hotel is known for its unique character and personalized service.
Historic Hotel
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Room Types
Double Room with Private BathroomThis room features free Wi-Fi access, a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom with a shower.
Family Room with BathA king size double bed features in this spacious room, which also has free Wi-Fi access, a TV and an en suite bathroom with a bath and hairdryer.
Triple Room with BathThis room features free Wi-Fi access, a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom with a shower.
Twin Room with BathThis room features free Wi-Fi access, a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom with a shower.
Double Room with Private BathroomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, heating, as well as a TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard SuiteThis suite features 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. The suite has a TV, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.2
Good
Location
'Hotel 1843 Reading' boasts a stellar reputation concerning its prime location, consistently praised by guests for its exceptional convenience. Situated just a short walk from the town center, the hotel is strategically positioned near key amenities including Reading railway station, which is approximately 8 to 10 minutes away on foot. The Oracle shopping centre, a plethora of restaurants, bars and other entertainment options are all within easy reach.
The hotel’s proximity to various transportation options, such as buses and car parking, enhances its appeal for travelers. Guests frequently mentioned its central location as ideal for exploring Reading’s vibrant city life and tourist attractions. The hotel's neighborhood is noted for being close yet peaceful, ensuring a perfect balance between accessibility and tranquility.
The nearby Riverside Quay, filled with canal-side bars and eateries, further enriches the area’s appeal. Whether in town for shopping, dining, cultural events or business, guests found the hotel's positioning impeccable, significantly enhancing their stay. Additionally, the location is deemed perfect for attending events like the Reading Festival and visits to local universities.
In summary, 'Hotel 1843 Reading' provides a perfect base for both short-term stays and extended visits, offering unmatched accessibility to the heart of Reading.
Breakfast
Hotel 1843 Reading has received a mix of feedback regarding its breakfast offerings with a predominantly positive sentiment. Guests seem to have enjoyed a variety of well-executed breakfast options including full English breakfasts, vegetarian and even vegan choices. Many reviews highlight that the breakfasts were freshly cooked to order, plentiful and tasty. The general quality and variety have been praised often with adjectives like "fantastic," "amazing," "delicious," and "excellent" frequently mentioned.
Additionally, guests appreciated the attentiveness and friendliness of the breakfast staff, which seems to enhance the overall morning meal experience. Specific praises include the cooked-to-order style, fast service and a range catering to different dietary requirements.
However, it's important to note some inconsistency in the availability of breakfast. Several reviews pointed out the absence of breakfast options during their stay or at certain times, which caused disappointment. There's mention of occasional slow service and issues like breakfast not available on early mornings or holidays and sometimes limited choices.
Overall, while the breakfast at Hotel 1843 Reading has received high marks when available, potential guests might want to confirm its availability during their planned stay to avoid any inconvenience.
Dinner
Hotel 1843 Reading offers a delightful dining experience that guests frequently commend. The restaurant and bar areas are beautifully decorated, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Many appreciated the varied and well-priced menu, noting the delicious and well-prepared dishes. The Indian/Fusion cuisine stands out as a highlight and the choice of dishes is impressive with special mention of the roast beef and roast belly pork.
Despite occasional slow service, the overall quality of the food receives high praise, being described as excellent, fabulous and fantastic. Guests also value the dining amenities available at the hotel, including the lovely library dining space and a nice pub on the premises, which adds to the welcoming vibe.
Some reviews highlight a period where the restaurant and bar underwent refurbishment, leading to temporary closures. This impacted the availability of food and drink services during their stay. Nevertheless, the positive sentiments regarding the dining experience at Hotel 1843 Reading suggest that it remains a noteworthy part of staying at the hotel, especially when the facilities are fully operational. Overall, the combination of good food, comfortable dining areas and reasonable prices makes it a favorable dining option for travelers.
Rooms
Hotel 1843 Reading provides a mixed experience across its room offerings, drawing from a variety of guest feedback. Generally, the rooms are praised for their size, many being described as large, spacious and accommodating, including sizable beds and ample storage, which are especially suitable for longer stays. Cleanliness is a recurring positive note with numerous guests commending the rooms as clean, tidy and welcoming, if not somewhat basic.
However, the decor and amenities often let the rooms down. A significant number of reviews highlight that the rooms are outdated and in urgent need of refurbishment, featuring worn-out carpets, old-fashioned furnishings and in some cases, broken or poorly maintained fixtures. The lack of modern amenities, such as small TV screens and basic toiletries, emphasizes the need for an upgrade.
Soundproofing is another concern, as guests have reported noise from adjacent rooms, the bar and other areas within the hotel. Additionally, the hotel’s aesthetic charm and character, present in the public areas and the historic building itself, do not extend to the bedrooms, leading to a disparity between expectations and reality.
Comfort levels in the bedding are mixed with some guests finding the beds comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep, while others found them basic and uncomfortable. Complaints regarding room temperature and ventilation are also common with several guests mentioning rooms being too hot or too cold upon arrival.
Service-wise, the staff are often described as kind and helpful, though there have been instances of poor communication and unmet maintenance requests. The absence of breakfast and limited staff presence in certain areas are additional downsides noted by guests.
Overall, while Hotel 1843 Reading offers substantial, clean and somewhat comfortable rooms, it falls short in decor, modernization and amenities with many guests suggesting that an update is needed to align the room quality with the inviting atmosphere of the public spaces.
Beds
Hotel 1843 Reading offers a mixed experience when it comes to their beds with the majority of guest reviews highlighting a positive experience. A common thread among many reviewers is that the beds are comfortable and clean, providing a pleasant sleeping environment. Keywords like "very comfortable," "pretty comfortable," and "comfy bed" frequently appear, indicating that most travelers enjoyed restful nights. Guests noted that rooms are often "spotless," and bed linens are "clean," which adds to the overall comfort. The availability of big, fluffy towels and independent beds also contribute positively to the guest experience.
Despite this predominantly positive feedback, there are a few exceptions. Some reviews point out issues with bed comfort, ranging from "very uncomfortable" beds to "hard mattresses" and even "springs sticking up." These isolated complaints suggest variability in mattress quality across different rooms. A few guests also mentioned that the bed linens could be "sloppy," though not necessarily unclean.
Overall, while most guests seem to have a satisfying and comfortable stay due to the beds at Hotel 1843 Reading, there are occasional issues that the hotel could address to ensure a more consistently pleasant experience.
Cleanliness
Hotel 1843 Reading has received mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness. Many guests found their rooms to be clean, spacious and comfortable, often highlighting the spotless conditions and impeccable tidiness. The cleanliness of rooms and bathrooms was often praised with numerous mentions of spotless rooms, tidy environments and a very clean hotel overall.
However, not all experiences were favorable. Some guests reported issues such as grubby bathrooms, dirty shower curtains and carpets with stains. The cleanliness of certain areas, including common spaces and hallways, was occasionally criticized with some pointing out that the rooms were not cleaned as thoroughly as expected. Guests also noted instances of cleaning staff being careless or slow and other specific problems like dated decor and smelly curtains detracted from their stay.
The hotel's location close to the city center was appreciated and the welcoming and kind demeanor of the cleaning staff was frequently commended. Despite these positive aspects, the overall impression of cleanliness seems somewhat inconsistent with room conditions ranging from immaculate to unsatisfactory according to different guests.
Staff
Hotel 1843 Reading's staff has received an outpouring of praise from guests for their friendliness and helpfulness. Numerous reviews highlight their accommodating nature and professionalism with many guests noting how the staff went above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Reception and restaurant teams are specifically mentioned for their excellent customer service and welcoming demeanor.
Guests frequently describe the staff as incredible, brilliant and amazing, emphasizing their patience and attentiveness. Words like friendly, kind and polite are repeatedly used, painting a picture of a team dedicated to making guests feel at home. The positive interactions with the staff seemed to significantly enhance the overall experience for many visitors.
However, there were a few isolated comments about the reception staff being rude or unresponsive and some mention of cleaning staff not meeting expectations. Despite these occasional negatives, the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the staff's efforts and attitude suggests that they are a standout feature of the hotel.
Overall, the staff at Hotel 1843 Reading are a notable asset, often contributing to guests' satisfaction and the hotel's welcoming atmosphere.
Wi-Fi
Hotel 1843 Reading offers free internet and a dedicated computer area for guests, which many found to be a considerable convenience. Numerous reviews highlight the Wi-Fi as strong and reliable with some even describing the Wi-Fi speed as good and perfect. Guests appreciated having a good selection of TV channels along with a strong signal. However, a few did encounter issues, such as not being able to access the Wi-Fi at all, experiencing slow connections or facing problems mainly at night. Despite these occasional difficulties, the overall consensus points toward a generally positive experience with the hotel's free Wi-Fi, especially given its central location.
Nightlife
Hotel 1843 Reading, situated above a lively bar/club, offers a bustling nightlife experience that draws in party-goers and night owls. The hotel benefits from the close proximity of trendy bars, fusion restaurants and themed pubs, making it an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy the vibrant town atmosphere.
The bar below the hotel is a key highlight, often featuring DJ sets and themed music nights such as 80s discos. The mix of a wine bar and fusion restaurant adds an interesting culinary twist, while the comfortable pub serves as a cozy and convenient spot for socializing.
However, potential guests should be aware of the noise levels. The music from the bar can be quite loud, often extending into the early hours of the morning and could be a struggle for those seeking a quiet night’s rest. The hotel building's thin walls may allow the sounds from the bar—and even conversations from nearby rooms—to be heard clearly, adding to the overall noise level.
Despite this, the location of Hotel 1843 Reading makes it a convenient and characterful place for those looking for a safe spot to rest after a night out in town. While it may not be the right choice for someone looking for tranquility, it certainly caters well to those who enjoy an energetic nightlife right at their doorstep.
3 Star
Hotel 1843 Reading offers good value for its price, being cheaper compared to other hotels in the area while delivering the essentials. The accommodations are three-star quality with some guests noting that it even exceeded their expectations. The rooms are spacious and very clean, though a bit basic and somewhat dated. The decor may appear dated to some, but the facilities provided are substantial for the cost. Guests appreciated the complimentary welcome drinks and found the overall cleanliness commendable.
Breakfast at the hotel received high praise for its quality. Although options for food and drink later in the night are limited, it's not a major issue for those with plans to dine elsewhere. The hotel successfully serves its purpose as a practical base for a stay in Reading, providing good value overall. However, it can get quite noisy at times, which detracts from an otherwise comfortable experience.
Housekeeping services are noted to be efficient and friendly, enhancing the comfort of the stay. The hotel manages to blend its pros and cons well, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking mid-luxury comfort.
Historic
Hotel 1843 Reading offers an enchanting experience steeped in history, making it a prime destination for those wanting to savor a slice of old England. Its central location, ideal for exploring Reading, adds to its allure. The hotel, housed in a grade-listed historic building, boasts an incredible amount of character and charm, further enriched by its fascinating original features.
The quaint Dickens themed bar is a highlight for guests, creating a convivial atmosphere that perfectly complements the building's historical ambiance. Visitors will appreciate the interesting decor, which delves into a Charles Dickens theme, providing a unique and quirky experience reminiscent of Great Expectations. The authentic and cozy pub downstairs enhances the old-world charm with its plant-based restaurant, offering a unique dining experience.
Overall, Hotel 1843 Reading successfully blends historical significance with a distinctive character, inviting guests to immerse themselves in an atmospheric and memorable stay.
No, Hotel 1843 Reading doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel 1843 Reading.
No, Hotel 1843 Reading doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Hotel 1843 Reading.