Malmaison Reading

Malmaison Reading, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its blend of historic charm, stylish design, and prime city-centre location. Housed in a modern reworking of the Great Western Hotel, originally built in 1844, the hotel maintains the ambience of its historic past while offering contemporary comforts and a unique "dark, clubby, and masculine" aesthetic.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Malmaison Reading generally garners a "Very Good" rating, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 from over 2,000 reviews. Michelin Guide guests have rated it even higher, with an impressive score of 19.1 out of 20. The overall sentiment is highly positive, with guests frequently expressing satisfaction with the decor, rooms, service, and especially the convenient location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features of Malmaison Reading:

• Location: Its unparalleled position directly opposite Reading Railway Station is a major draw for both leisure and business travellers, offering seamless access to transport and city attractions.
• Design & Ambience: The hotel's "stylish/funky decor" and "dark, sexy interiors" with "innovative design, unusual artwork, funky furniture" create a unique and appealing atmosphere.
• Service: The staff are frequently described as friendly, helpful, and attentive.
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, a well-regarded restaurant and bar (Chez Mal Brasserie), and 24-hour room service are among the appreciated amenities. Facilities for disabled guests, including accessible rooms with walk-in showers, are also available.

3. Room Quality

The hotel's 76 rooms and suites are celebrated for their comfort, cleanliness, and distinctive design. Rooms are often described as spacious and well-appointed, featuring king-size or super king beds with comfortable mattresses and a selection of pillows. En-suite bathrooms come equipped with both baths and power showers (some with monsoon showers), along with exclusive toiletries. Standard amenities include mood lighting, digital TV, a minibar fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, and an iron/ironing board. Suites are particularly noted for being "unique and lovely". However, some guests have noted that rooms can be poorly lit and dark. One guest also mentioned difficulty in getting the room cool enough with the air conditioning.

4. Dining Experience

The Chez Mal Brasserie and Bar is a central feature of the Malmaison Reading experience. It offers a modern British brasserie menu with a subtle French twist, emphasizing "big flavours" and dishes prepared on Konro and Josper grills. The restaurant boasts an industrial chic style with exposed brickwork, contributing to its "cool" atmosphere.

Breakfast, served at Chez Mal, receives consistently high ratings (8.8/10), with guests praising the "excellent quality, freshly cooked dishes" and variety of options, including Continental, Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Buffet, and à la carte choices. Specific items like the fried breakfast and Eggs Benedict are often highlighted as exceptional. The bar is also considered a great place for cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. Some recent feedback, however, included issues with menu items running out and a server's lack of knowledge about a dish.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Malmaison Reading are a consistent strong point, frequently described as "friendly and fabulous", "helpful", and "attentive". Many guest reviews commend individual staff members for going the extra mile, contributing to a very relaxed and enjoyable stay. While the majority of feedback is positive, one recent review did mention "rude and disinterested" reception staff, although the restaurant staff were lauded as "fantastic".

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is arguably its most celebrated asset, situated "literally across the street" from Reading Railway Station. This makes it exceptionally convenient for travellers, providing easy access to the RailAir Bus to Heathrow Airport and quick train connections to London. Located in the city centre, guests have "unhindered access" to Reading's shops, bars, restaurants, cultural hotspots like the Reading Abbey ruins, and attractions such as The Oracle shopping centre and local theatres.

For accessibility, Malmaison Reading offers accessible rooms equipped with walk-in showers, handrails, and emergency cords. There is flat access into the building, and a disabled toilet is available near reception and the restaurant. While the hotel does not have on-site parking, a recommended car park is conveniently located directly opposite.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider Malmaison Reading to offer "great bang for the buck," particularly when taking advantage of available deals and online specials. Prices for a 1-night stay for two adults can start from approximately £84.0, though these are subject to change. Historically, December has been noted as the cheapest month to stay, while August is typically the most expensive. Some reviews indicate that while the pricing can be "a little overpriced," it is generally considered acceptable given its prime city-centre location.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring criticisms and issues have been noted by guests:

• Room Lighting: Several guests have commented on rooms being "poorly lit and dark".
• Air Conditioning: There have been instances where guests found the air conditioning insufficient to cool the room to their preference.
• Building Layout: The historic nature of the building can lead to a somewhat confusing layout of floors, with some rooms requiring navigation through multiple staircases even on the same floor.
• Minor Room Issues: Occasional feedback includes issues like toilets not flushing properly or an inability to see out of windows.
• Noise: A recent review mentioned noise from a nearby student bar.
• Entrance Ambience: The presence of people smoking near the hotel entrance has been cited as off-putting by some.

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