The Roseate Reading

The Roseate Reading stands as a luxurious five-star hotel in the heart of Reading, highly regarded for its blend of historic charm and modern comfort. Housed in the meticulously restored 1911 Grade II listed Shire Hall, the hotel offers a refined experience that has earned it a Michelin Key selection.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Roseate Reading is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as superb, excellent, and a truly luxurious experience. It consistently receives high ratings across various platforms, with an average of 9.0 on Booking.com and a "Wonderful" rating of 9.0 on Hotels.com. Reviewers often highlight its ability to balance historic architecture with contemporary comfort, making for a deeply personal stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of The Roseate Reading:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel is celebrated for its opulent decor, which includes original wood panelling, marble floors, ornate wallpaper, and a magnificent Italian chandelier with 86,000 glass beads. It successfully revives the old-world charm of the Shire Hall while offering a serene and elegant atmosphere.
• Location: Its prime central location is a major draw, overlooking Forbury Gardens and the Abbey Gateway. It's a short 5-minute walk from Reading Station, and close to the Oracle shopping centre, Reading Museum, and The Hexagon theatre.
• Service: The staff are frequently described as attentive, friendly, professional, and very helpful, contributing to a personalized experience.
• Amenities: The hotel boasts a well-appointed spa (Aheli Spa) with treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, and gym (though some note the spa facilities are limited for a full day of relaxation). It also features a luxurious private cinema with 30 Italian leather seats and a calendar of events.
• Food Quality: The Reading Room restaurant receives high praise for its incredible, fine dining, modern European cuisine using fresh, seasonal, and local produce.

3. Room Quality

The Roseate Reading offers a diverse range of rooms and suites, split between the original 1911 townhouse and the more modern "The House" building across a courtyard.

• Townhouse Rooms: These rooms are often described as classic, opulent, and bursting with character and vintage furnishings, featuring high ceilings and original fireplaces. Guests report comfortable beds, spacious layouts, and luxurious touches like Penhaligon toiletries and handwritten welcome cards with chocolates.
• "The House" Rooms: Located in a separate building, these rooms offer a more minimalist, ultra-modern design with clean lines, airy lighting, and playful artwork. They are noted for their spaciousness, with some studios ideal for families or longer stays.
• Comfort: Across both styles, rooms are generally found to be large, lovely, clean, and comfortable, with amenities like coffee machines and smart flat-screen TVs. Some suites feature incredibly large bathtubs.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's only restaurant, The Reading Room, is a significant highlight.

• Dinner: It's described as a sophisticated fine dining destination offering a frequently changing menu of modern European cuisine, often showcasing the Executive Chef's prowess in balancing diverse ingredients. Dishes are beautifully plated and moderately priced for a five-star hotel.
• Breakfast: Served in The Reading Room, breakfast is generally considered excellent, with good quality and a variety of options, including buffet items (like smoothies, yogurts, fruit, Parma ham, and cheese) and freshly prepared full English breakfasts ordered to the table.
• Afternoon Tea: The afternoon teas are iconic and popular, with seasonal options available.
• Bar: The hotel also boasts an attractive cocktail bar lounge.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Roseate Reading consistently receives high praise. Guests highlight the staff's professionalism, attentiveness, and friendly demeanor. Many reviews mention quick and easy check-in processes, and staff being extremely helpful in meeting guest needs. Personalized service and thoughtful gestures, such as welcome chocolates and handwritten notes, are frequently noted as distinguishing factors.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Roseate Reading boasts an excellent and convenient location.

• Central: Situated in Reading City Centre, it overlooks Forbury Gardens and the historic Abbey Ruins, providing a quiet setting despite its central position.
• Transport: It's a short 5-minute walk from Reading Station, offering easy access to London (a 22-minute fast train journey). The hotel also has an on-site car park (with daily charges).
• Attractions: Guests are within a stone's throw of the Oracle shopping centre, Reading Museum, The Hexagon, and local restaurants and pubs.
• Accessibility: While the main entrance has steep steps, there is level access to the restaurant at the back of the property, with lifts to other levels. The hotel also has two accessible rooms.

7. Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury five-star hotel, rooms at The Roseate Reading start from around £108 per night, with suites like the Roseate Suite costing significantly more (e.g., £336 per night). Afternoon tea starts from £35, and spa treatments from £50. Many guests find the hotel to be a good value for the price, especially given its luxurious offerings and excellent location. The dining experience is often noted as being moderately priced for a five-star establishment.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Spa Facilities: While treatments are highly praised, some guests feel the spa lacks sufficient facilities for a full day's occupation, as there isn't a pool.
• Room Consistency (Design): The design aesthetic differs significantly between the original townhouse and "The House" building, with some guests preferring the grandeur of the old house over the more minimalist style of "The House." Some guests have also reported minor issues like lack of hangers or espresso machines not being present despite being advertised for suites.
• Accessibility: Although accessible rooms are available, some feedback indicates that they may not be fully optimized for wheelchair users, citing issues with shower chairs, sink height, and toilet height.
• Noise and Heating: Some AI-generated summaries of reviews mention complaints about noise levels from other guests and issues with heating in some rooms.
• Breakfast Quality (Minor): One review mentioned a disappointing Eggs Benedict with a "custard-like Hollandaise" and a stale muffin, and coffee that tasted like it was from a vending machine. However, this seems to be an outlier amidst generally positive breakfast reviews.
• Check-in Experience (Minor): A few isolated incidents describe less-than-welcoming reception staff or inconvenience when moving luggage between the main building and "The House."

Sources

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