Novotel Reading Centre

Hotels
Novotel
8.4 (3651 reviews)
25B Friar Street , Reading , gb

Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Clean and spacious rooms
Great location
Cons:
Food service issues
Some maintenance concerns

Categories

Cleanliness
8.04
Some concerns mentioned about maintenance like toilet cistern and shower issues.
Service
9.01
Repeated praise for friendly and helpful staff, especially Marissa and Lucy.
Location
9.05
Great location, very convenient for transportation and nearby amenities.
Room Quality
8.5
Rooms were described as comfortable and spacious.
Amenities
8.53
Positive comments about pool, sauna, and steam room despite some issues.
Value for Money
7.99
Price noted as high compared to similar hotels in the area.
Food and Beverage
7.54
Feedback on breakfast service not meeting expectations due to limited options.
Overall Experience
8.51
Many guests expressed willingness to return, indicating a satisfactory experience.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 06:33

Property Description

Convenient Location and Modern Comforts

Novotel Reading Centre, located a stone's throw away from Reading Railway Station, offers a blend of convenience and modern comforts. The hotel boasts a leisure centre, stylish restaurant, and a 24-hour front desk for a seamless stay.

Relaxation and Fitness Amenities

Guests can unwind and stay active at the Novotel Leisure Club, equipped with a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, and indoor swimming pool. Whether you prefer a workout session or a relaxing dip, the hotel has you covered.

Delicious Dining Options

Indulge in a culinary experience at Elements Restaurant, serving an international menu, or enjoy a variety of beverages and snacks at the bar. With hearty breakfasts and 24-hour room service, your dining needs are well taken care of.

Book your stay at Novotel Reading Centre for a perfect blend of convenience, relaxation, and culinary delights.

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: LHR

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 15 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed) and costs GBP 19 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 3651 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.04
Service: 9.01
Location: 9.05
Room Quality: 8.5
Amenities: 8.53
Value for Money: 7.99
Food and Beverage: 7.54
Overall Experience: 8.51
O
Oswald extended_group gb
10
Traveled part way to visit London for the pride parade, lovely convenient area with great facilities
Pros:

Lovely staff, fantastic room, excellent breakfast

Cons:

Couldn’t leave the car there after checkout, but was directed to another carpark where I could with no issue

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
O
Oisin couple ie
10
2026-07-04 via Nuitee
G
Giancarlo solo_traveller it
8
2026-07-03 via Nuitee
K
Kieek couple gb
9
2026-07-03 via Nuitee
G
Giancarlo solo_traveller it
8
2026-07-03 via Nuitee
J
JOHN solo_traveller au
7
Did exactly what I needed long trip from Australia; quiet place to sleep; good breakfast
Pros:

Breakfast was very good

Cons:

Room location on low floor

2026-07-03 via Nuitee
J
joanne solo_traveller gb
9
Great location
Pros:

Close to train station and shopping . Easy cheap carpark nearby in broad Street shopping mall.

Cons:

It was all fine. If I was being picky the coffee machines were out of order (I love my coffee) I just grabbed one on way home in services

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
V
VictoriaCox solo_traveller gb
7
Nice hotel in a good location in Reading town center
Pros:

I liked that parking at Broard St Mall car park was only £7 for 24 hours when the hotel validated the car park ticket. Check out is at 12 but because are rook wasn't ready until after 3.30 we got a late checkout at 1 for free. There was a birthday card and a desert plate in my room. Buffet breakfast is good and easy to choose what you want. The Location is brilliant for a night out in Reading.. Almost opposite popworld nightclub. A half board rate is a good deal with 2 course dinner included. Staff were friendly especially the lady on reception who gave us a free drink at the bar as our room wasn't ready at 3pm

Cons:

The hotel doesn't have air con only air con in bedrooms which isn't powerful so a fan in the room would be a big bonus. Huge wait for dinner in the restaurant. It was a Saturday night and busy but over 40 minutes for a starter and pizza to arrive was a shame.

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
M
michela family_with_children it
8
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Pull space was so hot and there was no space to sit or keep the towels. There were unsupervised kids playing with ball and pool wasn’t suitable to use with them on the way

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
N
Nicola extended_group gb
10
Fab!
Pros:

It was great from start to finish

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
A
Ashley couple gb
8
2026-07-02 via Nuitee
K
KA HUNG ROCKY couple hk
10
2026-07-02 via Nuitee
T
Tom couple hk
10
2026-07-01 via Nuitee
F
Fara solo_traveller it
10
2026-07-01 via Nuitee
C
Chani Simms solo_traveller gb
6
It was ok
Pros:

Staff

Cons:

Room layout, toilet was in separate tiny room

2026-07-01 via Nuitee
T
TeamKeeno Couples London, England
8
Enjoyable weekend away, but had i paid full price review may have been different.
Pros:

Clean comfortable stay good location

Room was big & Comfortable & Clean, our room had two sinks in bath room, the taps were a bit odd, showing cold to left & Hot to right, yet to switch off was to left and when turned towards Hot the water trickled out, not fast and not constant flow.

The location was excellent walking distance from almost everywhere in Reading town centre, added bonus was 12metre pool sauna & steam room.
breakfast was hit n miss
1st morning bacon was hard and fried eggs covered in oil. no coffee machines working, albeit staff made a very nice coffee when we asked.
2nd morning, bacon slightly better albeit very salty
Bar, we purchased bottle water from vending machine, but on first occasion i asked for two pints of ice, barman would only give me one as he said he was close to running out. (29degrees weather) later my partner went back for more ice, no one at bar & only a handful of customers in restaurant, bar staff saw her waiting and yet after 10mins she gave up, feeling they left her waiting on purpose. We were amid a heat wave so to keep customers waiting was not the best start or not offering more ice was unacceptable. Service not fantastic, although 2 people on reception were warm and friendly.

2026-06-30 via Tripadvisor
B
Brian couple gb
8
Clean comfortable stay good location
Pros:

room was big & Comfortable, location was excellent walking distance from almost everywhere in Reading town centre, added bonus was pool sauna & steam room.

Cons:

breakfast hit n miss
1st morning bacon was hard and fried eggs covered in oil. no coffee machines working, albeit staff made a very nice coffee when we asked.
2nd morning, bacon slightly better albeit very salty.

2026-06-30 via Nuitee
S
Sean family_with_children gb
9
2026-06-30 via Nuitee
S
Sara solo_traveller gb
10
Great location - staff were exceptional
Pros:

Staff were so friendly - amazing with the kids and very helpful from start to finish

2026-06-30 via Nuitee
A
Andre solo_traveller gb
2
Not worth the money especially half-board
Pros:

Not worth the money at all especially being half board very poor not going back to this hotel in any hurry.

Cons:

Very Long waiting times for free table no assistance from staff to move chairs out of the way in order for my wheelchair to fit in the space at the table, my 6 month pregnant wife was left to do it, Food not that great everyday at least three item not available on menu leaving inadequate options that we ended up ordering food two nights of the four night stay. The House keeper was cleaning other rooms along our corridor and when we ask her to move the cleaning trolley and bin bags she started moaning and got frustrated we ask her to move the trolley in order for the wheelchair to move easily down the corridor making me feel like I am the inconvenience for her. Frustrated had booked and paid £84 for an accessible car parking space. But for 3 days out of 4 someone either double parked or blocking the space so going and coming back was constantly waiting for someone to move car or Van. The entire stay was not relaxing as it should have been only positive access to the indoor pool overall the site is understaffed and poorly managed.

2026-06-29 via Nuitee