The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel

Hotels
6.6 (1896 reviews)
16-18 High Street , Rochester , gb

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Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Non-smoking throughout
Concierge service
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
Physical distancing rules followed
Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
Fire extinguishers
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Affordable
Cons:
Noisy
Outdated furnishings
Lack of basic amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
5.85
Several reviews mention tired furnishings and cleanliness issues.
Service
7.85
Staff were friendly and accommodating in various reviews.
Location
8.35
The location is frequently noted as excellent and convenient.
Room Quality
6.35
Rooms are described as large and comfortable, but dated.
Amenities
5.85
Lacking in amenities like a bar or hairdryer.
Value for Money
6.85
Generally considered affordable for the location, despite some shortcomings.
Food and Beverage
5.35
No bar and limited food facilities, with no breakfast offered.
Overall Experience
6.35
Mixed reviews leading to an average experience overall.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 20:27

Property Description

City-Center Charm

Central Location: Conveniently situated in the heart of Rochester, The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel offers stunning city views and complimentary private parking for guests.

Cozy Accommodation: Each room is equipped with a satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for every guest.

Historic Surroundings: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the famous Charles Dickens Festival events, located at the end of the bustling High Street. Explore the nearby shops, cafes, and restaurants just a short walk away.

Experience the rich history of Rochester with attractions like Rochester Cathedral, Rochester Castle, and the Guildhall Museum all within easy reach. Book your stay now at The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel for a memorable Rochester experience.

Important information:

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.
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.
Parking is subject to availability due to limited spaces.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Internet

    No internet access available.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children are not allowed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

Location

Guest Reviews

6.6
Based on 1896 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.85
Service: 7.85
Location: 8.35
Room Quality: 6.35
Amenities: 5.85
Value for Money: 6.85
Food and Beverage: 5.35
Overall Experience: 6.35
S
SUSAN • family_with_children • gb
7
2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • couple • gb
5
Value for money, unbeatable location and great building. Functional for our needs
Pros:

Lovely building. a little tired in places but excellent location. I will definately be booking this hotel again

Cons:

No wardrobe to hang shirts or jackets in

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
J
Jamie • solo_traveller • gb
10
Location and cost are perfect
Pros:

Great value place to stay, ideal location....huge bed

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
A
Allison • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-04-10 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • solo_traveller • gb
7
Happy with my stay, but this could be an amazing hotel with a bit more care and simple improvements.
Pros:

Great location and a fantastic historic building and the room I stayed in was big with a very comfortable bed, and good value. Staff were very friendly and helpful too but the reception isn't always staffed and you have to ring a bell.

Cons:

The rooms though just need a bit of real TLC and refreshing with a fresh paint job and a bit of modernisation, particularly the bathroom and shower which was just a tap extension.

2026-04-10 • via Nuitee
N
Nimish • couple • in
8
2026-04-09 • via Nuitee
J
Johan • couple • gb
10
Awesome!
2026-04-09 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • couple • gb
1
2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
M
Martina • couple • gb
5
Pros:

Building/decor very tired and old. Really needs updating.

Cons:

Room floor felt on a bit of a slope. Room could do with some low brightness bedside lighting

2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
A
Alan • solo_traveller • gb
2
Never again
Pros:

Great location, great history. Though Queen Victoria (still a princess) found the bed there wretched, and mine was too. I wonder if it was the same one.

Cons:

Uncomfortable bed. Room very basic. Decoration grubby, except for the relatively new but badly fitted bathroom. Very basic facilities - no bar, no restaurant, no staff on site after 8pm. Not really a 'hotel' except because that's the word that used to be valid.

2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
M
Marcus • extended_group • gb
7
Excellent location and value for money
Pros:

Great value for money

Cons:

No mirror

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
H
Harris • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
• solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
J
Juan Carlos • solo_traveller • gb
10
Amazing place
Pros:

All in town

Cons:

Atm which you have to pay fees

2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • solo_traveller • gb
8
Nice and convenient
2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
M
Marion • couple • gb
5
Business trip
Pros:

Great location

Cons:

We upgraded the room because it had a bath but we couldn't use it as the water was cold and other enough water pressure to use it

2026-03-29 • via Nuitee
D
Diana • couple • gb
10
2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
C
cafer • couple • gb
7
2026-03-27 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
6
Our stay was ok, lots of room for improvement and a shame could be a lovely hotel, you get what you.
Pros:

Excellent location, very close to the centre of Rochester and convenient for getting around.
Our room was lovely, with a nice standalone bath.
Towels and bedding were clean and fresh.
Good tea and coffee making facilities in the room.
The hotel has a lot of potential and could be great with some improvements.

Cons:

Car park is very small and cluttered, with what appear to be abandoned cars and vans and rubbish laying around.
Exterior of the hotel is in poor condition, with worn and unattractive paintwork.
Carpets inside are old-fashioned and didn’t feel very clean.
Corridors had a strong unpleasant smell, possibly from cooking or nearby restaurant odours, which was quite off-putting.
Noise from the attached music venue was very loud in the evenings and went on late.
Only saw a member of staff at check-in, no visible presence otherwise.
Paid for a better room, which was nice, but gives the impression that cheaper rooms may not be up to standard.
Some minor issues in the room (one wall needed repainting and only one bedside cabinet).
Overall upkeep and cleanliness in communal areas could be much better.

2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
C
Celia • couple • gb
8
2026-03-23 • via Nuitee