The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel

Hotels
6.6 (1865 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Outdated furnishings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 1865 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
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
M
Moody • couple • gb
8
As above
Pros:

Had everything around us we needed.

Cons:

All ok

2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
C
Celia • couple • gb
8
2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
P
Piotr • couple • gb
3
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Other than the bathroom (which was decent) , it’s all rather old , scrappy and very used .
Walls are pretty thin, you can hear every word from the next room.
Mattress sure seems to remember good old 80’s at least .

2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
R
Ron • solo_traveller • gb
6
2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
N
Nick • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
L
Lynn • couple • gb
4
Pros:

the location is great, right on the high street but not at all noisy.

Cons:

It was extremely tired and grubby throughout. Corridors carpets and woodwork appearance are not good.
Also, our shower in our room went from freezing to scolding hot so barely usable.

2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • couple • gb
8
Overall a great night in a great location for Rochesters entertainment
Pros:

Good location, good value for money, very friendly staff, clean

Cons:

Dated decor, rooms could be freshened up with redecorating and upgrading electrical sockets etc

2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
M
Musson • solo_traveller • gb
3
Budget hotel.good location
Pros:

Beautiful old building. Could be amazing. I have stayed alot here because of the price and location. Decent amount of pillows.nice big bed

Cons:

Every room is in need to painting and fixing.some shockingly bad.no upkeep.tired and worn. Curtains so thin they shut zero light out. Room next door incredibly noisy. Fire alarm went off early.got no sleep at all.walls paper thin. Lamps not working.lots of fixtures and fitting broken

2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
D
Doorey • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Friendly staff and a nice room

2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
P
Phil • extended_group • gb
8
Just a bed for the night really as we were visiting relatives
Pros:

Easy to find and very old fashioned

2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
J
jim • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Location, lovely room, friendly staff. Great value for money.

Cons:

N/a

2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
J
Jordan • couple • gb
7
Pay for what you get the out nice period place
Pros:

Period place hallways and reception

Cons:

Seperate beds, lots of items broken in there.

2026-03-12 • via Nuitee
B
bell • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-03-11 • via Nuitee
R
Roy • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pleasant room in ideal location
Pros:

Excellent location on main street. Good sized room with comfortable bed

Cons:

Keys to room and to the outer door difficult to use. Odd layout of building with rambling corridors and staircases.
No chair in room. No wifi

2026-03-10 • via Nuitee
J
Josiah • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Comfy bed, great value for money and the staff were very kind and welcoming upon both check in and check out.

Cons:

A little old in the room, although this added to the character for me.

2026-03-10 • via Nuitee
J
Jesse • extended_group • gb
10
Situated perfectly for a pub crawl, a trip to the Castle or Cathedral.
Pros:

Proximity to high street pubs and restaurants.

Cons:

N/a

2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-03-08 • via Nuitee