The Penny Farthing Hotel

Hotels
7.4 (1130 reviews)
296 - 298 High Street , Berkhamsted , gb

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Heating
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Express check-in/check-out
Non-smoking throughout
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Cleanliness
Friendly Staff
Good Location
Value for Money
Cons:
Room Conditions
Poor Heating
Invasion of Privacy

Categories

Cleanliness
7.15
Overall cleanliness was noted positively, though some reviews indicated the bathrooms could use more attention.
Service
8.15
Staff were frequently described as friendly and helpful, contributing positively to the experience.
Location
8.15
Multiple reviews praised the hotel's location as ideal for accessing Berkhamsted.
Room Quality
6.65
Room quality received mixed sentiments; some felt rooms were dated with issues like noise and temperature control.
Amenities
7.65
Amenities such as tea/coffee facilities were appreciated, although there were some complaints on heating.
Value for Money
7.65
Guests felt the hotel provided good value for the price, despite some issues.
Food and Beverage
6.65
Specific food options not reviewed; general amenities rating applied.
Overall Experience
7.15
While some aspects could improve, many guests recommended staying because of the location and value.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-09 02:40

Property Description

Historic Charm and Modern Comfort: The Pennyfarthing, nestled in the heart of Berkhamsted, offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort.

Elegant En Suite Rooms: Each of the 19 en suite rooms in this Grade 2 listed building is thoughtfully designed, featuring air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee making facilities for a comfortable stay.

Convenient Location: Just a short 6-minute walk from Berkhamsted Railway Station and a 30-minute drive from Luton Airport, our hotel provides a convenient base for both leisure and business travelers.

Ready to experience the perfect fusion of history and luxury? Book your stay at The Pennyfarthing now!

Important information:

There is a public car park directly behind the hotel. To reach the Penny Farthing car park, enter HP4 1HA into a sat-nav.Parking is subject to availability due to limited spaces.
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 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: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LTN

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

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

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible) and costs GBP 4 per day.

  • 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 16 years old stay for £10 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.4
Based on 1130 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.15
Service: 8.15
Location: 8.15
Room Quality: 6.65
Amenities: 7.65
Value for Money: 7.65
Food and Beverage: 6.65
Overall Experience: 7.15
L
Linda • couple • gb
5
Fabulous location but very uncomfortable in the intense heat. In past stays in different weather, the property has been
Pros:

Location great.

Cons:

No air con on the hottest day of the year. Fans provided were inadequate. Couldn’t open the window more than 2 inches due to child safety lock. Extremely uncomfortable.

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
V
Victoria • solo_traveller • gb
6
Basic but clean
Pros:

Really friendly helpful staff, comfy bed. Good to have dedicated parking at the back.

Cons:

The ac in our room didn't work so it was like a furnace - the window only opened about 5cm so no breez overnight. The staff had helpfully put 2 fans in the room but it was still really hot. We did stay just after a crazy hot heatwave, but if the ac had worked, it would have been fine. Decor needs a refresh quite badly. Our room and corridor were much scruffier than the photos on booking.com.

2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
M
Matt • couple • gb
8
2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
I
Ian • couple • gb
4
Great location, but not an ideal stay I’m afraid
Pros:

The location is the main selling point being right in the centre of Berkhamsted. The staff we met were also very friendly.

Cons:

We had a room on the upstairs floor which was extremely hot. Even with two fans on it was pretty unbearable.
It seemed like our room was rushed in the cleaning process. There were no biscuits in our room even though this was mentioned during the check in.

2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
E
Emily • solo_traveller • au
8
2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
P
patrick • solo_traveller • gb
4
2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
L
Lesley • couple • gb
7
2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
I
IanTT • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Good location supported our needs very well

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
J
judy • extended_group • gb
7
Good location and very helpful reception staff👍🏼
Pros:

The room was bigger than anticipated, plenty room to move around, bed was comfy enough, though the duvet was very “lumpy” which wasn’t very nice. The reception staff were very helpful with shutting the window properly, lending me a phone charger which I had forgotten to bring, 10/10 to the staff 👍🏼. The hotel is in a good location on High street, very convenient for shopping and eating out. Car parking facilities at the back, 15 minutes walk to Berkhamsted train station. The hotel has its own restaurant which is convenient if one doesn’t want to venture out too far.

Cons:

It was a bit cold last night and because of the generous room size, with the unpredictable British weather, we felt a bit cold in our room! The heating system is centralised I think, we can’t turn on the heater which was frustrating! The towel heater wasn’t on, we had to dry with cold towel which was not very nice. My room was closed to the restaurant and kitchen(?) and dining/beer garden, with the window opened, food smell has sadly “sipped” into the room. I didn’t realised that there’s no hair dryer in the room, had to “checkout” with wet hair, not ideal. In general, the hotel rooms were “spruced up” with a lick of paint and new door with security codes installed, but the wooden wardrobe shelves, table etc are a bit tatty with chipped corners here & there, dusty electric fan, old chair that has quite obviously reached its sell by date, carpet looks dirty and I’m glad that I have brought a pair of slippers with me! Bring your phone charging plug with you because there’s no USB port in the room.

2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
E
Eleanor • extended_group • gb
8
Good hotel with all facilities needed
Pros:

Excellent location with access to loads of shops and restaurants. We stayed here on a bike packing trip and we were able to take the bikes into the rooms to keep them safe

Cons:

No breakfast facilities at the hotel but we were able to use their sister pub just down the street if desired with discount

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
W
Wahida • extended_group • gb
8
Pros:

I like the location and car parking facility and staying little annex. I never stayed in annex so this is the I like it.

Cons:

The reception out of the annex come out from the annex through the corridor going to reception had to find the reception in the first place

2026-06-09 • via Nuitee
Y
Yvette • couple • gb
7
2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • couple • gb
5
2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
L
Leah • couple • gb
2
Cons:

Extortionately overpriced. This is not a hotel, just rooms. Bed uncomfortable. Black mold and damp issues in bathroom. No breakfast available

2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
T
Tania • couple • gb
10
Great hotel
Pros:

Great hotel in centre of town , clean spacious rooms lovely friendly staff parking available
A

Cons:

Location staff parking

2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
R
Rachel • couple • gb
7
Fine for one night
Pros:

Good sized bedroom and en-suite
Great location
Friendly staff

Cons:

A few lightbulbs didn’t work in the room (26)

2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
C
Charlotte • couple • gb
5
It did the job but probably wouldn’t stay in that specific room again.
Pros:

Bed was comfortable

Cons:

I booked last minute and got the last available room which was probably my first mistake. One of the hottest days of the year so far and the air con was out of order. Shower was falling off the wall and hard to get the right temperature. Also very little pressure. Perviously when I’ve stayed here I’ve been in the upstairs bedrooms which are more modern and better maintained however that was not the experience I had this time. Even the spoons in the coffee station were dirty.

2026-06-04 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
L
Lorraine • couple • gb
7
It was fine for one night and there was free parking
Pros:

It was in a great location for us to attend a party nearby.

Cons:

The rooms are on a walkway making it very noisy when people walked past. The sound proofing is very poor. This property could do with updating.

2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • couple • gb
7
Comfortable for a short stay.
Pros:

Comfortable and convenient location.

Cons:

Nowhere to hang wet towels.

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee