The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel

Hotels
6.6 (1999 reviews)
16-18 High Street , Rochester , gb

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Non-smoking throughout
Daily housekeeping
Designated smoking area
Concierge service
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Laundry washed per local authority guidelines
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
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Outdated furnishings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.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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 1999 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
G
goodwright solo_traveller gb
10
2026-07-11 via Nuitee
C
Chapman solo_traveller gb
10
Pros:

Location, and staff were very friendly

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
V
Vince solo_traveller gb
7
Pros:

Stayed here a few times while working in the area and it’s great value for money in a great location .. Parking is a big plus also

2026-07-10 via Nuitee
P
Paul solo_traveller gb
3
Cons:

Got bitten badly either gnats or bed bugs

2026-07-10 via Nuitee
E
E couple gb
4
Pros:

Location.

Cons:

No breakfast or bar. The room needed some tlc.

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
S
Steven solo_traveller gb
5
Pros:

Bed was clean and comfy, one of the few good points of the stay.

Cons:

No hot water in morning even after letting run for 5 minutes. Your cold to shower in. Plastic bag found over smoke alarm. Told on booking had high street view but got small courtyard view full of pigeons. 18" wooden panel to step over on entry to property out of hours. Was told on booking no parking on site that day so got train, but there was parking as my friend used it. No dimmable lighting in room. 10am checkout was a bit early and was charged an extra £20 for being slightly late out of the room.

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
P
Paul couple gb
8
Wonderful stay in a historic landmark of a hotel
Pros:

It’s absolutely stunning. Lots of history on the walls on the stairs and in the halls.

Cons:

Was very hot and the taps on the bath were a bit leaky when turned on. Minor issues really.

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
M
Majid solo_traveller gb
10
2026-07-08 via Nuitee
H
Hayley solo_traveller au
8
Beautiful
Pros:

Room was beautiful and the street it was located on was beautiful, great for the concert i was heading to at rochester castle grounds.the cafes and restaurants during the day are great and theres a lot to explore for a day around there.

Cons:

The area doesn't feel very safe after 10pm. I could hear people physically fighting and screaming outside at about 10:30pm. Phone reception was really bad in the room and the wifi wouldn't connect.

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
A
Amanda solo_traveller gb
10
Great little clean, friendly budget hotel.
Pros:

The receptionist was lovely! Nice and clean hotel, just round the corner from the castle. Couldn't fault it especially for the price.

Cons:

No lift and was but a tricky as my legs aren't great but for the price it wasn't a problem.

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
M
malcolm solo_traveller gb
5
Fortunately I was only looking for somewhere to sleep and managed that.
Pros:

Parking very handy in the middle of Rochester

Cons:

The hotel is very tired. Decoration needs doing. Chipped paint everywhere. Carpets faded. Could feel the springs in the mattress. No breakfast available.

2026-07-07 via Nuitee
L
Liza couple gb
10
We had a simple and beautiful room at the top with a view of the castle. Highly recommended.
Pros:

Charming Georgian building full of history, big room and comfortable beds. Perfect for a summer stay.

2026-07-06 via Nuitee
J
Jay solo_traveller gb
8
Nice. However.....
Pros:

Location was superb, extremely close to local shops/ bars/ places to eat. The building itself is nice but appears to be aging....

Cons:

Some of the room fixtures and fittings are in need of repair and the beds, although fairly comfortable appeared to be on a slant, as if they had been poorly put together. There was also a smell i am going to describe as 'musty' in the large central staircase leading to all rooms, which was unfortunately not masked by the hanging of Jelly Belly car fresheners from the wall fixed lamps. Floorboards very loud underfoot despite the thick carpet, could hear many people moving around the building throughout the night

2026-07-06 via Nuitee
M
Matthew solo_traveller gb
10
2026-07-05 via Nuitee
J
john couple gb
5
2026-07-05 via Nuitee
S
Stella solo_traveller gb
5
Good location, friendly staff, cheap no frills stay, no good if the weather is very hot
Pros:

Friendly reception staff, comfortable bed.

Cons:

I was there during very hot weather. The hotel had made no plans to deal with that. My room was baking hot. The cold water came out of the pipes hot. There was zero acknowledgement or warning of this on arrival even though the hot weather had been known about. Honestly some forward planning or warning would have been the least that could be done.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
P
Patrick couple gb
10
2026-07-02 via Nuitee
K
Kamil solo_traveller gb
9
2026-06-30 via Nuitee
R
Robert couple gb
10
2026-06-29 via Nuitee
C
Clair couple gb
8
Great location, great price. Could do with an date but perfect for what we re looking for
Pros:

The location was perfect to access restaurants, bars and views over Rochester

Cons:

The bedrooms are all at an angle and felt unsteady when moving around

2026-06-28 via Nuitee