vividventures

Hotel Review

Overview:

The Roseate Reading is a luxurious five star hotel in the centre of Reading.  The building was originally the Berkshire County Council Shire Hall and since becoming a hotel has been fully restored to its former glory.

Location:

Reading lies on the River Thames in south east England and is easily accessible by car as it is just two miles from Junction 11 of the M4 motorway.  For visitors arriving by train GWR operate regular services between London and the west with Reading being the first stop on fast services with a journey time of just 22 minutes.  Southwestern Railway and Cross Country also run services to Reading from the south and Midlands.  Visitors can also reach Reading from central London on the Elizabeth Line and despite it taking a little longer than by GWR, it’s a great way to travel for Freedom Pass holders as they are able to go all the way to Reading free of charge.  The hotel sits in a quiet position overlooking Forbury Gardens and the Abbey gateway.

Arrival and check-in: 

The Roseate has a modest sized car park to the rear where we were able to find a space.  This is located on the floor below the reception area so guests need to either take the stairs or if they have a lot of luggage, walk through the restaurant to access the lift.

The reception hall is opulently furnished with marble floors, stunning artworks, sculptures and a magnificent chandelier made from 86,000 Italian glass beads which cascades all the way down from the top of the building.

We were greeted at the front desk by two very pleasant members of staff who had us checked in very quickly and whilst doing so offered us a refreshing non alcoholic cocktail.  If travelling by car, vehicle registrations need to entered onto an iPad on arrival to identify hotel guests (daily charges applicable).

Formalities over, the doorman carried our luggage up to our room on the first floor and before leaving enquired if we required more assistance.

The Room:

We had been booked into one of the hotel’s prime suites on the first floor with windows overlooking the gardens to the front.  Our spacious suite with its high ceiling, original cast iron fireplace, king size four poster bed, comfortable sofa, armchair and mirrored wardrobes oozed country house elegance.

Placed on a side table was a handwritten welcome card with a selection of handmade chocolates.  I find that it’s the little touches like this that make all the difference to a hotel stay.

Opening the wardrobe revealed a well stocked hospitality tray with Border’s biscuits, complimentary bottled water, tea, coffee pods and a jug of fresh milk in the fridge.  The room came equipped with both a kettle and a Nespresso maker, safe, high powered hairdryer and fluffy towelling robes and slippers.  There was even a tray in which guests could place their shoes at bedtime for the night porter to clean them overnight.  We didn’t actually use this service but it’s one of the things that stands five star hotels apart.

Our bathroom was finished in Italiante marble with a deep sided bath, separate monsoon shower and some delightfully fragrant Penhaligon toiletries.

We took the opportunity of being shown around several of the other rooms which were all unique but equally beautiful.

Rooms and suites across the courtyard in the recently constructed ‘House’ are modern in style with minimalist furnishings.  There are also several spacious studios which would be ideal for families, longer stays or business travellers.

Dining:

The Reading Room restaurant and bar is located to the rear of the building and is furnished in a contemporary style with an appealing ambiance.  We had reserved a table for 7.30 p.m. and were shown to a cosy corner alcove.  We chose from the three course à la carte menu which has something for all tastes including fish, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes, all locally sourced wherever possible.  For a five star hotel dishes are moderately priced with wines starting at £26.

Service was attentive and friendly and as each dish was brought out the waiters talked us through it and answered any questions we might have.  Before our starters we were served a refreshing amusé bouche followed by home baked bread with garlic butter.  Neither of us could resist the Orkney scallops for our starters which were slow cooked with pork belly, sweetcorn and apple and tasted delicious.

Moving onto mains I opted for the Torre Meadow dried aged sirloin beef with truffle pommels, confit carrot, salt baked celeriac and root vegetable crisp.  Across the table my dining partner chose the tandoori spiced monkfish with bok choy, wilted spinach and truffled fries.  Both of our mains were beautifully plated and a joy to eat.  We were then served a Croustillant pre-dessert consisting of vegan tulle, Chantilly cream, pearls mandarin, raspberry, mango and rose which was lovely and light after our main courses.  We ended our fine dining experience with desserts of pistachio soufflé and a raspberry and coconut Bavarois.  Hats off to the Roseate chefs for creating such a superb menu.

Breakfast is also served in the Reading Room and we helped ourselves to smoothies, yoghurts, fruit, Parma ham and cheese before ordering a full English breakfast which was freshly prepared and served to the table.

Toast, marmalade and several cups of coffee followed to set us up for the day ahead.

The Facilities:

Roseate Cocktail Bar The hotel boasts an attractive cocktail bar lounge where you can indulge in your favourite cocktail whilst studying the menu for the adjoining restaurant.  Drinks and afternoon tea can also be enjoyed outdoors in the Secret Garden sitting under the shade of a pomegranate tree whilst listening to the gentle sounds of its feature waterfall.

Aheli Spa – The hotel’s spa and wellness centre is located on the top floor of the House building.  The well appointed spa includes three treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna and gym.

The Library – The Roseate’s library is a restful lounge where guests can relax on its deep filled sofas in front of the elegant fireplace.  Sunshine streams through the windows which overlook Forbury Square making it a cosy and intimate setting.

Upstage Mini Cinema – The hotel houses a luxurious private cinema boasting 30 Italian leather seats and the latest audio-visual technology.  It’s available for guests private screenings and is also an ideal space for hosting corporate events.

Out and About: 

With Reading’s history spanning centuries, the town is filled with interesting sights, museums and attractions with many of them free.  Here are my suggestions.

Abbey Ruins

Start off at the Abbey Quarter by exploring the Reading Abbey Ruins which are home to 900 years of history.  The abbey was at one time one of Europe’s largest royal monasteries with a religious community centred around a magnificent church.

Forbury Gardens

Located next to the Abbey Ruins lies the Victorian pleasure gardens.  These gardens are also home to Reading’s larger than life Maiwand Lion, sculpted by George Simonds as a memorial to the men of the Berkshire Regiment killed in Afghanistan in the nineteenth century.  This oasis of calm in the city centre is perfect for a short stroll and on summer weekends you might catch some live music being played in the bandstand.

Oscar Wilde Memorial Walk

Oscar Wilde was a prisoner for two years in Reading Gaol and a short walk has been created in his honour between the long prison wall and the River Kennet.  The walk begins with a figure of Wilde on one half of the open green gates.

Etched along the metal railings are the words ‘Oh beautiful world’, Wilde’s first words when he was freed.  Notice also the bright red Oscar Wilde love seats and a bench constructed to be the size of his prison bed.

Banksy artwork

This Banksy mural appeared on the wall of the former Reading prison in March 2021 and depicts an inmate dressed in a striped black and white outfit.  He’s lowering himself down the high red brick wall using a long sheet of twisted paper weighted by a typewriter.

Reading Museum

Located in the Victorian Town Hall, Reading Museum documents the history of the town with its Story of Reading gallery showcasing objects from the local area.  Taking pride of place upstairs is the only full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry.  This faithful replica is 70 metres long and was made by 35 skilled Victorian women embroiderers in 1885.

Also of interest is the Huntley & Palmers biscuit gallery documenting the history of Reading’s world famous biscuit makers.  The exhibition details how the company pioneered the mass production of biscuits, what life was like for its thousands of workers and how Reading came to be known as the ‘Biscuit Town’. Reading Museum.

Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)

This excellent free to visit museum is part of the University of Reading, and is either a short bus ride or a 15 minute walk from the town centre.  Its galleries explore the history of the English countryside and include Shaping the Land, A Year on the Farm, Digging-Deeper Ploughs and Wagon Walk containing a huge display of wagons.  There’s also a large garden with woodland trails to follow, a cafe and gift shop.  Museum of English Rural Life

Enjoy a relaxing river cruise

Take a pleasure boat trip from Caversham Pier along this scenic stretch of the Thames.  The most popular trip follows the river upstream to Mapledurham lock where the boat turns offering panoramic views of the weir.

The boat then cruises back downstream past Mapledurham House towards Reading.  View beautiful riverside properties and spot wildfowl from the perspective of the water.  Thames River Cruise

Thames Lido: 

Don’t leave Reading without spending a couple of hours at the Thames Lido.  Situated by the Thames, a women’s only swimming baths was built in Edwardian times.  After falling into disrepair and closing its doors for good in the 1970’s the team behind the award winning Bristol Lido spent £3.5m on renovations prior to its re-opening in 2017.

Many of the original Edwardian features have been preserved and the resulting mix of Edwardian and contemporary looks stunning.  There’s a 25 metre heated open-air lap pool, a huge hot tub, treatment rooms, sauna, spa and a fabulous glass fronted restaurant along the length of the pool.  Thames Lido

Cycling and Walking 

Thames Path: Enjoy a riverside walk or cycle ride along the banks of the River Thames which flows just north of the centre.  Follow the Thames Path eastwards towards Sonning, through to Henley and Marlow or in a westerly direction towards Mapledurham and Pangbourne.  Complimentary cycle hire is available from the Roseate Hotel.

Shopping:

Fancy some retail therapy then head to the Oracle a vast retail, dining and leisure complex in the town centre.  The centre is unique as it has been designed to incorporate the River Kennet flowing through it.

Overall: For a luxurious, relaxing weekend break the 5 star Roseate Reading definitely comes up trumps.  With sumptuous decor, stunning rooms, fine dining and impeccable service it lives up to its 5 star reputation for the perfect getaway.

Details:  The Roseate Reading, 26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJ.

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During our stay we were guests of Visit Reading and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.