Garner Hotel Reading City Centre

The rooms are well maintained, though compact, a bit like a Holiday Inn Express. For a business trip on your own, it’s hard to complain. The hotel is on Reading High st, so there’s no shortage of good places to eat. Parking is a real headache in such a busy spot. I’d suggest using Queens road multistorey car park and walking the short distance over. The car park behind the hotel is a nightmare.

The room was clean and the staff were nice, but I stayed for work and wouldn’t spend my own money on this place. It’s a budget hotel and should cost less than it does. The bed is very soft, so it won’t suit you if you prefer a firm mattress. There’s no lift, and the narrow stairs go up several floors, so be ready to carry your bags. They should make the lack of accessibility clear. The shower was the smallest I’ve ever seen. I’m a normal-sized woman and couldn’t turn around in it. Fine for one night, but there’s a lot to improve.

The central location was convenient, and the staff were friendly, but I left disappointed by several things. Nights were disrupted by banging pipes and loud outdoor AC units, and the curry smell from the adjoining Indian restaurant reached some first-floor rooms. The restaurant doesn’t quite match the hotel’s modern, almost premium feel. Breakfast was below average and surprisingly pricey at £20 per day. I wasn’t told about that charge until check-out. I also missed the small extras you’d expect here, like biscuits and bottled water, and the hotel doesn’t offer the IHG environmental scheme benefit for declining housekeeping. Parking is extremely tight, with maybe ten spaces at most, which could be a problem if you arrive late. The hotel falls short of the usual IHG standards, though hopefully it’ll get closer to what regular guests expect over time.

Parking was chaotic, with cars outside the marked spaces, and it didn’t feel safe. When we asked the staff for help, they refused and weren’t helpful. At check-in, we were hurried into paying immediately, without being told beforehand that the original booking had failed. There’s no elevator, and no one offered to help with our heavy bags. We were even stopped on the stairs and asked to pay the parking fee first. The service was disappointing, and the hotel needs better management.