ibis Reading Centre

Like other ibis hotels, this hotel is clean and well maintained and it has a modern minimalist decor.

The hotel has 182 guest rooms including eight rooms set up for people with reduced mobility. Most of the rooms are double rooms although there are also some twin rooms plus 36 family rooms.

The hotel features Sweet Beds that were specially designed for ibis and feature a 7cm topper. In addition to the special beds, each room has a television, a work desk, tea and coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom. All guests have free Wi-Fi wireless internet access.

There is no air conditioning so this may be an issue if you’re planning on staying here during summer. The hotel advertises an air-cooling system, but it is not the same thing as air conditioning and it is dependent on the outdoor temperature so it won’t cool you down properly if it is already hot outside.

The hotel has a bar/restaurant but it is lacking in character although that’s not a problem as there are plenty of other places nearby to go out for a drink. However, it is a pleasant-enough area and it is handy having this space in the hotel.

This hotel has an excellent town centre location, right next door to the Novotel hotel on Friar Street and only a three-minute walk to Reading railway station, Reading Museum and Broad Street, a five-minute walk to The Oracle shopping centre and six minutes to the River Kennet.

Like other ibis hotels, there is a certain cookie-cutter approach with identical rooms within the hotel and from one hotel to another. They do a great job at providing a clean and well-maintained room, although it lacks the charm and the extra amenities that you find in some other hotels.