Malmaison Reading, Reading ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

18-20 Station Road, Reading, United Kingdom, RG11JX

Malmaison Reading is a modern reworking of the Great Western Hotel, known as the oldest surviving railway hotel in the world, dating back to 1844. Located directly opposite Reading train station, this boutique hotel combines historic charm with contemporary amenities. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations designed for comfort and style, making it an appealing choice for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel features distinctive decor and retains a local personality accentuated by large windows.

Location

The hotel is strategically situated just 100 meters from Reading train station, providing easy access to London and other surrounding areas. Guests benefit from convenient proximity to popular attractions, including Reading Abbey and The Oracle shopping mall, all within walking distance. Heathrow Airport is approximately 45 km away and can be reached by public transport or car in about 30-40 minutes. The blend of convenience and culture makes Malmaison Reading an ideal base for exploring the area.

Rooms

Malmaison Reading offers 76 rooms and suites, each designed with modern decor and equipped with top-of-the-line amenities. All accommodations feature mood lighting, en-suite bathrooms with deep baths and power showers, and digital TVs. Guests can choose from various room types, including standard rooms with king-size beds, club rooms with extra luxuries, and spacious junior suites for a more indulgent stay. The unique character of the hotel is reflected in the individual style of each room, including artistic elements and thoughtful designs.

Eat & Drink

The hotel's dining experience is centered around Chez Mal Brasserie, a contemporary restaurant that serves locally sourced dishes inspired by French cuisine. Breakfast is characterized by home-baked pastries, fresh fruits, and a selection of drinks. Casual lunch options and refined dinner menus provide quality choices for every palate, all served with exceptional service. Guests can also unwind at the Chez Mal Bar, known for its creative cocktails and extensive selection of wines and beers.

Leisure & Business

Malmaison Reading is equipped for both leisure and business needs, featuring well-appointed meeting rooms that combine style with functionality. The expert team is ready to assist in planning events, ensuring smooth operations with creative catering and free Wi-Fi. Leisure offerings include cocktail masterclasses and other recreational activities to enhance guests' experiences. Event spaces can accommodate a range of gatherings, making the hotel a versatile choice for conferences and celebrations.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Twin Room

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Junior Suite

Max:

2 persons

24 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Club Deluxe Room

Max:

2 persons

20 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Check Prices

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Centre

Reading400 m

Airports

London Heathrow (LHR) 44.5 km

Southampton (SOU) 73.0 km

Train

Reading Train Station200 m

Bus

Bus stop100 m

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Practical Room Design

“The room was efficiently designed with a wall-mounted giant screen and plenty of hangers, ensuring I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay.” view full review

Spotless and Clean

“The bathroom was immaculate, providing a refreshing and welcoming environment that enhanced my overall experience.” view full review

Excellent Breakfast

“The breakfast selection was delightful, offering a variety of choices that ensured a great start to my day.” view full review

Charming Aesthetics

“The decor of the room was lovely, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that made my stay even more enjoyable.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
No parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Lift
Coffee shop
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's menu

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

18-20 Station Road, Reading, United Kingdom, RG11JX

Map view

18-20 Station Road, Reading, United Kingdom, RG11JX

City landmarks

The Oracle Shopping Centre

Reading

600 m

Museum

The Museum of English Rural Life

1.6 km

Museum

Reading Abbey Ruins

1.4 km

Mall

The Oracle

710 m

Upper Woolhampton

Douai Abbey

820 m

London Road Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Berkshire Medical Museum

1.1 km

92 Napier Rd

King's Meadow

960 m

George Street George Street

Christchurch Meadows

1.1 km

Park

Prospect Park

2.4 km

Reading RG1 2NJ

County Lock

740 m

21 South St

South Street Arts Centre

910 m

Museum

Riverside Museum at Blake's Lock

1.0 km

122 Castle Hill

Deadlocked Escape Rooms Reading

980 m

Garden

Caversham Court

1.7 km

Caversham Court Church Road

Caversham Court Gardens

1.9 km

Nearby

Museum

The Museum of Reading

220 m

Park

Forbury Gardens

230 m

Art object

Statue of Queen Victoria

180 m

Abbots Walk St James Presbytery

St. James & St. William of York Church

540 m

Church

Greyfriars Church

330 m

Church

St Laurence's Church

230 m

Church

Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin

370 m

Gallery

The Lemon Grove Gallery Ltd

330 m

6 Abbey Street

Chestnut Walk

500 m

26 The Forbury

Maiwand Lion

330 m

Mall

Broad Street Mall

430 m

Night club

Q Club

100 m

Reading Museum

Britain's Bayeux Tapestry

170 m

1 Queen's Rd

Grosvenor Casino Reading Central

510 m

Mall

John Lewis & Partners

320 m

Restaurants

Malmaison

10 m

18-20 Station Road Great Western House

Revolution

30 m

12-16 Station Road

Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar at Malmaison Reading

30 m

18-20 Station Road Great Western House

Oakford Social Club

50 m

53 Blagrave Street

Revolucion de Cuba Reading

170 m

138-141 Friar Street

Pitcher & Piano

100 m

18 Friar Street

The Three Guineas

110 m

Station Approach

Gourmet Bar

140 m

25B Friar Street 25b Friar Street

Treatz Reading

200 m

29 Friar Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

72%

liked the hotel and would stay again

7.2/10

Very good

Rooms

7.3

Location

8.5

Service

7.2

Dining

6.8

Brian

United Kingdom, April 2024

8.0/10

I was impressed by the impeccable and gorgeous rooms that provided a comfortable and quiet stay, although some noise from traffic and water pipes could be heard. The service was top-notch with friendly staff who were very helpful, even though they couldn't make certain cocktails. The exceptional location, near the train station and city center, was a significant advantage. The dining experience was a mix of amazing with lots of choices for Prosecco, but also a bit disappointing with limited options at breakfast.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were impeccable, gorgeous, and very comfortable, offering a clean and quiet environment.

Service

8.0

The staff were all very nice, friendly, and very helpful in meeting our requirements, though there were limitations on cocktail selections.

Location

9.0

The location was excellent, particularly for easy access to the train station and the city center.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was a mix of amazing with options to personalize Prosecco but also a bit disappointing with limited breakfast choices.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities provided were satisfactory and functional for our needs.

James

United Kingdom, April 2024

7.4/10

The hotel is in a convenient location right next to the Reading train station and close to shops and bars. The room was a bit disappointing with tired furnishings and an annoying engine noise. The service was friendly and helpful overall, with a few hiccups during check-out. The dining experience was excellent with a lovely kipper for breakfast. The facilities were decent.

Rooms

6.0

The room felt a bit tired with noticeable engine noise and vibration, but the location was great.

Service

7.0

The staff were friendly and helpful, although there were some issues during check-out.

Location

8.0

The hotel is conveniently located right next to Reading train station and close to shops and bars.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was excellent with caring and helpful staff, particularly for breakfast.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were decent and met basic needs.

Martha

United States, February 2024

7.4/10

I had a pleasant stay at the hotel. The rooms were quiet, nice, and had a bath, but a bit dark with a non-functioning shave socket. The staff member was helpful by providing a razor from the vending machine. The room was warm despite efforts to adjust the temperature. There was a delay in getting access to the room due to separate arrival times for me and my wife.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were quiet and nice, with a bath, but a bit dark with a non-working shave socket. The staff member kindly provided a razor from the vending machine when needed. The room temperature was too warm, and there was a delay in accessing the room due to separate arrival times.

Service

9.0

The service was fab, very professional, and kind. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate special requests, such as individual cake boxes and personalized menu choices. Room service, dry cleaning, housekeeping, laundry, welcome drink, and pet amenities were available.

Location

8.0

The location was awesome, directly across from the Reading train station, making it convenient for transportation. It was also close to markets, with easy access to taxis and bus stops. Additionally, the hotel was near bars and restaurants, offering a variety of dining options.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was a bit inconsistent. Although the traditional Italian dishes were good, the service during our stay was slow, especially for breakfast. There were delays in getting the cooked breakfast orders right, which was a downside.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were satisfactory, with amenities like room service, dry cleaning, housekeeping, laundry, welcome drink, and pet amenities available upon request.

Charles

United Kingdom, November 2023

7.2/10

My stay at the hotel was pleasant overall. The rooms were well-equipped, spacious, and very clean, although a bit dark for my taste. The noise from the bar below and street outside could be disturbing at times. On the positive side, the dining experience with wine pairing was exceptional.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms are well equipped, spacious, and very clean. They are classily decorated but a bit dark and moody.

Service

5.0

The staff deserve recognition for their hard work and customer skills. However, my experience with service was unfortunate as it was unhelpful and rude. It took 45 minutes to get the food, which arrived after we had finished our wine.

Location

9.0

The location is extremely convenient, directly opposite the train station, making it very accessible. It's only a minute or two away from the main shopping and restaurant area.

Dining

7.0

The European food offered was good, and I would recommend selecting it as part of your room package. However, the service during meals was not up to par, with incidents of fighting during breakfast.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel offers a range of facilities from individual cake boxes to send guests slices of birthday cake home. However, more attention is needed to prevent issues like noise from the bar affecting guest experience.

Harold

United States, August 2023

6.8/10

The hotel is conveniently situated right opposite the train station, which is a massive bonus. The rooms are a bit tired-looking, and there were some maintenance issues like a non-working standing lamp and slippery bath. The service lacked attention to detail and customer care, especially regarding specific instructions. The dining experience was more than adequate, but with long wait times for hot food. Despite its trendy decor, the location was very handy but lacked adequate lighting for tasks like putting in contact lenses.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms seemed a bit tired-looking with some maintenance issues.

Service

5.0

The service lacked attention to detail and customer care.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location right opposite the train station is a massive bonus.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was more than adequate but had long wait times for hot food.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel offers standard facilities.

Herbert

United States, April 2023

7.4/10

Initially, our room had a slight sewage smell, but the staff quickly relocated us to a fresh room without any hassle. The room could use a bit of freshening up and wasn't as well furnished as expected, although it had a lovely new feel to it. The location was exceptional, close to the station, markets, and main shopping areas. The dining experience was a bit disappointing with limited choices and small portions. Overall, a mixed experience with room for improvement.

Rooms

7.0

The new room we were moved to had a lovely new feel to it despite needing a bit of freshening up. However, it wasn't as well furnished as other Malmaison hotels we've been to. The dark ambiance was slightly off-putting, but the staff was quick to assist with any issues.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, with the staff being welcoming, attentive, and friendly throughout our stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was exceptional, just a stone's throw away from the station, markets, and main shopping and restaurant areas. The convenience of being close to everything we needed made our stay enjoyable.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience fell short of expectations with limited choices and small portions. Despite the disappointments, we found the staff to be accommodating and helpful.

Facilities

7.0