Luxury stay at Crowne Plaza Hotel - Reading, UK

20:04 Blogs by FA 17 Comments

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

This luxury hotel located just across the Caversham Pier on Thames Riverside has 122 bedrooms with internally equipped air conditioning, in-room safe, WiFi, ironing board and some rooms also offering mesmerizing views of the River Thames. Crowne Plaza Reading has their own private and gated car park with ample space for parking, complimentary for the hotel guests. Also, it has a fantastic location as it’s quite near from the town center and the Oracle where one can enjoy the evening or relish a meal at one of the riverside restaurants at the Reading town center.

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading
luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

After checking in, my husband and I decided to walk to the town center, which was pretty much okay and manageable as it was just a 25 minutes walk. Our dinner table was already reserved at the hotel’s Riverside restaurant, so we headed back to reach on time and to enjoy the meal. In my opinion, the best thing about having dinner at the hotel you’re staying is that you can just go to the room and retire to a good night’s sleep rather than thinking about traveling back. 



luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

The washroom in our suite had both a shower and a bath, along with complimentary toiletries as well as a vanity kit, shoe polish, shower cap and fresh clean towels. 

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

For dinner, we opted for a vegetarian 3 course meal as the hotel does not cater Halal meat. Our starters were a pumpkin soup and lightly spiced pitta sticks served with coriander hummus and red pepper tapenade. Both were great to start with, and were followed by the mains -  Gnocchi served in Gorgonzola (an Italian blue cheese) along with baby spinach and walnuts and mixed grains, roasted sweet potatoes edamame beans topped with a buttermilk dressing. I really enjoy different cuisines and tried a Gnocchi at an Italian restaurant in Skopje (Macedonia) which tasted amazing so I was really happy to see it on the menu and I immediately ordered it without any second thoughts. 

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading


The 3 course meal menu card had two vegetarian options in each course, so my husband and I ordered what was available. I did have a look at the restaurant’s menu and there were different items there including sea food but that menu didn’t have it. Next time probably, I might go for an ala carte as I'd like to try new options and that would also give more choice. 

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

BabyN’ also enjoyed a 3 course meal with us, and for him we ordered classic fish fingers, an apple and black current juice (Fruit shoot) and Churros for dessert. The crunchy fish and chips were served alongside lemon mayonnaise and some green salad. The Churros were freshly prepared and were served with a warm cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce.

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

For our third course i.e. the dessert we ordered a saffron and vanilla creme brûlée and a Belgian waffle that was served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Both stylishly presented on a slate plate and I was actually hoping for a fresh waffle, as the taste of the already prepared ones isn’t as quite good. However, the quality of this waffle was quite nice and I managed to finish it enjoyably. 

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading
 
luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

I was quite tried, and wanted to give my body some rest so we headed back to our suite and as we all settled in the bed. Crowne Plaza Hotels have introduced a dedicated sleep program called Sleep Advantage. Moreover, the sumptuous bedding at Crowne Plaza Reading with softer duvet, silkier sheets, pillows and a mattress topper helps the guests relax and sleep well. The aromatherapy bath and body skincare line from 'The Works' I tried that night was fantastic and enabled me to sleep well. As we stayed in the quiet zone in the hotel, it further ensured an undisturbed sleep for us. 

Thames Riverside Caversham Pier

The next morning, I was woken up by the husband as he didn’t want me to miss the mesmerising view from our suite’s private balcony that on-looked the Caversham Pier at the Thames Riverside. It was a foggy morning, it was drizzling and I couldn’t see people enjoying some rowing on the river. The crunchy autumn leaves on the ground and the beautiful ducks and swans made it even more surreal. Although it was a bit of a frosty morning, it would still have been nice enjoying a cuppa. However, since our buffet breakfast at the Riverside restaurant was already waiting for us, I just changed and headed there straight. 

Breakfast timing (Mon to Fri - 7:30 am till 10:o0 am), (Sat - 7:30 am till 11:00 am) (Sun - 7:30 am till 11:30 am). 

Thames Riverside Caversham Pier

Thames Riverside Caversham Pier

Crowne Plaza Reading offers a nice variety of both hot and cold breakfast items including scrambled and fried eggs, baked mushrooms and tomatoes, sliced potatoes, bacon and  a variety of bakes such as Maple Peacan, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls, a few types of breads, juices, tea/coffee, a fruit, yogurt and cereal bar. Guests also have the choice of ordering an omelette of their choice, but I thought the variety was already quite nice so didn’t bother. Also, they serve a smoothie of the day, which was already in the buffet. It was a mango and yogurt smoothie that tasted almost like a mango lassi and it was quite refreshing that I had two glasses. 

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

After a quick breakfast, we went to the hotel’s spa and got changed before going for a dip in the pool and to enjoy some relaxing time in their whirlpool/Jacuzzi. The revive health club and spa at Crowne Plaza Reading was quite impressive and had facilities such as a swim wear dryer, although I couldn't find any plastic bags inside the changing room but I think the reception might provide them on request. Since I already carried my own bag, I didn't require them but I'm sure the hotel can assist the guests in this regard.  

luxury hotel crowne plaza reading

My family and I had a fantastic staycation at the hotel, and would definitely love to stay there next time we visit friends in Reading. I've also made a short VLOG of my stay at Crowne Plaza Reading, which you can view on my YouTube channel

Important Information - Crowne Plaza, Reading
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 12:00 pm
Parking: Complimentary for hotel guests 
Breakfast: Buffet styled English breakfast (hot and cold items) 
Amenities: Spa, pool & gym 
In-room amenities: Hair dryer, iron, kettle, coffee machine, mini bar (charged), complimentary toiletries & tea/coffee provided
Location: Caversham Bridge, Richfield Ave - Reading RG1 8BD

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17 comments:

  1. You can't beat a tasty hotel breakfast, the food here looks delicious!

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  2. The sweet selection looks amazing! And the hotel sounds super comfy.

    C x
    CurvyGirlThin.com

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  3. Ooh it looks like a great hotel! I love the look of the restaurant and those churros look amazing!

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  4. I have a feeling you and your husband will be back rather soon. Crowne Plaza hotels are highly thought here in the States as well.

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  5. It looks like a really lovely place to stay. Not too fancy, but everything just right. The food looks amazing too, the soup & the churros, YUM! I love the look of all the breakfast products too x

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  6. Ive stayed at a crown plaza before and loved their hotel rooms. The quality of food was amazing. I could quite happily eat those churros all day long!

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  7. I stayed at this hotel many moons ago and it seems to have had a major overhaul. It looks a great place to stay.

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  8. Really like the welcome gesture. Those goodies look delicious, I feel like grabbing one of those now!

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  9. Just saw the video you’ve posted on your YouTube channel. The morning view of the River Thames from the balcony of the suite look amazing!

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  10. The buffet breakfast and the whirlpool looks amazing! I love to be spoiled with choices, so buffets are always a treat. I’m a fan of a mango smoothie too!

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  11. The rooms look amazing and the food fab, what's not to like

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  12. Damn, the food and view looks simply amazing.

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  13. I really appreciate it when a hotel's restaurant is worth a visit regardless of whether or not you're staying there. The food looks lush!

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  14. This looks great I love a good stay in a nice hotel. The whirlpool looks amazing I hope the free toilets fell into your case on the way home haha

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  15. What a gorgeous hotel the Crowne Plaza is. I have never been to Reading but If I do this hotel is just perfect. The rooms look beautiful and very spacious and the food amazing. i do love a hotel which offers excellent food

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  16. I love the view from your room and the food looks right up my street. X

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  17. What a gorgeous hotel, it looks like you had a lovely stay there x

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Thanks for stopping by. :-)