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Summary of reviewsBerkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection is celebrated for its tranquil location and accessibility, making it ideal for event attendees and travelers exploring nearby attractions like Highclere Castle and Reading Festival. Positioned comfortably close to London, Oxford and the Cotswolds, the hotel is a convenient retreat for both family trips and work-related stays. Easy highway access, ample parking and on-site amenities such as a bar and restaurant add to its appeal while maintaining a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
The breakfast offerings receive high praise for their variety, quality and value, although occasional criticisms about service and temperature do appear. The dinner experience, particularly in the pub, is lauded for its excellent food quality and presentation. However, the restaurant received mixed reviews with some guests noting slow service and inconsistent dish quality.
Rooms at the Berkshire Arms are generally described as spacious, clean and comfortable with modern decor and useful amenities. Despite minor issues like dated decor in certain areas and the lack of air conditioning, guests find the accommodations to be excellent value for money. Cleanliness is a notable strength with many reviews highlighting the spotless, well-maintained rooms and recently refurbished decor.
The staff consistently earn high marks for their friendliness, professionalism and attentiveness. Guests frequently mention individual staff members who contributed positively to their stay. Although there are occasional reports of unhelpful or understaffed situations, the overall service quality significantly elevates the guest experience.
The Wi-Fi service, however, tends to be the hotel's weak spot with frequent complaints about connectivity issues and poor signal strength overshadowing the occasional positive feedback.
Families are well-catered for with spacious rooms and amenities that provide comfort and convenience for both parents and children. The hotel's quiet environment and accommodating staff further enhance its suitability for family stays.
The beds receive mixed reviews, mostly leaning towards positive with guests appreciating the large, comfortable beds that ensure a good night's sleep. Some, however, found the mattresses too firm or uncomfortable due to protruding springs.
Given its three-star rating, the Berkshire Arms offers fair value for money with clean facilities and amiable staff. While some structural issues and minor maintenance concerns exist, the overall experience aligns well with budget expectations.
Finally, the hotel demonstrates consideration for guests with disabilities, offering easy parking and attentive staff service, although improvements could be made in accessible room design to better meet specific needs.
Overall, Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection provides a solid, satisfactory experience with particular strengths in location, cleanliness and staff service, making it a consistent choice for travelers seeking practical, comfortable accommodation. Show more
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Categories
Family Friendly Hotel
Cheap Hotel
Accessible Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Room Types
Twin RoomThis comfortable room includes a TV, tea and coffee making facilities iron and board, hairdryer and an en suite bathroom.
Double RoomThis comfortable room includes a TV, tea and coffee making facilities iron and board, hairdryer and an en suite bathroom.
Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)This comfortable room includes a TV, tea and coffee making facilities iron and board, hairdryer and an en suite bathroom. In this room it will have a double bed and a double sofa bed suitable for 2 small children or 1 large child up to age or 12.
Double Room - Disability AccessThis comfortable room includes a TV, tea and coffee making facilities iron and board, hairdryer and an en suite bathroom. The en suite bathroom is a wet room with grab rails and a shower with shower seat.
King RoomThis comfortable room includes a TV, tea and coffee making facilities iron and board, hairdryer and an en suite bathroom.
Superior Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, flat-screen TV, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
Nestled in a tranquil setting, Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection boasts a prime location that caters to various traveling needs. Its proximity to key venues such as wedding locations and major attractions like Highclere Castle and Reading Festival makes it an excellent choice for event attendees. Guests appreciate the convenience of being close to London, Oxford and the Cotswolds, while also enjoying the peacefulness of a site slightly set back from main roads.
The hotel offers easy access to highways, making it a convenient stopover for those on longer journeys. Its nearby amenities, including a bar, restaurant and ample parking, add to its appeal. The atmosphere is notably quiet, providing a relaxing retreat after a busy day of activities or travel. Ideal for both family visits and work-related stays, the location stands out for its accessibility and proximity to public transportation, adding great value for money.
With excellent transport links to Newbury, Reading and surrounding National Trust properties, it serves as the perfect base for explorers. The friendly staff and good food further enhance the guest experience, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Breakfast
At 'Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection,' breakfast experiences varied among guests, largely leaning towards positive feedback. Many praised the breakfast, describing it as good, delicious and lovely, emphasizing the generous portion sizes and good value for the price paid. There was a particular appreciation for fantastic, excellent and amazing breakfast options with several mentioning the traditional English breakfast with plentiful choices.
Guests appreciated the quality and presentation of the food with many highlighting the diverse breakfast selection, which included continental and vegetarian options. The breakfast was frequently mentioned as a great start to the day with some guests specifically noting the great eggs and bacon and the friendly staff who provided excellent service.
However, there were occasional criticisms regarding the breakfast experience. Some guests reported issues such as cold food, slow service and running out of key items like sausages. There were also comments about breakfast being poorly organized or not hot enough with a few mentioning a lack of essential items like bread, milk or eggs. Despite these issues, the overall sentiment towards breakfast was generally positive with many guests looking forward to another visit to enjoy the hearty and well-prepared morning meals.
Dinner
The Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection has made quite an impression with its dining options, particularly its pub fare. Many guests highlighted the excellent quality of the food served in the pub, often describing it as fabulous, amazing and exceptionally good. Both dinner and breakfast received commendations for their taste and presentation with particular mentions of great steaks and a delicious breakfast selection. For those staying on-site, the convenience of having good food available at the adjoining pub is a notable advantage.
However, the restaurant within the hotel garnered mixed reviews. While some guests found the food very good and the setting welcoming, others were less pleased, citing issues such as slow service, poor presentation and dishes that were not up to standard. There were specific complaints about bland or overpriced menu options and instances of the food being either cold or overcooked.
It seems that while the pub consistently delivers a satisfying dining experience, the restaurant could benefit from improvements in both menu variety and culinary execution. Overall, though, guests found the food to be a highlight of their stay with many enjoying their meals despite some inconsistencies in the restaurant service.
Rooms
The rooms at Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection generally received favorable comments from guests. The most commonly highlighted positives included the spaciousness and cleanliness of the rooms with many noting that the rooms were both large and comfortable. Reviewers frequently mentioned lovely decor, newly refurbished rooms and stylish furnishings. The beds were often described as comfortable with some notable reviews mentioning extremely comfortable beds and large bed sizes.
Guests appreciated the quietness of the rooms despite certain rooms facing areas like fire exits. The cleanliness was consistently praised, even though a few pointed out that housekeeping was not thorough on all occasions. Rooms came with useful amenities like irons, biscuits, proper glasses, hair dryers and full-length mirrors, enhancing the comfort during the stay.
Though generally well-received, a few reviews pointed out some areas for improvement, such as dated decor and the need for refurbishment in certain parts of the hotel. Issues like lack of air conditioning and room warmth on hot days, tired-looking bathrooms and minor maintenance needs like stained carpets and chipped paint were mentioned. Despite these, guests still found the rooms to be good value for the price with many noting that rooms were adequate for their needs.
In summary, while there are some minor areas for improvement, most guests found the rooms at Berkshire Arms to be spacious, clean and comfortable, making for an overall pleasant stay.
Beds
The beds at Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection have garnered mixed reviews from guests with a dominant emphasis on their comfort and spaciousness. Many guests praised the beds, describing them as very comfortable, lovely and enormous, which led to a good night's sleep. Clean, high-quality bedding also received positive remarks, contributing to an overall pleasant experience. However, not all feedback was favorable; several guests noted issues with the firmness of the mattresses with some finding them too hard or even uncomfortable due to protruding springs. Pillows, as well, received mixed reviews with some guests finding them comfy while others reported discomfort. Despite these concerns, a significant number of guests were quite satisfied with the comfortable and large beds, highlighting the cozy and renovated rooms.
Cleanliness
Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection stands out for its impressive attention to cleanliness, making it a reliable choice for travelers prioritizing hygiene. Guests frequently praise the hotel for being very clean with many noting spotless and immaculate rooms. The recent renovations have left the establishment looking fresh and modern, contributing to its tidy and smart appearance. Overall, the rooms are described as clean, functional and comfortable.
The hotel also offers easy parking and clean, presentable washrooms. While the communal areas and general décor might need some sprucing up, the guest rooms remain pleasant and well-maintained. A few criticisms regarding specific issues like a dirty bathroom or stained linen do appear but are outweighed by the overwhelmingly positive feedback on cleanliness. Staff attentiveness is highlighted, ensuring that rooms remain in good condition and guests' needs are addressed.
Despite some minor complaints about the communal areas and occasional maintenance problems, the Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection maintains a strong reputation for cleanliness, making it an attractive option for a comfortable and tidy stay.
Staff
Guests of the Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection have consistently praised the hotel's staff for their exceptional politeness and professionalism. The front desk team, in particular, is noted for their friendliness and efficiency, making guests feel welcomed and comfortable from the moment they check-in. Throughout the hotel, the staff is described as consistently friendly, attentive and helpful, providing excellent service all around. Breakfast service also receives high marks with staff being attentive and the food delicious.
Guests appreciate the prompt responses from the staff when addressing queries or issues, signaling a strong focus on customer care. Specific members of the team, including the assistant manager and notable individuals like Maria and Magdalena, have been highlighted for their lovely and helpful demeanor. Despite a few instances of dissatisfaction, such as the occasional unhelpful or unfriendly staff member, the overall impression remains highly positive with descriptions ranging from amazing and accommodating to hardworking and pleasant.
Dining experiences were also elevated by the warm and welcoming staff in the restaurant and the pub, creating a fantastic atmosphere enhanced by the team's attentive service. The housekeeping team also contributed to positive experiences, described as friendly and thorough. A few logistical hiccups, such as understaffed situations or outdated information on the website, were mentioned, but these did not significantly detract from the overall guest satisfaction.
To sum up, the Berkshire Arms hotel staff are largely celebrated for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism, creating a welcoming and pleasant environment that guests appreciate.
Wi-Fi
The Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection is a mixed bag when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity. On the positive side, some guests noted that the hotel offers free Wi-Fi. A few even highlighted the Wi-Fi as good or super. However, numerous reviews pointed out issues, ranging from weak or poor signal to complete inability to connect. Several guests noted that there was no Wi-Fi at all in their rooms or the pub areas. Connection issues were frequent with many describing the Wi-Fi as rubbish or awful. Some guests mentioned the lack of information in rooms on how to use the Wi-Fi, while others commented that no attempt was made to fix the connection issues they faced. Overall, while there are occasional positive mentions, the general consensus leans towards dissatisfaction with the Wi-Fi service at the hotel.
Family
Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection has garnered positive feedback from guests regarding its suitability for families, particularly those traveling with children. The hotel's family rooms have been appreciated for their spaciousness and comfort, providing a great accommodation option for families. Guests found the large beds and ample space ideal for family stays, ensuring convenience and privacy.
Parents appreciated that the kids' room was not too close to theirs, allowing for some personal space while still being nearby. The non-see-through bathroom doors were an added advantage, making it practical for managing children's hygiene without compromising privacy.
The hotel also received praise for its family-friendly atmosphere and helpful staff, who were attentive to the needs of guests with children. Its quiet location makes it a suitable choice for wedding families, offering a relaxing environment for all. The good breakfast options further added to the positive experience for families.
Overall, Berkshire Arms is considered a great place for family getaways or gatherings, offering comfort, convenience and a welcoming environment for both parents and children.
3 Star
Nestled in a convenient location, the Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection offers an appealing overall impression with commendable cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. With a focus on value for money, it is perfect for those seeking a satisfactory stay without splurging. Guests appreciated the comfortable beds and tasty food provided, adding to the pleasant short stints at the hotel. Despite some areas needing improvement, such as an older feel in some rooms and minor maintenance issues, the property maintains a fair atmosphere within its three-star rating.
Closer inspection reveals some structural shortcomings, like the lack of a lift and residual signs of wear and tear. However, these factors are often overshadowed by the reasonable pricing. The walls may be thin and noises from adjacent rooms can be heard, yet the staff services are adequate and stay well aligned within budget expectations.
In summary, though not luxurious, the Berkshire Arms meets the basic needs and ensures a satisfactory overnight stay, especially fitting for budget-conscious travelers who value cleanliness and a good atmosphere.
Accessible
The Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection proves to offer several conveniences for guests with disabilities. Visitors have commended the easy and off-street parking facilities, providing smooth access especially for older people. The venue's overall accessibility is complemented by helpful and responsive staff who are noted for assisting with room requirements and additional needs, such as folding chairs and extra pillows, ensuring a measure of comfort and support.
Nonetheless, some challenges were reported regarding the accommodation specifics. While accessible rooms are available, guests found several shortcomings, such as the size and setup of bathrooms which lacked essential features like grab rails and had slippery surfaces. The absence of a lift and the room distance from the entrance posed difficulties for some. Despite these issues, the venue remains overall welcoming and accommodating with room for improvement to enhance comfort further for guests with disabilities.
No, Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection.
No, Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection.
No, Berkshire Arms by Chef & Brewer Collection doesn't have a gym.