Premier Inn Reading Central hotel — Hotel in Reading

Stayed here with a group to attend an event at the Grosvenor Casino. My wife and I arrived separately. She received a great reception from Elle who clearly explained the car park tariff system to her, arranged some adjustments around the rooms we had booked to enable us to surprise one of our group and really made her feel welcome. When I arrived the car park was full. They are in the process of upgrading the hotel and a large part of the car park is fenced off to accomodate containers full of bits for the refurb. I was able to drop my bags and passengers off quickly ( I was told by Annette, the Sunday morning manager) that you get up to 15 minutes for free so fingers crossed.

I then moved the car to the Queen's Road Car Park which is literally less than a 5 minute stroll from the hotel. Turn right out of the front door and at the end of the flyover it's the red brick building ahead of you. This is another well maintained and lit council run car park where it currently costs £8.10 for 24 hours rather than £12 at the hotel and much more at the Oracle Shopping Centre opposite the hotel.

When I got to the room my wife was fully ensconced hence the photos.

In the evening my in laws and I ate at the restaurant in the hotel. The food was good but the portions a bit small for the price but Elle's service was excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and she even helped my tease my sister in law who is notorious for being very exacting. Top job!

Late that night I returned and access was via the swipe room key card which reassures guests that ne'erdowells can't just stroll in. The night receptionists sorted me out a set of towels as our room only had 1 set for some unknown reason and off to bed.

Then came one of the reasons for my minor criticism of the hotel. The hotel frontage faces a busy flyover below which is a big roundabout. The windows are double glazed with secondary glazing and despite being fully closed I heard every vehicle that passed. So ask for a room that overlooks the car park to the rear. The blackout curtains do a great job.

Another complaint is that being in room 200 we were right next to the corridor fire door at the start of the corridor from the lifts and stairs to the rooms which initially starts to close slowly but ends off shutting with a loud bang every time anyone went through. The spring needs to be adjusted to soft close. Not the best night's sleep.

Finally we went for the breakfast option and discovered that both the hot buffet and continental option had very little food available. Annette explained that she was pretty much on her own. She was joined by Belle who was working hard seating guests and trying to keep the buffet stocked but being overwhelmed by uptake. They even had a lady who normally cleans clearing the tables.

This is ridiculous, all hoteliers know their usual occupation rates both for weekday busiessmen and weekend revellers and breakfast ratios. There is no excuse for under staffing the restaurant to the point where people were waiting a long time for various hot and cold items to be available. Annette and Belle worked like trojans but it was an unwinnable battle. I know of one couple who insisted on a refund and went elsewhere to eat. The extra walk-ins would have added to the demand but the bottom line is the staffing was not sufficient and I'm sure Premier Inn's algorythm will tell them what the expected demand by occupation is likely to...

Location was great and this is why it was chosen. The first night I didn't sleep due to being placed right by a door that was constantly slammed, they could do something about this but chose not too. Seems they have never heard of noise insulation. Complained and couldn't move due to being fully booked, in the morning I found a guest hadn't turned up so moved rooms.

Second night was even worse, the room was disgustingly dirty. I mean these cleaners what do they do?? The bathroom had hairs everywhere, toilet was dirty and didn't flush. The bed was lumpy and very uncomfortable, hairs in the bed. I mean it was absolutely disgusting. Again they were full, so I had to wait into the morning to see if guests turned up. One hadn't so I moved again to another room which was again was disgustingly dirty. Complained to reception, spoke to a rude Indian manager who told me it fully booked didn't bother to do anything to rectify the issue. I asked for a refund, he said he couldn't I had to contact a number and also said they don't offer the good night guarantee, which is a lie as its on their website. How embarrassing for him when I showed him. Later on spoke to someone who seemed like they actually cared and seemed embarrassed about how bad things were for me.

Contacted customer services to complain and ask for a refund, basically called me a liar and basically any excuse to get out of paying. It isn't so much about the issues it's how they are rectified and they just weren't and their 'good night guarantee' is a load of rubbish. False advertising. I will not...

I’m a regular premier inn guest as I travel around the country. And I’ve noticed while prices have nearly doubled the standards have halved.

Car park. Disgrace. Over 100 rooms, car spaces about 20. If you manage to win the lottery and actually get a space, these bandits charge £12 per night. And also builders have taken half the spaces.

The entrance via the car park made me feel like I was in skid row. Dump.

Three day stay here, every evening I had to get my key card re activated. Check in was a joke as they had no Wifi. Apparently nothing was working however the bar managed to take my contactless payment.

Noise is a problem here. There is a fly over right next to one side of hotel. Good look getting sleep with that. Next the floorboards are knackered and every time upstairs walked around, more noise. I wish I brought my industrial ear protection, might have helped.

Room is either hot or very hot. 9.c outside, no heating on, feels like I’m Dubai. Open the window?? Don’t be silly, it opens about one inch in case anybody wants to end it all there and then. (I did consider it at 03:00 one morning). Makes me wonder why they think someone would jump out? Mmmm the state of the place for example?

I use premier inn as you know what you are getting and are always quiet rooms.

Starting to see changes in this chain that are going to push me to another brand. This particular site is outdated, out of touch and should be...