Hillingdon Prince

no problems at all

Clean, comfortable room, and efficient staff.

It was too warm in the room even though the radiators were not on - required us to open the window which is a bit wasteful. Would seem better to have a way to regulate the heat.

The staff were very friendly and helpful

The hotel needs to look at the detail in relation to maintenance of decor, peeling wallpaper in a main corridor, broken hairdryer, toilet roll holders and it would get a better rating.

Dinner was very good, tasty ans satisfying, two of the staff were excellent, cheerful, helpful and proffessional although very busy because of staff shortages. The bar was comforable and quiet and allowed us all to have a good old natter undisturbed.

Due to staff shortage, the service was sometimes a little haphazard, and the Continental breakfast could be improved. Er - the house red was in very short supply, and as a party of us were there for three nights - -

It was close to work and equally close to the town centre

The staff were friendly

The breakfast room was total chaos! There were not enough chairs, there was a shortage of cups, cereal bowls etc. Dirty plates etc were piled up on one table. We left and had breakfast elsewhere.

The room was very small, although comfortable enough for one person. The bed was really hard and uncomfortable though.

The price

Shower not working in one room Room far away from main hotel and picture on website misleading. Shower in second room dripped.

The location was excellent for Reading town centre with sufficient parking. Checking in and out was painless. However, I only used it as a roof over the head so did not sample the breakfasts or anything else.

Noisy water systems

Generally well presented, clean and food good.

My stay was marred by two issues: Firstly, apparent lack of awareness of the need to put my expensive cycle somewhere safe o/n despite my writing about the need for this on the online booking form and phoning up to emphasise its importance the night before. Secondly, on my arrival, after a days cycling I was in need of a shower. When I turned on the shower in my room the water gushed out of the control box which meant that it was unusable and probably lethal. There then followed two hours of further frustration-reported problem to reception, no alternative room apparently available, several toings and froings from my room which was a long way from reception , attempts of Mr Maintainance to repair it and eventual shower in unused room

Hillingdon Prince is an interesting, nearly monumental complex of very English red brick buildings. It seems they fixed the piping, because my shower was very very strong, unlike some other complaints I've read. Staff were helpful.

The state of repair doesn't do the spot justice. Also, not many TV channels. Didn't dare try the food, so can't comment.

Plenty of free parking. Staff friendly and keen to assist.

The first thing you notice when entering the bar is the overpowering "white noise" from the loud speakers. The TVs were not tuned in properly. The tables in the bar were in need of a wipe over. We stayed for one drink and then departed to find somewhere else where the level of background noise allowed us to have a drink and a chat in comfort. Our room, 303, was very basic with the wall paper peeling away from the wall in several places, the shade to the bedside light was broken and there was no coffee in the "tea and coffee making" facility. On the morning of our departure the lift was stuck on the 2nd floor.