Name: Bow Guest House
Address: 25 Russell Street, Reading, RG1 7XD, GB

6/10

Pleasant

03 Aug 2026

Diane

Staff were very helpful assisting with luggage to and from our room.
However, we were disappointed with the room as we booked and paid for an economy double bedroom with an ensuite and kitchenette.
What we got was a small “L” room with a double bedroom, wardrobe, desk, a bar fridge, a small hand basin and very little room to manoeuvre between the end of the bed and window. The toilet and bathroom (both small) were shared with the room next door.
We spoke with reception and said this room was not what we had book as per the Expedia website.
He said the room next to us had an ensuite but had been booked just a few minutes before we spoke with him.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2026

ANN

Victorian house. Lots of stairs fir my room, not a problem for me but might be for others. Room was small but clean, with a nice sink and coffee/ tea making. Room hot, but there was a fan. Couldn't figure out how to set the shower, so ask when you book in. Woken by binmen earlyand traffic., so recommend Room at back of the place if possible. Didn't have tgd breakfast, so can't review. Woukd definitely use again for overnight stay.

2/10

Poor

19 Jul 2026

Darren

The stairs to the room were very small and carrying luggage up them was precarious to say the least. The room was very small and on closer inspection was quite dirty. The smoke detector had an old sock on it and the main fuse on the wall for the extractor had tape to keep it in. The fan that was provided was covered in dirt and one of the beds appeared to have a faeces stain. The shower was extremely cramped and the water would go from cold to boiling then back to cold within seconds. I left it running to see if the temperature would settle but to my dismay all that did was bring up bodily fluids from the drain hole. The beds were comfortable enough but the place was terrible.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jul 2026

Ellen

Would of liked aircon and a shower that didn’t go hot and cold every 20 seconds

Self

6/10

Pleasant

20 Jun 2026

Katie

It's a good budget stay but I won't be staying again as the room wasn't very clean. Very hard to sleep at night as its a small room, toilet was out side the room which isn't great and also the shower is out and is a shared toilet and shower. Which when I book I was under the impression it was a Ensuite but its not. Like I said it budget friendly . Hope that helps any one. The staff was good.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2026

Gordon

Cheap but clean, free parking and breakfast. Tremendous value for money

Friends

2/10

Poor

11 Jun 2026

Gabija

Terrible experience. We were greeted by a male receptionist (Sundeep was his name I believe). He asked for the name of the booking, then gave us the room keys. We went to the room and fell asleep at 10 pm. At around 10.40 pm the same receptionist came to our room and woke us up. He knocked and shouted that he does not see the reservation. My mother asked if this could wait till the morning. He said no. Half-asleep, I dressed up and showed the Expedia confirmation. He nodded and went away. However, I did not feel safe to do so - what kind of hotel/BnB does such things? Surely the receptionist could have checked everything before handing us the keys or at least wait till the morning, as this was during the legal non-disturbance time. I am not sure if he was drunk or simply careless, inconsiderate and violating the guest-host agreement.

The walls were thin, we could hear what other guests were doing next door which did not help to fall asleep.

Could not take proper shower due to outdated shower head and insufficient water flow. No hot water out of our bathroom tap. Insufficient amount of hand soup.

Both my mother and I are vegans. The BnB advertises that they provide full English breakfast. Fine, we were not expecting big effort to cater for us, as it's a small BnB. We asked the lady who was serving breakfast to just omit the meat and eggs. But the scarce amount of other ingredients clearly stayed the same as in the usual meal. Ok but maybe not the most welcoming thing?

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jun 2026

Anushrut

It is a convenient place to stay and well maintained. Within budget.

4/10

Poor

22 May 2026

Rob

There was no Hot water to the Basin Tap
The toilet did not flush very well even after 3 x flushes
The TV kept loosing signal
The shower (Electric) kept going from Hot to Cold
The LL milk left for tea & coffee was off
The linin was very crisp and clean
The Bed very comfortable
The Breakfast was very nice
The reception were very nice and helpful
Its an old tired building

Self

4/10

Poor

14 May 2026

Ray

Positives: bed linen was clean and nicely presented, breakfast was well cooked and good ingredients, filter coffee was good.
Negatives: no wardrobe or hanging space, toilet/wet room was tiny (1m2), sink plumbing leaked, unnecessary kitchen sink in room(?) and general decor was poor.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2026

Jennifer

My second stay, and the service was just as excellent as the previous time. The staff there are so welcoming and helpful.

6/10

Pleasant

08 May 2026

Elizabeth Ebudola

Not as expected

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Jocelyne

Yes..truly homely.

2/10

Poor

24 Jul 2025

Helen

Disgusting small rooms. Dirty nothing positive to say. We left I wouldn’t stay there.

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2025

Oscar

Multicultural place.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2025

Charles

Very good value.
Short walk from town centre

8/10

Excellent

21 Jun 2025

Debbie

Close to city centre. Friendly staff.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jun 2025

antoinette

Stay at Bow Guest house reading.

My stay at the bow guest house was really good. From checking in made welcome with such a friendly greeting. I had a single room with shared bathroom. It was ok for 1 night stay. Clean and comfy. The breakfast was really good. There was ceriel with fresh orange. Full english with 2 toast, cooked to good standard. Again friendly lady who was serving and cleaning after each table cleared. 👍 You couldnt ask for more. The guest house is close to lots of eaterys and take aways. The bus stop is at the end of the next street. I ate at the Burger den on the corner of Waylen street reading. The best chicken fillet buger i have had . I would recoment this guest house for short stays.

Self

8/10

Excellent

26 Sep 2024

John

Good stay

Comfortable stay. Suited me just right.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2024

Sarah

What a gem of a place. The welcome was warm, and despite the police sirens around Reading central, the room itself was very quiet. Although the room was described as having a large bed, in fact it had two singles, it was comfortable enough. The towels were exquisite, and the cooked breakfast equally so. Highly recommended for the price and warm hospitality.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2024

Patricia

Nice little pub near by. Very pleasant, helpful folks. Did everything to make my stay outstanding.!
Was willing to go over and above to make my stay the best. Thank you, and will come back as you showed outstanding hospitality!!!

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

04 Jul 2024

VERMA

Cheap room, cheaper experience

The room was in very bad shape. The cupboard had a door with broken mirror. The size of the room was too small. There was a toilet shared between two rooms & it was too small. There was no water bottle or tap in or around room. On top of it there were bugs in the bed.

I am surprised how Hotels.com is allowing to book such facilities on their site.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

27 Jun 2024

Verified traveler

Adequate guesthouse in Reading. Would stay again.

First and foremost it's a Guesthouse. Shared toilet and bathroom facilities (sink in the room). It serves a function. Dont expect luxury. I would stay there again. Staff are very friendly, and welcoming. Breakfast was good. Bed a little soft for my liking but fine.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2024

Milad

Good location and friendly staff

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jun 2024

Mei-wa

TV did not work. The shower was not the easiest but could be figured out. Otherwise, the room was comfortable and clean. Furnishings are a bit outdated and could be refurbished but the bed was comfortable. The staff is very nice and the breakfast quite generous.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2024

Abima

Their service is top notch. I would highly recommend them to anyone visiting Reading, UK.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2024

JOSEPH

Clean, comfy bed, nice people who run it, handy location, reasonably priced compared to the big hotel's around the corner and a warm welcome.
I recommend this place for a short or overnight stay.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

01 Apr 2024

Christopher

The Hotel needs to be honest when booking if they are hosting permanent residents on behalf of the council, one of whom was being spoken to by the police when I booked in. I was moved to another room. Not a good first impression.
the room itself was cold as the heating was turned off.The staff were helpful., but overall i'm afraid I won't be staying again.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jun 2023

Mark

Twin room with ensuite up 2 flights of narrow steep unlit stairs. Could not fully open the door due lack of space. Full English breakfast not quite full and rushed. Not allowed to sit in dining area ( the only common area) to do planning and paperwork. Wi-Fi questionable. No space in room so sat on the stairs to do planning and paperwork.
Overall, very disappointing and the best part was handing the key back on departing.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

12 Jun 2023

Alice

The hosts were very welcoming.
Room was nice albeit on second floor
Relatively close to city centre so could walk or get bus. Plenty of shops and a 0leasant street

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2023

Charles

I felt very welcomed. Family run business. Lovely people awesome breakfast.

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

21 Apr 2023

Clint

Awful

Awful staff. Rude. Appalling. Will NEVER stay here again.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2023

jayne

Was very well located near town centre, new ownership, only been there dew weeks will definitely go back to see how things are progressing

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2023

Wendy

Friendly good food ,convenient place to both town and theatre in easy walking distance ,dining room needs a refresh, on busy road lots of traffic noise ,some of the area needs a good clean up

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

16 Dec 2022

ian

X tired decoration. Central heating very poor

Business

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2022

Benjamin

Friendly

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Nov 2022

Gavin

Used Bow Guest House as a base for two nights while working near Reading. Host was friendly, Room was suitable and the wifi was invaluable!

Business

8/10

Excellent

18 Sep 2022

STUART

Reception was helpful when I arrived late

Friends_and_family Friends

2/10

Poor

14 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Free parking is good. Weekend breakfast consisted of two slices of toast, one cup of coffee, cereal, orange juice and water. Eight am to nine am. On a Sunday morning!!!! Shower and toilet shared. Host was friendly enough.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

23 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Nothing particularly. Central for amenities. On a bus route.

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Clean comfortable room. Shared bathroom was a bit small. Good location

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2019

Shivaji

Mr. Raza is a pleasing host, it was a short stay, the property is nothing fancy, quite basic, no frills, most importantly close to town centre.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Jun 2019

Kristoffer

I booked the hotel in need of a place to sleep after travel. The room was a bit bare, as expected from the price, but a comfortable bed and a quiet atmosphere. The friendliness and overall welcoming feeling of the attendant was what made this stay a very pleasant surprise and made me wish I had a bit more time other than just sleep.

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jun 2019

Ian

I was taken up to room and room had not been cleaned bed made from previous guest etc the landlord apologetic and put it right room very basic shared bathroom but bed was comfortable. The landlord really friendly prepared to put himself out for guests enjoyed breakfast which is full English with toast cereals juice etc available excellent pub at end of street called the nags head doing various real ales met my needs as travel with work needing 1 night at a time but would not stay if with my wife or wanting a few nights in reading car parking and wifi available

8/10

Excellent

18 May 2019

Mrs K N

Welcoming. Note car park is around back (entrance between the 2 guest houses). Good service, but basic.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2019

Tony

Nice B&B

A short notice stay, on a quiet side street working close walking distance to town. A friendly welcome, and a pleasant stay.

2/10

Poor

29 Sep 2018

Ian

Noisy and needs work done

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

Friendly staff

Friendly staff, quiet clean comfy room en suite. Local pub does great ales

8/10

Excellent

17 Aug 2018

John

reasonable for the money

bed comfy owner very pleasant breakfast tasty maybe could have done with a little more

8/10

Excellent

25 Jul 2018

Narinder

Comfortable stay in local hotel to city centre

This hotel is well located and a short walk from the town centre and restaurants and bars. The hotel is not the most up to date but I slept well and the host was very welcoming.