A family-friendly stay in Reading awaits you at Elephant Hotel. Within a short 5-minute stroll, you'll find River Thames and Thames Path. Highlights at this hotel include a restaurant, free self-parking and a bar/lounge. .Enjoy access to horse riding/hire and a playground. Added amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas, a coffee shop/cafe and a snack bar/deli. Full breakfast is available on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and on weekends between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Bring your pet along and take advantage of this property's pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls. There's also limited parking, along with the convenience of an area shuttle. .In proximity to this 3-property class Reading hotel you'll find Nirvana Spa.
What's nearby
North Wessex Downs - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Thames Path - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Beale Park - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
Whitchurch Maze - 6 min drive - 2.0 km
University of Reading - 22 min drive - 24.4 km
Getting around
Reading Pangbourne Station - 5 min walk
Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
Costa Coffee - 2 min walk
The George Hotel - 2 min walk
Herbies Pizza - 7 min drive
The Water Tower - 7 min drive
Basildon Park Tea Rooms - 5 min drive
About this property
Elephant Hotel
There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe and a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. A terrace, multilingual staff, and a garden are also featured at the family-friendly Elephant Hotel. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This 3-star Reading hotel is smoke free.
1 building
22 guestrooms or units
2 levels
Conference rooms
Deli
Supervised kids' activities (surcharge)
Charging station for electric cars
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Dry cleaning
Front desk (limited hours)
Express check-in
Express check-out
Staff members are multilingual
Storage area for luggage
Front desk safe
Wedding services available
Terrace
Garden
Newspapers for purchase
On-site shopping
No smoking on site
Bar or lounge
Coffee shop
Dining venue
Elephant Hotel offers 22 accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and coffee/tea makers. Beds feature premium bedding. This Reading hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access.
Business-friendly amenities include desks, desk chairs and telephones. Additionally, rooms include a hairdryer and an iron/ironing board. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.
Full breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekends; GBP 17.50 for adults and GBP 10 for children
A bar/lounge
A coffee shop/cafe
A restaurant
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
Horseback riding/rentals
Playground
Shopping
Family friendly
Playground
Snack bar/deli
Soundproofed rooms
Supervised activities for children (surcharge)
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Newspapers in lobby
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Wedding services
Business services
Meeting rooms
Outdoors
Garden
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
More
1 building
2 floors
Ballroom
Banquet hall
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
TV with premium channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Free bottled water
Limited room service
More
Connecting rooms available
Desk
Desk chair
Heating
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Soundproofed rooms
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: midnight
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 16
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Express check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 11 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets: GBP 20 per pet, per night
Only dogs and cats are allowed
Maximum 2 (weight limit: 66 lb per pet)
Food and water bowls are available
Certain rooms only
You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals are exempt from fees.
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are available for GBP 20.0 per night.
Cots (infant beds) are available for GBP 20.0 per night.
Payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for full breakfast: from approximately GBP 17.50 for adults and from GBP 10.00 for children
Pet fee: GBP 20 per pet, per night
Service animals are exempt from fees
Crib (infant bed) fee: GBP 20.0 per night
Rollaway bed fee: GBP 20.0 per night
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards in all accommodation.
We should mention
Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
Pets are welcome in specific rooms only, which can be requested by contacting the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
Property is also known as
Elephant Hotel Reading
Elephant Reading
Elephant Hotel Hotel
Elephant Hotel Reading
Elephant Hotel Hotel Reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the cancellation policy at Elephant Hotel?
Elephant Hotel offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.
How much does it cost to stay at Elephant Hotel?
As of 14 June 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Elephant Hotel on 19 June 2026 start from AU$190, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is parking available at Elephant Hotel?
Yep, Elephant Hotel has a free self car park. Onsite parking is limited.
What makes Elephant Hotel a romantic place to stay?
A lounge bar, plus premium bedding in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at Elephant Hotel.
Is Elephant Hotel family-friendly?
You bet! With amenities such as supervised childcare, a playground and a deli, it's no surprise that Elephant Hotel is a hit with families.
Does Elephant Hotel serve breakfast?
You bet, full breakfast is offered on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and on weekends from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Elephant Hotel?
No, Elephant Hotel does not offer an airport shuttle service.
Is there a bar or restaurant at Elephant Hotel?
Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.
What time are check-in & check-out at Elephant Hotel?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.
Are pets allowed at Elephant Hotel?
Cats and dogs are welcome at Elephant Hotel, with food and water bowls on offer. Just so you know, there's a limit of 2 pets, with a maximum weight of up to 30 kg per pet.
Elephant Hotel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 144 reviews
10 - Excellent
64
Rating 8 - Good. 51 out of 144 reviews
8 - Good
51
Rating 6 - Okay. 15 out of 144 reviews
6 - Okay
15
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 144 reviews
4 - Poor
13
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 144 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
9.0/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Staff & service
7.8/10
Amenities
7.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Deborah
31 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely hotel and staff
Deborah
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stuart
19 Feb 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Enjoyed our stay at the elephant, good size room, nice tea, coffee , etc in room. Huge bed was very comfortable, en suite facilities were clean & well stocked. Staff friendly & I felt weak looked after. Breakfast I thought was excellent. Managed to park in the public car park next door at a very reasonable cost as elephant one was full..
We were lucky to have a garden room and it was a bonus to have our own space outside.
Very welcoming receptionist when we arrived and when we checked out
Room was spacious and clean, though there were stains on the carpet. Breakfast was substantial and arrived promptly. Dinner was good, as long as you like steak.
Eclectic, well restored, superb restaurant & breakfast, all wonderfully friendly staff. Nice little town alongside the Thames and short drive to equally wonderful Beale Wildlife Park as well as other attractions
The hotel is lovely the majority of the staff were more than helpful and very accomodating... one member called the day after my stay and sounded on the phone a little like she didnt want to be there but all others were amazing.
Good sized room. Comfy beds. Humming noise in the night.
Angela
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Mary
30 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service
It’s a very old hotel and therefore small rooms and no elevator - ours was quite a distance from the reception. We were underwhelmed with the staff and there was no notice there or in the room with the WiFi code. The bar smelled of smoke so we didn’t go in. It was convenient to Reading and near the river, so it worked for us.
The hotel is really quite nice and the steak was delicious. However they really need reception and restaurant staff to smile and be friendly and welcoming. It makes all the difference!
Michele
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Ann-Margareth
13 June 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice hotel, disruptions through the night outside.