8.5

453 reviews

The Narrowboat

The Narrowboat

Gas Works Road, Reading, RG1 3EQ, United Kingdom

Reservations:

+1-833-728-2041

Choose dates to view prices

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Adults only

Free wifi

Meeting/Banquet facilities

Bar

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

The Narrowboat

Welcome to The Narrowboat, where the charm of a cozy haven meets the lively spirit of Reading! Nestled just 0.6mi from the city center, this delightful adults-only hotel promises an unforgettable getaway. Whether you're in town for work, relaxation, or a little bit of both, we’ve got everything you need to make your stay extraordinary! Starting at an affordable $120, you can indulge in our modern amenities without breaking the bank.

Step inside and discover a treasure trove of features. Savor delectable dishes at our restaurant, unwind with a drink at the bar, or catch some free live music for that perfect end to your day. With free Wi-Fi to keep you connected and non-smoking rooms to ensure a breath of fresh air, you’ll find that comfort has never felt so good. Plus, with private parking and ample meeting facilities, your stay has been catered to with care.

But don't just take our word for it; with 453 reviews pouring in, guests rave about the warm atmosphere, friendly staff, and the perfect location for a peaceful yet accessible retreat. So, pack your bags and make your way to Gas Works Road, where a delightful adventure awaits!

At The Narrowboat, your culinary cravings will be expertly satisfied at our on-site restaurant, Bel and the Dragon. With a contemporary flair and a menu that showcases the best of British and European cuisine, you're in for a treat! Imagine indulging in flavor-packed dishes, all while relaxing in an ambiance that’s equally family-friendly and modern. Whether you’re toasting with a glass of wine after a day of exploration or sharing laughs over a hearty meal with friends, every dining experience here is sure to ignite your taste buds and elevate your spirits.

When it comes to winding down after a thrilling day in Reading, our stylish bar offers the ideal atmosphere. Sip on your favorite cocktail, craft beer, or a glass of fine wine as you enjoy free live music that fills the air with magic and cheer. The rhythmic ambiance and warm atmosphere make it a perfect spot to connect with fellow travelers or simply enjoy a moment of calm. It’s more than just a bar; it’s all about creating memories that linger long after you’ve left.

Finally, The Narrowboat makes it easy for you to enjoy a hassle-free stay with our convenient payment options. We’ve streamlined the process by accepting all major credit cards, ensuring top-notch security, and freeing you from worrying about cash. This hotel is dedicated to turning your getaway into a seamless experience, from the moment you step through the door until the time you check out. So come and explore all that we have to offer—you deserve it!

Closest airports

London Heathrow Airport

21.6mi

Luton Airport

38.5mi

London Gatwick Airport

39.6mi

London City Airport

43.8mi

London Stansted Airport

59.2mi

Most popular amenities

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Adults only

Free wifi

Meeting/Banquet facilities

Bar

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Free toiletries

Rooms

Double Room in The Narrowboat

Show 8 photos

Double Room

1 Double Bed

45 sqft

Private Bathroom

Coffee machine

Flat-screen TV

Tea/Coffee maker

More details

Experience the comfort of our Double Room, perfect for couples with its spacious 43 sqft, private bathroom, and a cozy double bed. Enjoy modern amenities including a coffee machine, flat-screen TV, and free toiletries for a relaxing stay.

Deluxe Double Room in The Narrowboat

Show 5 photos

Deluxe Double Room

1 King Size Bed

55 sqft

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

Shower

Free toiletries

More details

Experience ultimate comfort and style in our Deluxe Double Room, featuring a spacious 54 sqft of pure relaxation. Unwind on the luxurious King size bed, indulge in the modern amenities including a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and hypoallergenic features, ensuring a peaceful stay.

Single Room

1 Twin Bed

30 sqft

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

Shower

Free toiletries

More details

Welcome to our Single Room, a cozy space perfect for solo travelers. Enjoy a comfortable Twin bed, private bathroom, and modern amenities like a flat-screen TV and free toiletries.

Guest reviews

8.5

453 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇬🇧

Emily

10

June 2023

I'd arrived too early to check in but the staff didn't seem to mind me eating food that I had brought from elsewhere. The complimentary gin was something new that I haven't seen in a hotel yet. I'm not a big alcohol person but it was fun to have the opportunity to try it anyway. Also a big fan of the way they provide drinking water in the rooms. The bottles are nice and big. Plenty of water for the night and probably to take in your water bottle for the day too. It doesn't make you resort to using the tap and it doesn't use up plastic bottles. The furniture has an old feel but its kind of in a cute way rather than because of neglect (I think thats the appeal maybe). Its rustic but doesn't compromise on the necessary parts of modernity. Lots of light sources. I like that they provided a fan and also had temperature control (though I didn't end up needing either because it was mercifully cool at night). Beds are VERY comfortable. I've stayed in four hotels this month and this bed was by far the most comfortable. The splurge on good quality cotton is very much appreciated and the pillows are also very good to sleep on. Not too squishy but not hard either. The fancy coffee and tea options were intriguing. I've taken them home to try out. I think the milk being in little glass bottles is cute too. I didn't get to try the shower but everything else in the bathroom appeared to be clean and in working order. Restaurant downstairs looks pretty and the food is decent. Very nice location next to a scenic canal while being in walking distance from the city centre - very good for people who are not driving. I was only here for one night but honestly when i was lying in the bed on the morning of check out I wished I was staying another night. Would definitely stay here again.

Took me a while to figure out how to turn the lamps off but I think thats just me being dumb. Really nothing worth complaining about it was an all round good stay.

🇬🇧

Williamson

8.2

June 2023

Fantastic location close to everything and a beautiful little courtyard to sit and enjoy a drink on the thames. Rooms were nice, if a little warm although they did provide a fan, the shower was a great big walk in soaker and fab. the staff were superb and gave me a complimentary drink for my birthday and when the room was not ready asked us to sit and enojy a drink each, again complimentary. The breakfast was superb and served on a Sundaty 8 til 11 which I thought was a very flexible time. The breakfast was delicious, continental fresh pastries to enjoy and then a full on selection to choose from a breakfast menu all included in the price. I enyoed eggs, salmon, spinach on sour dough and it was cooked to perfection. I would definitely come back and go shopping and enjoy food there at lunch or for dinner

The only criticism was my husband explained when he called in advance that we had concert tickets and wanted to leave and get a train into,twickenham, check in was 3 but we asked for an hour early and we were told this would be ok yet upon arrival the room was not ready, we were given a complimentary drink to enjoy which was lovely but the room was not ready until 315 and we then had to re plan our evening pre concert drinks with friends. It was only a small issue thought and overall we ,loved it here

🇵🇹

Pedro

9.1

March 2023

It was a really great stay, all worked well, room warm, offer of a free drink in the room, spacious, excellent shower, good enough WiFi for a heavy user. No noise coming from the PUB/Restaurant. Staff was amazing, checkin and checkout processes really smooth with great attention to detail.

The entrance to the rooms could be improved, and 2 coded doors don´t help when raining. There was a hickup with the breakfast when staff was late in one of the mornings, but the cleaning lady saved the day preparing what she could for us and I endup going for the day with a full tummy. There was a message sent to let us know, but it did not reach me until too late. That is the only reason I don´t give maximum punctuation.

🇬🇧

Nick

8.2

August 2023

Super rooms, clean, great scent, even a couple of fans for balmy summer evenings. Comfy bed, everything you could need, including some cracking sloe Gin and a whiskey in the corridor for those who like it! Super breakfast, friendly staff and a great location.

The evening meal didn't meet the expectation or price I'm afraid, cold plates, cold food, undewhelming and not asked if we were happy to pay the optional gratuities, they just took it. The menu promised what the chef couldn't provide I'm afraid, the wating staff were lovely however...

🇬🇧

Lynne

8.2

March 2023

We were a group of 18 for supper in The Loft. The food was fab and presentation a step up. Standards are hard to maintain when there's a big group.The staff were all friendly and efficient even though they were stretched catering for a wedding outside on the barge. Nothing was too much trouble and throughout we were always greeted with smiles! Seems obvious but this is often sadly lacking these post COVID days. My partner loved the complementary whisky and sloe gin in the room....and no rubbish.....Glenlivet 12yr old and Sipsmiths!! A memorable touch. The breakfast was a cut above and a surprise as it did not appear to be included when I booked?? Parking on site is easy and free!

The County room was very hot on arrival as the heating had been left on high. The roman blind was broken and permanently lowered, although there was a handwritten note of apology. This meant no natural light or air could come into the room. The sash window had been repaired with black sticky gloop (?) that unfortunately got all over my hands when I tried to open the window to cool the room down. There was no mini fridge as described. If you like a very hard bed you will love it!

🇬🇧

Marie

9.1

June 2023

Great value, wonderful food, friendly, welcoming staff. Good central location with adequate car parking. Room was exceptionally clean and comfortable. Complimentary sloe gin and whiskey were greatly appreciated.

Being a very hot day the room was quite warm with no fridge or cool box so the milk left for the tea and coffee went off, suggest using long life milk during the hot weather. Also.no safe in the room so we kept our valuables with us at all times. Entrance to the rooms could be improved but didn't affect our enjoyable stay.

🇬🇧

Simon

8.2

April 2023

the quaint bar and restaurant, staff where very friendly and accommodating. the food was very nice and well presented at a good competitive price. good selection of coffee and tea in the room with a nice touch of chocolates. complimentary flavoured gin in the room and a decanter of whisky on a table outside the room for you pleasure nice touch.

the room although quirky needed a paint and spruce up, the way you have to get to the rooms via an outside metal staircase needed tidying as looked very dirty and run down.

🇬🇧

Derek

9.1

February 2023

Chanya and Matuesz Chef showed they are creative and empowered by compensating for my lack of breakfast with a sandwich the night before. I leave the hotel at 6am so no one is about and no chance of breakfast. This was a great solution to a challenging problem. They should both be commendef for their great customer service. Well done.

No early breakfast but see above , great thinking by your staff. The rules about no logs on the fire after 6 are annoying but that is not due to the hotel..

🇩🇰

Karsten

8.2

October 2022

Located at the river Kennett, so you can walk (on the other side) along the river on a path. Restaurant in the house and on a boat in the river/canal. Two rooms with solid security (two doors with kode-entrance) We could take some Gin in the room, and some Whisky outside the rooms, Breakfast nice - with individually ordered english breakfast Rooms OK with facilities. One of them had a window to the hotels own P-park.

In one room the tap was running a bit, couldn't be stopped. Reading is not a nice city near the hotel, so we stayed there for dinner (hard to find anything else near). The quality of the food at the dinner was not quite as good as expected.

🇪🇸

Donna

9.1

December 2022

Great room. lovely warm bathroom! Beautiful location. Restaurant very understanding of kids, provided entertainment!

Restaurant expensive. But even worse, we were virtually the only customers on a night when we had invited guests, and the food, whilst good, took seemingly forever to arrive, and when it did arrive it was not hot. We were too hungry and tired of waiting to comment or send it back at the time. No-one available for check-out the morning we left, which caused some later difficulties with settling the bill.

Points of Interest Around The Narrowboat

Attractions

Ascot

12.7mi

Dorney Court

12.9mi

Windsor

15.1mi

Highclere Castle

19.5mi

Bombay Sapphire Distillery

21.1mi

Magdalen College

23.9mi

All Souls College

24.1mi

Radcliffe Camera

24.2mi

Oxford Covered Market

24.2mi

Bodleian Library

24.2mi

Bridge of Sighs

24.2mi

Sheldonian Theatre

24.3mi

Trinity College

24.3mi

Balliol College

24.3mi

Bushy Park

26.2mi

Restaurants

Bel and the Dragon

Cuisines

  • British
  • European

Ambiances

  • Family Friendly
  • Modern

Amenities of The Narrowboat

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Adults only

Free wifi

Meeting/Banquet facilities

Bar

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Free toiletries

Stay rules - The Narrowboat

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Reservations

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property

Frequently Asked Questions - The Narrowboat

What's the check-in and check-out schedule at The Narrowboat?

Planning your stay at The Narrowboat? The room will be ready for you between 03:00 PM and 09:30 PM. However, departures are set at 12:00 PM.

Is vehicle parking offered by The Narrowboat?

Yes, there is parking available at The Narrowboat Hotel. The parking is free and private, located on site. However, please note that a parking reservation is required.

What are the rates at The Narrowboat?

The entry-level price at The Narrowboat is $120. These rates are subject to change based on room selection and travel dates. Kindly input your dates to view current rates.

Which room categories can I book at The Narrowboat?

The Narrowboat hotel offers three types of rooms. The Deluxe Double Room is a double room with a king-size bed, accommodating 2 adults. It has a room size of 54 sqft and does not allow smoking. The Single Room is a single room with a twin bed, accommodating 1 adult. It has a room size of 32 sqft and does not allow smoking. The Double Room is another double room with a double bed, accommodating 2 adults. It has a room size of 43 sqft and does not allow smoking.

What are the main attractions at The Narrowboat?

Guests at The Narrowboat hotel can enjoy a variety of leisure amenities during their stay. For those looking for live entertainment, there are regular performances of live music and stand-up comedy. The bar provides a lively atmosphere for guests to relax and socialize.

The hotel also offers outdoor amenities such as an outdoor fireplace, where guests can gather around and enjoy the scenery. Additionally, there are board games and puzzles available for those looking for indoor entertainment.

When it comes to dining options, guests can dine at the on-site restaurant called Bel and the Dragon. The restaurant offers a family-friendly and modern ambiance, and serves British and European cuisine. This provides guests with the convenience of having a restaurant on site, where they can enjoy a delicious meal without having to leave the hotel premises.

Does The Narrowboat feature its own restaurants?

Yes, the hotel has a restaurant on site called Bel and the Dragon. The restaurant offers a family-friendly and modern ambiance. It serves British and European cuisines.

Can I use my credit card at The Narrowboat?

No, you cannot use cash at The Narrowboat. The accepted payment methods are American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.