It’s certainly a first for a hotel in Reading to be described as the ‘UK’s sexiest townhouse’ but that’s the accolade that the Evening Standard has bestowed on The Roseate Reading. Built in 1911 in grand Queen Anne style as the Shire Hall for the Berkshire County Council, it is now an opulent repository of good living where the tone is set by a chandelier made from 86,000 Italian glass beads that cascades from the top of the building. There’s specially commissioned art and sculpture throughout, huge arrangements of flowers, bold colours, dramatic fabrics and wallpapers. With contemporary restaurant, Cerise, a glamorous Cocktail Bar, afternoon tea and 24-hour room service, there’s little temptation to leave – especially if you splash out on a suite. The signature Roseate Suite, once the council chamber, is supremely quiet, beautifully decorated and deeply romantic, with lots of delicious extras: without doubt it’s one of the country’s most memorable rooms.
The Roseate Reading complements its early 20th century architecture with a wide variety of art sourced from across the world, which is meant to inspire creativity and stimulate cognisance. A sample of the hotel’s key art pieces include ‘Minimalism is not a word in our dictionary’ by Nicholas Hollinshead Interiors, bronze horses, elephants, tigers and hare in every bedroom crafted by Claire Norrington.
Cerise Bar & Restaurant offers a relaxed and modern ambience to savour traditional English cooking. The award winning kitchen team sources fresh, local ingredients for a seasonal a-la-carte menu, providing a memorable and flavoursome experience. The Cerise bar presents an all-day dining air in the cocktail bar at the Secret Garden. The setting is perfect for a private or corporate dining experience, as Cerise caters to a variety of occasions and palettes, with a focus on delivering contemporary British dishes.
Tickets to Reading Festival which runs in August. Past performers have included Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple and many more.
Nota Bene
The hotel was the former Shire Hall for Berkshire County Council and is regarded as a leading landmark in the area, regularly frequented by top models and actors.
