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French Horn Hotel

4.0 star property
This elegant riverside retreat offers stylish relaxation with garden views and comfortable spaces where travelers can truly unwind from daily life

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View from property - French Horn Hotel (Reading)
Front of property - evening/night - French Horn Hotel (Reading)
Lunch and dinner served, garden views - French Horn Hotel (Reading)
Bar (on property) - French Horn Hotel (Reading)
Reception - French Horn Hotel (Reading)
The French Horn Hotel sits peacefully by the river, where guests enjoy a serene garden and welcoming terrace. The lobby features a warm fireplace perfect for relaxation, while practical amenities include dry cleaning services and rooms for meetings.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
  • Business services

About the neighborhood

Located in Reading, French Horn Hotel is in a rural area and on a river. Stanlake Park Wine Estate and Nirvana Spa are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Oracle and John Lewis Reading. LEGOLAND® Windsor and Rivermead Leisure Complex are also worth visiting. Visit our Reading travel guide
View more Inns in Reading
Map
Sonning-on-thames, Reading, England, RG4 6TN

What's nearby

  • Thames Path
    Thames Path
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Mill at Sonning
    1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Microsoft UK Headquarters
    6 min drive - 2.1 miles
  • David Lloyd Leisure
    7 min drive - 2.7 miles
  • University of Reading
    8 min drive - 3.1 miles

Getting around

  • Reading Wargrave Station
    6 min drive
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR)
    40 min drive

Restaurants

  • Coffee #1
    5 min drive
  • Wee Waif
    4 min drive
  • Boaters Bar
    9 min drive
  • Kowloon Cafe 九龍冰室
    5 min drive
  • Cozze
    6 min drive

About this property

French Horn Hotel

Upscale inn near Thames River
At French Horn Hotel, you can look forward to a terrace, a garden, and dry cleaning/laundry services. The on-site restaurant offers lunch and dinner. In addition to a fireplace in the lobby and a bar, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self parking
  • Continental breakfast (surcharge), free newspapers, and a front-desk safe
  • 1 meeting room, coffee/tea in the lobby, and multilingual staff
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and feature comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-compatible safes, in addition to thoughtful touches like air conditioning and bathrobes.
Extra amenities include:
  • Egyptian cotton sheets and pillowtop mattresses
  • Tubs or showers, free toiletries, and hair dryers
  • Wardrobes/closets, electric kettles, and daily housekeeping

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee: GBP 15 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Turndown service

Business services

  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On a river
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1880
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Victorian architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free weekday newspapers
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; Check-in end time: 10:30 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:30 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:30 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 not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately GBP 15.00 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 18 years old
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector and window guards

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

French Horn Hotel
French Horn Hotel Reading
French Horn Reading
French Horn Hotel Inn
French Horn Hotel Reading
French Horn Hotel Inn Reading

Frequently asked questions

Is French Horn Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at French Horn Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; Check-in end time: 10:30 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at French Horn Hotel?

Check-out is at 11:30 AM.

Where is French Horn Hotel located?

Situated on a river, this inn is steps from Thames River and Mill at Sonning. Thames Path and David Lloyd Leisure are also within 2 mi (3 km).

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Reviews

French Horn Hotel Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.2

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.2

Staff & service

8.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 79 out of 140 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 45 out of 140 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 140 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 140 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 140 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ranjit

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mihail

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly welcome and the traditional architecture is amazing. Great chef as well. We loved the lobster and the foie gras.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing hotel with impeccable service

Quirky hotel in the most beautiful location overlooking the Thames. From start to finish our stay was amazing. With my husband being a chef we did not book a table in the restaurant, but when Chateau Briande was on the menu a table was quickly requested. The service and food was impeccable, as was breakfast served in the room the next morning. Cannot wait to return again
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was beautiful, the breakfast was amazing but most of all the staff were the nicest hotel staff I have ever known, the most polite and friendly people and made us feel so comfortable .. thank you so much! Kelly & Rosie
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gill

Liked: Staff & service
Loved the roasting ducks in the fireplace and the snugs. Staff were truly excellent.. breakfast vv good . Spotlessly clean room and comfy bed . Dining area could with remoderising and staff wear more casual clothes rather than dark suits. . Having said that the guests eating there seemed to like that atmosphere
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Martyn

Liked: Staff & service

Very nice.

Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff, very comfy bed, very clean, make sure you turn on the shower 5-10 mins before you want one, hot water takes ages and no glasses/ Tumblers.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Charming characterful hotel

A lovely location for a romantic getaway. Olde worlde charm and character in a beautiful setting by the Thames.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Valerie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel in a beautiful setting by the river. Amazing food in the restaurant. Plenty of choices for food options nearby. Attentive and friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Location
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very welcoming team of caring professionals. Fabulous food and ambiance. Certainly will return.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Old style charm. Magnificent staff
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Luke

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Stuart

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay at the French horn. It has old work charm and the staff are excellent, friendly without being in your face. The feel of the place is lovely and right on the river. A sympathetic make over would be beneficial building on the charm and character of the place. The rooms were spotless, comfortable and spacious. I cannot rate the staff too highly they were excellent. The food is very good although expensive and the silver service faultless. The only real downside is the road alongside the property but we were not disturbed by it and was quiet at night. Overall I will stay sgain
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Verified

4/10 Poor

steven

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort

A stay of two halves

Well my stay started off very promising, hotel reception called in advance of my check-in to see if I wanted dinner (always nice to get this call), on my arrival was informed I had been upgraded to a junior suite (again nice). I was shown to my room, it was very cold but I can live with that as I had only booked a few hours before arriving and wouldn't expect them to heat an empty room. I slept reasonably well but when I awoke early to shower & shave I was greeted with only cold water, It's an old building I thought so lets just let the water run a little..5 minutes still ice cold water..10 minutes again still ice cold this made for a very bad start to the day. I went to check out as I had already lost 15 minutes to my day by faffing about with the water I wanted to get going ASAP. I mentioned that there had been no hot water and was amazed at the response I got "well it is an old building" I will spare you the rest of this short conversation. My advice is do not stay here if you need to have a shower that is not ice cold!!!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nick

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stunning location. Great service. Quiet rooms with great views. In the morning, just walk down the beautiful lawn, jump in the river and go for a swim.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great setting. Hospitality friendly and helpful. Breakfast was wonderful. Highly recommend without reservations.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff and owners very friendly and great service enjoyed the breakfast lovely view from the room
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Traditional hotel.

A traditional upmarket hotel. Quite old fashioned in the decor and feels rather grand of the last. Food is expensive but a pleasant enough hotel. Beautiful location not a lot around. Wouldn’t recommend for children.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A very comfortable old style Hotel with character and charm. Food excellent, staff charming and helpful. Too hot for me though in general areas.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Verified

6/10 Okay

Reinhard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort

hot room

The room was a loft room and extremely hot. The bar was heated by an open fire, although the outside temperature was 25 degrees
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property grounds are beautiful and adjoining the river.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Going back in time.

Different. To normal hotels.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
The receptionist who is there in the afternoons and evenings is incredibly friendly. The other one, who is there in the mornings, is not, and is unpleasant to deal with.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My wife loves it. Traditional, friendly. Excellent dinner. breakfast 8 minutes on last day - meant short warm up for race at Henley.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Business trip

The service, the setting, the location, the food, all were nothing short of excellent. I was there on a business trip which looks like additional visits in the future. I will most definitely be booking this hotel again, can't recommend enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019