Central high street location (next door to an IBIS hotel). I found the hotel difficult to find as Reading's one way system is a nightmare. It took me over an hour to travel just 3 miles and ended up in a bus lane, so I suggest you get the Sat Nav reference from the hotel (I phoned after an unsuccessful and irritating drive around the area with the address from website). Couldn't find the hotel's car park, so parked in a nearby NCP, you get a discount on the 24 hour rate of £15 if you inform reception when leaving.

The staff were very helpful and I was impressed that the person running breakfast remembered my name (nice touch). My room (501) was very clean and the bathroom had both shower and bath options, with a curved sink layout. The room was at the end of the corridor, so was quiet and the bed comfortable. The bi-fold door to the bathroom allows you to watch TV while in the bath. Mini bar (over priced), safe and flat screen TV with usual Freeview channels. Breakfast was good, with a wider choice than normal, including smoked salmon and salami. I didn't eat in the restaurant which I regret after a disappointing risotto in the nearby Prezzo restaurant. There is a pool on the lower ground floor. I would stay here again, but there could be cheaper options nearby.

We booked a last minute stay here for a Saturday night - the late check out (until 5pm!) on Sunday was a big bonus. The room was spacious and modern with a really cool bathroom, including separate shower and bath. The shower was like being blasted with a pressure washer, a little too aggressive for my liking. Good entertainment system although there was no music channel which is probably due to Novotel's in-house set-up where they charge 99p for listening to an album. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten my ipod but if you have yours to hand then there is an audio output cable handily rigged up to the TV. The room had a nice sofa (which converted into a bed) and being on the 13th floor had decent views across Reading (not that it's up there with the most picturesque cities in the world but better than no view at all). Weekend rates are very competitive and there is good parking nearby with the rail station being just round the corner. Staff friendly and efficient check-in and check out. This is probably the best hotel I've stayed in while visiting Reading to date.

Got an excellent deal for the room on-line which made it very good value. Hotel was clean and comfortable with friendly, helpful staff. It is very central and near to the train station/accessible from the motorway. Breakfast was good overall, though the tea was absolutely vile. The pool and gym facilities were perfectly pleasant, though there really should be drinking water available in the pool area for those using the sauna/steam room.

Minor criticisms: the car park was extremely cramped and difficult to manoeuvre around and at £14 per night is probably no cheaper than a public car park; the hotel was generally too hot which contributed to a fitful night's sleep; the shower temperature was a touch tepid.

Overall good for the price I paid.

Coming on a business trip requires that all hotels have a decent WIFI and Broadband Service. Therefore staying at a 4 star like Novotel, this was the least of my concerns. Everything was excellent about the hotel, location, room service, cleanliness, sleep quality. However by the time evening rolled, there was no WIFI (it actually went down and maintenance is only available in the morning). Front desk were extremely apologetic for this, so they gave me Broadband. To my shock, the Broadband was even worse with downlink speed of 0.4 mbps and an uplink of 0.6 mbps. This really impacted the productivity of work. Therefore if you are coming for a business trip and need internet access, this may not be the best choice Note that is not a reflection of the guest service, actually they did whatever they could to remedy the problem. If this was not a business trip, this is a wonderful place and would recommend it. On a seperate note I would recommend Trip Advisor have a new option for Internet Accessibility Rating.