Stayed 1 night with my partner. 1st impressions were great - lovely location, very attentive, pleasant and professional staff, plus the terrace was lovely and the bar areas very comfortable and atmospheric.
However, as we were taken up to our room on the 2nd floor, it became apparent that there hasn't been any money spent on this hotel in a very long time. It has a decor from the 70's & 80's - wonky pictures, floral china in cabinets, 'orrible carpets and wallpaper that has been painted over many times. Our room (No. 19) was hideous: stains on the bed cover, with 2 single mattresses put together, TV from a carboot, carpet in the bathroom. I could go on, but will stop there. I will say that it was clean and spacious.
We went downstairs for a drink followed by dinner. The service was perfect in every way, food was wonderful, but the prices are heart-stopping. For a 3-course meal, wine and coffee, it was 200 pound! Breakfast is served in the room, but there isn't any type of continental choice listed, which many people prefer to a cooked and surely isn't that difficult to provide?
On leaving, we managed to peep into several vacated rooms and suites and they were all nicer than ours but still very dated.
In conclusion, I would agree with a previous review and say that this hotel is relying on its past reputation and location. Staff and food were faultless, but everything is way, way overpriced. For wealthy middle-aged or elderly couples only. Sorry!

Beautiful location - difficult to believe it's less than an hour from town. Have visited this restaurant on many occasions and have yet to find fault with anything! The food and wine are exquisite with a great choice available.The service is consistently impeccable without being intrusive or stuffy! Having coffee and petit fours on the terrace overlooking the river is really a perfect way to end a meal here.

My partner and I frequently visit the French Horn over weekends (I'm sure if the owners read this they know who we are!)

We absolutely love the French Horn. We are always awaited with a warm friendly welcome (even if they are busy, which they frequently are with dinner and Sunday lunch), we are always allocated the room we like most which is one of the riverside cottages. The cottages are split level with a small lounge, bedroom and bathroom. Very cute cottages and close to the river only a short walk from the main building. You are welcomed not only by a friendly smile but with a lovely open warm fire, champagne (if you choose) and delicious canapés while you decide what to order from the restaurant.

The food is just another one of the reasons we keep returning, the pheasant! absolutely divine! my partner and I just love it. The duck is also wonderful. We have tried probably everything on the menu and it is all lovely, outstanding preparation and the service is extremely good too. Am also a fan of the waiters, they are always so friendly and always have a smile.

The breakfast always comes on time, hot and delicious! We enjoy having a delicious breakfast in our room on a Sunday morning and the French Horn manage to do this perfectly! They have never forgotten any thing we specify on our breakfast menu.

My only problem is that the French Horn isn't closer to our home!

We will continue to escape to the French Horn for a weekend away!

Thank You to the French Horn! :-)

First impressions, really very positive - lovely spot close to a backwater of the Thames, but notice there's a busy road that splits hotel form its car park (hint - ask for a bedroom away from the road).
We arrived mid Saturday afternoon to a hot fire (in August!) in the small but comfortable bar / lounge area. Cosy and atmospheric.
Went up to room and thought we'd have a cup of tea - ahh, no tea/coffee making facilities or even a complementary bottle of Winner's favourite Hildon water. All extra (£4-£5 a time) so forgot that. In my experience even £50 a-night places have tea/coffee and a kettle. And this is NOT £50 a night.
As late afternoon approached, decided to have a shower - next little challenge, rubber seal around door hanging off, then turned on shower only to convert bathroom floor into pond - shower head suffering from limescale attack and sends water in all directions. So jump in and after less than 2 mins jump out before shower tray overflows. Doesn't anyone check these things?
Go into bedroom and close curtains; but can't. They stay 18inches apart at top because some muppet has hooked it up on the wrong side of the runner. So, get up on stool to fix. Are you getting the picture here - the place is rather tired.
Early evening go down to reception; start asking receptionist... and the phone rings. She decides that 3 separate phone calls should then be answered in next 7 minutes before she attends to a paying guest. Sorry ,a bit of electronics comes way down my list compared to real people waiting in front of you.
Most of the staff are French. My experience was the more junior they were the more attentive and pleasant they were. Some of the senior ones had that superior Parisien attitude - I felt that I should try my schoolboy French just to make an effort..oh sorry, I'm in a little place outside of Reading in blightly.
Then the evening meal. I know we're close to the Roux boys here, but there's no need to copy their price list. All starters hovered around the £20 mark and main courses mostly the wrong side of £30. Puds were £10 (and were the best bet). The food was only average and therefore not worth half what they charged.
So overall, to mis-quote that famous war-time comment, it's over-rated, over-priced and over here.
Apparently the second-generation owner was away on one of his many wine sorties in France. Says all you need to know.