Escape to Elephant Hotel, a family-friendly haven in the countryside. Enjoy shopping on site, sip coffee at the cafe, and unwind with WiFi in your room or stroll through the garden.
Church Road, Pangbourne, Reading, England, RG8 7AR
What's nearby
Basildon Park - 4 min drive
Mapledurham House and Watermill - 11 min drive
Oracle - 13 min drive
Madejski Stadium - 14 min drive
University of Reading - 16 min drive
Getting around
Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 46 min drive
Farnborough (FAB) - 55 min drive
Oxford (OXF) - 55 min drive
Reading Pangbourne Station - 5 min walk
Tilehurst Station - 6 min drive
Theale Station - 7 min drive
Area shuttle (surcharge)
Restaurants
Costa Coffee - 2 min walk
Pangbourne, Adj the George Hotel - 2 min walk
Four Seasons Fish & Chips - 6 min drive
Herbies Pizza - 7 min drive
Mad Hatters Pottery Painting Cafe - 7 min drive
About this property
Elephant Hotel
Elephant Hotel offers a fantastic location, putting you just a 5-minute walk from Thames River. You can grab a bite to eat at the coffee shop/cafe or wind down at the end of the day with a drink from the bar/lounge. Other highlights at this eco-certified hotel include a snack bar/deli, a terrace, and a garden. Fellow travelers say good things about the overall property condition.
Languages
English, Spanish
At a glance
Hotel size
22 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Express check-in/out available
Minimum check-in age: 16
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 11 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 16
Children
Supervised childcare*
Pets
Pets allowed (dogs and cats only, 2 total, up to 66 lbs per pet)*
Service animals welcome
Specific rooms only*
Food and water bowls available
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Free onsite self parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
Onsite parking limited
Electric vehicle charging point on site
Offsite
Area shuttle*
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Full breakfast (surcharge) 7:00 AM–10:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM–10:00 AM on weekends
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop
Room service (limited hours)
Snack bar/deli
Traveling with children
Playground
Supervised childcare (surcharge)
What to do
Horse riding/rentals
Shopping
Golfing nearby
Working away
Meeting rooms
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Wedding services
Multilingual staff
Facilities
1 building/tower
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Terrace
Banquet hall
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Room amenities
Be entertained
Television
Premium TV channels
Home comfort
Heating
Coffee/tea maker
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Soundproofed rooms
Alarm clock
Freshen up
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi
Phone
Food and drink
Free bottled water
More
Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Special features
Awards and affiliations
Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Tourism Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Full breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately GBP 12.50 for adults and GBP 6.25 for children
Area shuttle service is offered for an extra charge
Children & extra beds
Supervised childcare is available for an extra charge
Cribs/infant beds are available for GBP 20.0 per night
Rollaway beds are available for GBP 20.0 per night
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of GBP 20 per pet, per night
Policies
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards on site.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Also known as
Elephant Hotel Reading
Elephant Reading
Elephant Hotel Hotel
Elephant Hotel Reading
Elephant Hotel Hotel Reading
Frequently asked questions
Does Elephant Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Elephant Hotel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Elephant Hotel?
Yes, cats and dogs are welcome, with a limit of 2 total and maximum weight of 66 lbs per pet. There's a charge of GBP 20 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees. Food and water bowls are available.
Is parking offered on site at Elephant Hotel?
Yes, there's free self parking. Parking spots may be limited. Electric vehicle charging is available.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Elephant Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Check-out time is 11 AM. Express check-in and check-out and contactless check-out are available.
Is there an onsite casino at Elephant Hotel?
No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but Genting Casino (11-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at Elephant Hotel and nearby?
Have fun during the warmer months with activities such as horseback riding. Elephant Hotel also has a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Elephant Hotel?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant.
What's the area around Elephant Hotel like?
Elephant Hotel is a short 5-minute walk from Reading Pangbourne Station and 4 minutes' walk from Thames River.
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Elephant Hotel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.8/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Staff & service
7.2/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
8/10 Very good
Oct 31, 2024
Bar , Dinner and room all v good
Duncan
Duncan, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 13, 2024
Excellent place to stay and very quirky.
stephen
stephen, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Feb 4, 2025
Good value for money
The reception staff were very welcoming and helpful. Excellent location, although the carpark is very small and was fully occupied by the time I arrived. Customers using the hotel restaurant. Public parking is nearby at £1 a night. The room was very clean and well presented, however some of the furniture is rather tired looking. There's a good choice of quality tea, coffee biscuits and bottled water in the room. I'm very happy with my stay. Sadly I had to leave early and missed the breakfast.
Frank
Frank, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 8, 2024
Perfect stay
The hotel is lovely the majority of the staff were more than helpful and very accomodating... one member called the day after my stay and sounded on the phone a little like she didnt want to be there but all others were amazing.
Dave
Dave, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 10, 2024
Lovely but quirky place. One of those hotels that you love the quirkiness and the staff make it.
Nicholas
Nicholas, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 18, 2024
Breakfast was lovely, staff were very helpful and the room was good as well
Sean
Sean, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 14, 2024
We only stayed one night but had a comfortable room, good food in the bar, and staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
Sarah
Sarah, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 30, 2024
Nice and comfy bed , nice people, good food.
Daniel
Daniel, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 19, 2024
The hotel is really quite nice and the steak was delicious. However they really need reception and restaurant staff to smile and be friendly and welcoming. It makes all the difference!
Michele
Michele, 1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Sep 7, 2024
It is an absolute dump, stained carpets- torn curtains (I have photos), all furniture seems second hand green lighting. Could not wait to leave
john
john, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jun 13, 2024
Nice hotel, disruptions through the night outside.
Ann-Margareth
Ann-Margareth, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Aug 23, 2024
Boiling hot room with no aircon and just a really noisy fan.
Suggest they invest in good pedestal fans with a quiet night setting.
Excellent breakfast.
Dennis
Dennis, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 8, 2024
Really enjoyed the hotel, clean but small room. Steak dinner was not cheap but really tasty, definitely recommend the steak. Staff were friendly and helpful. Only disappointment was that the bar closed at 10:30, despite me and my 2 colleagues being in the bar and hotel residents. That was the only thing that let it down.
Nicholas
Nicholas, 1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Aug 1, 2024
Comfy bed, boiling room
The towel rail was on full blast - heated the room on an already very hot (30 degrees) day and couldn’t turn it off
Miranda
Miranda, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jan 25, 2024
I love the rooms here, car park is small but paying car park right next door which is free from 5pm till 8
Jane
Jane, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Nov 14, 2023
The room was really spacious and decorated in a quirky chic style, which I liked
Jane
Jane, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 20, 2023
Gem for a break near the River Thames
Eclectic, well restored, superb restaurant & breakfast, all wonderfully friendly staff. Nice little town alongside the Thames and short drive to equally wonderful Beale Wildlife Park as well as other attractions
Mark
Mark, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Dec 18, 2023
Really needs a refurbishment!
Ali Hakan
Ali Hakan, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 22, 2023
Unexpected delight
The Elephant Hotel was an unexpected delight - I was booked in as an overnight stop on the Thames Path National Trail. The room was really high quality - smart TV, leather sofa, high quality coffee and teas in the rooms. Plus a bath that was perfect after an 18 mile walk.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Aug 23, 2024
Stayed in room 11 and it there was so much banging and crashing from whatever was below me. This continued from 8pm until around 10:30ish. The room was dark with no ceiling lighting and one wall light broken and the other had the shade hanging off. The top of the rainfall shower had a thick layer of dust on and the bath was dirty. I wanted to complain when I checked out but there was no one at reception or any other staff to be seen when I checked out.
Jamie
Jamie, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Jan 19, 2024
Poor sleep, nice building
Stayed overnight for work.
Good: very nice and efficient girl for check in; comfortable bed; very good shower; nice tea/coffee/shampoo etc; large TV; room decorated nicely; good price; good breakfast service
Poor: Cold room at night and morning; loud intermittent plumbing noises all night affected sleep; road noise; small carpark
Richard
Richard, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Oct 20, 2023
Good for a couple of days
Parking was an issue. Location noisy as right on a busy junction.
Restaurant was good with the meat being cooked in the room which was nice. Breakfast okay but limited cold selection limited
Richard
Richard, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 15, 2023
One Night Stay for Business
To start with, I booked this hotel because I wanted to stay somewhere with character, I could have gone to the Hilton, Crown Plaza or Voco but I chose the Elephant over them and I think Pangbourne is a lovely place.
It's an old building with a few creaks. Things that could improve is the noisy air-con unit outside by room above the kitchen, it wasn't too bad but once I noticed it, that was it. Great complimentary tea / shower products etc.
Paul Andrew
Paul Andrew, 1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Sep 27, 2023
Very noisy room, we heard traffic all night. We asked for a room on a quiet location. Website says FREE PARKING. small parking was full. Park on the Village Hall parking where you have to pay. Toilet flushing was not okay. Breakfast service took a long time. Breakfast buffet would be easier and less complicated then your way of service.
RJM
RJM, 1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Jan 11, 2024
Customer Service Non existent this time
So the last time I stayed here, I had to complain about a dog going absolutely ballistic in the room next to me. Poor thing was throwing itself at the door and howling. When I spoke to reception they advised that it was the Managers dog and he keeps it in a room when he's at work. Prior to this a car alarm was continually going off in the car park. That was the same dog before he got moved into a room. I even offered to have the dog in my room to keep it company. It was moved and sat at reception with a colleague.Anyway, I decided to give the hotel another go. After a 3 hour drive to my works office, all I wanted to do was have a hot bath and go to bed. Bath run but as soon as I was in it, it drained in a matter of seconds. I've emailed the hotel 3 times about this asking for a refund but have had no response. I did say I would be leaving a review if they didn't come back to me. Essentially I've paid for something I didn't get and as this is the 2nd time I've experienced issues feel I have to leave a review. No response to my complaint is unacceptable.