Article written by Ashley Topham
Situated in the vibrant city of Reading and less than an hour away from London is the Roseate Reading, this urban center’s most opulent boutique hotel. This cosmopolitan respite takes a new look at luxury by playing on the historic background of the property juxtaposed against its ultra-contemporary décor and design. Behind the red and white bricked façade lies a celebration of art and culture that showcases the masterworks of international artists. This is the type of luxury one can experience at the Roseate Reading, one of the U.K.’s most esteemed historic townhouse hotels.
Located across the street from Forbury Gardens, the grand white and red brick building of The Roseate Reading is, in a word, stately. A red carpet extends along the short staircase of the entrance, offering a regal aesthetic that is mirrored within the interior design. This historic 5-star townhouse hotel in Reading, UK is a part of the Roseate Collection, featuring luxury stays in Edinburgh, Bath, and London. With a focus on cultivating an artistic atmosphere, this historic property makes a name for itself as a boutique masterpiece.
The story of Roseate Reading begins in 1911 when the building was originally built as Shire Hall for the Berkshire County Council. Through careful restorations of the building into a luxury townhouse hotel, the historical integrity and charm have been meticulously preserved and remain intact. In fact, one can see the vaulted ceilings, cornice moldings, and a lift shaft restored to showcase their original beauty. Even the elaborate wood carvings along the doors and mantle places have been preserved so the history of the property can be felt throughout.
Some hotels simply display paintings others celebrate art which is precisely what the Roseate Reading has achieved. By commissioning six leading artists around the globe, the entire property becomes an ode to artistic achievement. The influential artists whose work adorns the hallways and various rooms include Septimus Warwick, Nicholas Hollinshead, Paul Ambille, Isabelle de Ganay, Simon Allen, Claire Norrington, and Alain Bonnefoit. Various paintings, sculptures, architectural details, and interior design styles encompass the beauty of the property. At the heart of the hotel is an 86,000 Italian glass-beaded chandelier hanging through the grand staircase. A stunning artistic addition that adds to the elegant atmosphere of the entire property.
There are 55 refined and sumptuous rooms and suites offered by Roseate Reading. As such, The Roseate Suite is the crown jewel of the property featuring a four-poster bed, deep set standing tub, monsoon shower, grand fireplace, and a spacious private living room. Other amenities feature a Nespresso machine, a refrigerator, television, and a full dining room set. Along the walls of the bedroom are delicate paintings of roses, adding a sense of romanticism to the room. The attached full bathroom features mosaic titles of copper, black, and white along with a towel warmer that allows one to feel as if they’re in a luxurious spa. There isn’t an inch of this suite that hasn’t been carefully decorated to exude a feeling of royalty for guests. Another suite known as the Roseate Executive Suite features the same lavish feeling with a king-sized bed fitted with Egyptian cotton sheets, a deep set copper bath, and a monsoon shower.
Fine dining can be found in the Reading Room through their exceptional breakfast, dinner, and extensive wine list. As guests walk into the Reading Room, they are welcomed by a chic dining area complete with a marbled bar counter and blush barstool seating. The dining area exudes intimate modernity with sleek tables accented with gold along the corners complete with light blue suede chairs. Alongside both walls of the room are mutated grey-colored suede benches set up for an additional dining area. Outside of the Reading Room is the Secret Garden, featuring an intimate dining experience with a waterfall wall, lights strung across a pomegranate tree, and relaxed seating.
As for the fine dining that guests experience at the Reading Room, it is truly the essence of exceptional European cuisine. The menus all change based on seasonal availability which ensures a sense of freshness within each dish. For lunch and dinner, there is an A la carte menu or a set menu that guests can choose from. One cannot go wrong with the velouté starter which is a white onion velouté accompanied by curry sponge, Roscoff onion, and parmesan foam. The creaminess of the white onion velouté perfectly pairs the flavorful spices of the curry sponge and the sweetness of the Roscoff onion. Each texture compliments one another in this dish, allowing for the palette to awaken for the main. Among the main dishes, the black truffle linguini is exceptional as it’s served encased in leeks with aged parmesan and pumpkin seeds. The earthiness of the black truffle allows for the mild flavors of pumpkin seeds and leeks to come alive. As for dessert, the Bavarian which is a raspberry and coconut Bavarian accompanied by strawberry, raspberry, rose sorbet, almond sponge, and mango gel is a fruit explosion. The various fruit’s acidities and sweetness create a refreshing and light dessert to enjoy.
A stay within Roseate Reading isn’t complete without experiencing their Aheli Spa, the perfect way to unwind. The word ‘Aheli’ in Hebrew translates to a feeling of purity and elegance, both of which describe the Aheli Spa’s ambiance. Within the spa menu, guests can choose from varying treatments such as the Skin Nectar ritual which encompasses a soothing facial from propolis, a soothing honey nectar with aromatic properties. Other treatments such as the Ayur Shanta is a 90-minute journey including a head and body massage with herb oil that restores balance to the mind and body. The focus of Aheli Spa is to look after one’s body and mind to provide a relaxing and invigorating journey for guests.
A stay at the Roseate Reading encompasses elegance through the incorporation of artistic celebration throughout the property. Adorning the halls and suites are spectacular works of art transforming the historic building into a stunning museumesque property. Guests can experience a tailored spa experience, a fine dining meal at the Reading Room, and a general feeling of serenity within the suites.
Article written by Ashley Topham
